We’re All Downwind
There is no way to predict the associated drift of the plume or the resulting pollution impact zone of a cement plant. Currently three elementary schools are within the 5-mile danger zone and a fourth is planned in the area in the near future. In Wilmington alone, there are 27 elementary schools in the 10-mile impact zone. Contaminated soils have been found within 30 miles of such industries, which covers much of New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Onslow Counties.
Impacts on the community from this type of heavy industry are significant. Aside from exposing surrounding communities to hazardous and toxic materials, the cement plant will emit dust, have a visible plume of smoke and create noise. Additionally, similar plants elsewhere in the country experience approximately 35,000 inbound truck deliveries and 42,000 outbound truck deliveries each year, taking a toll on local roads, bridges and infrastructure.
We aren’t the only ones trying to keep ourselves from being downwind of a big polluter. Take a look at other communities around the country that are fighting to clear their air from the pollution of cement kilns:
- Downwinders at Risk, http://www.downwindersatrisk.org/, a citizens action group based in the Dallas area has been fighting cement plant emissions for years. You can read about their efforts and the local impacts.
- New York and other states sue EPA over failure to regulate mercury
http://www.mountainx.com/news/2008/board_unanimously_denies_concrete_plant Asheville, NC community to says no to cement plant
In Montana: www.notoxicburning.org
The following map shows approximately the 30 mile pollution impact zone around the proposed Titan cement plant site.
I am interested in whether anyone knows a way to identify the exact parcels on which the Titan plant would be located. I have been combing through minutes of the Board of Commissioners and NHC Planning Board in search of any discussion about rezoning the parcels, since that would probably be one of the early steps in getting the project approved. I stumbled upon a tentative meeting agenda item for the June 5 Planning Board meeting:
Item 5: Rezoning Request (Z-886, 6/08)- Request by Withers & Ravenel for Crowatan Partners, LLC to rezone 84.89 acres (landlocked between Castle Hayne Rd. and Blue Clay Rd. north of I-140 from R-20 to I-1 in the Aquifer Resource Protection land classification. The change would transition the land’s development potential from low density residential uses of 1.9 units per acre to a variety of light industrial uses.
If you want to have a look at minutes and agendas for Planning and Commissioners, go to:
http://www.nhcgov.com/AgnAndDpt/CCOM/Pages/DeptInfo.aspx
and / or
http://www.nhcgov.com/AgnAndDpt/PLNG/Pages/DeptInfo.aspx
For anyone who wants to make direct calls or send their own e-mails:
Chairman Greer 619-7879 (Cell)
Vice-Chairman Caster 452-1282 (H)
Commissioner Davis 763-6249 (W)
Commissioner Kopp 431-7120 (Cell)
Commissioner Pritchett 791-2827 (H)
(The following officials were copied on Bill Caster’s recent response to the form e-mails from this site. Based on Mr. Caster’s response, it doesn’t appear that he is willing to admit he made a mistake.)
Davis, Ted (TDavis@nhcgov.com)
Greer, Bobby (rgreer@nhcgov.com)
Kopp, Bill (BKopp@nhcgov.com)
Pritchett, Nancy (NPritchett@nhcgov.com)
Shell, Bruce (BShell@nhcgov.com)
Huffman, Sharon (SHuffman@nhcgov.com)
Burpeau, Kemp (KBurpeau@nhcgov.com)
Copley, Wanda (WCopley@nhcgov.com)
Schult, Sheila (SSchult@nhcgov.com)
And don’t forget about good old Bill!
bcaster@nhcgov.com
And for those of you who don’t know, Commissioner Pritchett was the only member to vote against the Titan project.
I was wondering if someone could post a map of the area in question. I know a lot of people have been asking me and I would like to know what to say!
Thanks so much!
never before has the struggle between capitalism and citizenship been more evident than today. now is the time, the only time we have, to protect this beautiful gift we have been given in the form of mother earth. economies and environments can co-exist through citizenship, sacrifice and innovation. these principles must be demanded in the loud voices of the people who understand and believe in their valor. we all have to push tirelessly against this and encourage others to do the same.
In reference to the required environmental impact statement (EIS) that is required, I read on here that the Army Corps of Engineers was going to be performing that for Titan Cement. I thought the Corps was not allowed to do this type of work unless it is directly related to a Corps project. Could somebody please confirm this? and if it is so what Corps project is related. I also know that the more people who show at the meetings to voice their concerns about the scope of the EIS, in general creates a more thorough EIS.
Message below from Chris O’Keefe, the NHC Planning Director, regarding the parcels on which Titan will build (I will post the map as soon as I can figure out how to do so):
From: O’Keefe, Chris [mailto:COKeefe@nhcgov.com]
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2008 1:01 PM
To: Lloyd Smith
Subject: RE: Titan Cement parcels
Dear Lloyd -
The property(ies) proposed for Titan Cement are in an area already zoned I-2 which is appropriate for that type of use. Most of the County was zoned in the 60’s and 70’s. I believe there are several parcels in the proposal but the only one I know for sure is R00600-001-008-000. I have included a map of the area.
I hope this helps.
Chris
Chris O’Keefe, AICP
Does anyone know how the Castle Hayne Plannining Initiative (mentioned on the New Hanover Co. website) is affected by the proposed cement plant?