TDEC held another public meeting last week, this time over a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the discharge of wastewater and storm water by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Mineral and Geologic Resource for a proposed rock quarry for SRM Materials, LLC on Highway 70 on Snow Hill. Many concerned residents of the area were in attendance to ask questions and voice their opposition to the quarry.

The meeting was held at the County Complex last Thursday evening, with TDEC officials presenting information on what the department oversees and how the process is handled.

Those participating in the public comments portion of the meeting included Nancee Maderno, who participated by Microsoft Team online, Lucas Antoniak, Steven Cantrell, Michael Antoniak, V.E. Garner on behalf of Doug Walter, Max Knudsen, Tony Clevenger, and Krysta Eickmann.

Many opposed the proposed quarry, citing DeKalb County enacting the County Powers Act. The act states, “The County Clerk shall not issue a permit to operate a quarry, gravel pit, or rock crusher, cryptocurrency mine, landfill, adult entertainment or methadone clinic to any applicant who has not obtained all applicable state and/or federal permits required to operate such an enterprise or activity. The applicant’s acquisition of all applicable state and/or federal permits shall be a prerequisite to obtaining a business license or permit to operate such an enterprise or activity from the County Clerk.”

While many see the application for water discharge moot due to the act, TDEC said that it does not take into consideration any city or county regulations for the permit. SRM has apparently not applied for a permit locally in compliance with the county powers act or provided an explanation as to why it should be grandfathered under the act.

Nancee Maderno stated, “I oppose the granting to SRM Materials. My husband and I own the property directly across from the proposed SRM limestone quarry. The only thing separating our borders is the Nashville Highway. SRM is requesting to dump industrial waste into Drivers Branch, which joins our property under the highway and runs one third of a mile through our property exclusively past several wet and dry springs. Our only source of water for the homestead is a well which is a little more than 600 feet from the proposed quarry. My neighbors also rely on springs or wells for water. We have no other choice.”

Lucas Antoniak spoke up saying, “I’m a lifelong resident of the Snows Hill community, where I was born and currently live with my wife and daughter. To begin, I believe this entire meeting is moot. By Tennessee Senate Bill 559, property owners should expect that the merits of a permit application will be judged on the law in effect at the time of application. Our county enacted the County Powers Act on October 28, 2024, and the state’s water permit details for SRM’s application shows that their application for a water permit was not accepted by the state until November 13, 2024, so they do not qualify for consideration by the county’s power’s act grandfather clause.”

“Additionally, on their own website as today, SRM does not list the North Driver Road as an operational quarry location. SRM should recognize they are subject to our County Powers Act and withdraw from this project from further consideration.”

“I seriously doubt that SRM has the ability and interest to maintain the water as required by state. A simple Google search shows SRM’s history of multiple violations and non-compliance at their other sites in the state show that this is a company that does not hold to or respect the standards the state requires. If anyone wants to see what SRM will do to Driver’s Branch with their own eyes, I recommend visiting the dust-covered creek directly by SRM’s nearby Woodbury location. This is not a company that can be trusted to do their part to protect our water.”

Lucas’ father, Michael Antoniak, also spoke at the meeting saying, “I wish I could raise concerns here about the silica dust we’ve already dealt with, a known health risk from rock quarries. And it’s not the forum to discuss how the quarry will erode property values, threaten our rural lifestyle, peace of mind and homes families planned to enjoy into retirement. Nor have we had the opportunity to look in the eyes who seek to set this pit in our rural neighborhood for their profit, exclusively with callous disregard of everyone who calls this home.”

“Let’s turn to water, the essence of all life, and how this permit could impact all life forms along Drivers Branch and downstream. Our best hope is the state will fairly weigh the concerns of many residents against those of one corporation in its final review.”

Antoniak also brought up concerns over endangered species in the area. “Back in 2006, the Short Mountain Crayfish, a threatened species, was first discovered as unique to this area. The scientist who identified it, Dr. Ed Organ of Liberty, found it in one of those springs as he established its limited range. As far as I know the other springs and Drivers Branch have never been checked. I’ve also heard of hellbenders, an endangered species, downstream in Dry Creek and Smith Fork.”

Other species found exclusively in the area include the Tennessee Cave Fish and the Tennessee Cave Salamander. Both are only found in the Middle Tennessee region from Dowelltown to Lebanon, TN.

Local resident Max Knudsen stated at the meeting, “First fact: The County Powers Act was passed before the application was submitted.

“Second fact: This company is in violation in multiple locations.

“Third fact: People live in this area. People are thriving already in this area, and this is a head waters to the Liberty valley, the very first city in DeKalb County.

“Fact, Drivers Branch is a battleground from the civil war. There are unmarked graves of confederate and union soldiers there.

“Fact, Driver Branch was the location of a slave auction home for nearly one century. There are thousands of afro indigenous graves on that land.

“Fact, these hills and hollers are the tributaries to the Trail of Tears, and we should be talking rematriation and not continued exploitation. A wound that will never, ever be able to be healed.”

At the end of the meeting, Jessie McBride, Office of External Affairs representative with TDEC, who served as hearing officer said “We will review all of your comments oral and written and make our decision … A copy of our permit decision, response to comments, and the notice of determination will be mailed or emailed to those in our record of attendance and will also be uploaded to TDEC’s public data viewer.”

Written comments related to the NPDES permit are still being accepted by the TDEC until April 7, 2025. Comments should be emailed to DMGR.PublicNotice@tn.gov or by mail to the TDEC Mining Section at 3711 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37921.