Residents warn of springs and karst risk as TDEC permit advances; commission votes to send letters to state

Residents from the Beech Grove and Gosburg areas told the Coffee County Commission they fear a proposed quarry and associated retention ponds known as the Watterson Lakes project could damage springs, sinkholes and groundwater that supply nearby homes and farms. After public comment and discussion, the commission voted unanimously to ask the county attorney to send letters to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), the governor’s office and local state legislators expressing concerns and requesting coordination.

Sid Sandstrom, who said he had sent commissioners a packet on the application, described karst terrain and sinkholes near the site and warned of “irreversible” environmental effects if the site were excavated. He said the application described up to 175 feet of limestone on a 60-acre portion of the land and that, if fully excavated and then filled with water, the volume could supply towns downstream for years. “If they were excavated to the extent that they could do, it would provide ... enough water ... to supply both Tullahoma and Manchester ... 2 years' worth of water,” Sid Sandstrom said.

Cam Sandstrom cited conversations with Jeff Klein at TDEC and said the agency’s permitting process focuses on stormwater management at mining sites. “These 2 6-acre lakes are simply retention ponds for the purpose of settling out limestone,” Cam Sandstrom said. He described concerns that the state permitting process, which handles water and roads, can proceed without notification to or coordination with the county planning or zoning process.

Janine, speaking for the Beech Grove community group, urged the commission to “defend Coffee County” and to request a county-issued stop order until local compliance is reviewed. She asked commissioners to seek state legislation requiring agencies such as TDEC, TDOT and TWRA to notify Coffee County before issuing permits affecting roads, water and zoning.

Coffee County officials reported they had contacted TDEC. The county’s representative said the mining permit portion was still under review and that TDEC had identified a deficiency in the applicant’s drawing for a retention structure (a dam to be raised 6 inches). The county attorney and staff reported TDEC’s timeline could be a few days to a couple of weeks to complete the permit review; once the permit is issued, there is a 30-day public comment period before construction could begin, according to statements relaying TDEC’s guidance.

Several commissioners pressed for a formal county response. Commissioner Dwight Miller moved that the county attorney draft and send letters to TDEC, the governor and the county’s state legislators (with copies to local representatives), expressing the commission’s concerns and asking for coordination and documentation of local zoning consistency. Commissioner DeFord seconded the motion. The commission approved the motion 12-0.

After the vote the mayor said he would direct the county attorney to prepare the letter and suggested copying Senator Bolling and the district state representative. County staff said they would pursue confirmation in writing from TDEC about what regulatory factors the agency considers and whether the agency requires documentation of local zoning compliance as part of its permitting process.