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Resident raises health, water and road concerns over proposed quarry near 320 Second and 18th Road
Summary
A landowner informed commissioners that a company intends to establish a rock quarry on inherited property; neighbors and the landowner described health, dust, vibration, water table and road‑use concerns and asked the county to explore options.
A landowner told the Atchison County Commission on April 29 that a rock quarry developer plans to start operations in the county in the coming weeks and urged commissioners to investigate possible health, environmental and infrastructure impacts.
The speaker said she learned two weeks earlier that her uncle had signed a lease with a quarry operator before his death and that she inherited the property. The contract the speaker read aloud to the commission referenced a large footprint and a long-term arrangement. The speaker and other nearby residents who contacted the county told commissioners they fear dust and particle contamination, blast vibrations that could damage structures, disruption to crops from dust, long-term effects on the local water table, harm to wildlife and heavier truck traffic that could damage recently repaired county roads.
Commission response and next steps
Commissioners and county staff described what options exist under state law and county practice and said they would investigate possible administrative and legal responses. County counselor and staff discussed zoning as the typical method for land-use limits and noted a moratorium or targeted regulation can be used only temporarily and may be subject to legal challenge. The county attorney said most examples he had seen of permanent bans or moratoria were implemented using formal zoning procedures, which require forming a planning commission and following statutory steps.
County staff earlier had some contact with the quarry proponents in 2022, and the quarry company recorded a memorandum of lease in the public record. Commissioners asked staff to gather information about state permitting requirements (stormwater, erosion control), the recorded documents, and the developer’s current status; staff said they would attempt to contact the company and provide an update to the commission. The resident said the lease term described in the contract was 25 years with four optional five‑year renewals, and her reading of the contract referenced roughly 470 acres (transcribed phrasing: “4 70 acres”).
Why it matters: Quarry operations can produce noise, dust, vibrations and heavy truck traffic and may affect well water and farm operations. Commissioners said they will gather documents, contact the company and state agencies, and update the public at the next meeting.
Ending: Commissioners encouraged the resident and other concerned neighbors to submit written comments and evidence to the county so staff and legal counsel can evaluate potential remedies and next steps.
