Our Commitment to Jackson County
We are committed to responsibly growing our investment in Jackson County by creating and supporting jobs and economic opportunity. Every aspect of the proposed East Jackson County Quarry is designed to ensure a respectful, safe and environmentally responsible operation, including the location, a small mining area within our large property and how we plan to use the site.
The project is strategically located off Highway 441 near the southern county line and next to existing commercial and industrial businesses. We will safely extract rock from the ground to make construction aggregates used to build and maintain roads, bridges, homes, businesses, schools and places of worship.
For nearly two years, we’ve been working with stakeholders, listening to our neighbors and the community to develop a comprehensive proposal that creates community benefits and maintains the quality of life and character of Jackson County.
Unlike other proposals presented to the County, our project will not require ANY taxpayer subsidies and will not strain local government services. Our commitments, community safeguards, protections and benefits are now memorialized in a binding Community Benefits Development Agreement.
Building Georgia’s Future
Across our 44 aggregates production and distribution facilities in the State of Georgia, nearly 1,200 members of our team work to produce materials that are essential to the future growth of the state. Between sales, wages, taxes and utilities paid, we generate $968 million in annual economic impact for the State. See our State of Georgia Fact Sheet.
Vulcan Materials Company
Our local Jackson County team is supported by hundreds of experienced professionals at Vulcan Materials Company, which is an industry leader in safety, health and environmental stewardship. We are the company we are today thanks to the positive actions of our nearly 11,000 employees in 23 states and four countries. We believe that doing the right thing is good for our business, our environment and our society. Visit esg.vulcanmaterials.com to learn more about our team.
East Jackson County Quarry
The project is strategically located off Highway 441 near the southern county line and next to existing commercial and industrial businesses. It is designed to ensure a respectful, safe and environmentally responsible operation, including a small mining area within our large property.
We will safely extract rock from the ground to make construction aggregates used to build and maintain roads, bridges, homes, businesses, schools and places of worship. We expect to be in the first Mining Area for about 10-20 years depending on market demand.
- Property Area: ~900 acres
- Conservation/Recreation Area: ~200 acres
- Mining Area: ~25 acres (~10-20 years to complete)
- Future Mining Area: ~54 acres (~30+ years to complete)
- Total Mining Area: ~10%
- Future Plant Area: ~14 acres
- Earthen Overburden Storage Area: ~20 acres
Vulcan will promote designated truck routes and safely direct customer trucks onto Highway 441. Customer trucks will use the existing signalized intersection. The activated parts of the property will be screened by large buffer areas, mature-growth trees and vegetated berms that will be built as the project progresses.
Community Benefits Development Agreement
Our commitments, community safeguards, protections and benefits are memorialized in a binding Community Benefits Development Agreement.
- Dedicates nearly 200 acres along Chandler Bridge Road for Jackson County to use for conservation and recreation and provides $500,000 for the County to develop the area for parks, open space, or recreation.
- Provides neighbors within 1,000 feet of the project site with a well protection policy.
- Maintains air quality and ground vibration monitors to protect air quality and neighboring property.
- Provides $1.5 million to the County to offset any potential costs associated with this project’s development.
- Provides 150,000 tons of construction aggregates to help the County repair and maintain existing roads and public infrastructure.
- Provides neighbors within 2 miles with up to 20 tons per year of free material from the site.
- Establishes a Community Advisory Group and a 24/7 community line for issue resolution.
- Funds the Community Advisory Group with $10,000 annually for charitable organizations.
- Adhering to Dark Sky lighting standards to protect wildlife and prevent light pollution.
A Responsible Steward of the Environment
Vulcan has established a strong record of environmental stewardship and operates in an environmentally responsible manner. We will preserve and protect local water resources by recycling water, managing stormwater and utilizing effective dust-control measures.
We will meet or exceed local, state and federal laws and regulations proven to protect our workers, community and the environment. In addition to County approval, we will also need permits and approvals from regulatory agencies including Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
- Mine Permit & Inspections – GAEPD Land Protection Branch protects the surrounding environment (air, water, land) and land reclamation.
- Air Permit & Inspections – GAEPD Air Protection Branch regulates emissions from plant equipment, product stockpiles and haul roads.
- Water Permit & Inspections – GAEPD Watershed Protection Branch regulates discharges into the Water of the U.S. and protects water quality standards for surface waters.
- Water Quality Certification – GAEPD Watershed Protection Branch regulates water and quality standards (streams and wetlands) and requires site visits during permitting phases.
- USEPA requires a Spill Prevention Control Countermeasure “SPCC” Plan. These plans help facilities prevent oil spills, as well as control a spill should one occur.
- USACE requires 404 Permits and site visits during permitting phases (streams and wetlands) and regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into Waters of the U.S.
A third-party expert studied the proposed design and operational plan, including the mining pit location and the underlying geology of the site, and determined the aquifer and neighboring groundwater wells will be protected by impervious rock. As an additional safeguard, we will provide neighbors within 1,000 feet of the project site with a well protection policy. Vulcan is also required by law to construct and maintain erosion and sediment controls and follow spill prevention plans and procedures.
Committed to Jackson County
We believe strong communities are built on the actions of people, individually and collectively. Our people are proud to support Jackson County, volunteering their time, talent and funds to the benefit of educational and social causes. As good neighbors, our employees find many opportunities to make positive impacts in our communities.
Our commitments:
- $2 million to support County infrastructure and parks.
- Dedicating nearly 200 acres along Chandler Bridge Road for Jackson County to use for conservation and recreation.
- Providing neighbors within 2 miles with up to 20 tons per year of free material from the site.
- Providing $75,000+ contributions and donations to schools and community organizations in the region.
- Maintaining education partnerships to foster student learning including Empower College & Career Academy.
- Supporting first responders including Jefferson Fire Department.
- Partnering with organizations that assist members of the community that are aging, sick or hungry including Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Urgent Care.
- Establishing a Community Advisory Group and a 24/7 community line for issue resolution.
Protecting Our People and Community
We have a responsibility to one another, our families, neighbors and communities. Our promise goes beyond regulatory compliance and is reinforced through the everyday actions of our people. Their expertise, dedication and innovation make us a longtime industry leader with proven performance.
Our Commitments:
- Meeting or exceeding local, state and federal laws and regulations proven to protect our people, community and the environment.
- Prioritizing a safe work culture by recruiting and hiring people who are as committed to safety as we are.
- Maintaining safe, engineered blasting procedures to protect our people, neighboring property and the community.
- Monitoring all blasting through an independent third party.
- Consistently meeting or doing better than the regulated safety blasting limits which are designed to protect people, property and structures.
- Establishes designated truck routes and a road safety partnership with law enforcement.
