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Residents tell Bedford County committee they worry about quarries, wastewater systems and public safety
Summary
Three residents used public comment to raise concerns about local rock‑quarry operations, blasting and heavy trucks, and about high failure rates in on‑site wastewater systems; commenters asked the county to strengthen oversight, require seismic monitoring, and coordinate with neighboring counties and state regulators.
Several residents used the committee’s public‑comment period to press elected officials on public‑safety and environmental concerns related to rock‑quarry operations and residential wastewater systems.
Steven Jordan (speaker 10), who identified himself as a long‑time Bedford County resident, warned the committee about the reliability of dripped/step wastewater systems in local rock‑laden geology. Jordan cited reporting that the Wastewater Authority of Wilson County faced state enforcement orders and potential penalties (he listed figures from the cited report including $165,000 in mandatory penalties, civil fines up to $812,000, and additional potential fines described in TDEC orders). He told the committee he believed a roughly “50% failure rate” for drip/step systems in some areas made those systems unreliable for new development and urged more geological study before permitting.
Jewel Field (speaker 12) described two local rock operations owned by individuals she named during remarks (Chuck Hawkins and Matthew Allen). She said the operators obtained a permit to build a pond two years ago and continue heavy excavation, alleging the permit was a pretext to extract rock (a quarry). Field said blasting had cracked her foundation and that large dump trucks (about 40 tons) were damaging Fairfield Pike and creating safety risks; she asked whether seismic monitoring is required for blasting and urged the county to coordinate with surrounding counties and state legislators to close legal loopholes.
John Henderson (speaker 11) urged stronger standards of honesty and transparency in county government, citing a Bell Buckle pledge to require elected and appointed officials to commit to total honesty.
County staff and commissioners noted the matter of wastewater committee formation and state regulatory authority. No state enforcement action in Bedford County was announced at the meeting. Commissioners said they want to pursue stronger regulations through the wastewater committee and to vet expert advice; they also discussed livestreaming those committee meetings so the public could follow deliberations.
The committee did not direct immediate enforcement action during the meeting but agreed to refer issues to the appropriate committees and noted possible coordination with state regulators and neighboring counties.
