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Proposed mining project in Yadkin County raises concerns

The proposed mine would span hundreds of acres. This Google image is from GIS maps that Joyce Long (citizen) marked up showing the proximity of the proposed mining site to West Yadkin Elementary School.

Local residents say they're alarmed about a company's proposal to build a new rock quarry in Yadkin County. They have started a petition to stop the project.

Three Oaks Quarry wants to build the mine in rural Yadkin County. Residents in the Hamptonville community say they received letters from the company about its plans for a large tract of land in the area. The site would sit near an elementary school. 

The company argues the project brings good-paying jobs and provides a local source for businesses that need construction materials.

Many local residents say this doesn't belong in their neighborhood. Amanda Felts and her family live near the proposed site. She says she's worried about traffic, noise, property values, and well water quality.

“The tranquility and the quality of life basically that we have as a community, but beyond that, I'm most concerned about the impact that it could have on West Yadkin School," says Felts. "The mine in question would be in very close proximity to the school."

Three Oaks Quarry didn't respond to a request for an interview or response in time for this story. The company has set up a section online to answer questions about the project.

In a letter to residents, the company says it plans to hold a public information session on March 23.

The proposed mine would require approval from the county. 

Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib-news

Keri Brown is a multi-award winning reporter and host at 88.5 WFDD. She has been honored with two regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her stories about coal ash, and was named the 2015 radio reporter of the year by the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas (RTDNAC).Although she covers a variety of topics, her beats are environmental and education reporting.Keri comes to the Triad from West Virginia Public Broadcasting, where she served as the Chief Bureau Reporter for the Northern Panhandle. She produced stories for the state's Public Television and Radio programs and was honored by the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association for her feature and enterprise reporting.She also served as an adjunct instructor at Wheeling Jesuit University and Bethany College in West Virginia. She worked with the Center for Educational Technologies in Wheeling, WV, and other NASA centers across the country to develop several stories about the use of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts in the classroom.Keri's journalism career began at WTRF-TV 7 in Wheeling. She worked in several roles at the station, including the head assignment editor. She also was a field producer and assignment manager at WPGH-TV Fox 53 in Pittsburgh.Keri is a graduate of Ohio University. When she's not in the studio or working on a story, she enjoys watching college football with her family, cooking, and traveling.Keri is always looking for another great story idea, so please share them with her. You can follow her on Twitter @kerib_news.

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