DEEP GAP — Maymead Inc. will begin construction on its asphalt plant on U.S. 421 in Deep Gap immediately, said President Wiley Roark on Aug. 10.
The Division of Air Quality issued Maymead an air quality permit for the proposed asphalt plant in Deep Gap on Aug. 5, allowing them to begin operations.
Watauga County residents Carolyn and Randall Henion appealed to Superior Court the Watauga County Board of Adjustment ruling that overturned a June 2015 county staff decision to revoke a 2011 High Impact Land Use permit for the plant. Maymead President Wiley Roark previously told the Watauga Democrat in May that the plant would not begin its operations until the appeal case is complete.
But Roark said on Aug. 10 the company is “excited” to have been issued the permit and plans to move forward.
“If we had that site ready to move today, we would move,” Roark said. “The site work is going to take some time. It could take up to two months. The site can be built and ready prior to the judge’s decision.”
High Country WATCH, a group of citizens that have publicly opposed the plant since the HILU permit was issued, released a statement following the issue of the air quality permit.
“We are disappointed that DAQ would issue an air permit for a location covered by a disputed Watauga County High Impact Land Use permit issued many years ago to another individual,” the group said in the statement.
High Country WATCH also said it hoped Roark would “live up to the promise” of not beginning construction until the lawsuit was complete.
DAQ spokesman Tom Mather said the Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources confirmed on Aug. 4 that Maymead resolved environmental violations found at its existing plant on N.C. 105, allowing the department to issue the air quality permit.
Mather said only one regulatory change was made to the permit from the application, which will allow above ground storage tanks containing fuel oil and liquid asphalt cement to be considered “exempt activities.”
The DAQ held a public hearing on March 3 to hear comments regarding the plant.
Multiple speakers called on the DAQ to conduct additional modeling and study of the potential air quality impacts of the proposed plant, suggesting that the agency’s modeling did not adequately account for the complex weather and climate conditions of the Deep Gap area. They requested a two-year review period, which was not granted.
The plant will be located at 5251 U.S. 421 in Deep Gap.
According to Maymead’s draft permit, the plant is expected to produce 300,000 tons of asphalt and emit 124 tons of toxins each year.
Thanks to modern technologies, you and more people are reading the Watauga Democrat than ever before. Freedom of the press is essential to preserving democracy: But a free press isn't free. It takes significant resources for Mountain Times Publications' 8 full-time reporters and editors to provide credible, fact-based and ethical journalism in the High Country. So, we are asking you to join our advertisers and print subscribers in supporting local journalism with your dollar. Your financial support will help sustain these services that you use to inform your decisions and engage with your community.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION
Post a comment as anonymous
Report
Watch this discussion.Stop watching this discussion.
Not everyone sees the asphalt plant and water intake as being bad.
I like paved roads and I like having water to wash my hands when I eat out in Boone. Don't believe everything the tree huggers push down your throats as being the truth.
I'm not a tree hugger. I have supported the Maymead asphalt plant from day one, only because they followed the letter of the law and did it right. The fact is, however, that the plant WILL harm the environment around it. I enjoy riding around on asphalt, so I have to give in order to get.
The intake, on the other hand, has been fraught with deceit from day one. Plus, the intake will also harm the river, despite what a few says, and the town DOES NOT need the water. The intake project is all about the money.
The case is being appealed. The legality of the permit will be determined in court later this year.
The county planner revoked the permit for lack of progress. The county hired a good lawyer who presented evidence that showed the county planner had the authority and the legal precedent to revoke the old permit for lack of progress. The BOA and the Republican commissioners overturned Watauga County and voted for Maymead. Voters will remember this.
Maymead is leasing the land. They never applied for a permit from Watauga County. They are using a permit issued years ago to someone else for land never developed as an asphalt plant. There are many issues for the court to explore.
The county for years hid the fact that they had zoned the 421 Scenic Byway for asphalt. That's terrible land use policy from the Republican commissioners - destructive to homeowners who bought after the zoning was approved by Joe Furman and the commissioners.
The idea that "we need asphalt" and therefore hundreds of families must live with a massive asphalt plant in their neighborhood is terrible land use policy - favoring an out-of-state company producing asphalt for an Ashe County site.
Actually, the responsibility for this "asphalt plant" fiasco lies with the democratic commissioners who were the majority years ago. Can't blame this on the republicans THIS time. The democrats were in control when the "zoning (although, this isn't really zoning)" requirements were being created and signed into law.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
Thanks to modern technologies, you and more people are reading the Watauga Democrat than ever before. Freedom of the press is essential to preserving democracy: But a free press isn't free. It takes significant resources for Mountain Times Publications' 8 full-time journalists and editors to provide credible, fact-based and ethical journalism in the High Country. So, we are asking you to join our advertisers and print subscribers in supporting local journalism with your dollar. Your financial support will help sustain these services that you use to inform your decisions and engage with your community.
Your financial support will help sustain these services that you use to inform your decisions and engage with your community.
(7) comments
Not everyone sees the asphalt plant and water intake as being bad.
I like paved roads and I like having water to wash my hands when I eat out in Boone. Don't believe everything the tree huggers push down your throats as being the truth.
I'm not a tree hugger. I have supported the Maymead asphalt plant from day one, only because they followed the letter of the law and did it right. The fact is, however, that the plant WILL harm the environment around it. I enjoy riding around on asphalt, so I have to give in order to get.
The intake, on the other hand, has been fraught with deceit from day one. Plus, the intake will also harm the river, despite what a few says, and the town DOES NOT need the water. The intake project is all about the money.
The case is being appealed. The legality of the permit will be determined in court later this year.
The county planner revoked the permit for lack of progress. The county hired a good lawyer who presented evidence that showed the county planner had the authority and the legal precedent to revoke the old permit for lack of progress. The BOA and the Republican commissioners overturned Watauga County and voted for Maymead. Voters will remember this.
Maymead is leasing the land. They never applied for a permit from Watauga County. They are using a permit issued years ago to someone else for land never developed as an asphalt plant. There are many issues for the court to explore.
The county for years hid the fact that they had zoned the 421 Scenic Byway for asphalt. That's terrible land use policy from the Republican commissioners - destructive to homeowners who bought after the zoning was approved by Joe Furman and the commissioners.
The idea that "we need asphalt" and therefore hundreds of families must live with a massive asphalt plant in their neighborhood is terrible land use policy - favoring an out-of-state company producing asphalt for an Ashe County site.
Actually, the responsibility for this "asphalt plant" fiasco lies with the democratic commissioners who were the majority years ago. Can't blame this on the republicans THIS time. The democrats were in control when the "zoning (although, this isn't really zoning)" requirements were being created and signed into law.
So Roark is a liar? Everything about this plant has been shady.
Still can't understand why Watauga has to take the hit for a project that overwhelmingly benefits Ashe.
It all smells.
I still can't understand how THIS was approved and the New River Intake was ALSO approved. Boggles the everlovin' mind....
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.