The Umstead Coalition News

Three New Land Tracts (26 acres) added to Umstead State Park

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT

We are pleased to announce that the State has finalized the purchase of three new tracts of land for William B. Umstead State Park – an effort many years in the making. We played an active role throughout this process: protecting this option by preventing the loss of key land across US 70 to other interests without fair compensation, helping facilitate tract selections, and participating in planning and public meetings.

These new tracts will enable a new Park entrance via the light at Triangle Drive and provide safer right-in/left-out access options, even after US 70 is eventually widened. The acquisition was made possible through a land swap and financing arrangement with Anderson Toyota, a local dealership, through its real estate arm.

In exchange, the Park transferred 23 acres on the opposite side of US 70 from the Park entrance. Protections for that land include a three-story height limit on development and a native vegetation buffer along US 70. We have encouraged that access to this land be from Triangle Drive (not US 70), in order to preserve the full vegetative buffer across from the Park.

The three new tracts of land:

Thirteen (13) acres on the Park side of US70 and to the west of the current entrance. Anderson Toyota will build a new entrance road and demolish the commercial building currently on the tract
Six (6) acres on the Park side of US70 and to the east of the current entrance and extends to Brownleigh Road.
Seven (7) acres adjacent to Richland Lake (part of the Walton Tract and adjacent to the Walton's land now in Triangle Land Conservancy Conservation Easement program.

There were many formal steps that had to be accomplished to make this all happen, including:

Approval by the National Park Service. The incentive here was to add land adjacent to the main portion of the Park, which then allowed for the loss of land discontinuous from the Park severed by US70.
Approval by the NC Council of State (May 1, 2018) due to State Land involvement
City of Raleigh 2030 Comprehensive Plan Change to modify the Future Land Use Map and Street Plan Map (CP-2-18) for both the State and private lands involved.
City of Raleigh Zoning change to allow Industrial Mixed Use - 3 stories - Conditional Use to limit uses and provide a 20-foot to 100-foot Tree Conservation area (50-foot average) along Glenwood Ave, limit lighting into Park. (Z-5-19)
Securing the acquisition funds needed above the $2million provide by Anderson Toyota
Agreements and contracts from the various land owners

We are grateful to NC State Parks, Anderson Toyota, and the Walton Family for making this set of transactions possible, and to every citizen who submitted comments or attended public meetings along the way.

Image above: The tract in yellow is now privately owned and the land in red is now in Umstead State Park

Image below: The Brownleigh tract highlighted in red is now in Umstead State Park

Haleys Branch Mountain Bike Trails Coming to Umstead State Park

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT

New single-track mountain bike trails are coming to Umstead State Park. Wake County will build and maintain the new Haleys Branch Trails, on land north and south of the 286 East tract and west of the Reedy Creek Multi-use Trail. The bike/pedestrian trails on the 150-acre 286 East currently leased by Wake County from the RDUAA will be redesigned to join the new trails within Umstead State Park. County staff have indicated they would welcome additional trails if this first phase goes well, which we support.

We are excited that the new mountain bike/pedestrian trails will be build within Umstead State Park! The Umstead Coalition has been advocating for these trails for many years.

Wake County is currently accepting public input on the concept plan. Your comments matter. Survey closes March 27 – our input is needed now.

Take the survey at www.wake.gov/haleysbranch. The County will post updates there as the project develops.

We have already submitted the following comments on parking and trail connectivity, and encourage you to do the same:

Provide parking by stabilized shoulders on one side of Old Reedy Creek Road (East Coast Greenway) using diagonal parking. This will increase the number of cars that can park and using one side will minimize conflicts with bikers/walkers on the greenway itself and minimize conflicts with other parked cars.
Mark parking along the East Coast Greenway as dedicated for the Haleys Branch Trails and Umstead State Park (to eliminate folks parking to go to the White Water center and taking away the bike/pedestrian parking).
Connected trails MUST be also on the Edwards Tract.

Map: New mountain bike trails will be located in the lime green tracks shown above, north and south of the 286 East tract and west of the Reedy Creek Multi-use Trail. The trails system on the 286 East tract will be rerouted and redesigned.

Court Rules in Umstead Coalition’s Favor to Restore the 50-year Sunset Clause and Protective Stream and Park Buffers Enshrined in the Original 1981 Quarry Permit

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 22:00:00 GMT

For immediate release - December 3, 2025.

For nearly four decades—through the original 1981 Wake Stone mining permit and eight subsequent renewals and modifications—North Carolina State Parks and the public relied on two essential protections: the 50-year Sunset Clause and the undisturbed buffers measured from the top of bank of Crabtree Creek. After improper removal of those protections from the permit, and years of Wake Stone’s legal resistance and repeated attempts to block review of these issues, the Umstead Coalition ultimately secured a court decision restoring those long-standing protections for William B. Umstead State Park. Wake Stone has argued that the company was unaware of the Sunset Clause from 1981 to 2018. The public record, including detailed correspondence and negotiations over the ‘sooner’ versus ‘later’ language in 1980–1981, makes that claim extremely difficult to reconcile with the historical facts. Wake Stone accepted every one of its nine permits without objecting to those terms. Justice has been done and the Sunset Clause and buffer protections upon which we have all depended have been restored.

Background: The original 1981 Triangle mining permit application for the current quarry was denied by the State, but the denial was overturned by the NC Mining Commission. After a series of negotiations, DEQ agreed to issue the permit instead of appealing the Commission’s decision only after Wake Stone agreed to certain conditions intended to protect Umstead State Park and stipulating an end date for quarry operations in May 2031. The Honorable Rufus Edmisten, the Attorney General in 1981, confirmed that permit would not have been issued but for the 50-year Sunset Clause. In essence, the State agreed to subject the Park and the public to the quarry’s impacts, but for no more than 50 years. In March 2018, at the request of Wake Stone and without public notice, DEQ-Mining issued a Mining Permit with major modifications stripping the long- held Sunset Clause and weakening buffer protections.

The Umstead Coalition sought and achieved:

Restoration of the 50-year Sunset Clause that Wake Stone Corporation agreed to and was a condition included in the original Mining Permit on May 13, 1981 and eight subsequent Permit Renewals and Modifications through December 1, 2017. The Sunset Clause gave the State the “right to acquire the quarry site at the end of 50 years or 10 years after quarrying operations have ceased, whichever is sooner.” (The March 26, 2018 Mining Permit Modification requested by Wake Stone changed “sooner” to “later” effectively eliminating the Sunset Clause that had been in effect for 37 years and counted upon by NC State Parks.)

The restoration of Crabtree Creek protective buffers to be measured from the top of stream bank. Their width was decreased in the March 26, 2018 Permit by moving the protective buffers to instead be measured from the center of Crabtree Creek.

Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair of The Umstead Coalition, “We are thankful for the Court’s decision to restore the Sunset Clause and Crabtree Creek buffers on the Triangle Quarry to protect William B. Umstead State Park. These conditions were negotiated in good faith in 1981 between Wake Stone, State Parks and other State agencies at the highest level, with the clear expectation these protections would be a permanent requirement of the mining operation.”

Download a PDF of the Press Release>>

View Judge Cole's Decision (PDF)>>

Sunset Clause Trial awaiting Ruling

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 16:59:20 GMT

The Umstead Coalition's contested trial to restore the 50-year Sunset Clause and protective buffers was held over 6 days on June 18, 19, 20, 24, 26 and July 1. The court venue: The Office of Administrative Hearings, Admirative Law Judge van der Vaart assigned himself to the case.

BIG thank-you for all of you who came to court and showed your support!

Current status: The Umstead Coalition's case was strong and we presented a solid, convincing case full of compelling evidence. DEQ threw at us 80,000 pages of Discovery hoping we won't find the 'gems' but we could not be fooled by this stunt! We now await the transcripts, after which which the judge has asked each side to write a draft order (ruling) for him to consider. The judge does not have any deadline upon which to issue his decision. Either (or both) sides has the right to appeal his decisions to Wake County Superior Court.

More: After six years of DEQ-Mining staff telling us (incorrectly) we could not appeal the loss of the 50 year sunset clause and park protection buffers done in secret in March 2018, huge citizen response (big thanks to all of you!), court filings, overcoming several "Motions to Dismiss" our case, being sent back and forth to different courts, filings and hearings to try to get to court — we finally got a contested trial on the merits of our case!

In this trial, Wake Stone is not a party to the case - their lawyers were allowed to argue the case. It was the Attorney General (AG) lawyers defending DEQ vs the Umstead Coalition lawyers defending our Park.

- Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair, The Umstead Coalition

William B. Umstead State Park Encroachment by RDU Airport

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 05:05:17 GMT

This news feed was updated December 3, 2024 by adding a summary of research findings (see first bullet)

A recent review of the property boundary between William B. Umstead State Park and the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority (RDUAA) managed property to the south, known as the Odd Fellows tract, shows that the boundary of the Odd Fellows tract has been shifted northerly, encroaching over 120 feet into William B. Umstead State Park.

In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the United States Department of the Interior – National Park Service (NPS) to purchase a 209-acre parcel known as the PD Davis Tract to be a part of the Crabtree Creek Recreational Demonstration Area (RDA) (see Wake Register of Deeds, Book 743 page 499). The legal description for this tract includes boundaries that were re-confirmed via a survey in 1911 and remained unchanged through several sales after this survey and before becoming Park land.

The National Park Service confirmed the 1911 survey boundary as part of their 1937 purchase for the Park.

In 1943, the entire Crabtree Creek RDA, including all of the 209-acre PD Davis tract, was transferred to the State of North Carolina under the express condition that the land only be used for public park, recreation or conservation purposes (see the “Reverter Clause” in the Quitclaim Deed, Wake County Register of Deeds, Book 894 page 40). In 1955, the Crabtree Creek RDA, including the 209-acre PD Davis tract, was renamed William B. Umstead State Park.

The Odd Fellows tract, located just south of the 209-acre PD Davis tract, has been on the Umstead State Park acquisition list since 1935 and on the Park’s critical acquisition list since at least 1974.

Since the late 1800’s, deeds for the Odd Fellows tract indicate that it was “70 acres more or less.” Two one-acre tracts were sold off in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, leaving “68 acres, more or less.” In 1958, the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) purchased this tract of “68 acres more or less” and 1 additional acre, resulting in 69 acres, more or less.

In 1976, the Airport surprisingly took management control of the Odd Fellows tract. RDUAA employed their own surveyor who incorrectly shifted the Park boundary over 120’ to the north, taking Umstead State Park land, therefore Federal Park land. As documented in RDUAA meeting minutes, the encroachment into Umstead State Park resulted in the “69 acres more or less” becoming approximately 83 acres, a difference of approximately 14 acres. RDUAA did not inform anyone, including State Parks, regarding this large discrepancy in acreage. As such, the resulting encroachment into Umstead State Park was buried.

For almost 50 years, RDUAA’s encroachment was not known nor was it an issue as the Airport expanded in the opposite direction from the Park and Odd Fellows was knowingly being used for recreation (including camping by the Boy Scouts) and conservation, consistent with the neighboring Park usage and consistent with long standing plans for this land to be a part of the Park.

Unfortunately, RDUAA leased the Odd Fellows Tract to a private mining company (Wake Stone Corporation) whose plans are to create a brand-new open mine rock quarry pit, a use that is not allowed on Park land. Recently NC DEQ issued a mining permit to Wake Stone Corporation even though the mining permit application includes land belonging to Umstead State Park.

Fortunately, this border issue can be easily resolved by re-surveying and marking the boundary as delineated by the metes and bounds in the 1937 NPS purchase deed (and as per the 1938 NPS Park map). Additionally, RDUAA should re-evaluate their lease with Wake Stone Corporation and DEQ should reassess Wake Stone’s Triangle Quarry Mining Permit modifications.

The good news is that Umstead State Park and the RDUAA managed property known as Odd Fellows are public lands managed by public bodies. We call on the leadership of these public bodies to re-survey and correct the boundary of William B. Umstead State Park, honoring the NPS purchase deed and ensuring the encroachment is eliminated.

Supporting Documents are linked below:

Historic records research summary, updated December 3, 2024
Umstead Coalition's Press Release April 4, 2024
Figures highlighting border encroachment by the RDU Airport, boundary dispute lands
Memo from the Law Office of Patricia S. Horne, PLLC
1937 Deed of 209 acre PD Davis Tract purchased by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, USA for what is now William B. Umstead State Park (Wake County Deed Book 743,Page499)
1943 Quitclaim Deed from the National Park Service to the State of North Carolina in what is now William B. Umstead State Park. Parcel 3 (Tract No. 2A) is the 209 acre PD Davis tract
1937, April 27th. National Park Service survey acres re-confirmed to be 209 acres for the PD Davis tract
1935, April 3, National Park Service (NPS) appraises what we now call the Odd Fellows tract (and they made an offer to purchase for the park). The NPS describes this tract as "The Extremely pretty and picturesque location gives an added value. This "Odd Fellows" tract remains on the critical land acquisition list for William B. Umstead State Park
1976 June and July RDUAA Minutes. The June 1, 1976 minutes reflect the correct acres for the Odd Fellows Tract. One month later on July 6, 1976, the airport then thinks they are purchasing not 69 acres, but 83 acres! Where did this surprise extra 14 acres come from? The meets and bounds of the PD Davis tract prove that this extra 14 acres was already within William B. Umstead State Park and was federally-purchased land dedicated to remain in our State Park.
Details of the encroachment location and research of public records

Superior Court Judge Rules in Favor of the Umstead Coalition: Sunset Clause Case Moves Forward

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 01:51:04 GMT

BIG WIN TODAY! The Superior Court Judge John Smith ruled in favor for the Umstead Coalition today on our Sunset Clause Case. He ruled we were NEVER given proper notice to be able to Appeal the 2018 Mining Permit that took away the Sunset Clause and undisturbed protective buffers. Finally, after years of DEQ and Wake Stone attempting to prevent us - we finally move forward to a contested case on the merits. AND, our case is strong!

There are many roads ahead in this fight. Thanks to the citizens who were in court. We do have another related Motion Hearing on Monday, December 11, 10am Wake County Court House. Thanks for everyone helping to protect William B. Umstead State Park!

DEQ & Wake Stone Reach Closed Door Settlement Reversing RDU Quarry Mining Permit Denial

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 01:41:11 GMT

We've been blindsided! The Interim Director for DEQ-Mining, Toby Vinson, and Wake Stone reached a closed-door Settlement Agreement that reverses the previous Director's Mining Permit Denial for RDU Quarry and includes:

$500,000 dollars of tax-payers dollars to pay Wake Stone's attorney fees
Withdraw appeal of the overturn of the RDU Quarry Mining Permit Denial
Remove the hold on the Mining Permit issued on September 9

HOWEVER, Attorney General Josh Stein must approve the Settlement to be effective. That is where YOU can help.

What You Can Do

Please contact Attorney General Josh Stein and Governor Roy Cooper and ask the following of the Attorney General:

Do NOT approve the Settlement Agreement between an Interim Director in DEQ and Wake Stone for a new mining pit on the Odd Fellows Tract
Do NOT approve the first private rock mine on public lands in NC with devastating damage to Umstead State Park
Do NOT Settle
Do NOT agree to use half of a million dollars of tax payers money to pay for a private mining company to destroy our public lands
Fight for the Mining Permit Denial
Fight for Sunset Clause to be restored
Fight for our public lands to be protected!
Fight for William B. Umstead State Park!

Contact Information

Attorney General Josh Stein: Fill out the form at bottom. Leave voice message at central phone number: 919-716-6400 (option 5).

Governor Roy Cooper: Email or call Governor Roy Cooper's office: 919-814-2000, Option 5

Additional Information

We, the public, were not the only ones blindsided by this closed door 'deal' by an Interim DEQ-Mining Director and a private mining company. NC State Parks was also blindsided.

The Press Statement released November 13 by Reid Wilson, Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources states:

Sent: Monday, November 13, 2023 6:33:00 PM

Subject: Sec. Wilson Statement on Wake Stone

In response to the DEQ announcement (below), Secretary Reid Wilson made this statement (which will be shared with reporters covering the story):

“On behalf of North Carolina's state parks, the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources strongly opposes the judge’s order to issue the permit and the settlement between the Department of Environmental Quality and Wake Stone Corporation that may allow a second quarry adjacent to William Umstead State Park. The Department of Environmental Quality did not consult with the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources before signing the agreement.

Unquestionably, a second quarry would damage two units of the state parks system, Umstead State Park and the East Coast Greenway State Trail, which runs through the park. For decades to come, a new quarry bordering the park would bring more blasting noise, more air pollution, more water pollution, more truck traffic, harm to wildlife, and a degraded experience for the roughly one million visitors to the park each year.”

Umstead Coalition Disagrees with the Judge’s Reversal of the State’s Denial of Wake Stone’s Mining Permit for the Odd Fellows Tract

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 14:11:18 GMT

The Umstead Coalition disagrees with the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), Judge van der Vaart August 11, 2023 overturning of the State’s Denial of Wake Stone’s Mining Permit Application to destroy the Odd Fellows Tract. Read his Decision here=>

DENIAL in February 2022 by the State was correct.

Appeals to the OAH Decision must be made within 30 days per North Carolina General Statute § 150B-45.

The proposed new deep quarry pit would only have a twenty-five (25) foot set-back from William B. Umstead State Park and the East Coast Greenway (Old Reedy Creek Road). It would be the first private rock quarry on public property in North Carolina. The proposed quarry would have significant adverse effects for decades and then be a forever liability to the citizens of Wake and Durham County.

The public opposition is intense. A record 9,500 public comments were received by the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The NC Division of Parks and Recreation (aka NC State Parks) submitted multiple letters in opposition to the State. Local Governments, including Wake County and the Town of Morrisville have passed positions in opposition.

Adding to the wrong, the same judge that overturned DEQ’s denial, also did not allow the Umstead Coalition to Intervene and present our evidence in the trial. While the State’s case was strong and the mining permit denial was correct and should not be overturned, the Umstead Coalition was prevented from presenting our case in court, incorrectly limiting evidence.

Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair of the Umstead Coalition stated, “There is no doubt that a heavy industrial operation with over 400 huge quarry haul trucks passing daily within 25 feet of William B. Umstead State Park and the East Coast Greenway, blasting, dust, rocks crashing, etc will have a devastating impact on our prized public recreational corridor. “

Background: The original 1981 Triangle quarry permit for the current quarry was denied by the State, but the denial was overturned by the NC Mining Commission (in current times, these appeals go to OAH). The 1981 permit was then issued over the objections of DEQ regulators and State Parks only after Wake Stone agreed to certain conditions intended to protect Umstead State Park which included a guaranteed end date for quarry operations in May 2031 and large forested buffers. All these protections are violated with the proposed new quarry operations.

What You Can Do

Donate to help the Umstead Coalition's fight to protect our public lands. We have a generous donor who is matching up to $10,000 in donations now (update as of August 18 we have met that match and now have another generous donor willing to match the next $20,000)!
Ask Governor Cooper to restore the Sunset Clause and shut down Triangle Quarry as promised by 2031. Restore the Sunset Clause, prevent a new quarry. Submit your comments to Governor Cooper now>>

View a PDF of this press release>>

A Win! Umstead Coalition’s Case Moves Forward to Restore the Quarry 50-year Sunset Clause

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 14:33:59 GMT

The Umstead Coalition has another major win in their pursuit to protect William B. Umstead State Park! The Motions to Dismiss filed by Wake Stone Corporation and the State regarding the Umstead Coalition’s case to restore the 50-year Sunset Clause and protective buffers at an existing quarry adjacent to William B. Umstead State Park were not granted. The case before the Wake County Superior Court was filed on July 13, 2022. In Superior Court Judge Paul A. Holcombe, III’s Ruling on April 11, 2023, he stated that the Umstead Coalitions’ challenge “concerns modifications (to the Mining Permit) of significant interest to the parties and the public at large.” (April 11, 2023 Orderlink here). During the Motion to Dismiss Hearing, the State argued that the Umstead Coalition should have filed at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), presumably within 30 days of the March 2018 Mining Permit Modifications. However, the Umstead Coalition stated the obvious that such was impossible as there was no public notice of the significant modification.

To address the matter regarding which court should hear the Umstead Coalition’s case, in Judge Holman April 11, 2023 order, he ruled the Umstead Coalition file a contested case in the Office of Administrative Hearings, and stayed the Superior Court case. The Umstead Coalition filed this Petition for a contested trial at OAH on May 11, 2023 (link here).

Because the Motions to Dismiss were not granted, the Umstead Coalition’s case continues to move forward. On May 12, 2023, the OAH Chief Administrative Law Judge ordered the parties go to mediation, a typical process in such cases.

Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair of the Umstead Coalition stated that “The merits of the Umstead Coalition’s case are strong. The Umstead Coalition requests the NC Department of Environmental Quality restore the Sunset Clause and Crabtree Creek buffers on the existing Triangle Quarry to protect William B. Umstead State Park. These are conditions the public has long expected to be upheld.”

When informed of the recent ruling, Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley stated, "I am glad the Umstead Coalition's case moves forward and will help protect William B. Umstead Park and the Old Reedy Creek recreational corridor so the public can continue to enjoy our natural open spaces and parklands."

Background: The original 1981 Triangle quarry permit for the current quarry was denied by the State, but the denial was overturned by the NC Mining Commission (in current times, these appeals go to OAH). The 1981 permit was then issued over the objections of DEQ regulators and State Parks only after Wake Stone agreed to certain conditions intended to protect Umstead State Park and guaranteed an end date for quarry operations in May 2031. The Honorable Rufus Edmisten, the Attorney General in 1981, recently confirmed that the 50-year Sunset Clause was one of these key guarantees. In March 2018, without public notice, DEQ-Mining issued a Mining Permit with major modifications stripping the long-held Sunset Clause and protective buffer protections.

The Umstead Coalition is requesting that the Mining Permit’s terms be restored to the December 2017 Permit language to:

● Restore the 50-year Sunset Clause that Wake Stone agreed to and was a condition included in the original Mining Permit on May 13, 1981 and eight subsequent Permit Renewals and Modifications through December 1, 2017. The Sunset Clause gave the State the “right to acquire the quarry site at the end of 50 years or 10 years after quarrying operations have ceased, whichever is sooner.” (The March 26, 2018 Mining Permit Modification requested by Wake Stone changed “sooner” to “later” effectively eliminating the Sunset Clause that had been in effect for 37 years and counted upon by NC State Parks.)

● Restore the measurement of the width of protective buffers along Crabtree Creek to be measured from the top of stream bank. (The March 26, 2018 Mining Permit Modification requested by Wake Stone changed the width to be measured from the centerline of Crabtree Creek, effectively gutting the protective stream buffers by 230,000 to 280,000 square feet.)

● Restore the Buffer labels in the Site Plan to the previous 2011 Site Plan to specify “Undisturbed Vegetated Buffer.” (The March 26, 2018 Mining Permit Modification requested by Wake Stone changed the Site Plan labels to “Buffer from Property Boundary.”)

● Restore Buffer Conditions 3.C and 3.D in the Permit narrative explicitly stating “buffer zone was to be maintained between any mining activity and Crabtree Creek.” (The March 26, 2018 Mining Permit Modification requested by Wake Stone removed the protective language in the permit language issued by DEQ and replaced with just a reference to Wake Stone’s Site Plan. This effectively degraded the protective nature of the buffers.)

View of PDF of Press Release here==>

A Win! Wake Stone's proposed Crabtree Creek Bridge Permit Revoked

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 14:25:50 GMT

Another win for William B. Umstead State Park! As of May 11, 2023 Wake Stone does NOT have a Neuse Buffer Authorization and therefore can not move forward with their planned bridge over Crabtree Creek!

On May 11, 2023, an Administrative Law Judge at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) stopped the second attempt by a private mining company, Wake Stone Corporation, to construct a massive 60-foot-wide bridge with walls and bridge abutments within the riparian stream buffer protecting Crabtree Creek.

The Neuse River Riparian buffer Authorization (aka permit) to permanently destroy stream buffers was vacated by Chief Administrative Law Judge Donald R. van der Vaart (OAH Case 23 EHR 01337, Order file link here). Wake Stone’s previous permit for the bridge was overturned in September 2021 due to a challenge by the Umstead Coalition. Wake Stone resubmitted the same bridge plan the following month, and were again granted a permit by the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The Umstead Coalition filed an appeal at OAH.

Wake Stone, a private mining company, has proposed to build a new bridge across Crabtree Creek just upstream of William B. Umstead State Park within the view and noise scape of William B. Umstead State Park to transport large, noisy quarry trucks from a proposed new pit north of Crabtree Creek on the Odd Fellows Tract to their existing quarry operations on the south side of Crabtree Creek. Concurrent with this proposed new bridge is the proposed construction of 1,700 linear feet of massive retaining walls along Crabtree Creek that would kill trees and substantially narrow the Crabtree Creek protected buffers on the existing quarry site.

The Contested Trial for The Umstead Coalition’s Appeal was held in January and February 2023. The Umstead Coalition’s expert witnesses presented testimony describing how a bridge could be constructed without permanent impacts to the Crabtree Creek riparian buffers, with alternative designs and a location farther from William B. Umstead State Park.

The Court Ruling to Vacate the Authorization to destroy Crabtree Creek riparian buffers was based upon DEQ’s inappropriate approval process. The merits of The Umstead Coalition’s case were not the key aspect of this ruling to vacate. However, the Umstead Coalition believes the merits of our case would also support the reversal of the DEQ’s Authorization.

DEQ appealed the judge’s decision on May 25, 2023 to Superior Court. Wake Stone was not a party to this proceeding and can not appeal.

This positive outcome for the buffer permit is but one of several legal challenges to prevent the destruction of the adjacent Odd Fellows tract, which has long been on the State Park’s acquisition list for inclusion into Umstead State Park.

DEQ denied Wake Stone’s mining permit application in February 2022, and Wake Stone filed notice of appeal the following month. That proceeding was heard in February 2023, and is awaiting the judge’s ruling to uphold DEQ’s decision, or overturn the denial. The Umstead Coalition strongly supports DEQ’s effort upholding Wake Stone’s permit denial.

View PDF of Press Release here==>

The Umstead Coalition Wins Climate Action Award for Stormwater at the 2023 Raleigh Environmental Awards

Sun, 07 May 2023 20:08:39 GMT

The Umstead Coalition is honored to win the Climate Action Award for Stormwater at the 2023 Raleigh Environmental Awards for our Forested Rain Garden project.

The Forested Rain Garden project at William B. Umstead State Park is an innovative forested bioretention area within a parking lot (Reedy Creek Cary entrance to Umstead State Park). The project includes butterfly gardens to support monarchs. Learn more about the rain garden here.

We couldn't have won this award without the help of many volunteers that help maintain the rain garden. Thank you to all our volunteers!

Photo: Bo Groff (L) and Paul Groff (R) accepting the award on behalf of the Umstead Coalition on April 21, 2023. Bo volunteered countless hours to help maintain the rain garden for his Eagle Scout Project. Thank you, Bo!

Photo: Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair of the Umstead Coalition (L) and Bo Groff (R). Bo presented Dr. Spooner with the Eagle Scout Mentor Pin on February 6, 2023 for her help with his final project working on the Umstead State Park rain garden.

RDU airport wants to build thousands of parking spaces, seeks public feedback first

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 15:33:24 GMT

Written by Richard Stradling, News & Observer

Raleigh-Durham International Airport wants to more than triple the size of its largest surface parking lot, expanding its remote parking capacity on forested land near Interstate 40. RDU plans to add about 8,700 spaces to Park Economy 3, the lot off National Guard Drive near the Sheetz gas station on Aviation Parkway. The lot now has 3,820 spaces, served by shuttle buses that carry passengers to and from the terminals. Airport officials will present their plans at a public workshop Monday evening, the start of a process to study the project’s potential impact on the environment. Some people have already raised concerns about the expansion because of the lot’s proximity to William B. Umstead State Park.

The expansion of Park Economy 3 was part of RDU’s 25-year master plan approved in 2016. The airport shelved the project and several others during the COVID-19 pandemic but has decided to revive it as air travel rebounds. RDU needs the expansion primarily to keep up with demand for parking, said Bill Sandifer, the airport’s chief operating officer. The number of passengers at RDU grew 56% in the decade just before the COVID-19 pandemic, and airport planners expect air travel to flourish again as the region’s economy and population grow.

The airport also expects to temporarily lose up to 2,500 of the 11,000 spaces it has between the terminals when it begins work on expanding Terminal 2 and building a new car rental and ground transportation complex near the parking decks. The first of that work is expected to begin in early 2025, Sandifer said. “It really is critical to get at least part of the expansion online by the end of 2024,” Sandifer said. “Because we’re going into construction on Terminal 2, and we’ve got to be able to provide that space for customers somewhere else so we don’t run out of parking.” Longer term, RDU also plans to close Park Economy 4, a remote parking lot with about 2,500 spaces north of the terminals. The airport expects to use that land to expand the air cargo complex at the north end of the main runway. While the loss of spaces between the terminals will be temporary, the elimination of Park Economy 4 would be permanent.

Park Economy 3 now covers about 36 acres surrounded by forest. The airport’s latest design calls for expanding the lot in three directions, for a total of 70 acres. It also includes covered waiting areas that may have video display monitors and Wi-Fi access, a building for parking and security staff and possibly restrooms for customers. A surface lot makes the most sense, Sandifer says, because the airport has the land and because construction is easier and about a fifth the cost of building a deck. “We call this lot ‘economy’ for a reason. Because it’s priced appropriately for the customer,” Sandifer said. “And if we go building a deck structure, I don’t think we can any longer call it an economy lot, because the price you’re going to have to charge to recover that investment will be significantly greater than it is today.”

Airport customers pay $11 a day at Park Economy 3, compared to $17 for Park Central in the main parking deck.

EXPANSION COULD IMPACT UMSTEAD STATE PARK The expansion would bring the lot closer to Umstead State Park and a planned 151-acre off-road cycling park on land Wake County is leasing from the airport. Jean Spooner, head of The Umstead Coalition, a park advocacy group, worries about felling trees and laying down pavement close to the park. “Ensuring a substantial forested buffer along our park boundary, we feel, is critical to protecting the park from visual, noise and water quality/quantity environmental impacts,” Spooner wrote in an email.

The coalition will press the airport to minimize the effects on the park, through the lot’s design and operation, including the handling of stormwater and the clearing of ice and snow. “Any proposed development that would impact Umstead State Park should have greater critical reviews and enhanced environmental protections,” Spooner wrote. Monday’s meeting is part of a new process developed by the airport to review the potential environmental impacts of construction projects and allow the public to weigh in.

The Environmental Compliance Review process, which RDU officials say is unique among airports nationwide, was requested by some Airport Authority members, including Wake County representative Ellis Hankins, who said he wanted to see “meaningful public participation” in airport development. Spooner says she’s pleased by the new process and hopes it’s not too late to have influence on the parking lot. “What has happened in the past is that the RDU Airport Authority has just told us what they decided,” she wrote. “We hope this changes with this project and there will be meaningful two-way dialog.”

The kickoff meeting is 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, at the RDU Airport Authority building, 1000 Trade Drive, off Aviation Parkway. The Airport Authority will also accept written comments at publiccomment@rdu.com or by mail at RDUAA-Environmental Programs, P.O. Box 80001, RDU Airport, N.C. 27623. T

he public will get another chance to comment on the final environmental compliance report before it’s completed in June.

New Mountain Bike & Pedestrian Park at RDU

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 00:50:47 GMT

On November 21, 2022, the Wake County Commissioners approved a proposed new mountain bike trail park on a 151-acre tract known as “286 East” located to the east of Haley’s branch and to the west of the East Coast Greenway (aka Old Reedy Creek Road). Their proposal must be approved by the Raleigh Durham Airport Authority (RDUAA) Board at their upcoming December 15 meeting.

Wake County’s proposal includes:

No fence along Halley’s Branch,

10-year lease with renewal options

180-day “claw-back” by RDUAA

Funding partners of the Towns of Morrisville and Cary

Very importantly, no tie to the proposed Wake Stone Quarry

RDUAA had asked the County to pick up an additional $360,000/year if the quarry denial was upheld, but the County Commissioners refused (again, thanks for the public outcry!)

New Bike Trail Proposal Before Wake County Commissioners Advocates for RDU Quarry

Sat, 12 Nov 2022 02:11:48 GMT

We are shocked to report that there is a proposal on the agenda at the Wake County Commissioner's Work Session on Monday, November 14 at 2pm that advocates for RDU Quarry. See agenda item #6 "Lease for 286 Property" to read the proposal or download the PDF.

The proposal recommends using money from Wake Stone's RDU Quarry lease with the Raleigh Durham Airport Authority (RDUAA) so Wake County can "pay" for bike trails on a 150 acre track called "286 East." The 286 property is managed by the RDUAA and is located adjacent to Umstead State Park and the Reedy Creek Multi-Use Trail / East Coast Greenway.

We're excited to see Wake County consider leasing 286 from RDUAA and think with it could become a world-class facility that would draw both local mountain bikers and the many that would travel to ride this beautiful area.

Our biggest concern is the details of the proposed lease, specifically relying on Wake Stone for a $360,000 contribution each year. Wake Stone has been denied their mining permit to expand their quarry to the Odd Fellows Tract (currently in the appeal process and other related legal actions are active in the courts).

By accepting a yearly contribution from Wake Stone, it creates the appearance of a conflict of interest as long as the RDU Quarry expansion is undecided. Accepting this money might infer future favoritism to Wake Stone and a really bad idea while litigation is going on.

The proposed lease also mentions a second partner contributing $350,000 each year. This partner is currently unnamed. This partner needs to be named so the public can also weigh in on that relationship.

While we are encouraged to see that Wake County is also preparing to renew the Lake Crabtree County Park Lease, we remain concerned about RDUAA's state desire to convert Lake Crabtree to Commercial development. We are hopeful Wake County will keep Lake Crabtree Mountain Bike/ped trails and RDUAA will not move forward with their office/hotel development plan for that area.

Overall, we think Wake County mountain bike trails on "286 East" is a good idea for RDU and Wake County, but ONLY if the proposal removes the Wake Stone contributions.

Submit Your Comments

Please submit your comments by 2pm, November 14. Email the Wake County Commissioners, Wake County appointees to the RDUAA, and Wake County staff requesting that they:

Support Wake County managed trails on "286 East" for a lease of at least 25 year duration
Support keeping the 147 acres of forested bike trails at Lake Crabtree Park
Continue to oppose the RDU Quarry and send no signals otherwise - REMOVE any dependence upon future funds from Wake Stone.

You can also use this form contact the Wake County Commissioners.

Update on RDU Quarry, Crabtree Creek Bridge, and the Sunset Clause

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 19:18:37 GMT

This post was updated on August 23, 2023

We would like to thank everyone for their continued efforts to prevent the proposed rock mine adjacent to William B. Umstead State Park and the East Coast Greenway (aka Old Reedy Creek Road). The Umstead Coalition has been hard at work to protect our Park. There are a lot of moving parts and changing dates, but we wanted to share some highlights of the current status.

We have learned that 9,500 Public Comments were submitted opposing the proposed quarry on the Odd Fellows Tract! DEQ characterized as "orders of magnitude" more than for other Mining Permit Applications. Great job all!

For simplicity we’ve split this summary into three parts: the RDU Quarry Mining Permit, Crabtree Creek bridge, and the Sunset Clause. We organized each section into a timeline so you can easily get caught up.

Be prepared, take a deep breath — it’s a mind boggling read — and this is just the highlights.

RDU Quarry Mining Permit

DEQ denies Wake Stone’s mining permit application (February 2022)

NC Department of Environmental Quality-Division of Energy, Minerals and Land Resources (DEQ-DEMLR) denied the Mining Permit Application from Wake Stone Corporation on February 17, 2022, partly due to the adverse effects on William B. Umstead State Park and the thousands of public comments. Wake Stone proposed to dramatically change their current quarry operations south of Crabtree Creek by substantially decreasing the protective buffers along the Park and Crabtree Creek and dramatically increasing the number of noisy quarry trucks near our Park boundary.

Wake Stone also proposed a new 400-foot deep pit on the Odd Fellows Tract on the north side of Crabtree Creek with only a 25 feet buffer along the Park, East Coast Greenway, and residential adjacent properties. Check out our renderings to see what it will look like. The Odd Fellows Tract is public property owned by the Counties of Wake and Durham and the Cities of Raleigh and Durham, managed by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority (RDUAA).

Wake Stone files an appeal of the mining permit denial (March 2022)

On March 14, 2022, Wake Stone filed an Appeal of the Mining Permit Denial with the NC Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). This is where Appeals of State Agency decisions are filed and it runs like a court. The Chief Administrative Law Judge Donald R. van der Vaart at OAH assigned himself to this case. Van der Vaart previously served as Secretary of DEQ from 2015 to 2017 appointed by Governor McCrory. Read more about van der Vaart here and here. The NC Attorney General (AG) has assigned attorneys to defend DEQ’s Mining Permit Denial at OAH. The AG’s office duties include defending the Decisions issued by State Agencies. On August 11, 2023 Judge van der Vaart overturned DEQ's denial. There is a 30-day window to appeal to the Wake County Superior Court.

The Umstead Coalition and private resident file motions to “Intervene.” Judge denies the motions (March 2022)

The Umstead Coalition (March 21, 2022) and an adjacent private resident filed separate motions to “Intervene” to join the AG in defending the Mining Permit Denial. If we had been allowed to be an intervening party, The Umstead Coalition and residents would have participated in the Discovery, experts and Trial proceedings. The AG did not object, Wake Stone objected and Judge van der Vaart denied our motions to Intervene. Oddly, the judge said The Umstead Coalition could submit an Amicus Brief and the residents could Appeal the Mining Permit when issued. This case held its first hearing on September 27, 2022 to argue the other sides case should be dismissed. The judge ruled against the Motions to Dismiss the Case and ordered a Contested Trial be held. The Contested Trial was held the weeks of February 13 and 20. The Umstead State Coalition filed an Amicus Brief in support of the State's Denial.

The Umstead Coalition files motions to overturn Judge’s denial and to “Stay” or delay the Mining Permit trial (June 2022)

The Umstead Coalition and the private residents filed motions in Wake County Superior Court to overturn Judge van der Vaart’s denial of our motions to Intervene. See below - we had a Court Hearing on October 14, 2022 in Wake County Superior Court on this request. The Wake County Superior Court judge ruled that we need to wait until the OAH has it's final ruling to ask again to Intervene.

We also filed motions at OAH to “Stay” or delay the Permit trial until our case to Intervene could be heard at Wake County Superior Court. Administrative Law Judge van der Vaart denied our “Motion to Stay” on June 17, 2022. That means unless the Wake County Superior Court overturns the OAH’s denial, we can not fully participate in the quarry permit denial case at OAH.

Wake Stone failed to provide documents requested by the AG (August 2022)

In a “Motion to Compel” filed August 24, 2022 by the AG, we learned that Wake Stone has refused to fully provide Discovery documents requested by the AG. The AG requested “documents pertaining to estimates of production and reserves of stone from Wake Stone’s existing Triangle Quarry.”

These documents are related to the noise model inputs and other statements made by Wake Stone to justify their expanded operations on their existing site and the new pit on the other side of Crabtree Creek. Wake Stone apparently told the AG that these documents are “irrelevant or sensitive”.

For instance, Wake Stone unilaterally redacted a memo titled, “Triangle Quarry Expansion Meeting Update and Questions from January 6th Meeting.” In another example, the AG’s office asked to view hard copies of Wake Stone’s files. Wake Stone sent the AG a photo of the full filing cabinet, when the AG’s representative went to view the files, they noted approximately 75% of the files had been removed and papers had been removed from the remaining files.

The Attorney General’s office concluded “As of this date, the Division does not know how many documents Wake Stone has improperly withheld.” The filing is an interesting read, spelled out in clear legal detail. It’s available via this link.

On September 6, Administrative Law Judge van der Vaart denied the Motion to Compel (Wake Stone to produce the requested Discovery documents).

Hearing for Wake Stone’s Request to Overturn Denial of RDU Quarry Mining Permit (September 2022)

On September 6, 2022, Administrative Law Judge van der Vaart issued a new ruling. His new ruling replaced a previously scheduled contested case hearing (e.g., trial where both sides can present their case) with a Hearing to hear Wake Stone’s request to just overturn DEQ’s Denial (Motion for Summary Judgment). The Hearing on Wake Stone’s motion was heard at OAH on September 27. The Judge asked for each side to submit what they think the noise levels would be within Umstead State Park and draft orders for him to consider issuing.

November 28, 2022: OAH Judge van der Vaart issued an order to proceed with a "hearing on the merits." The Trial has held the weeks of February 14-16 and Feb 20-23, 2023 (2 weeks). This contested Hearing included witnesses each side could more fully present their case with witnesses. The Umstead Coalition has not been allowed to intervene, but did submit an Amicus Brief.

March 2023: The Main Quarry Permit Trial ended on February 23, 2023. The trial transcripts were sent to the AG and Wake Stone's attorneys. The attorneys wrote Briefs summarizing their case within 20 days of the receipt of the transcripts. Within 30 days of the transcripts receipt, each side prepared a draft Order (aka Ruling) they propose the OAH Administrative Law Judge van der Vaart to consider. These attorney-prepared documents are not public.

On August 11, 2023 the OAH issues a Final Ruling on Wake Stone’s request to overturn DEQ’s Denial of their Mining Permit Application. This Ruling overturned the Denial DEQ has the option to appeal that ruling in Wake County Superior Court.

Hearing for Intervention case (October 2022)

The Hearing before Judge Rozier at the Wake County Superior Court for our request to Intervene to support the denial of the quarry permit was held on October 14. Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) filed an Amicus Brief in our support. Big thanks to our supporters who attended!

We were optimistic because a similar case was before the Wake County Superior Court filed by the NC Farm Bureau Federation, Inc and on June 20, 2022 Superior Court Judge Mark A. Sternlicht overturned Administrative Law Judge van der Vaart’s Denial to Intervene, allowing the parties to Intervene (but this was after a final ruling out of AOH).

Judge Rozier ruled that we need to wait until a final ruling from OAH to ask to Intervene. We firmly believe we should have the right to Intervene at OAH and assist the AG with upholding the Mining Permit Denial.

Crabtree Creek Bridge

To truck overburden (the soil above the rock) and rock from the proposed new pit on the Odd Fellows Tract (north side of Crabtree Creek) to the existing Triangle Quarry (south side of Crabtree Creek), Wake Stone has proposed a massive, 60-foot wide bridge over Crabtree Creek just upstream of Foxcroft Lake and William B. Umstead State Park. Associated with this bridge is widening haul roads decreasing the protective buffers along Crabtree Creek on the existing quarry side and the routing of all those noisy trucks along the current boundary area with William B. Umstead State Park.

DEQ granted Neuse Buffer Authorization. The Umstead Coalition Appealed this decision (June 2020)

The proposed bridge requires a “Neuse Buffer Authorization” (to destroy riparian buffers along Crabtree Creek) from DEQ-Division of Water Resources (DEQ-DWR). You may recall DEQ issued such an Authorization on June 4, 2020 and The Umstead Coalition Appealed due to lack of alternatives that would avoid and minimize impacts, as required by the Neuse Buffer Rules. In this case, the AG office was defending DEQ’s Decision of approval.

Neuse Buffer Authorization overturned by Judge (September 2021)

Administrative Law Judge Byrne ruled (September 27, 2021) in our favor and overturned the Authorization for the bridge; no Neuse Buffer Authorization, no bridge.

Wake Stone submitted a new application for Neuse Buffer Authorization (October 2021)

Wake Stone reapplied on October 13, 2021 with a new Application to DEQ, but submitted the SAME bridge location and design — you read that correctly, Wake Stone submitted the same bridge location and design for the Authorization that had been overturned by the judge.

DEQ granted Neuse Buffer Authorization again (February 2022)

DEQ again issued the Neuse Buffer Authorization on February 10, 2022, in our opinion, failing again to follow the Neuse Buffer Rules.

The Umstead Coalition filed Appeal about the Authorization (April 2022)

The Umstead Coalition filed an Appeal at OAH on April 11, 2022 and, for this round, Administrative Law Judge van der Vaart has assigned himself to the case. Shortly afterwards, the Judge filed a motion to limit the scope of our Appeal to only the width of the bridge. Wake Stone declined to file a motion to Intervene and therefore is not a party to this Appeal. The Umstead Coalition has retained engineer experts in support of our Appeal.

Hearing (October 2022)

On October 11, our first Office of Administration Hearings (OAH) Hearing was held on our Appeal of the Neuse Buffer Authorization (to destroy riparian buffers) for Wake Stone's proposed bridge over Crabtree Creek. This Hearing was set in response of the State's motion to dismiss our Appeal. Thanks to those who attended in support!

We are happy to report that the OAH Judge van der Vaart issued a ruling on October 18, 2022 related to our ability to continue our Appeal. He has overturned his previous Order that narrowed the scope to only the width of the proposed bridge and he ordered a contested trial. We have experts who can present evidence regarding alternatives to avoid and minimize the impacts to the Riparian Buffers.

Contested Trial (January & February 2023)

The Contested Trial, with witnesses, for the Bridge Authorization was held January 24-26 and February 7-7, 2023. Attorneys for the Umstead Coalition and DEQ have received the trial transcripts and drafted proposed Orders (aka Ruling) they proposed the Judge issue.

(May, 2023 update) A WIN! On May 11, 2023, Administrative Law Judge van der Vaart ruled that the Authorization was "vacated" (aka revoked). The Court Ruling to Vacate the Authorization to destroy Crabtree Creek riparian buffers was based upon DEQ’s inappropriate approval process. The merits of The Umstead Coalition’s case were not the key aspect of this ruling to vacate. However, we believe the merits of our case would also support the reversal of the DEQ’s Authorization. DEQ appealed the judge’s decision on May 25, 2023 to Superior Court. Wake Stone was not a party to this proceeding and can not appeal. So, to Wake County Superior Court we go - and, as of May 11, 2023, Wake Stone does NOT have a permit to build a bridge across Crabtree Creek!

Umstead Coalition's June 1, 2023 Press Release on bridge authorization vacated here==>

(update August 20223): The State Appealed to Wake County Superior Court and said that the DEQ Supervisor who approved the Neuse buffer Authorization did have the authority. Wake Stone asked for a limited intervention at Superior Court wrt the authority of the DEQ person who issued the Authorization. After various filings, a court date is scheduled in Wake County Superior Court the week of October 23, 2023.

Note: To justify the wide bridge, Wake Stone claims in their Neuse Buffer Application that 440 quarry trucks per day would cross this bridge (and travel along our Park boundaries). Just think of the noise!

Sunset Clause and Protective Buffer Reductions

The current Wake Stone Triangle Quarry adjacent to William B. Umstead State Park had their original Mining Permit 92‐10 approved in 1981 with a 50-year Sunset Clause. After 50 years, in 2031, Wake Stone was to give the State Park the right to have the quarry donated to the State and all mining operations would cease. If the Sunset Clause is restored, RDU Quarry cannot happen.

Mining Permit language changed and 50-year Sunset Clause removed without public input (March 2018)

Although we did not learn until some time after, in March 2018, DEQ-DEMLR issued a Modified Mining Permit for Wake Stone’s current Triangle Quarry. The major changes involved the removal of the 50-year Sunset Clause and severe reductions in the protective buffer width and characteristics along Crabtree Creek and William B. Umstead State Park.

The Umstead Coalition files lawsuit requesting the 2018 Mining Permit Modifications be revoked (July 2022)

The Umstead Coalition found public records (e.g., State Archives of DEQ’s mining files) and submitted numerous public documents supporting our contention that these changes were made in error and were told by the State that this issue was under review. However, with the mining permit expansions in various appeals and lack of action by the AG on this issue, we felt we had no choice but to file a lawsuit on July 13, 2022 at the Wake County Superior Court to request the 2018 Mining Permit Modifications be revoked.

Named parties in the lawsuit request delay (September 2022)

The named parties, Wake Stone Corporation and DEQ, requested a delay until September 19 to respond to our court filing. Both filed motions to dismiss our case.

Hearing held (March 2023)

A Hearing date to hear these motions to dismiss (and determine if we can proceed to a contested case trial) was heard on March 1, 2023 in Wake County Superior Court.

(May, 2023 update) A WIN! Case moves forward! On May 11, the Superior Court Judge Paul A. Holcombe, III did not grant the Motions to Dismiss! (Ruling here)

To address the matter regarding which court (Wake County Superior Court or the Office of Administrative Hearings, OAH) should hear The Umstead Coalition’s case, Judge Holman ordered that The Umstead Coalition file a contested case in the Office of Administrative Hearings, and stayed the Superior Court case. The Umstead Coalition filed this Petition for a contested trial at OAH on May 11, 2023 (link here).

The Umstead Coalition’s case continues to move forward. On May 12, 2023, the OAH Chief Administrative Law Judge ordered the parties go to mediation, a typical process step in such cases. However, this never happened, nor did we get a Trial at OAH on the merits. Instead, OAH judge van der Vaart dismissed our case out of OAH basically saying OAH didn't have juristic ion to hear the case. We disagree and appealed this dismissal to Wake County Appeals Court.

As of August, 2023, we have 2 cases: the one we filed on July 22, 2022 in Superior Court and the Appeal of not being heard at OHA. We have a "status" hearing at Wake County Superior Court on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

How you can help

As you can see, preserving this precious public asset for the area’s current and future citizens requires a multi-pronged effort. The challenges we face are many and diverse. Park protection and expansion is necessary to maintain a healthy wilderness destination. We’re fortunate to have so many devoted volunteers, contributing thousands of hours of their time toward this ongoing effort.

Please help us continue this fight. You can help us by donating now.

Keep up the public pressure:

We believe DEQ must restore the Sunset Clause, which means that RDU Quarry cannot happen. Ask DEQ to restore the Sunset Clause and shut down Triangle Quarry as promised by 2031. We've created talking points and an easy way for you to submit your comments directly to Governor Cooper and local elected officials at one time.
Keep your Stop RDU Quarry yard signs up
Attend to show your support at any of the court hearings

Thank you for your continued support!

The Umstead Coalition Files Complaint Related to Wake Stone’s Triangle Quarry to Restore the 50-year Sunset Clause and Protective Stream and Park Buffers

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:10:41 GMT

On July 13, 2022 the Umstead Coalition, a citizen organization dedicated to protecting William B. Umstead State Park, filed a lawsuit to restore the 50-year Sunset Clause that was a condition of the Triangle Quarry approval in 1981. The Triangle Quarry is located on the south side of Crabtree Creek and adjacent to William B. Umstead State Park.

The Umstead Coalition filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment and Petition for Writ of Certiorari in Wake County Superior Court. We have asked the Court to reverse the Modification issued by the NC Department of Environmental Quality-Division of Energy, Minerals and Land Resources (DEQ-DEMLR) on March 26, 2018 for Mining Permit 92-10 Triangle Quarry. We are requesting the 92-10 Mining Permit be restored to the December 2017 Permit.

The Mining Permit conditions we are requesting to be restored include:

Restore the 50-year Sunset Clause that Wake Stone agreed to and was a condition included in the original Mining Permit on May 13, 1981 and eight subsequent Permit Renewals and Modifications through December 1, 2017. The Sunset Clause gave the State the “right to acquire the quarry site at the end of 50 years or 10 years after quarrying operations have ceased, whichever is sooner.” (The March 26, 2018 Mining Permit Modification requested by Wake Stone changed “sooner” to “later” effectively eliminating the Sunset Clause that had been in effect for 37 years and counted upon by NC State Parks.)
Restore the measurement of the width of protective buffers along Crabtree Creek to be measured from the top of stream bank. (The March 26, 2018 Mining Permit Modification requested by Wake Stone changed the width to be measured from the centerline of Crabtree Creek, effectively gutting the protective stream buffers by 230,000 to 280,000 square feet.)
Restore the Buffer labels in the Site Plan to the previous 2011 Site Plan to specify “Undisturbed Vegetated Buffer.” (The March 26, 2018 Mining Permit Modification requested by Wake Stone changed the Site Plan labels to “Buffer from Property Boundary.”)
Restore Buffer Conditions 3.C and 3.D in the Permit narrative explicitly stating “buffer zone was to be maintained between any mining activity and Crabtree Creek.” (The March 26, 2018 Mining Permit Modification requested by Wake Stone removed the protective language in the permit language issued by DEQ and replaced it with just a reference to Wake Stone’s Site Plan. This effectively degraded the protective nature of the buffers.)

The Umstead Coalition has reluctantly made this filing. We would prefer to resolve this out of court, but at this juncture we felt we had no other choice. Over the last two years, we have provided DEQ-DEMLR and the Attorney General (AG) with numerous materials we have found in the State and County Archives that clearly document the 2018 Mining Permit Modifications were made in error and requested they be revoked.

We invite DEQ or the AG to resolve this issue and restore the vital protections to William B. Umstead State Park.

Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair of The Umstead Coalition, “requests the NC Department of Environmental Quality restore the Sunset Clause and Crabtree Creek buffers on the existing Triangle Quarry to protect William B. Umstead State Park. These are conditions the public has long expected to be upheld.”

The Umstead Coalition has been a leading voice opposing Wake Stone’s plan to build a new private quarry pit on the publicly-owned Odd Fellows Tract on the north side of Crabtree Creek and also adjacent to North Carolina’s William B. Umstead State Park. The private company has pursued a new quarry on public property managed by the RDU Airport Authority only 25 feet from the border with William B. Umstead State Park, the East Coast Greenway (Old Reedy Creek Road Recreational Corridor), and a private residence. In February 2022, DEQ-DEMLR correctly denied Wake Stone’s request to put a quarry pit on the Odd Fellows Tract. Wake Stone has appealed that decision.

The original 1981 Triangle quarry permit for the current quarry was approved over the objections of DEQ regulators and State Parks only after Wake Stone agreed to certain conditions intended to protect William B. Umstead State Park and guaranteed an end date for quarry operations.

The Umstead Coalition’s Court filing can be found at the Wake County Superior Court (Case Number 22 CV 8638), or download via this link. Additional information about this important issue may be found at: umsteadcoalition.org/Mining-Permit.

View a PDF of this press release.

Submit comments about the Sunset Clause to Governor Cooper and local elected officials>>

Stop RDU Quarry - Senator Wiley Nickel urges Governor restore Sunset Clause and continue fight for denial

Mon, 09 May 2022 20:59:45 GMT

May 9, 2022 - NC Senator Wiley Nickel calls on Governor Cooper to continue to oppose the Permit and reinstate the Sunset Clause. Read Senator Wiley's letter>>

Wake Stone Files Appeal for RDU Quarry Mining Permit Denial

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 02:44:47 GMT

Wake Stone Corporation has filed an Appeal to the NC Administrative Hearings Office.

The filing claims their proposed new quarry pit on the Odd Fellows Tract will not have an "Significant adverse effect on William B. Umstead State Park" and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) errored with Permit Application denial. You can read their submitted Appeal here.

To this we say — Wake Stone is wrong - DEQ's Permit Application Denial is the right decision — the private company's proposal to put heavy industrial mining operations along the East Coast Greenway and 25ft from a private residence and William B. Umstead State Park, would indeed have "Significant Adverse Effects."

What's next? Wake Stone has now triggered a long, drawn out legal battle with multiple court proceedings with all those legal trimmings. The NC Attorney General's (AG) Office attorneys will lead the defense of DEQ's Denial. Wake Stone has hired their own lawyers. The Umstead Coalition will continue to be actively involved in the fight! We are confident that the proposed quarry operations on public lands immediately adjacent to State protected recreational lands will NOT happen, but Wake Stone has chosen pursue this folly. So, we fight on.

DEQ denies mining permit for quarry next to Umstead State Park

Sat, 19 Feb 2022 00:14:25 GMT

Written by Lisa Sorg, NC Policy Watch

This is a developing story.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality has denied a mining permit for a controversial quarry next to the 5,600-acre Umstead State Park in Raleigh, citing “significantly adverse effects” from “noise, visual and truck traffic impacts” that would interfere with the park’s purpose.

The proposed quarry has been contentious since 2019, when Wake Stone leased the “Odd Fellows tract” from the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. Quarry opponents unsuccessfully fought the legality of the lease in court, but have relentlessly pressured state officials to reject the mining permit.

Wake Stone planned to timber 105 acres of the Odd Fellows tract, and use 45 of it as a rock quarry. The company would have blasted a pit 40 stories deep to extract the materials, then crush and sell them for road-building and other uses. While Wake Stone agreed to invest millions of dollars in adjacent natural areas and mountain bike trails, the mining could have continued for 25 years or more.

The person answering the phone at Wake Stone’s corporate headquarters said the company’s public relations firm would be issuing a statement. Update Feb. 18 : The News & Observer quoted Wake Stone president Samuel Bratton as saying the company would appeal the decision. An administrative law judge would hear such an appeal.

Jean Spooner of the Umstead Coalition, a citizens’ group that fought the quarry, said “it was the right decision by the state.”

Umstead State Park is one of the most popular in central North Carolina, with 1.1 million visitors last year, according to the state Division of Parks and Recreation. Areas immediately surrounding it “have experienced tremendous growth,” according to a DEQ summary of its decision, which demonstrates not only the importance of the park but also its “sensitivity to outside development pressures.”

The Mining Act of 1971 requires the Division of Energy, Minerals and Land Resources to consider seven criteria in approving or denying a permit. In a written summary justifying its decision, DEMLR noted an increase in noise levels, even with the construction of a sound barrier wall, would be unacceptable. Likewise, parts of the quarry operation would remain visible from the park, as would the sound barrier wall. The proposed expansion would also add truck traffic and create safety hazards for park-goers, the document read.

Spooner told Policy Watch that the proposed quarry would have also disrupted wildlife corridors and aquatic life in Crabtree Creek. There were also concerns about the affects of the blasting on the Dunn residence near the park entrance on Reedy Creek Road. That house is on a private drinking water well, which could have also been affected by the quarry operations, which in general pump millions of gallons of water from the pits and can draw down aquifers.

Wake Stone has operated another quarry near the park since 1980; that too, proved controversial. State environmental regulars denied the permit, also based on adverse effects to the purposes of the Park, but the Mining Commission overruled the department, and the permit was issued in 1981.

Read the article on NC Policy Watch>>

Umstead park supporters cheer quarry permit denial

Sat, 19 Feb 2022 00:11:25 GMT

Written by Jason deBruyn, WUNC

A group of Umstead Park supporters on Friday cheered a decision by the Department of Environmental Quality to deny a quarry permit application by Wake Stone that would have expanded the company's operation at a site near the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

"It was the right decision," said Jean Spooner, chairwoman of the Umstead Coalition board of directors, which has vocally opposed the quarry's expansion. "The current quarry has exhibited substantial adverse impacts on the park in the years it's existed there."

Still, the ruling likely doesn't write the last chapter of this more than six-years-long saga as Wake Stone has already signaled an intent to appeal the ruling.

Leading up to the ruling, the DEQ Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources held two public hearings and considered thousands of comments from public stakeholders. It denied the application because it ruled that a new quarry would negatively impact the park.

"The proposed quarry is located and designed such that normal operation would have significantly adverse effects on the purposes of the park through noise, visual, and traffic impacts," according to the ruling.

Wake Stone has operated a quarry on property it owns alongside Interstate 40 just northwest of the Harrison Road exit. It wants to expand quarry operations to property generally referred to as the "Oddfellows" site owned jointly by Wake and Durham counties and by Raleigh and Durham and overseen by the Raleigh-Durham AirportAuthority, which agreed to lease the land to Wake Stone for the quarry expansion.

The Umstead Coalition has opposed the expansion citing environmental concerns, as well as, negative quality of life impacts on park-goers.

Read the article on WUNC>>

NC DEQ Denies Permit for RDU Quarry

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 00:37:45 GMT

Below is the official statement from NC DEQ:

State issues denial of Wake Stone quarry modification

Raleigh - Feb 17, 2022

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) has denied a requested modification of Wake Stone Corporation's Permit 92-10, for the Triangle Quarry located adjacent to William B. Umstead State Park. The denied modification request included the proposed expansion of mining operations, including the construction of a new pit at the Wake County location.

After a comprehensive technical evaluation process, which included two public hearings and consideration of thousands of comments from the public and stakeholders, DEMLR denied the application based on information that indicates the proposed operation would have a significantly adverse effect on the purposes of a publicly owned park, forest or recreation area.

The staff of the DEMLR Mining Program reviewed the permit application, submitted April 8, 2020, and all supplemental information filed after the initial application. Public hearings were held on the application on June 23 and July 7, 2020.

Read the denial summary here, and see other documents on the DEQ website.

Putting the puzzle pieces together: RDU, RDUAA, Wake Stone, Sunset Clause, Umstead State Park

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 01:19:13 GMT

An interesting perspective was composed to more fully assess RDUAA’s and Wake Stone’s plans to put an open mine pit on the Odd Fellows tract and to put parking lots on much of Tract "286." It discusses several pieces to RDUAA’s land use puzzle. Some are known and being considered. However, there are several pieces that are missing and not being honestly evaluated. Some (but not all) of these puzzle pieces include:

1) Why does RDUAA manage the Odd Fellows tract and the 286 tract in the first place and why does RDUAA continue to manage these tracts?

2) Do the physical locations of Odd Fellows and 286 East fit better with operations of the William B. Umstead State Park or RDU Airport?

3) How do RDUAA’s plans for the Odd Fellows tract fit in with RDUAA’s Sustainability Plan (SMP) or their RDU Forest Management Plan (FMP)? How does Wake Stone’s open mine pit and massive bridge over Crabtree Creek just upstream of Umstead State Park fit into RDUAA’s SMP?

4) For financing RDU operations, are there alternatives to destroying land that is on the NC State Parks critical acquisition list and part of a long-established and highly used Recreation Corridor?

5) What are the potential short-term and long-term liabilities to RDUAA and the public resulting from Wake Stone’s open mine pit on the Odd Fellows tract? Wake Stone Corporation’s liability ends shortly after quarrying operations end but the liability for RDU and the public will never end.

6) What about the Sunset Clause on the current Triangle Quarry? If Wake Stone had not convinced a new DEQ-Mining staff and Interim DEQ Division Director to un-do this long-established clause in the Triangle Quarry Permit by changing the word “sooner” to “later”, could they even consider an open mine pit on Odd Fellows?

7) Does Runway 14-32, the WWII era runway that is only used in only one direction for landings and take-offs create income for RDU? Should this runway be eliminated so that funds directed at this runway could be directed to the main runways?

8) What about the reasoning RDUAA used to justify proposing to fence off the remote lands they manage?

Read the entire thought piece here.

New RDU Quarry Renderings Confirm Devastating Impact to Umstead State Park & Crabtree Creek

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 17:05:20 GMT

The Umstead Coalition has contracted with StructionLab to create models and renderings, true to topographic scale, to show the devastating impact of RDU Quarry on Umstead State Park and Crabtree Creek. The renderings have sliders to show a before and after view, along with the Wake Stone site plan in each image.

In Wake Stone's responses to the Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) requests for additional information, Wake Stone does not reflect the real impact of the proposed project, as they do not show the proposed quarry impacts. Wake Stone's response is misleading because the natural undisturbed forest and natural topography remains visible in their renderings.

Our renderings and presentation were created by StructionLab, using actual topography of the site. Their work shows a before and after view, and shows the Wake Stone site plan included in each image. The images are to scale and respectful of the topography. The actual trees are conceptual as there is not current capability to render actual trees. Read our full public comment submission to DEQ-Mining here>>.

View the renderings here>>

Rendering Descriptions

Wake Stone's RDU Quarry Site Plan
This is the before and after view of the Odd Fellows Tract from Umstead State Park. Quarry operations will be visible from the Park. The bridge that will cross Crabtree Creek can be seen in the middle of the image. Everything is to scale.
This is a bird's eye before and after view of the Odd Fellows Tract. Note the proximity of the quarry to Crabtree Creek and Foxcroft Lake. You can also see the bridge that will cross Crabtree Creek.
This is another before and after view of the Odd Fellows Tract from Umstead State Park. Note the concrete wall adjacent to Foxcroft Lake and the fence that will cross the lake.
This is a bird's eye before and after view of RDU Quarry. You can see the Town of Cary Water Treatment Plant in the upper left of the image and I40 across the top.
This is a before and after view of the Odd Fellows Tract from Old Reedy Creek Multi-Use Trail, which is also part of the East Coast Greenway. The concrete wall will be 16-24 feet tall and there will be a road for the quarry trucks directly alongside it.
This is a bird's eye before and after view of the Odd Fellows Tract taken from behind Old Reedy Creek Multi-Use Trail (the East Coast Greenway). The East Coast Greenway is the trail at the bottom of the image. I40 can be clearly seen on the right along with the Town of Cary Water Treatment Plant. Note the proximity of the quarry to Crabtree Creek, highlighted in blue.

NC State Parks Once Again Sends Letter to NCDEQ-Mining and Opposes RDU Quarry

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 01:11:49 GMT

On November 18, 2021, NC State Parks sent a third letter to NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and continued to state the proposed new quarry will have a "significantly adverse effect on the purposes of William B. Umstead State Park."

Read the Park's letter here>>

Blasting from Wake Stone’s Proposed Rock Mine Dangerous

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 21:20:20 GMT

With your support, The Umstead Coalition contracted with a national blasting expert, Kenneth K. Eltschlager.

Eltschlager's independent analysis confirmed what we suspected: significant adverse effects to William B. Umstead State Park, East Coast Greenway, and a private residence (and perhaps Cary’s Water Reclamation Plant) are likely from blasting with a proposed new rock mine on the Odd Fellows Tract.

The quarry application (August 4, 2021 Site Plans) proposes to conduct mining operations within 25 feet of Umstead State Park and blasting 65 feet from the Park boundary and 175 feet of the Dunn home.

Based on the available blasting information Wake Stone provided with their application, our expert analysis estimated structural or person/pet damage to the nearby private home likely and can happen to persons in the Park, East Coast Greenway, or private residences.

Read our expert’s Adverse Effect Analysis he submitted to DEQ-Mining here>>

Senator Wiley Nickel Encourages Wake & Durham County Residents To Oppose the Proposed RDU Quarry

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 22:59:20 GMT

We are grateful for the ongoing support from Senator Wiley Nickel and his opposition the proposed RDU Quarry.

Read Senator Wiley Nickel's letter to Wake and Durham County residents here>>.

The Umstead Coalition Wins a Key Appeal - Crabtree Creek Bridge “Permit” is Invalidated

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 19:57:40 GMT

The Umstead Coalition wins a Key Appeal! Crabtree Creek Bridge “Permit” is Invalidated. The Judge reversed (invalidated) NC DEQ’s Decision to issue Neuse Buffer Authorization for Wake Stone Corporation’s proposed bridge over Crabtree Creek for proposed new mining pit.

Read Administrative Law Judge Michael C. Byrne's Ruling HERE

September 27, 2021

Today the Administrative Law Judge ruled in favor of The Umstead Coalition’s Appeal of the Neuse Buffer Authorization to permanently destroy Neuse Buffers along Crabtree Creek with a massive bridge, 60-Foot wide. The Authorization is INVALIDATED. Wake Stone, a private mining company, has proposed to build a new bridge across Crabtree Creek just upstream of William B. Umstead State Park within the view and noise scape of the State Park to transport large, noisy quarry trucks from a proposed new pit north of Crabtree Creek on the Odd Fellows Tract to the existing quarry operations on the south side of Crabtree Creek. Concurrent with this proposed new bridge is the construction of 1,700 linear feet of massive retaining walls along Crabtree Creek that would kill trees within the Neuse River buffer and substantially narrow the Crabtree Creek riparian buffer on the existing quarry site.

Today’s Ruling confirms The Umstead Coalition’s contention that the NC Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources (DEQ-DWR) did not follow the Neuse Buffer Rules (the law) which requires full evaluation of alternatives to avoid Neuse Buffer impacts, and if not possible to avoid, then evaluation of alternatives to minimize impacts. Wake Stone did not submit the required alternatives evaluation to DEQ and DEQ failed to require and fully assess viable alternatives to avoid and minimize impacts to the Neuse River Riparian buffers along Crabtree Creek.

The proposed bridge and deep rock mine would cause harm to Crabtree Creek’s health and wildlife corridor. Just downstream of the proposed bridge, in Crabtree Creek as it flows through William B. Umstead State Park, is the “Threatened” Neuse River waterdog (Necturus lewisi). The US Fish and Wildlife finalized the listing as threatened on June 8, 2021 (effective July 9, 2021)(Footnote 1). The Neuse River waterdog only lives in the Neuse and Tar River Basins and is threatened by loss of habitat and sediment pollution.

“This section of Crabtree Creek and protection of the Odd Fellows tract represents the best chance to allow William B. Umstead State Park to remain ecologically connected to other natural areas, particularly Jordan Lake which has over 40,000 acres of public forest/gamelands,” said Dr. Ron Sutherland, Chief Scientist, Wildlands Network. “Jordan Lake’s forest are also connected (via several large rivers) to the broader network of habitat across North Carolina, and it is essential to keep Umstead State Park linked together with that network.”

Wake Stone proposes to build a new quarry pit adjacent to North Carolina’s William B. Umstead State Park. Park. The private quarry company has proposed to destroy our public property managed by the RDU Airport Authority by blasting a deep pit leaving only 25 feet of buffer along the border with William B. Umstead State Park, Old Reedy Creek Road Recreational Corridor, and a private residence, less than 50 feet buffer along the steep Crabtree Creek slopes- on both sides of Crabtree Creek-leaving Crabtree Creek suspended above two massive pits 400 feet deep; quarry blasting explosions within 100 feet of our State Park, East Coast Greenway, US 1 Bike Route, and a private residence.

The judge felt strongly enough about statements made under oath by Sam Bratton, President of Wake Stone, that he included this statement in his Finding of Facts:

36. “Confidence in Bratton’s opinions and predictions is not enhanced by his providing evasive answers to the Tribunal’s questions about the impacts of agricultural lime, fertilizer, and superphosphate entering Crabtree Creek as a part of efforts to re-establish vegetation in the buffer area destroyed by the Wake Stone project.”

The Mining Permit is currently being evaluated by another DEQ Division. The quarry proposal is for the first private rock quarry on public lands in NC impacting a State Park and would set a new disastrous precedent for public land management in the State. The quarry permit should be denied. NC State Parks has requested the Mining Permit Application be denied due to significant adverse effects to William B. Umstead State Park.

The judge's ruling highlights the irregularities and lack of consideration of less environmentally harmful options, as required. DEQ has made no decision on Wake Stone’s permit modification for a new quarry pit on public land, the other side of Crabtree Creek from an existing quarry, abutting Umstead State Park.

Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair of The Umstead Coalition, “requests the Secretary of DEQ trigger a full, independent Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for the proposed new RDU Quarry. DEQ’s Rules on the NC Environmental Policy Act (NCEPA) of 1971 require such when a proposed activity may have significant adverse effects on parklands, recreational areas and threatened species.” (Footnote 2) “The situation before us is perhaps the biggest environmental disaster to a North Carolina State Park in decades.”

The Court’s Decision is available here:

--------------------

Footnote 1: https://www.fws.gov/southeast/news/2021/06/service-provides-endangered-species-protections-for-the-carolina-madtom-and-neuse-river-waterdog/

Footnote 2: DEQ’s Rules on SEPA clearly state the authority and requirement of the Secretary of the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) to trigger NCEPA:

"15A NCAC 01C .0306 ACTIVITIES OF A SPECIAL NATURE Any activity falling within the parameters of the minimum criteria set out in Section .0400 of this Subchapter shall not routinely be required to have environmental documentation under the NCEPA. However, an environmental document is required when the Secretary determines that: (1) the proposed activity may have a potential for significant adverse effects on wetlands; surface waters such as rivers, streams and estuaries; parklands; game lands; prime agricultural or forest lands; or areas of local, state or federally recognized scenic, recreational, archaeological, ecological, scientific research or historical value, including secondary impacts; or would threaten a species identified on the Department of Interior's or the state's threatened and endangered species lists; "

New Quarry Site Plans from Wake Stone Reveal Greater Impact to Umstead State Park

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 16:33:35 GMT

Wake Stone submitted new site plans to DEQ and we are very concerned — and you should be too. The new site plans propose an even bigger mining pit and smaller protective buffers!

Reduced protective buffers and new 16-24' concrete wall to be built along the Umstead State Park boundary

The current quarry should be stopping operation in 2031, but it isn't

Wake Stone's new plans propose only a 25 foot buffer along much of the boundary with Umstead State Park and the Old Reedy Creek multi-use trail (now part of the State's greenway system).

25 feet is only 1.5 car lengths.

And along much of that 25 foot border, they plan plan to build a concrete wall between 16 to 24 feet tall.

Blasting is now proposed to be within 100 feet of Umstead State Park.

And if that wasn't enough, there's more — Wake Stone proposes to substantially decrease the protective buffers on their existing Triangle Quarry off of Harrison Ave (Cary entrance to Umstead State Park) and use haul roads near our Park boundary for increased quarry truck traffic and noise!

A one word change to the Wake Stone mining permit application in 2018 allowed this to happen (behind closed doors). Read more about the Sunset Clause scandal on NC Policy Watch.

Governor Cooper has the power to make DEQ honor the terms of the original mining permit and stop the current quarry operations in 2031. If this happens, the proposed RDU Quarry will not be able to move forward.

SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS NOW

Public Input Needed on the Scoping Phase of the Environmental Assessment for New Main RDU Runway

Sat, 07 Aug 2021 18:39:33 GMT

The RDU Airport Authority (RDUAA) is in the “scoping” phase of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the new main runway at RDU.

The “scoping” is like developing a Table of Contents. It determines the content of the EA. The “scoping” is a critical portion of the EA as it determines what is required to be evaluated. If a topic is in the “scoping,” then RDUAA and their consultants must include it in the EA.

If a topic is not in the “scoping,” then RDUAA and their consultants can ignore the topic.

We support the new main runway and terminal gate expansion on the West side of the RDU airport.

However, we need to ensure that there is a solid EA that 1) considers the full expansion (not partial expansion) of these items as per the RDU Vision 2040 plan and 2) facilitates appropriate mitigation of environmental impacts.

RDUAA is segmenting projects – meaning they are breaking up the grand vision into smaller projects so as to make some parts seem less benign. So, while the extended runway project does not on the surface involve the Odd Fellows Tract, Tract 286, Lake Crabtree, and Umstead State Park; in the grand scheme of things, it does.

Essentially a new main runway is to be built west of the current main runway and the current main runway will become a taxiway. In the grand plan, RDUAA will ultimately be extending the main runway (5L/23R) by 1,500 feet. But, for now, they are trying only to scope out a shorter version of the main runway. Then, in a few years, they will come back and ask for more. The sum total of the effects will be more impactful than the little pieces.

So, now is the time to submit thoughts, questions and comments. Think long term. Click "Start writing" for some letter-writing tips along with some things that we need to ask to be in the EA. Feel free to use these ideas, but please try to tweak them into your own words.

Submit your comments now>>

Why the future of Umstead State Park could hinge on one word

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 17:32:04 GMT

Written by Samantha Kummerer, WTVD ABC News

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The William B. Umstead State Park attracts more than a million visitors a year. The wooded trails winding near creeks offer a haven for many in the heart of Wake County.

Former Wake County commissioner Ervin Portman is one of the many who enjoys the escape the park offers. In recent years, Portman's passion for the park has sent him on a mission to save it.

"We need to be as good as good as stewards, as people that came before us were because this park is supposed to be enjoyed for generations to come," Portman said. "If we continue to allow one encroachment after another encroachment after another encroachment, we're going to lose what we're trying to save."

The company Wake Stone has operated a rock quarry next to the Wake County state park for decades. It was a controversial issue back in the 1980s but Wake Stone was eventually granted a permit to mine on the land under certain restrictions. One of those stipulations included a 50-year sunset clause.

However, Portman said a recent change to the mining permit could mean mining could last much longer.

The issue Portman pointed to stems from a single word.

The initial permit issued back in 1981 said: "If all quarryable stone is not removed, the right of the State to acquire the quarry site shall accrue at the end of 50 years from the date quarrying commences or 10 years after quarrying operation have ceased without having been resumed, whichever is soon."

The word sooner was included in every permit renewal until 2018 when suddenly it changed to later.

A small change but one that essentially means mining doesn't have to stop after 50 years if Wake Stone isn't ready to end quarrying.

Emails published publicly online show Wake Stone requested this word change back in 2011 and again in 2018. While the change didn't stick in 2011, it did in 2018.

A published memo on DEQ's website states the change was approved to match the wording in the Mining Commission's 1980 decision. While the decision did say later, Portman said it was not a final decision and the 1981 official permit and all permits renewed after said 'sooner'.

"When I read them say that it was a typographical error. And they had just discovered it after 30 years. That didn't sit right with me," Portman said.

"Why would you accept the permit with an error in it, and not say anything?

Why would you accept it eight times, and not say anything over 30 years?"

The I-Team reached out to both DEQ and Wake Stone. Nether answered questions about the change or offered any comment.

Rufus Edmisten was North Carolina's Attorney General when the initial permitting was being considered. While he didn't directly work on the permit, he was involved with matters of the state and remembers how controversial the issue was.

He said he believes the permit would not have been approved if the 50-year sunset clause was not included.

"With faded memories with people being deceased, I don't know how that happened but I know this, that for sure, we all thought that the quarry was supposed to last for 50 years and 50 years only," Edmisten said. "We wouldn't have negotiated the contract had it not been a 50-year deal. Wake Stone knew that as far as I understand."

Currently, DEQ is considering Wake Stone's approval for a 2nd quarry on the Old Fellow Property.

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board of Directors already approved the expansion. The quarry would generate around $24 million for the RDU airport who owns the land.

Portman said he is not against mining but believes it needs to be done in a way that doesn't impact protected parks.

"It's not their land. It's our land. That's the impact. That's what we're fighting for them to investigate," Portman said.

Portman and other advocates have asked DEQ to reconsider the permit change, so far none has been announced.

"I would hope that we will sooner than later, solve this in favor of a 50-year limitation," Edmisten said.

Read the article on WTVD ABC News

‘Sooner’ or ‘later’? Fate of Wake Stone quarry near Umstead State Park hinges on one word

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 17:25:01 GMT

Written by Lisa Sorg, NC Policy Watch

Former N.C. Attorney General says there was no typo, and the state intended for mining to wind down in 2032, not the 22nd century

One word — “sooner” — in a 40-year-old mining permit could alter the future of a quarry and its controversial proposed expansion adjacent to Umstead State Park in Raleigh.

According to former North Carolina Attorney General Rufus Edmisten, the issuers of the original 1981 state permit intended that Wake Stone stop mining and begin reclamation of the site when the quarry was exhausted, or in 50 years, whichever was “sooner.” That language would require reclamation to begin in 2032.

But a 2018 permit change appears to allow the company to continue to operate the mine until it is exhausted, or for 50 years, whichever is “later.” The change could ease the way for Wake Stone to expand the quarry and continue mining for decades.

If the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality determines the new information from Edmisten is valid, it could not only halt mining sooner at the existing quarry, but also make the controversial proposed expansion less viable because of a shortened timeline. The state Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) could decide on the expansion permit before the end of the summer.

Edmisten had sent the email detailing his memory to former Wake County Commissioner Erv Portman, an opponent of the quarry, who forwarded it to state environmental regulators.

A controversy that’s spanned four decades

Edmisten, who served as attorney general from 1974 to 1984, recently reviewed the permit change on behalf of Portman and other members of the Umstead Coalition, opponents of the mine.

“The Division is aware of the questions raised by Mr. Portman,” said Sharon Martin, DEQ deputy secretary for public affairs. “The permit application is still in the review process and all public comments and information provided will be considered during that process.”

Edmisten could not be reached by phone at his law office, but through his assistant verified the email.

Wake Stone spokeswoman Melanie Jennings said Edmisten was not involved in the permit application review or the company’s subsequent appeals to the state Mining Commission. “His letter is purely a recollection on his part as to what was meant,” Jennings said.

While it is true that Edmisten was not directly involved in the original permitting for the site, his office was embroiled in the controversy. Assistant Attorney General Daniel Oakley represented the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, now known as DEQ, and its divisions. Edmisten was also regularly informed about the issue and was often quoted in media reports at the time as opposing the project.

DEMLR, then known as the Division of Land Resources, originally denied Wake Stone’s permit application in August 1980. It cited concerns that the proposed quarry “would have a significantly adverse effect on the purposes of a publicly owned park, forest or recreation area.”

“The combined effects of noise, sedimentation, dust, traffic and blasting vibration” associated with quarry would impact the park “in the form of noise intrusion and deterioration of visual resources,” the denial read.

Wake Stone appealed the decision to the state Mining Commission, which overturned the division’s ruling in the spring of 1981. The Mining Commission’s decision contains a pivotal section: It states that reclamation must begin when the quarry is exhausted or in 50 years, whichever is “later.”

In an email to DEMLR, Edmisten wrote that Wake Stone “always preferred no time limit … and the Mining Commission copied that position into their final order.”

But “later” did not appear in the final permit. Steve Conrad, then the state director of land resources, issued the permit to Wake Stone in May 1981, with the word “sooner.”

In issuing the permit, Conrad wrote to Wake Stone, asking the company to review it “and notify this office of any objection or question concerning the terms.” Wake Stone did not; the company later contended the word “sooner” was a typo.

“To the best of my memory, what I can say is that I do not think Director [Steve] Conrad made a typographical error with the word ‘Sooner’ in the permit …” Edmisten wrote last month to DEMLR. “I also find it difficult to believe Wake Stone would have accepted the permit if it was an error. This was not a small or insignificant point.”

Conrad died in 2011.

Even though the “sooner” language appeared in Wake Stone’s mining permit, the company never appealed it in eight routine renewals — until 2011. “For whatever reason, the suggested word change was omitted” in 2011, Wake Stone wrote to DEMLR this year. “Wake Stone chose not to pursue the issue further at that time.”

However, in 2018, DEMLR removed the word “sooner” from the permit and changed it to “later,” at Wake Stone’s request, state documents show.

Judy Wehner assistant state mining specialist, made the change to “later” during an email exchange with the company, documents show, with no opportunity for public comment. DEMLR considered the change merely administrative, and was among minor modifications in the permit that did not require public notice.

Yet the word change coincided with two important developments: Wake Stone and the RDU Airport Authority had been negotiating over leasing land next to the park for the quarry expansion. Many DEMLR employees had also moved on by 2018, leaving little institutional memory to counter Wake Stone’s narrative.

Continue reading the full article on NC Policy Watch

Neuse River waterdog Salamander now listed as "Threatened" by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 18:58:33 GMT

The Neuse River waterdog salamander has been documented in the past in Crabtree Creek within William B. Umstead State Park. In March 2021, a NCDOT contractor documented it in Crabtree Creek just downstream of our Park. We have every reason to believe it still lives in Umstead.

The Neuse River waterdog salamander is highly susceptible to sediments pollutants in the stream. We need to stop the sediment loading from the existing Triangle Quarry, protect the fragile streambanks along Crabtree Creek and not allow the extreme reduction in stream buffers being proposed by Wake Stone. The Mining Permit Application must be denied.

Read more in this article written by Lisa Sorg, NC Policy Watch: North Carolina has a newly designated endangered species, which is nothing to be proud of

Umstead Coalition opposes RDU Fence and Recommends Community Solutions

Thu, 06 May 2021 16:38:08 GMT

NC Department of Environmental Quality-Division of Water Resources (DEQ-DWR) approved the Neuse River Buffer Authorization Application submitted by the RDUAA staff in October, 2020. The Odd Fellows Tract is not included, and some restrictions were added, but it's still a tragedy if moved forward by the RDUAA Board. Note: this application was entirely on staff initiative - not initiated, nor approved (yet) by the RDUAA Board.

Download DEQ Approval letter, May 4, 2021

Download NC State Park's letter asking for denial of Application, January 25, 2021

Statement by Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair, The Umstead Coalition, dated May 5, 2021:

The proposal by RDUAA staff to deforest a wide swath and install a chain-link fence topped with 3 rows of barbed wire (similar specifications used for high voltage power sub-stations and correctional facilities) along the environmentally sensitive boundary of William B. Umstead State Park and the East Coast Greenway along Old Reedy Creek Road is an embarrassment and insult to our community and William B Umstead State Park. And, would result in grave environmental damage to our State Park.

DEQ-DWR should have followed the Neuse Buffer Rules (the law) and denied this authorization request to destroy and harm our streams and wetlands flowing into William B. Umstead State Park. The Neuse Buffer Rules require that RDUAA must first AVOID stream and wetland impacts to the maximum extent possible, and then minimize any unavoidable impacts, as well as provide sufficient Best Management Practices to protect our streams and tributaries. Viable alternatives exist - NC State Parks opposed this fence and offered alternatives. In addition, absolutely, no stream crossing protections are proposed to protect the streams and wetlands: no bridges, no culverts, nothing.

To add to this insult, RDUAA fence proposal plans to sever one of the most popular trails in the Region and the East Coast Greenway by putting the fence across Umstead State Park's Reedy Creek Multi-use Trail. This trail is popular with commuters and recreational users and serves as a regional connection to Cary's Black Creek Greenway, Morrisville's Crabtree Creek Greenway, Raleigh's Reedy Creek/House Creek Greenways, the American Tobacco Trail, and the planned Triangle Bikeway along I-40. Reedy Creek multi-use trail is built upon the historic road beds and has been a State Park trail since 1934 in the same location. Shameful.

The proposed fence is an unnecessary boondoggle and mis-use of RDUAA funds. There is already a security fence perimeter that protects the runways, terminals, and parking areas. Furthermore, it has not been initiated, nor approved by the RDUAA Board.

In contrast, the Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) has and promotes a publicly accessible bike trail along its airport perimeter (BWI Trail) which provides a community recreational asset, a transportation connection to the Baltimore-Annapolis Trail and the airport, and provides parking revenues for the airport. That is the type of community and partnering relationship that RDUAA should engage with the community and its four owning governments of the Counties of Wake and Durham and the Cities of Raleigh and Durham.

RDUAA should strive to find collaborative opportunities with its owners, NC State Parks, and the community. This is sadly the opposite. We request that the RDUAA Board put an end to this extreme blow to the airport's community relations.

Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair, The Umstead Coalition

Umstead Coalition Public Hearing Comments on FY21-22 RDUAA Budget

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 20:15:49 GMT

View below for the Umstead Coalition's Public Hearing Comments on the FY21-22 RDUAA Budget submitted on March 11, 2021.

To: Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority (RDUAA) Board Members

Re: 2021-2022 RDUAA Budget, Public Hearing Public Comments

Thank you for representing our community on the RDUAA Board and your service to improve the Raleigh-Durham International Airport as a vital partner. Your consideration of Public Comments regarding the draft Budget in advance of Board approval is appreciated.

The Umstead Coalition is focused upon serving and protecting William B. Umstead State Park. William B. Umstead State Park was established in 1934 and is one of most visited NC State Parks, many of which access the Park via the Old Reedy Creek Road Recreational corridor that connects Lake Crabtree County Park to William B. Umstead State Park. Like the airport, William B. Umstead State Park is a great community asset.

William B. Umstead State Park and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport share 6.2 miles of common boundary. Storm water from the entire airport drains directly or indirectly (through Brier Creek and Lake Crabtree) into William B. Umstead State Park. The extent of our shared property boundary and environmental sensitive issues has sometimes caused controversy, but also can and has led to opportunities.

When all the stakeholders have worked together in the past, the airport, the Park, and its connected Parks and greenways have thrived. That enables an environment that attracts and retains employers, employees, and visitors, which in turn lends to an enhanced economic environment for our communities to grow and prosper.

Please accept these Public Comments in the vein of trying to improve the airport and its ability to be a good neighbor and community partner. Please consider the following suggestions in your deliberations of your budget decisions.

View a PDF of the Umstead Coalition's full public comments to RDUAA>>

NC Division of Parks and Recreation (NC State Parks) asks for RDU Quarry Wake Stone Mining Permit Application to be Denied

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 00:18:53 GMT

Download a PDF of NC Division of Parks and Recreation's letter to NC DEQ/Division of Energy, Mineral & Land Resources

February 12, 2021

Brian Wrenn, Director NC DEQ/Division of Energy, Mineral & Land Resources Via email: Brian.wrenn@ncdenr.gov

Re: Expand Wake Stone Triangle Quarry, Odd Fellows Tract adjacent to William B. Umstead State Park, Raleigh, Wake County, GS 20-0841

Dear Mr. Wrenn:

After further evaluation of the permit modification, the Division of Parks and Recreation (DPR) requests that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) deny the permit modification based on its significant negative impacts on Umstead State Park and other publicly owned greenways adjacent to the park, as allowed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 74-51(d)(5) (allowing denial of a permit upon finding “[t]hat the operation will have a significantly adverse effect on the purposes of a publicly owned park, forest or recreation area”). This conclusion is consistent with the 1980 denial of the mining permit application by the then Department of Natural Resources and Community Development (NRCD) due to the proposed combined effects to the park of noise, sedimentation, dust, traffic, and blasting vibrations associated with the then-proposed quarry.

Our May 8, 2020 letter on this topic details much of our rationale for requesting denial of the permit modification. The issues are summarized below and include noise, sedimentation and water quality, dust and air quality, traffic, habitat loss, blasting vibrations, and park expansion. DPR does not believe mitigation efforts could eliminate these concerns. In addition to the significant negative effects discussed in that letter and below, the delayed closure of the existing quarry and potential transfer of the property to the park would represent a significant economic cost to DPR. Renewing the permit and preventing transfer denies DPR and the State this valuable property in the middle of a rapidly growing metropolitan area.

DPR asks that DEQ also consider the many changes since the initial permit approval almost 40 years ago, including increased demand for outdoor recreation, construction of additional greenways adjacent to the park, and loss of habitat through increased urbanization in the vicinity of the park. DPR believes denial of the permit will greatly benefit Umstead Park and protect the natural resources of the State and the citizens who gain enjoyment from these resources.

Noise Impacts

As visitors come to a state park, there is an expectation of tranquility and quiet not afforded them where they live, even at a more urban park like Umstead Park. Additional noise from the proposed quarry expansion site will degrade this tranquility to a level that would harm park visitors’ experiences.

Sedimentation/Water Quality

Increased sedimentation from the proposed quarry will harm the downstream water quality of Crabtree Creek in the park. Sand and finer grained sediments, including silts and clays, degrade stream habitats, and can reduce sunlight and harm aquatic plant and animal species. The extent of sedimentation in a stream is one of the significant indicators of diversity of macroinvertebrates which are an indicator of stream health.

Dust/Air Quality

Dust and fine particles degrade air quality, potentially damaging public health. DPR is concerned that the cumulative impacts on air quality from the new quarry have not been adequately assessed. Deforestation and the heavy machinery that would be used in the proposed quarry expansion will negatively impact air quality in the region. As the park and connecting greenways have become more popular there is a concern that blasting dust and other airborne pollutants from traffic and mining operations will harm the health of many park users.

Truck Traffic

Umstead Park shares an entrance with the current Wake Stone quarry off the Harrison Avenue access to the park. This location is a primary entrance location for the park and would also continue to serve as the primary location of trucks entering and leaving the quarry. Over the years there have been several challenges associated with the shared access point. Truck traffic is constant when the quarry is operating and has resulted in conflicts with visitors, especially those biking into the park. Trucks leaving the quarry often cross the center line due to the tight turning radius, posing a safety issue. In addition, truck traffic is likely to increase at this already crowded intersection, exacerbating safety issues, as timber is removed from the site, the bridge is built, and associated quarry activities at the new site ramp up.

Blasting

In addition to the noise impacts from blasting previously discussed, blasting vibrations could also negatively affect both park visitors and facilities. Significant vibrations could mar the very peace and quiet that visitors come to Umstead Park to experience, and each year many thousands of people enjoy the Reedy Creek Multi-Use Trail adjacent to the proposed site. Vibrations could also damage buildings including park staff residences. These problems will have an adverse impact on the park.

Loss of Wildlife Corridors

Habitat loss and fragmentation is the largest contributor to biodiversity loss on the planet. The proposed permit modification would permanently fragment healthy wildlife habitat directly on the park’s border.

Park Expansion

Because population growth in the Triangle region and visitation to Umstead State Park are rapidly increasing, the park’s master plan calls for expansion of the park through land acquisition. Approval of the permit modification will cause a significant delay, by 30 years or more, in the potential transfer of the existing quarry property to the park, which would limit the park’s ability to meet increased public demand in the meantime.

In conclusion, approval of a permit to expand the quarry will degrade Umstead State Park and represent a significant lost opportunity for the park, our Division, and the natural resources of our State. The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation requests that Department of Environmental Quality deny the modification.

DPR appreciates the opportunity to provide these comments on the proposed permit modification. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Dwayne Patterson, Director North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation

cc: Reid Wilson, Secretary, NCDNCR Brian Strong, Deputy Director of Planning and Natural Resources, DPR John Nicholson, Chief Deputy Secretary, DEQ Sheila Holman, Assistant Secretary for Environment, DEQ

Download a PDF of the letter>>

The Umstead Coalition & Sierra Club Capital Group Issue Joint Resolution About the Proposed RDU Quarry

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 22:49:03 GMT

Deny Proposed New Quarry Pit, Restore Undisturbed Buffers and Sunset Clause

WHEREAS, On August 22, 1980. DEQ (then NRCD) denied an Application for a new Mining Permit based upon “the proposed quarry operation would have an adverse effect upon the purposes of a publicly owned park, forest, or recreational area. The combined effects of noise, sedimentation, dust, traffic and blasting vibration associated with the proposed quarry operation would produce primary impacts on William B. Umstead State Park in the form of noise intrusion and deterioration of visual resources."; and

WHEREAS, the industry-friendly Mining Commission overruled DEQ’s Decision (January 27 and April 3, 1981) , ordering the permit be issued with protections for William B Umstead State Park including “Permanent” buffers; and

WHEREAS, between January 27, 1981 and May 13, 1981, DEQ (NC Divisions of Land Resources and Parks and Recreation) worked hard either increase protections for William B.

Umstead State Park or, if not obtained, planned to appeal the Mining Commission’s overruling of DEQ’s decision to the Courts; and

WHEREAS, on May 13, 1981 after State Agencies worked hard to add permanent, undisturbed buffer and a 50 year Sunset Clause conditions into the Permit, the first Mining Permit 92-10 (Triangle Quarry) was issued by DEQ; and

WHEREAS, the original Mining Permit was accepted without objection by Wake Stone, as were its Renewals and Modifications issued on May 13, 1981; April 15, 1986; April 1, 1991; February 5, 1992; October 11, 1996; April 20, 2001; November 24, 2010; March 20, 2011 and December 1, 2017 all contained a 50-year Sunset Clause in the “Reclamation Conditions”: “5.B.If all quarryable stone is not removed, the right of the State to acquire the quarry site shall accrue at the end of 50 years from the date quarrying commences or 10 years after quarrying operations have ceased without having been resumed, whichever is sooner, and notices shall be exchanged at that time in the same manner and with the same time limitations as set forth in paragraph A above.”; and

WHEREAS, the 50-year Sunset Clause served as a basis for the State Park planning for future Park land acquisition for the purposes of conservation and recreation, key missions of the NC Parks system; and

WHEREAS, 92-10 Mining permits through 2017 have all measured the stream buffer from top of Crabtree Creek bank with undisturbed, forested buffers; and

WHEREAS, all of the nine Mining Permits issued during the almost 37 years from May 13, 1981 to December 1, 2017 were accepted by the private mining company without objection; and

WHEREAS, the buffers along the western quarry boundary along Crabtree Creek proved insufficient and in 1992 the quarry operations blasting caused a massive streambank failure and filled in 90 percent of Crabtree Creek. The streambank remains devoid of sufficient vegetation through today; and

WHEREAS, on March 28, 2018 a permit Modification was issued to reduce the buffer widths and expand the quarry area to be disturbed by shifting the protected buffers from top of bank to center of the stream;

WHEREAS, William B. Umstead State Park visitors routinely observe sediment-laden discharge from the existing quarry operations into the Park’s forest and directly into Crabtree Creek; and

WHEREAS, since 1982, there have been numerous complaints about dust, noise, water quality, dead trees, truck conflicts from NC Division of Parks and Recreation staff and the public. Many ignored. The adverse impacts continue.

WHEREAS, from 1982 to the present, the current quarry operation has repeatedly violated the protective buffers by unauthorized deforestation, massive streambank failure along Crabtree Creek, diversion of sediment-laden waters into William B. Umstead State Park, changing water hydrology within William B. Umstead State Park, and killing of Park trees.

WHEREAS, the March 28, 2018 Permit changes made at the request of the private mining company including removal of the Sunset Clause by changing “sooner” to “later”, which completes the removal or reduction of all the hard won protections that Wake Stone agreed to with the 1981 and subsequent permits; and

WHEREAS, the March 28, 2018 Permit changes substantially and dramatically reduced the protective buffer widths by moving the buffers from the top-of-bank to the centerline of Crabtree Creek. The same Permit Modification removed the protective language within the permit narrative, instead shifting to the site plan supplied by the private company; and

WHEREAS, the affected State Agency of the NC Division of Parks and Recreation was not informed or consulted of the requested changes that removed the Park protections of the Sunset Clause and substantially decreased the protective buffers in the March 28, 2018 Permit Modifications; and

WHEREAS, the Permit Modifications on March 28, 2018 removed almost all the hard-fought protections for William B. Umstead State Park; and

WHEREAS, on April 7, 2020, the private mining company submitted a Mining Permit Modification Application to increase the footprint of the existing quarry site by further reducing the protective buffers by again decreasing their width and converted the buffers to “unexcavated” buffers (which allow deforestation, fencing, pit perimeter roads, stockpiling, crushers, conveyor systems, etc. – everything just short of excavating a mining pit); and

WHEREAS, the proposed Permit Modifications submitted on April 7, 2020 proposes to expand the current pit perimeter and increase the depth of the current mine an additional 150 feet to a total depth of -170MSL (170 feet below sea level); and

WHEREAS, on April 7, 2020, the private mining company submitted a Mining Permit Modification Application to “expand” the quarry operations with a new rock mine on the other side of Crabtree Creek on a 105 acres tract knows as the Odd Fellows Tract; and

WHEREAS, the proposed Permit Modifications submitted on April 7, 2020 proposes a new massive 60ft wide (4-lane) bridge over Crabtree Creek just upstream of William B. Umstead State Park to carry many noisy, dusty trucks from the proposed new pit to the processing area of the existing quarry operations; and

WHEREAS, the proposed Permit Modifications only includes twenty (25) foot wide undisturbed buffers along William B. Umstead State Park and the minimal Neuse Buffers along the steep slopes of Crabtree Creek. The top of pit would be only 100 feet from William B. Umstead State Park and Crabtree Creek. The pit perimeter road, sediment erosion control, grading would occur as close as 25 feet of Umstead State Park - the public would not consider such a narrow slice as any meaningful “buffer”; and

WHEREAS, the Mining Permit Modification Application is incomplete and asks the Agency reviewers to ignore an adjacent 17.2 acre “Future Reserves” area, which elsewhere is included in the submitted Reclamation Plan, the private companies web site and marketing information, and other figures in the Application. Furthermore, the private company includes this area within the requested permit “expansion” boundary – an obvious attempt to avoid the required agency review and public comments; and

WHEREAS, the Odd Fellows tract is public property with vested, deeded ownership of the Cities of Raleigh and Durham and Counties of Wake and Durham, managed by the Raleigh Durham Airport Authority; and

WHEREAS, the Odd Fellows tract is bounded by William B. Umstead State Park, Crabtree Creek, the Old Reedy Creek Road Recreational corridor and I-40; and

WHEREAS, the Old Reedy Creek Road recreational corridor is heavily used by runners, walkers, bikers, families, and nature lovers; and

WHEREAS, the Old Reedy Creek Road recreational corridor is a portion of Carolina Connection Bikeway, East Coast Greenway, and extremely popular gateway between Cary’s Black Creek Greenway Trail (which connects to the American Tobacco Trail), Wake County’s Lake Crabtree County Park, and Cary’s Black Creek Greenway trail head parking lot connection to William B. Umstead State Park; and

WHEREAS, all of the drainage area from the Odd Fellows Tract flows into William B. Umstead State P ark directly or via Crabtree Creek; and

WHEREAS, on May 8, 2020, The, NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources- NC Division of Parks and Recreation (NCR DPR) submitted a letter to the NC Department of Environmental Quality -NC Division of Energy, Minerals, and Land Resources (DEQ-DEMLR) listing significant concerns regarding the proposed Mining Permit Application including: noise, sedimentation and water quality, dust and air quality, traffic, habitat loss, blasting vibrations, and loss of park expansion; and

WHEREAS, the Mission and Purpose of the NC Division of Parks and Recreation is Conservation, Recreation, and Education; and

WHEREAS: the Odd Fellows Track is identified as “critical acres” in the Land Protection Plan of William B. Umstead State Park; and

WHEREAS, on June and July, 2020 DEQ-DEMLR held two Virtual Public Hearing and received approximately 2,000 public comments opposing the substantial reductions in Park protection on the current quarry site and the proposed new quarry site on the other side of Crabtree Creek on the Odd Fellows Tract; and

WHEREAS, the public comments indicated a massive outcry regarding the damaging issues with the current quarry operations including: noise, conflict with the 500 plus quarry trucks/day competing with Park visitors at our Park entrance, dust, air quality issues, water quality issues, loss of protective buffers, buffer violations and the current flooding of park lands resulting in the killing of Park trees; and

WHEREAS, a new rock mine pit on the Odd Fellows tract would start a bad precedent in North Carolina allowing a private rock mine on public property in NC and this one adjacent to William B. Umstead State Park; and

WHEREAS, a new rock mine pit on the Odd Fellows tract would only leave a narrow width of the Neuse River buffers along the steep slopes of Crabtree Creek just upstream of William B. Umstead State Park; and much of those buffers are proposed to be taken up with a fence, deforestation, bridge, sediment control structures; and

WHEREAS, the proposed narrow riparian buffers on both sides of Crabtree Creek would leave an artificially narrow “aqueduct” and elevated Crabtree Creek above two quarry pits, each deeper than 400 feet. In exactly the same area Wake Stone already blew out a much larger buffer in 1992, destroying all natural vegetation in the buffer and blocking 90% of the stream, and

WHEREAS, there is no independent engineering analysis ensuring the future integrity of Crabtree Creek with the proposed deep pits on both sides of Crabtree Creek and minimal stream buffers; and

WHEREAS, a new rock mine pit on the Odd Fellows tract would sever the last remaining habitat corridor connecting Jordan Lake to the east through William B. Umstead State Park; and

WHEREAS, a new rock mine pit on the Odd Fellows tract would eliminate a large forested recharge area for Crabtree Creek and decrease base flow; and

WHEREAS, the Umstead Coalition’s mission includes “preserving the natural integrity of William B. Umstead State Park”; and

WHEREAS, the Sierra Club advocates for environmental protection; and was opposed to the 1980 request, and was assured by the promised protections of the original permit that have now been violated or removed, and

WHEREAS, The existing Quarry has already had significant adverse effects on William B. Umstead State Park, and the proposed expansion will significantly reduce the protections on both the existing and expanded pits, it is reasonable to conclude the additional significantly adverse effects will grow due to the significantly fewer protections,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Umstead Coalition and Sierra Club Capital

Group request DEQ-DEMLR DENY the proposed Mining Permit for a new mine on the Odd

Fellows Site because “the proposed new quarry operations would have an significant adverse effect upon the purposes of a publicly owned park, forest, or recreational area” including

William B. Umstead State Park and it’s connected recreational corridors (per G.S. Chapter 74- Article 7, 74-51(d) of the 1971 Mining Act); and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the The Umstead Coalition and Sierra Club Capital Group request DEQ-DEMLR reinstate the 2010 Mining Permit conditions on the existing quarry operations to restore the committed undisturbed buffers, measured from top of bank, along Crabtree Creek and William B. Umstead State Park; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Umstead Coalition and Sierra Club Capital

Group request that DEQ-DEMLR reinstate the 50-year sunset clause with “sooner” in the Reclamation Conditions of the Mining Permit 92-10.

Signed: February 7, 2021 Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair The Umstead Coalition

Signed: February 7, 2021 Hwa Huang, Chair Capital Group, Sierra Club

Download a PDF of the Resolution>>

The Umstead Coalition Joins Stop the RDU Quarry Town Hall with Senator Wiley Nickel

Sat, 06 Feb 2021 01:06:44 GMT

Join the Umstead Coalition and Senator Wiley Nickel for an informational Town Hall on the proposed RDU Quarry on Wednesday, February 10th, at 6pm.

Agenda

6pm-6:30pm: Start & presentation by Dr. Jean Spooner, The Umstead Coalition

6:30-6:40pm: Senator Wiley Nickel speaks

6:40-7pm: Q&A

Statement from Former NC Attorney General Confirms the Wake Stone Mining Permit Sunset Clause Should be Reinstated

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 00:46:21 GMT

Research of Public Records (State Archives, Wake County Commissioners) has revealed strong evidence that the original permit was correct; the Director Conrad of NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ-Mining) did not make a "mistake" in the original 1981 Wake Sone Mining Permit 92-10; the Sunset Clause was correct and should be instated.

The Honorable Rufus Edmisten, Attorney General in 1980-81 issued a statement on January 12, 2021 that confirms that the 1981 Permit with the Sunset Clause "speaks for itself" and that the Sunset Clause of "sooner" is correct.

Read Honorable Rufus Edmisten's statement>>

RDUAA Reapplies for the RDU Fence

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 00:50:27 GMT

In July 2020, DEQ denied the Raleigh Durham Airport Authority’s (RDUAA’s) request for a Neuse Buffer permit for a new, unneeded fence. Now RDUAA is trying again to build their unnecessary fence! Please take action to prevent it (see below for link to send your email).

Tragically, RDUAA recently resubmitted their request to the NC Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to cross streams and wetlands with a chain-linked, barbed-wire fence, including 30ft of deforested swath along the border of William B. Umstead State Park and the crossings of Haley’s Branch. They still plan a patrol road along the fence. Insultingly, RDUAA still proposes to cut-off access to the popular Old Reedy Creek Multi-use Trail within Umstead State Park (and the East Coast Greenway and US1 Bike Route) by building this fence across the trail! DEQ denied the first time, DEQ should deny again.

Please use the link below to write an email asking DEQ to uphold denial of RDU Airport's fence proposal in order to protect not only the Umstead State Park, but also the Neuse River Buffer's streams and wetlands. Ask them to withdraw this request; it's an environmental tragedy. We’ve made an easy way to write one email and have it sent to RDUAA and local elected officials.

Submit your comments now>>

Court of Appeals Ruled Against The Umstead Coalition, Fight Continues

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 02:16:15 GMT

We are disappointed at the Appeals Court decision released December 15, 2020, upholding the lower court’s ruling that RDUAA was allowed to enter into a mining lease with Wake Stone Corporation, for the forested Oddfellows Tract. We are evaluating our appeal before the State Supreme Court.

We disagree; we think that the RDUAA exceeded their authority. We believe RDUAA should have sought concurrence from their four local government owners prior to selling property for a quarry unrelated to airport operations, destroying dwindling old growth forests on public lands, creating a perpetual public liability for the 400’+ deep pit once the resources have been exhausted, and more.

This ruling in no way affects other efforts to preserve the site for recreation that has been on NC Park’s acquisition plan for years, based on Wake Stone’s promise to cease all mining by 2031. Wake Stone agreed to this provision to overcome denial of their original permit for the quarry on land they own on the other side of Crabtree Creek; however, they recently convinced DEQ staff to renege on this 37 year commitment to change one word in the Sunset Clause rendering it useless. We content that was an invalid permit change for the existing quarry on the other side of Crabtree Creek.

In a key part of the December 15, 2020 Appeals Court ruling, the Appeals Court ruled in our favor, confirmed that the adjacent residents have standing, and would be harmed by the proposed new quarry pit. This in itself is grounds for the NC Department of Quality (DEQ) to deny the Mining Permit.

Wake Stone has so far not obtained approval for their mining permit (we believe it should be denied), RDUAA was denied an application to install over 8 miles of high security fencing, and The Umstead Coalition is appealing DEQ’s Neuse Buffer permit to build a bridge across Crabtree Creek wide enough for a 5 lane road. YES, 66 feet wide bridge across Crabtree Creek as wide as I-40 just upstream of William B. Umstead State Park! We expect our appeal to be heard in January.

Approximately 2,000 public comments have been received by DEQ opposing the Mining Permit. Strong evidence has been presented that the proposed new quarry would harm William B. Umstead State Park, the Old Reedy Creek Recreational corridor, private homes, wildlife habitat, water quality and air quality. All solid grounds for permit DENIAL.

Unbelievably, RDUAA has reapplied for their fence Neuse River Buffer permit! And again proposed to sever the popular Reedy Creek Multi-use in William B. Umstead!! The Umstead Coalition has recommended denial due failure to justify the impacts to the streams and wetlands.

Thanks to all who are continuing to let DEQ and your local officials know that the public is OPPOSED to the proposed new mining pit on the Odd Fellows Tract. The good fight continues.

The Umstead Coalition Annual Membership Drive

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 10:51:25 GMT

The Umstead Coalition’s annual membership drive has begun! If you’re already a member, now is the perfect time to renew. If you’re not currently a member, please consider joining us.

Last year, membership dollars helped The Umstead Coalition to install solar panels at the Visitors’ Center, plant several new gardens, fund environmental education and Ranger programs, and continue our fight against attempts to expand the Wake Stone quarry. Your membership dues will help us continue our efforts to preserve the natural integrity of William B. Umstead State Park.

Membership (Individual or Household): $15.00

To renew by mail, please send your check, payable to The Umstead Coalition, to the address below. Please include your return address with your check.

The Umstead Coalition

P.O. Box 10654

Raleigh, NC 27605

100% of your donations go directly to help William B. Umstead State Park and are tax deductible. Thank you for supporting William B. Umstead State Park!

Join or renew renew your membership now.

The Umstead Coalition Launches Online Store

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 10:56:24 GMT

We’re very excited to announce we now have an online store!

Start your holiday shopping with us and know that 100% of all proceeds go to support Umstead State Park. You can find stocking stuffers and holiday gifts including 2021 calendar, t-shirts, hats, bumper stickers, magnets and more.

SHOP NOW

FAA Community Meeting for RDU Flight Departure & Landing Procedure Changes

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 19:40:01 GMT

Tonight at 6pm there's an FAA community outreach meeting to learn about flight take-off and landing changes at RDU. We encourage you to express your desire to PROTECT Umstead State Park - the more the FAA hears from citizens, and notices folks are "paying attention" the more likely we are for the public voices to be heard.

We also encourage you take this opportunity and request RDU to reactivate the Aircraft Noise Abatement Committee to help voice our community concerns about aircraft noise around Umstead State Park.

Morrisville wants to let people live closer to RDU. The airport worries about noise.

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 18:46:21 GMT

The Umstead Coalition believes this is the ultimate hypocrisy: RDUAA opposes Morrisville’s land use while imposing harmful and incompatible RDU Quarry onto Morrisville citizens.

The News & Observer reports:

Morrisville’s population has more than doubled since 2009, even though residential development has been prohibited in a large chunk of the town closest to Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Now the town is considering allowing developers to build apartments and condos in much of what it calls the Airport Overlay District, and that has raised objections from RDU. Airport officials worry that allowing people to live too close to the runways will set up future conflicts, and perhaps even lawsuits, over noise.

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, the airport’s governing board, sent a letter to the town council last week expressing its “strong opposition” to changing the town’s land-use plan to allow residential development in the airport district.

Read the full article on News & Observer.

NC Court of Appeals: The Umstead Coalition vs RDUAA

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 18:51:29 GMT

Interested in the oral arguments regarding the Umstead Coalition's lawsuit against RDU Quarry? Check out the video below.

Of special interest is the description of how the public was excluded during the 16-18 months prior to approval of RDU Quarry, and the text messages exchanged between RDU Authority's vice chair and Wake Stone. This is discussed in the first 20 minutes of the video.

DEQ-Mining sent an "Additional Information" Request to Wake Stone Corporation

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 18:33:00 GMT

DEQ-Mining sent request to Wake Stone Corporation and asked for long list of "Additional Information" indicating an incomplete application and insufficient information regarding the environmental impacts of the proposed quarry pit.

The DEQ letter did not address all the issues raised in the Public Hearing and the more than 1,800 Public Comments opposed to the new quarry pit, but it did reveal serious issues with the application and the submitted site plans and Erosion and Sediment Control Plans.

Read the full letter from DEQ.

DEQ Denies RDUAA Fence Neuse Buffer Permit

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 20:00:00 GMT

DEQ DENIES FENCE BUFFER PERMIT! The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Division of Water Resources (Division) has denied a buffer authorization request by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority (RDUAA) for a proposed enhanced security perimeter fence. A buffer authorization would allow for impacts within a North Carolina protected riparian buffer. The denial includes the following:

"Please be aware that you have no authorization under Title 15A NCAC 02B .0233 (now 15A NCAC 02B .0714), the Neuse River Buffer Rules for this activity and any work done within the waters of the state or regulated Riparian Buffers may be a violation of the North Carolina General Statues and Administrative Code."

As the recent RDU AID task force report suggested, Umstead State Park is a beloved recreational asset of the region. We're hopeful RDU AA will be more sensitive to their neighboring park in future initiatives.

Read DEQ's denial letter here and the press release here.

Wake Stone’s proposal to mine next to Umstead State Park faces more opposition — and support from a lawmaker

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 21:50:57 GMT

Written by Lisa Sorg, NC Policy Watch

Two public hearings, six-plus hours and hundreds of people: The controversy over a proposed the quarry on 225 acres of prime wildlife habitat next to Umstead State Park continued this morning as concerned citizens spoke about the effects of the project on a treasured property, as well as on park-goers and neighbors.

Most of the 200 individuals who spoke at the virtual public hearings hosted by the NC Department of Environmental Quality opposed the Wake Stone proposal for an amended mining permit, citing blasting noise, air pollution, destruction of wildlife habitat and harm to water resources, including Crabtree Creek.

Holly Neal worked for two years as a seasonal office administrator at the park’s visitor center. She told DEQ that sediment runoff from Wake Stone’s nearby existing mine already flows into the park, streams and eventually Crabtree Creek. “I’ve seen this myself,” Neal said. “Even with no rain, the stream was very cloudy white.”

David Humphrey, an engineer, said there is “a very strong potential for Crabtree Creek water to discharge into groundwater as a result of quarry dewatering and thereby result in violations of groundwater standards.”

Upstream runoff from the Ward Transformer Superfund site has already contaminated Crabtree Creek with cancer-causing PCBs.

Liz Adams, a research associate at the UNC Institute for the Environment in the field of air quality, monitors levels of PM 2.5 on her bike rides around the park. PM 2.5 is short for particulate matter that is 2.5 microns in size, less than the width of a human hair. Particulate matter this small can burrow deep into the lungs and cause or worsen respiratory and heart disease.

This illustration of the proposed Wake Stone mine expansion shows Interstate 40 to the south and Old Reedy Creek Road to the west. Old Reedy Creek Road leads to Umstead State Park, and is a main entrance off the greenway system. A popular destination for scouting trips, Foxcroft Lake, to the northeast, would span both the mining boundary and the park. (Map: DEQ)

Adams said that she mounted a Plume Flow sensor on her bike to track PM 2.5 levels for one year. On some days, she said, the concentration at the existing quarry entrance of 200 micrograms per cubic meter. The EPA has determined that concentration is unhealthy — or Code Red — and that everyone exposed to that level in the air could suffer health effects. At a level of 201 to 300 micrograms per cubic meter, the air is considered very unhealthy by the EPA.

The land in question, known as the Oddfellows Tract, is technically owned by Wake and Durham counties and Raleigh and Durham, but the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority manages it. Last year the Airport Authority board leased the tract to Wake Stone for $2 million a move that opponents are challenging in court.

At the time, the Airport Authority board reasoned that RDU needed the money for its expansion plans. However, last month the board significantly scaled back those plans, cut its budget by nearly half and deferred major capital projects because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Raleigh City Councilman David Cox told DEQ that the Airport Authority “didn’t get Raleigh’s permission to lease the tract. We haven’t abdicated our authority or our jurisdiction.”

Former Morrisville Mayor Mark Stohlman also opposed the project because of its potential harm to the park’s trail users.

“The towns of Morrisville and Cary has invested tens of millions of dollars in greenway systems and facilities, including Black Creek, Hatcher Creek and Crabtree Creek trails,” Stohlman said. “All these trails lead directly to Umstead State Park and the Old Reedy Creek Road area, and the thousands of regular trail users will be adversely impacted by the increased noise, dust and truck traffic.”

Supporters included State Rep. Darren Jackson, a Democrat who lives in Knightdale, where Wake Stone operates another quarry; Knightdale Mayor James Roberson and Knightdale Town Manager Bill Summers.

The company donated a $2.5 million park adjacent to the quarry, Jackson said. However, it is common for companies to give money to public projects to help deflect opposition. Wake Stone has also promised to restore some land around the Oddfellows Tract for future trails after the quarry rock is exhausted.

Jackson received a total of $7,500 in campaign contributions from three top Wake Stone officials — Sam Bratton, Theodore Bratton and Tom Oxholm — last October, according to the State Board of Elections.

In 2018 Jackson received $750 from Wake Stone. And in 2017, Wake Stone contributed $4,000 to Jackson’s campaign.

They said they have received no complaints about Wake Stone’s operations in Knightdale. “They’ve been good partner and neighbor and a key stakeholder in our community,” Roberson said.

Wake Stone received a mining permit in 1981 to operate on nearby land off Harrison Avenue and I-40. The company, which runs several quarries in central North Carolina, claims that its current proposal, a 300-foot deep mine, is merely an expansion.

And since the project is an expansion, Wake Stone believes it should be subject to the original mining permit from 1981. The permit contains a “sunset clause” whose original language required the company to offer the land to the state after mining operations ceased or 50 years, whichever is sooner.

If held to the original wording, Wake Stone would have no interest in the current mining land — or the Oddfellows Tract for the expansion — after 2031.

But in 2011 and again in March 2018, when Wake Stone was working on its expansion proposal, the company asked DEQ to change the permit to say “later,” rather than “sooner.” The company said the wording was a typographical error and should align with the original language in a Mining Commission document. That document does say “later.”

The Mining Commission has not met since 2015. However, a bill in the legislature today would consider the governor’s appointment of Sam Bratton of Wake Stone to the commission.

In response to Wake Stone’s request, DEQ changed the permit wording, but did not hold a public hearing or notify local city or county governments. DEQ had deemed that the change was not substantial, even though the effect was to allow mining to proceed for an indefinite period of time.

Continue reading on NC Policy Watch

Safety, Health Endangered along Popular US Biking and Pedestrian Routes. Public Outcry Against First Private Rock Mine on Public Land in North Carolina

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 20:42:57 GMT

RALEIGH, NC ― Plans to build a new quarry adjacent to one of North Carolina’s busiest state parks and US bike routes is facing significant opposition from community leaders. The new 400 foot deep rock mine would be the first private quarry on public land in the State of North Carolina and would set a new precedent for public land management in the state. The quarry is planned to be built on 105 acres known as the “Odd Fellows Tract”, adjacent to one of North Carolina’s most visited state parks, US Bike Route 1 and the East Coast Greenways, which run from Maine to Florida.

A virtual Public Hearing continues today, July 7, 2020 starting at 9 a.m. with speakers that include experts ranging from environmental scientists, wildlife experts, civil and environmental engineers, educators, advocacy groups, politicians and concerned Triangle residents.

“We have demonstrated clear evidence for denial according to the criteria in the NC Mining Act,” said Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair of The Umstead Coalition. “Adverse and unmitigatable impacts would occur to potable groundwater supplies; wildlife; Crabtree Creek; water and air quality standards; direct hazard to public health, safety and property; our prized William B. Umstead State Park and the connected Old Reedy Creek Road Corridor.”

Local elected officials share the public’s concern for the new quarry. The Town of Morrisville unanimously passed a Resolution on June 23, 2020 requesting the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) deny the mining permit application. This joins two statements previously released by the City of Raleigh in 2019 and Wake County in 2017.

North Carolina State Senator Wiley Nickel and Wake County Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee have also issued statements opposing the quarry requesting denial of the permit. The Regional Transportation Alliance RDU Airport Infrastructure Development (AID) task force recommended RDU "should revisit the entire 2040 master plan given the reality of an adjacent, beloved state park" citing the proposed quarry as a “costly distraction” for the RDU Airport. The Town of Cary has engaged a consultant to evaluate the potential impacts to Town facilities including the North Cary Water Reclamation Facility, Old Reedy Creek Road and Cary’s one-lane bridge.

“The southern end of Umstead represents the best chance to make sure the state park remains ecologically connected to other natural areas, particularly Jordan Lake, which has. over 40,000 acres of public forest/gamelands,” said Dr. Ron Sutherland, Chief Scientist, Wildlands Network. “Jordan Lake's forests are also connected (via several large rivers) to the broader network of habitat across North Carolina, and it is essential to try to keep Umstead linked together with that network.”

Opponents to the quarry are advocating for preserving the Odd Fellows Tract —publicly owned land and deeded to the four local governments: City of Raleigh, City of Durham, Wake County and Durham County. The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority (RDUAA) manages the land for the four local government owners.

The Odd Fellows Tract was purchased in 1976 for a runway never built due to public opposition over the harm to Umstead State Park. The Tract is located two miles from the nearest runway at Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU). The NC State Park system has identified the Odd Fellows Tract as “Critical” for land acquisition for new single-track bike trails and water quality protection for the adjacent Crabtree Creek that runs through the middle of Umstead State Park, as well as connecting to the Neuse River, a major river system in NC.

In 2017, The Conservation Fund offered to buy the Odd Fellows Tract from RDU to expand Umstead State Park. The RDUAA did not accept the offer from the Conservation Fund, and also rejected an offer from the private mining company.

After a long period of “silence,” with only two days' notice to the public, and no public discussion, in March 2019, RDUAA executed an Option and Lease Agreement with Wake Stone for the proposed RDU quarry. The RDUAA Board meeting lasted 4 minutes and 17 seconds. The agreement did not follow the normal contracting procedures of the RDUAA. This mineral lease is subject to approval of a NC Mining Permit.

The public can submit comments to DEQ and local elected officials until July 17, 2020.

About The Umstead Coalition:

The Umstead Coalition has been working since the 1960’s to support and protect William B. Umstead State Park through fundraising, sponsorship of volunteer activities, and oversight of environmental and legal protections. William B. Umstead State Park was established in 1934 as a public works project during the Great Depression. For more information, visit https://umsteadcoalition.org.

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Download a PDF version

Town of Cary: Get the Facts - Wake Stone Quarry and Odd Fellows Parcels

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 02:08:56 GMT

From the Town of Cary's website:

The Town has been following this project and has met with citizens who have expressed concerns. Most recently, Umstead Coalition representatives raised concerns about the project’s potential impact to Town facilities, including the North Cary Water Reclamation Facility. The Town also has an interest in the portion of Old Reedy Creek Road, including the bridge, that is located south of I-40. Based on this, staff have engaged one of our on-call consulting firms to help us monitor the permitting of the new RDU mine. The consultant will help us monitor developments in the complex and unfamiliar permitting process to ensure regulators have the information they need to avoid unintended impacts to Town facilities. We want to remain open to the expressed concerns of citizens and neither validate or set-aside their concerns without independently validating them with our consultants.

The public is invited to participate in the hearing online or listen by phone. Only previously registered speakers will have the opportunity to speak.

Read on the Town of Cary's website

Hundreds Attend RDU Quarry Public Hearing — Continuation Scheduled

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 21:48:26 GMT

Town of Morrisville, Senator Wiley Nickel & Wake County Open Space Committee Request Denial of the Wake Stone Mining Permit

RALEIGH, NC: More than 570 people attended the virtual public hearing on June 23 for the Wake Stone Corporation mining permit application for RDU Quarry. Due to the large number of registered speakers who did not get to speak during the allotted four hours, NC DEQ’s Division of Energy, Mining and Land Resources (DEMLR) scheduled a continuation of the hearing for July 7 at 9 a.m. EDT.

Over 75 speakers voiced their concern about the new quarry planned for the Odd Fellows Tract, 105 acres adjacent to William B. Umstead State Park, one of the busiest and most popular state parks in North Carolina. The speakers included experts ranging from environmental scientists, wildlife experts, civil and environmental engineers, educators, advocacy groups, politicians and concerned Triangle residents. The only supporter of the quarry was Wake Stone President Sam Bratton. Speakers had two minutes to provide their comments.

Local elected officials share the public’s concern for the new quarry. The Town of Morrisville unanimously passed a resolution on June 23 requesting DEQ deny the mining permit application. This joins two statements previously released by the City of Raleigh in 2019 and Wake County in 2017.

Senator Wiley Nickel and Wake County Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee have also issued statements this week opposing the quarry requesting denial of the permit.

“We have demonstrated clear evidence for denial according to the criteria in the Mining Act of 1971,” said Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair of The Umstead Coalition. “Adverse and unmitigatable impacts would occur to potable groundwater supplies; wildlife; Crabtree Creek; water and air quality standards; direct hazard to public health, safety and property; our prized William B. Umstead State Park and the connected Old Reedy Road Corridor.”

“The southern end of Umstead represents the best chance to make sure the state park remains ecologically connected to other natural areas, particularly Jordan Lake, which has over 40,000 acres of public forest/gamelands,” said Dr. Ron Sutherland, Chief Scientist, Wildlands Network. “Jordan Lake's forests are also connected (via several large rivers) to the broader network of habitat across North Carolina, and it is essential to try to keep Umstead linked together with that network.”

Opponents to the quarry are advocating for preserving the Odd Fellows Tract —publicly owned land and deeded to the four local governments: City of Raleigh, City of Durham, Wake County and Durham County. RDU manages the land for the four local government owners.

In 2017, The Conservation Fund offered to buy the Odd Fellows Tractfrom RDU to expand Umstead State Park and build single-track bicycle/pedestrian trails. The RDU Airport Authority (RDUAA) did not accept the offer from the Conservation Fund, but executed an Option and Lease Agreement with Wake Stone for the proposed RDU Quarry in March 2019.

At the continuation hearing on July 7, only previously registered speakers will have the opportunity to speak. Details for the public hearing on July 7 can be found on the DEQ website. The public can submit comments to DEQ and local elected officials until July 17, 2020.

About The Umstead Coalition:

The Umstead Coalition has been working since 1972 to support and protect William B. Umstead State Park through fundraising, sponsorship of volunteer activities, and oversight of environmental and legal protections. For more information, visit https://umsteadcoalition.org.

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Download a PDF of the press release here.

Wake Stone Public Hearing Continuation

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 16:06:14 GMT

Raleigh, NC - Jun 24, 2020

The Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) will continue the digital public hearing on a permit modification for Wake Stone Corporation on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 to accommodate pre-registered speakers.

Since the number of registered speakers exceeded the allotted time during the June 23 public hearing, the Division Director determined it necessary to hold a second day of the digital public hearing to receive comments on the application. Based on current guidance to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health, members of the public can participate online or listen via telephone.

The public is invited to participate online or listen by phone. Only previously registered speakers will have the opportunity to speak.

https://deq.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2020/06/24/wake-stone-public-hearing-continuation

WHEN: Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 9:00 a.m.

ONLINE: Cisco WebEx Link:

https://ncdenrits.webex.com/ncdenrits/onstage/g.php?MTID=e4a6e16eae923801b8719666028816856

Meeting Number (Access Code): 617 499 551

Meeting Password: DEQ123

PHONE: (415) 655-0003

Access code: 161 004 6542

To submit public comment or obtain additional information concerning the hearing, email ncminingprogram@ncdenr.gov or write:

Judy Wehner

Assistant State Mining Specialist

Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources

1612 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1612

The proceedings will remain open for a period of ten days following the hearing for additional written arguments or statements ending on Friday, July 17, 2020.

DEQ will consider all public comments and other available information about the permit application before deciding whether to issue the final permit, deny the permit or issue it with amended conditions.

The application, public notice and proposed mine maps can be found at: https: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/energy-mineral-land-resources/energy-mineral-land-permits/mining-program.

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Senator Wiley Nickel Calls on the Division of Energy, Minerals, and Land Resources (DEMLR) to Deny a requested Mining Permit for the Odd Fellows Tract

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 00:30:47 GMT

"As DEMLR prepares to hold a public hearing on the fate of a forested area neighboring William B. Umstead State Park this evening, Senator Wiley Nickel calls on DEMLR to prevent disastrous environmental destruction, public health concerns, and detrimental local economic impact."

Town of Morrisville Approves Resolution Requesting NC DEQ to Deny the Permit for Wake Stone's Mining Permit Application

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 23:34:07 GMT

"Be it resolved that the Morrisville Town Council hereby requests the NC Department of Environmental Quality to deny the permit for Wake Stone Corporation's mining permit modification application if determined to have a significantly adverse effect on air, surface water or ground water quality and based on the potential negative impacts on the environment and quality of life in the surrounding area due the town's proximate location to Umstead State Park and Lake Crabtree County Park."

Download a PDF of the resolution.

Wake Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee urges County Commissioners to oppose RDU mining lease

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 21:10:49 GMT

Letter from Wake Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee to the Wake County Board of Commissioners on June, 22, 2020.

Download a PDF of the letter here.

Community Shows Opposition for a New Quarry Pit Bordering Umstead State Park and Old Reedy Creek Greenway Corridor

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 21:02:57 GMT

Public Hearing Expected to Draw Hundreds Supporting William B. Umstead State Park

Raleigh, NC - The upcoming public hearing on June 23 for the Wake Stone Corporation Mining Permit application for RDU Quarry has drawn significant attention from the Triangle community. More than twelve hundred public comments have been submitted to NC DEQ’s Division of Energy, Mining, and Land Resources (DEMLR) calling for denial of the permit.

“The community outcry has been impressive and sustained“ said Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair of the Umstead Coalition. “Clearly the public does not want to endure the adverse impacts on Umstead State Park, nor the perpetual liability to the public from the first private rock mine to be placed on public property next to a NC State Park.”

The proposed RDU Quarry would create a new rock mine on the 105 acre, forested Odd Fellows Tract — public land owned by the Cities of Raleigh and Durham and the Counties of Wake and Durham. The new quarry will be over 400 feet deep and adjacent to Umstead State Park, Crabtree Creek, the East Coast Greenway and the popular Old Reedy Creek Road recreational corridor that connects Lake Crabtree County Park to Umstead State Park.

With today being the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, the racial history behind the Reedy Creek Park entrance to Umstead State Park at Harrison Avenue should be recognized and appreciated for its important historical significance to the Black community. Until 1968, the Park was segregated and this was the entrance for one of only two state parks for enjoyment by the Black community. Park users today at this specific entrance to Umstead State Park in Cary — now have to avoid truck conflicts from Wake Stone’s Triangle Quarry that would continue with the new proposed quarry.

Opponents to the quarry are also concerned about significant environmental harm to Umstead State Park and negative public health impacts on recreational users of the Park and the homeowners along Old Reedy Creek Road.

“The Odd Fellows Tract is a forested buffer absorbing pollution from I-40, and protecting Crabtree Creek,” said Liz Adams, Research Associate at the UNC Institute for the Environment. “Drilling, blasting, crushing, and using trucks to haul rocks over Crabtree Creek will create new air pollution (silica dust, NOx) exposures to vulnerable populations including children, elderly, and minorities causing increased risk of premature death for those who use the East Coast Greenway, the Company Mill Trail.

The Sierra Club Capital Group requested an Environmental Justice Snapshot Report for Mining Permit No. 92-10 due to the disproportionate impact that this permit modification will have on minority and vulnerable users of Umstead State Park, including its extensive youth outreach programs.”

The Umstead Coalition and other environmental and recreational organizations are calling for supporters of Umstead State Park and advocates for preserving the land to attend the virtual public hearing on June 23, 2020 at 6 p.m. This is the last chance for the public to speak, please register and attend. Details for the virtual public hearing can be found on the DEQ website.

About The Umstead Coalition

#### END ###

Download a PDF of the Press Release here.

Triangle Talk Show Live Podcast & Video Interview about RDU Quarry

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 20:29:58 GMT

View the recording of our live podcast and video interview with The Triangle Talk Show.

We’re excited to announce we’ll be doing a live podcast and video interview on The Triangle Talk Show today, June 9 at 7 p.m. ET. It will be an action-packed conversation! We'll be talking about:

The RDU Quarry Public Hearing on June 23 — this may be one of the last public comment opportunities to stop the quarry
The Sunset Clause that was removed from the current Wake Stone mining permit, which would've closed the existing Triangle Quarry in 2031
The Conservation Fund's offer to purchase the land to add new single-track biking and pedestrian trails
Environmental and wildlife impacts including air and water quality degradation
The RDU Fence that will cross Halley's Branch and run along the East Coast Greenway and Umstead State Park's multi-use trail
How this quarry is more than just a local Triangle issue, but one that affects all of North Carolina and sets a new precedent for how public lands are handled in the state

Speakers

Jean Spooner: Chair, The Umstead Coalition
Gil Johnson: Board member, The Umstead Coalition
David Anderson: Board member, Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC)
Liz Adams: Former vice-chair, Capital Group Sierra Club and Research Associate at the UNC Institute for the Environment

WATCH ON YOUTUBE WATCH ON FACEBOOK

About The Triangle Talk Show

The Triangle Talk Show is an audio podcast, available on most podcast apps, including Tune-In and Spotify. The recording, show notes and links will be available at TriangleTalkShow.com.

RDU Quarry Public Hearing Scheduled for June 23, 2020 & Reasons the Mining Permit Can Be Denied

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 20:22:18 GMT

Thank you for submitting public comments to DEQ and local elected officials voicing your opposition to RDU Quarry. We appreciate your support!

The Public Hearing for RDU Quarry will be held virtually on June 23, 2020 at 6 p.m. EDT. Get login details here.

We're seeking people to speak against the quarry. Public comments are limited to two minutes. Don't worry if you don't know what to say or even like public speaking — we'll help you with talking points.

If you're interested in speaking, you must register in advance. Once you register, reply to this email or email us at info@umsteadcoalition.org to let us know and we'll be in touch.

By State Law, the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) can deny a mining permit for any of the five following reasons:

Adverse effect on the purposes of a publicly owned park, forest or recreation area
Adverse effects on potable groundwater supplies, wildlife or fresh water
Violating standards of air quality, surface water quality, or groundwater quality
Hazard to public health and safety
Hazard to a neighboring dwelling house, school, church, commercial or industrial building, public road or other public property

Local public officials have the power to stop the quarry and the fence. We have provided some sample emails/letters here.

You can email or mail your letters to the elected officials asking for the 50-year Sunset Clause to be reinstated and to deny the new mining permit for the Odd Fellows Tract.

Raleigh City Council: CityCouncilMembers@raleighnc.gov
Wake County Commissioners: commissioners@wakegov.com
Durham City Council: council@durhamnc.gov
Durham County Commissioners: commissioners@dconc.gov
Cary Town Council: town.council@townofcary.org
Morrisville Town Council: TownCouncil@townofmorrisville.org
Congressman David Price: Contact form
Governor Roy Cooper: Contact form or contactgov@nc.gov

NC Office of the Governor

20301 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-0301

When writing comments to DEQ, it's essential for your comments to directly relate to one or more of these five reasons for denial.

Read the NCDEQ Press Release about the Public Hearing below:

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources (DEMLR) is seeking community feedback on Wake Stone Corporation’s application for modification to Permit 92-10. Based on current guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and limits on size of public gatherings under Phase 2, the public hearing on this application will be held digitally on June 23, 2020.

The public is invited to participate online or listen by phone. Speakers will be asked to register in advance.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 23, 2020, 6:00 PM

Participants can join the meeting starting at 5:45 PM

https://deq.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2020/05/22/public-hearing-wake-stone-quarry-application-modification-update

ONLINE:

Cisco WebEx Link

Meeting Number (Access Code): 617 499 551

Meeting Password: DEQ123

PHONE:

Cisco WebEx by Phone: +1 415 655 0003 US TOLL

Meeting number (access code): 617 449 551

*If you wish to speak at the digital public hearing, you must register, provide the required information, and follow instructions on ways to join the public hearing. Registration must be completed by 12:00 PM on June 23, 2020. To register, please click the following link.

*If you have technical difficulties, an automated voicemail will be set up from June 23 to July 3 to receive your verbal comments: 919-707-9209 (Please state your name before commenting.)

To submit a public comment or obtain additional information concerning the hearing, email ncminingprogram@ncdenr.gov or write:

Judy Wehner

Assistant State Mining Specialist

Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources

1612 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1612

Telephone: (919) 707-9220

The proceedings will remain open for a period of ten (10) days following the hearing for additional written arguments or statements ending on Friday, July 03, 2020.

The application, public notice, and proposed mine maps can be found here.

https://deq.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2020/05/22/public-hearing-wake-stone-quarry-application-modification-update

Will state and county officials approve proposed bridge over troubled water?

Wed, 13 May 2020 17:38:41 GMT

Written by Lisa Sorg, NC Policy Watch

Company proposing controversial Wake quarry wants to build truck bridge over polluted creek; environmental advocates seek a public hearing

Wake Stone, the company behind a controversial quarry expansion next to Umstead State Park, has significantly changed its mining permit application to include a bridge over Crabtree Creek, a troubled tributary of the Neuse River.

The plan was included in a modified application that Wake Stone submitted to the NC Department of Environmental Quality on April 8.

According to the company, the bridge would be built over a portion of the creek that lies within the proposed new mining boundary. It would be used to truck “overburden” — clear-cut trees, soil and other unusable material — from the existing Wake Stone operation to a storage pit at the proposed mine, which has yet to be permitted.

In its application to DEQ’s Division of Energy, Mining and Land Resources (DEMLR), the company claims bridge construction and other mining activities won’t harm the creek “for the foreseeable future.”

The proposed 106-acre mine would be 300 feet deep and located on a parcel known as the Oddfellows Tract. Although technically Wake and Durham counties and Raleigh and Durham own the land, the Airport Authority manages it. In turn, the authority leased the land to Wake Stone, a move that opponents have challenged in court, albeit so far unsuccessfully.

Counting roads and office buildings, a total of more than 225 acres, including 59 acres of trees, would be affected by the mine’s expansion.

Continue reading the full article on NC Policy Watch.

Failure to delay consideration of Wake Stone Corporation’s request for a controversial mining permit during COVID-19 Crisis would be an attack on transparent government

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 23:11:53 GMT

Senator Nickel pledges to stand with local activists calling for a delay in granting Wake Stone Corporation a controversial mining permit for land neighboring William B. Umstead State Park until a public hearing can be held.

RALEIGH, NC – Senator Wiley Nickel, State Senator for the 16th Senate District (Cary, Morrisville & NW Raleigh), expresses concerns regarding Wake Stone Corporation’s application for a mining permit modification request, saying:

“Public hearings are an imperative part of permitting procedures. They allow the public a chance to react to plans for new development and raise awareness of potentially disastrous environmental or social impacts. On April 8, in the midst of an international public health crisis,

Wake Stone Corporation filed a mining permit modification request with the state Division of Energy, Minerals, and Land Resources (DEMLR). The Corporation’s target: a controversial forested area neighboring William B. Umstead State Park. If construction moves forward, this pristine forest would be transformed into the first private rock quarry on public land in North Carolina.

Local activists and organizations have been fighting to prevent this polluting pit for years.

Quarry opponents, ranging from local residents to environmental activists and mountain bikers,

have expressed grave concerns regarding potential environmental, economic, and public health impacts should quarrying efforts proceed as planned. These concerns deserve to be considered in a public forum.

I respectfully urge DEMLR to delay consideration of the mining permit until a safe, in-person public hearing can be held. The COVID-19 pandemic should not be used as a backdoor for corporations to destroy North Carolina’s natural wonders.”

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Public Workshop on RDU Sustainability Management Plan - February 13, 2020

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 13:47:54 GMT

Please attend this workshop at RDU on Thursday, February 13 from 5pm - 8pm to ask questions, provide feedback and help influence RDU's first Sustainability Management Plan.

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority works with community leaders to grow responsibly, with respect for our natural resources and a desire to deliver a world-class airport experience. We have been diligent in environmental stewardship, often exceeding regulatory requirements. As our region thrives, we remain committed to responsible, sustainable growth that positively contributes to all aspects of our dynamic community — environmentally, socially and fiscally.

The Authority is developing RDU’s first Sustainability Management Plan (SMP) to improve the tracking and communication of the airport’s sustainability initiatives, increase efficiency, and better incorporate economic savings and environmental stewardship into project planning. The SMP will provide a road map for the integration of environmental sustainability into its planning, construction, maintenance, operations and design processes. RDU is engaging stakeholders throughout the process, identifying focus areas and conducting a baseline study to include energy usage; waste management and recycling; emissions inventory; water consumption; and community engagement, among others. The baseline will be used to develop sustainability goals for the airport.

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority will hold a public workshop on the Sustainability Management Plan on February 13th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. The workshop will be held in Room 100 of RDU Center at 1000 Trade Drive, RDU Airport, NC 27623. The Sustainability Management Plan process and the results of a baseline assessment will be discussed during the drop-in workshop. For questions about accessibility contact 919-840-7700, and if possible, make requests at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled workshop.

Learn more

Registration for the 2020 Umstead Photography & Illustration Contests now open

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 03:52:53 GMT

The 2020 “Photo Contest - Catch the Spirit of William B. Umstead State Park” Exhibit will feature photography of the Park, its structures and nature so get out your cameras, pick out your best shots and submit an entry to our contest. The submission deadline is May 24, 2020. Register now.

Photos must be taken in Umstead State Park to be eligible. Your photo can be taken at anytime, so you can take new photos or look through your treasure trove of past photos.

Adult Photography Categories

Entries are limited to one per category.

1. Where are Your Footprints?

People doing Park activities, or evidence of people doing Park activities

2. Stories in Stone

Remnants and structures of the Park history

3. In the Wild

Park flora and fauna

Youth Photography Categories

Youth are 16 years old and under. Youth will have the same categories as adults, but will be judged together rather than by category.

Prizes

First, Second and Honorable Mention winners will receive the following:

Feature in a special exhibit at the Umstead State Park Visitor Center
Complimentary Umstead State Park calendar
One-year household membership for The Umstead Coalition
Winning photo posted on The Umstead Coalition website

Catch the Spirit of Umstead State Park Exhibit

Winners are encouraged to attend the exhibit reception, which is open to the public. The reception will take place in June 27, 2020 from 2pm - 4pm in the Umstead State Park Visitor’s Center, 8801 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27617.

Registration

Registration is available now. The deadline for submissions is May 24, 2020.

Illustration Contest

The goal of our annual illustration contest is to showcase some of the wonders of Umstead State Park using graphic illustrations. Winning illustrations will be featured on displays at the Park Visitor Center, commemorative t-shirts and similar items to support our Park. Register now.

Illustrations (drawings) featuring or inspired by plants, animals, landscape or historic features within Umstead State Park will be accepted. Please submit your graphic illustration as an Illustrator file compatible with CS5, but we will accept EPS, JPG, TIP or Photoshop.

Prizes

Multiple winners are possible. Winning entries will receive:

Featured display at Park Visitor Center
Featured illustration on items supporting the Park (e.g., t-shirts, canvas bags, note cards)
Complimentary Umstead State Park calendar
One-year household membership for The Umstead Coalition
Winning graphic posted on The Umstead Coalition website

Catch the Spirit of Umstead State Park Exhibit

Winners are encouraged to attend the exhibit reception, which is open to the public. The reception will take place on June 27, 2020 from 2pm - 4pm in the Umstead State Park Visitor’s Center, 8801 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27617.

Registration

Registration is available now. The deadline for submissions is May 24, 2020.

Wake County Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee Urges Wake County Commissioners to County Support the idea of the development of an Urban Trail Center

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 17:01:21 GMT

February 3, 2020

Mr. Greg Ford, Chairman
Wake County Board of Commissioners
RE: RDUAA/Umstead State Park/Lake Crabtree County Park

Dear Chairman Ford,

On Monday, January 27, 2020, your Wake County Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee (OSAPAC) met for our regularly scheduled monthly meeting. As a part of our agenda, we continued our broad discussion of the Raleigh Durham Airport Authority (RDUAA) properties related to Umstead State Park and Lake Crabtree County Park and considered our role in the stewardship of the county’s parks. You will recall that in a letter to the Board of Commissioners in 2016, OSAPAC recommended the County support the idea of the development of an Urban Trail Center on specific parcels owned by RDUAA and a portion of Umstead State Park north of I-40. This endeavor was, and continues to be thought of, as potentially a great benefit for the RDUAA and the entire region.

Since that time in 2016, a lot has transpired related to the properties. OSAPAC continues to support the recommendations in our 2016 letter. However, it will take a concerted effort by all the interested parties to work together towards a viable solution that will meet the needs of RDUAA while protecting Umstead State Park and Lake Crabtree County Park. We reaffirm OSAPAC’s concerns and continue to encourage the County to continue to take an active role in facilitating a collaborative, cooperative and mutually beneficial solution that retains the land’s most important environmental resources and allows public access for compatible outdoor recreation. OSAPAC is happy to assist in whatever manner the Board of Commissioners finds most helpful to bring together or help facilitate a process that can benefit all parties.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Hinson, Chair

Wake County Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee

CC:

Wake County CommissionersWake County Open Space & Parks Advisory Committee Members
David Ellis, Wake County Manager
Johnna Rogers, Deputy Wake County Manager
Scott Warren, Wake County Attorney
Denise Hogan, Clerk to the Board of CommissionersFrank Cope, Wake County Community Services Director

Read a PDF of the letter here.

Additional gates at T1, RDU's terminal closest to Umstead State Park

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 02:03:32 GMT

At today's special RDUAA Board meeting, potential "Terminal I Expansion" was presented. RDUAA staff said they would study further, but anticipated coming back to the Board around April to ask proceed to move forward to expand T1 to accommodate more gates (than planned in the Vision 2040 Plan).

The current Vision 2040 Airport Layout Plan (ALP) calls for a 4-gate expansion at T1 (the terminal on the east side closest to Umstead State Park) and 19 more gates at T2 (terminal on the west side). And, consideration of lengthening the eastern runway closest to Umstead State Park only AFTER relocation of the western runway (and then, perhaps not at al).

FYI, the planned 4 additional gates at T1 are being constructed and plan to open by around April of this year. That will enable some gates to open up at T2.

RDU's presentation on January 27, 2020 suggested that a MAJOR change be considered to ADD ADDITIONAL 9 to 16 or more gates to T1. Essentially this would mean that ALL the number of planned additional gates in the Vision 2040 plan be pushed to T1 ! (with concurrent terminal sq-footage expansion).

The RDU Staff shared three driving factors that they think merit this major change in the ALP:

1) Enplanements (the number of passengers getting on planes) is exceeding the forecast estimates. However, the planes are getting larger, carrying more passengers per plane, as well as other factors, so they are estimating the needed gates through modeling. FYI, the time of day that requires the most gates is mid-afternoon. (the maximum flights are early morning, but the planes have 'slept' at RDU and don't take much gate occupancy time).

2) T2 gate increase would not occur until about 8 years (5 years to relocate runway to the west, and another 2 to 3 for gate expansion).

3) While gate expansion occurs in T2, it will take away useful gates during construction (the gate expansion can be phased which will minimize, but not eliminate this problem)

I have MAJOR concerns with this proposal because it would push much MORE aircraft traffic on the east side closest to Umstead State Park. It may also encourage an unnecessary lengthening of the runway closest to Umstead State Park. I believe this massive number of gate expansion of T1 before T2 is expanded (8 years will be here pretty soon) should be severely limited as per the current ALP. Note, the ALP was recently "Conditionally approved" by FAA in the spring of 2018. There are ways to make gate usage more efficient, and to the credit of RDUAA, they are implementing some of them.

The RDUAA staff told their Board today that they will continue to talk with the airlines, run models, and evaluate their options. I urge RDUAA to evaluate options that prioritize LIMITING the number of gate expansion in the Terminal closest to Umstead State Park. Thanks to David Morgan who requested outreach to the public during this evaluation process.

Written by Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair, The Umstead Coalition

Read the News & Observer coverage here:

As demand grows, RDU will present plan to add gates to Terminal 1 in April

Major change to RDU VISION 2040, with no public input and conflict with RDU’s Task Force Recommendations

Sat, 25 Jan 2020 02:10:14 GMT

January 24, 2020: Memorandum sent to the RDU Airport Authority (RDUAA)

From: Dr. Jean Spooner, Chair, The Umstead Coalition

At 3:26pm on Thursday, January 23, 2020 a “Notice of Special Meeting of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Board on January 27, 2020” (at 1pm) was emailed to those who had requested such notices.

The first stated purpose for this special meeting is: “to consider the Terminal 1 Expansion Program.”

This “expansion” is likely going to be a staff request to for SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES to the Aeronautical Component(s) of the Vision 2040 Plan ALP (Airport Layout Plan). In particular, adding a substantial increase in the number of new gates and larger expansion of Terminal 1 than promised under the Vision 2040 public plan. In addition, potentially moving forward with lengthening the eastern runway.

These actions, if approved, would SUBSTANTIALLY increase air traffic impacts to William B. Umstead State Park. The result would be substantial negative impacts to Umstead State Park.

The current Vision 2040 calls for all but five (5) of the new gates at RDU to be on the WEST side of the airport, and the replacement (and longer runway) to the west to be built BEFORE any lengthening of the runway near Umstead State Park be considered. Those were the public commitments made under Vision 2040.

In addition, adding substantially more gates with Terminal 1 expansion (near Umstead State park) than included in the Vision 2040 Plan would be in direct CONFLICT with the recent key recommendation from the RDU Airport Infrastructure Development (AID) Task Force, Regional Transportation Alliance that recommends terminal expansion on the WEST side of the airport, away from Umstead State Park (http://letsgetmoving.org/RDUAID), specifically, the RDU Task Force recommendation sates:

“Consider creation of a new “terminal 3” – north of terminal 2, away from Umstead State Park”

Please consider your RDU Task Force recommendation, solicit public input, then consider alternatives first - prior to considering such major changes in Vision 2040 ALP that would increase the detrimental impacts on William B. Umstead State Park, a Park since 1934 and a 4(f) property listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Download a PDF of the email here.

Notice of Special Meeting of the RDU Airport Authority Board on January 27, 2020

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 18:10:48 GMT

This is major change to the Vision 2040 Master plan. All without public input, the RDUAA want to: dramatically increase the number gates and terminal size on the east, Umstead State Park side, and move forward first to lengthening of the eastern runway.

Please attend this meeting on Monday, January 27, 2020 at 1pm.

https://www.rdu.com/airport-authority/meetings/

RTA RDU AID task force recommends RDU "should revisit entire 2040 master plan given the reality of an adjacent, beloved state park"

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 17:00:00 GMT

The Regional Transportation Alliance RDU Airport Infrastructure Development (AID) Task Force released its preliminary findings on January 17, 2020. Their main point was to recommend a total revamp of RDU's land use plan - with appreciation to Umstead State Park!

Here are their Airport Land Use Recommendations

RDU property is a valuable resource that should be managed to generate revenue for the airport

RDU has the responsibility to leverage its property for compatible and complementary uses Create RDU Real Estate Master Plan with specific timelines, financial requirements; Hire master developer to review entire airport for strategic development opportunities

Consider creation of a new “terminal 3” – north of terminal 2, away from Umstead State Park Terminal 3 could be primarily focused on expanded international service offerings; Offer airlines opportunity to build, fund, and operate terminal 3 – and share in capacity risk

RDU could consider relocating crosswind (14-32) runway; evaluate compatible uses of that land

RDU could do a value engineering review of entire 2040 master plan to build regional goodwill

The situation surrounding RDU’s lands and adjacent Umstead Park has been a costly distraction RDU should revisit entire 2040 master plan given the reality of an adjacent, beloved state park

RDU may not be a natural partner with Umstead, but it needs to become one – and vice versa Ask NC DNCR to authorize mountain biking in Umstead State Park at an appropriate location

Read the full report and the task force's recommendations here.

Fence at Umstead would be “permanent eyesore,” says NC Parks to RDU Airport Authority

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 03:38:28 GMT

Written by Lisa Sorg, NC Policy Watch - January 16, 2020

The RDU Airport Authority today delayed a vote on an 8-foot high, 8.3-mile fence that would cut through parts of Umstead Park, after meeting with state parks officials who have serious reservations about the project.

The Authority has proposed building the security fence, which would be topped with three rows of barbed wire.

It would abut parts of the Reedy Creek Multi-Use Trail, bisecting it in two places. The trail is used by tens of thousands of hikers, cyclists and equestrians every year. The fence’s purpose is to keep trespassers off airport property, which intersects with the park.

Bill Sandifer, the Authority’s chief operating officer, told the board that the airport would be seeking a “compromise” to the fence.

“There’s more conversation to be had,” Sandifer said. “We’re taking a short pause. But the fence isn’t going away. We have needs on that side of the airport.”

Continue reading the article at NC Policy Watch.

NC State Parks makes offer to buy Tract 286

Thu, 16 Jan 2020 05:33:48 GMT

On Thursday, January 16, 2020, NC State Parks gave an offer to RDUAA to buy Tract 286 and add it to Umstead State Park. The RDUAA did not accept their offer.

NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Chief Deputy Secretary D. Reid Wilson said in the letter:

"However, a fence as proposed presents multiple problems for the park and its users:

The proposed fence would bisect the park's popular "Reedy Creek Multi-Use Trail in two places; the trail is used by tens of thousands hikers, cyclists and equestrians every year, and it would be far too expensive for the park to move the trail;
By creating a permanent eyesore and marring the look and "feel" of the park, the proposed park would greatly harm a fundamental purpose of the park, namely to provide public access to a natural setting for people to enjoy nature and improve their physical and mental health;
The degradation of the visitor experience would likely create among trail users a negative impression of the airport;
Because the proposed fence would cross four large streams, 19 small streams, and 29 temporary streams or ditches, it would damage stream banks, wetlands, and water quality downstream in Umstead Park;
The proposed fence would block movements of wildlife, effectively trapping them between airport fences;
The proposed fence may constitute an adverse effect to the park's status on the National Register of Historic Places, which could trigger review and requirements under federal or state law"

Read the full NC State Parks letter to RDU here.

2020 Calendars Available

Thu, 02 Jan 2020 01:47:20 GMT

Available for just $10 at the Umstead State Park Visitor Center and Great Outdoor Provision Co (Cameron Village).

NC Senator Wiley Nickel announces support for alternative funding for RDU-NOT new quarry

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 22:58:40 GMT

NC Senator Wiley Nickel made a big announcement on September 19, 2019 on his Facebook page:

“We need to protect the Umstead State Park and stop the RDU Quarry.

I have no control over the Raleigh City Council and the decisions they make. However, as a State Senator I do have influence over the response from the State of North Carolina.

In the event that the lawsuit goes as expected my office has lined up multiple sources of revenue for RDU and will present the airport with a Plan B for their consideration. My plan would allow RDU to get paid the same amount of money they would have received under the Wake Stone lease as long as they keep this land intact and dedicated to nature. This beautiful land should be preserved for ALL Wake county residents, our children, their children and so on.

I want to leave our kids a legacy that includes more park land and open space, not a 400 foot hole in the ground.”

Raleigh issues statement against proposed RDU Road Quarry

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 22:57:24 GMT

We are also grateful to the Raleigh City Council for issuing a statement stating their opposition to the proposed RDU quarry. They also said the RDUAA should have obtained the City’s permission before entering into the quarry lease. Their statement issued Tuesday September 17, 2019 is:

The City of Raleigh is not in favor of the use of the Odd Fellows Tract as a quarry and believes that the RDU Airport should have obtained the City’s permission before entering into the quarry lease. The City will wait for the judge’s decision in The Umstead Coalition, et al. v. RDU Airport Authority and Wake Stone Corporation lawsuit and, following the hearing on Thursday, September 19, will decide if and what legal steps it may take going forward.

View the resolution here.

Plan Wake info and survey link

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 03:53:30 GMT

Plan Wake info and survey link

How will we plan for the next 250,000 residents of Wake County? You can be a part of this discussion by sharing your thoughts on the priority issues that Wake County should focus on to prepare for the next generation.

Wake County is kicking off the process to develop its first-ever county-wide comprehensive plan and we need your input to make the project a success. Provide your priorities for the future of Wake County on the project website, www.planwake.org. This public-driven process will include three rounds of public engagement and targets revealing the new plan in 2020. The first round, Community Priorities, will last through the fall of 2018.

Learn more about PlanWake on the project website, www.planwake.org, which provides numerous ways of keeping up with the project, including a link to the first of three online public surveys and an events calendar with information about where and when the planning team will provide face-to-face public outreach. You can also sign up for emails to stay up-to-date on the project.

DEQ maintains oversight over protecting streams at RDU Airport!

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 00:36:31 GMT

RDUAA request to be exempted to some of the Neuse Buffer Rules FAILED.

Thanks to all the citizens and our local Senators and Representatives that stood up and said "no."

However, the definition of "Airport Facilities" was broadened which allows more options for streams to be destroyed "with mitigation." That is never as good for the environment as keeping our healthy streams intact.

We hope that RDUAA works with DEQ to ensure the policy of avoidance first, then minimization, and mitigation as the last option will be followed. That is the best process to protect the water quality and quantify of Crabtree Creek and Umstead State Park. All the airport lands drain directly into Umstead State Park, or via Crabtree Creek.

Dec'18 - NC Park Trust Fund Danger stopped due to huge public outcry

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 20:25:33 GMT

Update: By the end of December 2018 this latest NC Park Trust Fund Danger was stopped due to huge public outcry - thanks everyone!

NC Park Trust Fund in Danger

Senate Bill 821 had been filed in December 2018 by Senator Andy Wells, Catawba County. It would sunset the NC Parks Trust Fund and Clean Water Management Trust Fund. The Umstead Coalition has already sent emails to our Legislatures asking for this very BAD bill to be defeated.

The NC Park Trust Fund and the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund have been key funding mechanisms to LOCAL GOVERNMENTS and STATE PARKS on a state-wide basis. The water quality and recreational infrastructure funding provided under these Trust Funds have had multiplicative returns in increased: water protections, recreational assets, economic growth, and jobs. As such, they have tremendous support from the local governments around NC. As well as the Citizens of NC.

Thanks to all who contacted your Senator and Representative and ask them to OPPOSE S821. To find who represents your:

https://www2.ncleg.net/RnR/Representation

Wake County Parks Bond passes November 6, 2018 by wide margin

Wed, 07 Nov 2018 01:51:30 GMT

Update: Wake County Parks and Protected Open Spaces Bond Passed!

Thanks to the overwhelming voter support, this critically important public funding for our parks, nature preserves, greenways and protected natural and rural land passed! See www.wakegov.com/parksbond2018

We concur with and appreciate Wake County Commissioner Sig Hutchinson's remarks to WRAL on election night:

“We love Clean Air, We love Clean Water, We love our parks, and we love our greenway system. This is perfect for Wake County. These are drivers that bring people here. Economic development, quality of life, active life style, healthy communities. This is the type of thing that makes us unique in Wake County.”

RDU ParkRDU Economy 3 Expansion Environmental Assessment

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 02:37:30 GMT

Thanks for all who sent their comments to RDU. We expect another workshop and public input opportunity this fall.

Information presented at Public Workshop on September 27, 2020:

What: The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority is expanding ParkRDU Economy 3 Lot Expansion on National Guard Drive near the interchange of I-40 and Aviation Parkway, south of Terminal 1. The RDU Airport is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA).

This area is extremely close to William B. Umstead State Park and our proposed forested trail system.

There were no specific plans presented. Here is what The Umstead Coalition submitted in our Public Comments in October:

Parking lots be sited to work with the steep and environmentally topography and to minimize impact on Hally's branch and other waterways
Parking lot be built with Low Impact Development (LID) techniques to minimize storm water impacts to Umstead State Park
Maintaining substantial FORESTED buffers between parking lot and Umstead State Park
Parking is available for the RDU Forest trails (recall that Wake County is currently under negotiations to put official single-track bike/ped trails adjacent to this proposed parking lot expansion, e.g., “286 trails.” (see our next article for links to concepts we are proposing for the RDU Forest)

Image showing parking Economy Lot 3 expansion and location

Triangle Bikeway along I-40, NCDOT input needed by July 9

Sun, 01 Jul 2018 17:31:16 GMT

Triangle Bikeway along I-40 PLEASE help push this project forward!

Project number: B171933, Triangle Bikeway

This project is on the cut-off line for funding under the Statewide transportation projects. A higher local input score could push it into funding, and at least send a strong signal for public support.

DEADLINE: July 9.

PLEASE enter you public support by July 9 by either:

1. Selecting Wake County from this link below.

https://ncdot-stip.metroquest.com

Zooming into the area showing I-40 by Umstead State Park, Click on red line south of I-40. Vote "YES" for "Is this a Priority Project"

2. Submit an on line comment form:

https://apps.ncdot.gov/ContactUS/Home/PostComment?Unit=STIPDiv5

Ask for B171933, Triangle Bikeway to be included as a Priority Project for funding.

This bikeway along I-40 will connect the Trenton Road Greenway to RDU Forest and Davis Drive (RTP- Triangle Park Center). More information: Triangle I-40 Bikeway

Dwayne Patterson named NC State Parks Director, effective June 28 2018

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 17:48:10 GMT

From Susi H. Hamilton, Secretary Department of Natural and Cultural Resources:

I am pleased to announce the new Director of the Division of State Parks and Recreation. Dwayne Patterson will be moving from his current role as Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to serve as our State Parks Director effective Thursday, June 28th.

Dwayne understands the important role that parks and trails play in improving health and quality of life, and will work to expand access to parks throughout North Carolina, especially among children. His extensive leadership experience, along with his operational and financial background, make him a great fit to lead the department’s largest division.

Prior to his recent 14 months as Chief Financial Officer for the department, he was Executive Director for CREST, a regional non-profit agency in Fayetteville that serves intellectually and developmentally disabled adults. He has also been Chief Deputy Secretary for the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Chief Financial Officer for Warren and Durham County school systems, and Director of Operations for the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. He was raised in Kinston and graduated with a BA in accounting from NC State University.

Please join me in congratulating Dwayne on his new role!

I want to thank Carol Tingley for doing an excellent job as Interim Director, and the division’s leadership team and entire staff for their hard work and professionalism during the transition.

Susi H. Hamilton

Secretary, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Triangle I-40 Bikeway on NCDOT's project list, but did not receive FY19 funding

Fri, 19 Jan 2018 23:43:08 GMT

Bikeway along I-40 does not receive FY19 funding, but FY20 funding hopeful

Disappointingly, the Triangle I-40 bikeway did not make NCDOT's FY19 funding. However, it remains a priority project for Wake County. Wake County plans to resubmit for FY20 funding. And, Wake County will continue to plan it's routing.

And, it has come a long way due to your tremendous public input! Starting as a vague concept on a map, it now is on the Regional and Statewide project list for strong consideration of planning and funding.

This bikeway along I-40 will connect the Trenton Road Greenway to RDU Forest and Davis Drive (RTP- Triangle Park Center). This missing link would enable bike/ped connections from downtown Raleigh to RDU and RTP. It will enable connections to many of the area's major greenways, including: Black Creek, Reedy Creek, House Creek, Rocky Branch, Walnut Creek, American Tobacco Trail, Crabtree Creek, and the Neuse Greenways. In addition to the regional/national East Coast Greenway and NC 2 (Mountains to Sea) and US 1 (Carolina Connection) bike routes.

AND, the Triangle Bikeway would serve as a vital connection to the RDU Forest trail system at Lake Crabtree County Park, RDU Airport, and Umstead State Park via the Old Reedy Creek Road Corridor.

The Triangle Bikeway along I-40 moved forward with unanimous support at September 21, 2017 CAMPO meeting.

The Triangle Bikeway got a high ranking (4th out of 43) for the bike/ped greenways that CAMPO recommends for funding. When ranked by NCDOT with all the other regional and state projects, it remained on the project list, but was not selected to receive FY19 funding.

Thanks to Wake County Commissioner Sig Hutchinson for adding the "Triangle Bikeway" along I-40 to a list of projects being evaluated for funding under CAMPO's request to NCDOT (known as SPOT 5). Note: Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is the regional transportation organization serving Wake, Frankly, Granville, Harnett, and Johnston Counties.

BIG THANKS ALL!

Triangle Business Poll Favors Park over Quarry

Fri, 13 Oct 2017 00:51:05 GMT

Triangle Business Poll Favors Park over Quarry

After the RDU AA meeting today (12/Oct/17) about the land lease proposals on RDU Forest, the Triangle Business Journal (TBJ) stated a poll with a simple question, use the land for a quarry or park expansion. Results were overwhelming FOR park expansion:

2,870 voted: 97% wanted Park expansion; 3% quarry

https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/pulse/poll/which-proposal-should-rdu-choose-for-land-along-i-40/21134327

NC State Parks Support Purchase of Odd Fellows Tract for Umstead State Park

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 03:33:01 GMT

View letter from NC State Parks to the Raleigh Durham Airport Authority (RDUAA) here.

Wake County Commissioners Approve Resolution Supporting The Conservation Fund's Request to Purchase the Odd Fellows Tract from RDUAA

Mon, 02 Oct 2017 18:00:00 GMT

Resolution Supporting The Conservation Fund’s Request to Purchase the “Odd Fellows/Crabtree Creek” Property from the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority to Expand Umstead State Park.

Download the PDF of the approved resolution here.

Community Groups Unite in Vision to Expand Umstead State Park and Preserve Important Trails and Recreation Areas

Wed, 19 Jul 2017 15:23:45 GMT

Raleigh, NC – An exciting, vibrant future has been proposed for a tract of non-aviation land currently owned by RDU airport. The Conservation Fund submitted a fair market offer of nearly $6.5 million to the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority to purchase a 105.46 acre parcel, known locally as the “Oddfellows” tract. The parcel of land sits between Wake County’s Lake Crabtree County Park and William B. Umstead State Park, and encompasses many miles of hiking and biking trails that are beloved by the community. The land would be preserved as an expansion of Umstead State Park, extending recreational trails and protecting a critical nexus of greenway connectivity in the Triangle Region.

The proposed purchase is a welcome alternative to a plan under consideration by RDU to lease the land for the construction of a new quarry. Construction of a new quarry would destroy the land and trails forever, while providing RDU only a modest short-term profit. The quarry plan has fervent community opposition, with close to 7,500 supporters signing a petition that opposes a new quarry and urges RDU to preserve the land as a forested recreational space.

The Conservation Fund’s proposal to purchase the land for Umstead State Park is an opportunity for RDU to collaborate with the community to protect valued recreational land, while realizing revenue from land that is not needed for aviation use. The Conservation Fund and its partners are prepared to raise public and private funds to finance the purchase, and the Fund proposes to close the purchase on August 31, 2018.

Community groups, united as the RDU Forest Coalition, celebrate the Conservation Fund’s proposal as a momentous move forward towards preservation of Umstead State Park and Wake County’s Lake Crabtree County Parks, and their surrounding recreational areas. “We are extremely hopeful that RDU is ready to work with the community to expand Umstead State Park and protect an irreplaceable and popular recreational space that has been enjoyed by locals for decades,” says Jean Spooner, Chair of the Umstead Coalition. “We see this as a win-win solution for both RDU and the community, and we’re excited about the opportunity for expanded hiking and mountain biking opportunities in such a popular, central area” added Dave Anderson, advocacy chair for the Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC).

For more information, or to set up an interview, please contact:

Dr. Jean Spooner, Umstead Coalition, 919-602-0049, info@umsteadcoalition.org

David Anderson, Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC), 919-345-8011, david.anderson@pobox.com

Natalie Lew, Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC), 919-812-6446, natlew66@gmail.com

Blue Ridge Bike, pedestrian, bridge improvement, Raleigh meetings September 12, 15 and 19 2016

Tue, 13 Sep 2016 00:55:40 GMT

Two design charrettes are planned on September 12, 2016, at the PNC Area. Come to either the morning or afternoon session to participate in designing the project, including the bicycle and pedestrian facilities as well as the Wade Avenue Bridge improvements.

When: September 12, 2016
Where: PNC Arena Club – East

Please take the opportunity to attend one of two identical sessions:

Morning Session: 9:00 am – 12 noon
Afternoon Session: 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Cannot Attend These Session? Please mark your calendar for one of the Board and Commission Meetings in order to provide input on the ideas captured during the charrette. The project team will be in attendance to talk with the public about the ideas. There will be a brief presentation on the project during each of the three meetings.

Appearance Commission: Thursday, September 15, at 4:30 p.m.
Parks, Recreation, and Greenway Advisory Board: Thursday, September 15, at 6 p.m.
Bicycle & Pedestrians Advisory Commission: Monday, September 19, at 6 p.m.

All three presentations will be at the City Council Chambers of the Raleigh Municipal Building, 222 W. Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27601.

UNC-TV Special - NC State Parks at 100

Sat, 27 Aug 2016 20:52:00 GMT

UNC-TV Special- Saving the Best: North Carolina State Parks at 100 aired as a celebration of the 100 year anniversary of NC State Parks and is a tribute to the men and women who work and volunteer in our parks, as well as the 15 million visitors who use our parks each year. Watch carefully and you will see a LOT of Umstead State Park footage! You can now stream the show online here.

2016 Calendars still available

Mon, 20 Jun 2016 17:28:03 GMT

The calendar includes Park hours for each month, when the family campground is open, when the boat house on Big Lake is open, phases of the moon, major holidays, and more.

Congratulations to all the photo contest winners! Winning photos are on exhibit at the Park's Visitor Center's auditorium. You can also see the on our website at: 2015 Photo Contest winners

Sales of the calendar support William B. Umstead State Park!

Available at:

Visitor Center, William B. Umstead State Park (now $5)
Quail Ridge Book store

NC Bond Passed March 2016, 2015 NC Legislative Session and NC State parks

Thu, 10 Mar 2016 04:22:49 GMT

NC Bond Proposal Has $1.725 Million for Umstead State Park!

The Bond passed by overwhelming majority of voters in March 2016 elections.

Thanks for everyone's support in contacting your legislatures -- because of YOU and the help of Friends of State Parks the Senators went from $0 to $75 Million for NC State Parks in this bond and the House passed the revised version. All NC State Parks have projects, but the funding level was decreased from the requested total of $100 million.

The ratified bill:

http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2015/Bills/House/PDF/H943v7.pdf

In addition, the passed budget funded the Parks and Recreational Trust Fund. No Park staff positions were lost (as was in some earlier budget versions). The legislature also include a provision that prevents NC State Parks from charging parking or entrance fees!

The budget also allows for 'dynamic pricing' meaning that the NC Division of Parks and Recreation (NC State Parks) has the ability to use market pricing strategies (e.g., charge less in non-peak times for a campsite or more for a lakefront campsite as compared to a third row).

The bill that proposed to transfer land from Umstead State Park to the RDU airport (for development) failed -- again, thanks for everyone's help getting that terrible idea defeated!!

Please join The Umstead Coalition and Friends of State Parks in thanking our NC Representatives and Senators for their vision to help NC State Parks!

State Parks is now in the new Department of Natural and Cultural Resources!

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 20:08:35 GMT

State Parks is now in the new Department of Natural and Cultural Resources! Please see the email below from our new Secretary Susan Kluttz on September 18.

Welcome to the new N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources! With this name change, four divisions - the N.C. Zoological Park, the N.C. Aquariums, N.C. the N.C. State Parks, the N.C. Museums of Natural Sciences, along with the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and the Natural Heritage Program - create the Nature component to join with Arts, History and Library into one great agency. Together, we will continue to promote all of the state-owned treasures that make North Carolina such an amazing place. We truly value all of these rich assets and their contribution to our State's quality of life, and we are committed to making sure they are protected and supported. I am thrilled that you will be joining our team.

We look forward to incorporating your efforts toward conservation of N.C.'s natural heritage to our current focus on preserving, protecting and promoting the state's cultural resources. In addition, it's clear we already share an incredible mission in education. Most importantly, you will be joining a team of professional, passionate and innovative people - just like you - who are looking forward to learning from you and growing with you. I am confident that, together, we will become even stronger as we collaborate on our joint vision to being leaders in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. We are excited to be working with you. I recognize that with such a change, you may have questions. Many of your divisions' leaders have been working with us for the past few months to prepare for this transition.

Please check our list of Frequently Asked Questions at http://portal.ncdenr.org/group/denr <http://portal.ncdenr.org/group/denr> or send your specific questions to transferinfo@ncdcr.gov <mailto:transferinfo@ncdcr.gov> and we will try to get an answer to you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience as we work through other details together. It is our goal to minimize any disruptions for you and of the effective services you provide while we simultaneously try to effectively build our expanded department. I am also available to you, so please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

With warm regards, Susan Susan W. Kluttz, Secretary

North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

919-807-7250 office 919-733-1564 fax susan.kluttz@ncdcr.gov <mailto:susan.kluttz@ncdcr.gov>

109 East Jones Street 4601 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-4601

Senate Bill 486 proposed to take land from Umstead State Park

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 20:59:36 GMT

NC Senate Bill 486 Propose to Swap Lands between Umstead State Park and RDU Airport, May 20 2015

Fortunately, this bill is 'on-hold' (and we hope 'dead') in the Senate Rules and Operations Committee. Senator John Alexander has reached out to The Umstead Coalition to let us know that IF the bill goes forward, he would bring the various parties together to work out a solution that would help all parties.

Map of proposed swap: S486 5-21-15 RDU Umstead_map May 2015 cropped.pdf

Senate Bill 486, Version 5-20-15: s486v2 transfer of Park land proposed May 20, 2015.pdf

Key issues include:

Taking of State Park land that is not consistent with the Park Master Plan, nor any public input planning process
Not including the single-track trails of Rocky Road and 286 area
RDU would be able to develop as close as 20 feet from Reedy Creek Trail along the trail section from the Airport overlook to almost Park gate on Old Reedy Creed Road
Conversion of existing State Park land to other uses without Master Planning and public input
Loss of our forested land on north side of Glenwood Ave
Creation of another Trust Fund that will add increased fees at 39 State Parks that will benefit the other 1 State Park
Proposed reliance on Park admission fees to fund this new Trust Fund (and those fees won't even be used in the State Parks for which they would be collected!)
Excluding trails from environmental regulations related to trail construction, maintenance and removal

To find your House or Senate member, you can do so at the link below:

http://www.ncleg.net/Representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx

Senate Bill 486 sponsors from Wake County:

Tamara.Barringer@ncleg.net

John.Alexander@ncleg.net

Governor Signs Centennial Park's Proclamation

Thu, 05 Mar 2015 06:04:56 GMT

The Honorable Governor Pat McCrory was at the William B. Umstead State Park Visitor Center to commemorate the 100th anniversary of NC State Parks on March 3, 2015.

More: http://umsteadcoalition.org/Centennial-Proclamation

Locke Craig Award Presented to Dr. Jean Spooner

Thu, 05 Mar 2015 05:45:12 GMT

Dr. Jean Spooner was presented with the "Locke Craig Award" by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation on March 3, 2015 for her dedication and service to William B. Umstead State Park. She accepted with a message of gratitude to the thousands of volunteers who have supported William B. Umstead State Park.

Dr. Spooner accepting Locke Craig Award