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- Introduction-

A petition by concerned citizens of Mad River Township in opposition to a proposed deep quarry mining operation that will deplete and pollute our water supply, diminish our property values, harm our environment and our quality of life.

WHEREAS, we the undersigned being concerned citizens and residents of Mad River Township, specifically to include the residential housing subdivision of Echo Hills and surrounding areas consisting of approximately 300 residential home sites, farms and small businesses located in Mad River Township, Clark County, Ohio; and

WHEREAS, we shall hereafter be collectively known as CITIZENS AGAINST MINING – MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP; and

FURTHER, being informed of the recent Industrial Minerals Mining Permit Application to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Applications Number: A-340-1, and IMM-340-4, and IM-375, made by Enon Sand and Gravel, LLC, to conduct deep quarry limestone mining operations and to allow pumping and discharging of water to facilitate mining and to increase mining depths in Clark County, Mad River Township, Sections 23, 24, 29 T-4, R-8 Yellow Springs Quadrangle; Specifically Enon Sand and Gravel, LLC, has applied for a permit and/or has applied to modify an existing permit, to allow them to conduct a deep quarry limestone mining operation on what is presently farmland consisting of approximately 398.8 acres, the surrounding area of which consists of residential home sites, Greenon High School, several small businesses, and the waterway known as Mud Run.

WE THE UNDERSIGNED STAND TOGETHER AND STATE OUR UNANIMOUS OPPOSITION TO ANY PROPOSED MINING OPERATION AND FURTHER PRESENT THE FOLLOWING CONCERNS AND FACTS IN SUPPORT TO THIS PETITION:

o Water. The mine will adversely impact the water table, the quality of water and supply of water to surrounding residences and farms. Enon Sand and Gravel, LLC, proposes to mine the affected property to a depth of more than 120 feet below the present grade and to pump and discharge water in this process. This activity will have a catastrophic effect on the quality and quantity of water the surrounding residents rely upon. There is a real concern that the water supply to the residents of Echo Hills and surrounding areas will actually be depleted by this environmentally disruptive mining process.

o Our Quality of Life. If the proposed mine goes into operation it will have an enormously adverse impact on surrounding residences, farms and small businesses. The use of heavy machinery and high explosives necessary to conduct limestone mining will have a devastating and detrimental impact to the quality of life the surrounding inhabitants have long known and enjoyed. Increased traffic by heavy mining machinery and trucks will cause wear and tear on our local roads, requiring increased maintenance and repair by the Township at the expense of taxpayers.

o Property values. An operational limestone quarry will have a catastrophic, negative impact on all surrounding property values, thus significantly decreasing property tax revenues. The use of explosives by the mine may damage the foundations of surrounding buildings, including nearby Greenon High School, further decreasing property values.

o Environment concerns. The pumping and discharge of mine wastewater into Mud Run will have an adverse environmental impact on this otherwise pristine waterway that is home to protected wildlife. We are concerned that this activity may violate the Clean Water Act as well as the Environmental Protection Act. Large amounts of silt will be discharged into the stream. Carcinogens from the use of TNT and other high explosives necessary to mine limestone and other industrial waste may leach into our water supply and be discharged into Mud Run, causing serious health and environmental concerns. The use of heavy machinery and high explosives in the mining process will cause harmful and disruptive noise and air pollution to the surrounding community.

o Economic impact. The massive loss of tax revenue as a result of greatly diminished property values caused by the mine will have an enormous detrimental long term economic impact on Clark County. This loss of tax revenue will far outweigh tax revenues that may be realized as a result of the operation of the mine, including any new jobs that may be created by implementing the mining operation.

In conclusion, we wish to keep our neighborhoods, farms and surrounding areas beautiful, peaceful, quiet, healthy and harmonious with the environment. We wish to continue to live our lives, raise our families, and operate our farms as we have traditionally enjoyed. This proposed mine threatens to destroy all of these ideals, the equity in our property, our environment and our way of life.

SO SAYETH WE, CITIZENS AGAINST MINING – MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.