Halifax County commissioners took no action Monday on proposed mining and quarrying regulations but did proceed with a legislative hearing in which both sides addressed the matter. The board delayed action because the planning board, which failed to have a quorum at its February meeting, will meet again on March 18.

Commissioners recessed the legislative hearing until their April 6 meeting to give the planning board time to discuss the regulations. Should the planning board fail to reach a quorum at its upcoming meeting, County Attorney Glynn Rollins told commissioners they can proceed with a vote on the matter.

The following is what opponents said during their remarks to commissioners:

Concerns from tribal member

Earl Evans, vice chair of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, said that any proposed regulations should reflect that the county must consult with the tribe on any environmental and cultural reviews so that potential impacts to burial sites of ancestors, cultural resources, waterways, and other sensitive areas can be identified early. “One of the things that we all know is an issue are the major drawbacks of a potential development such as the ones being considered,” Evans said.

He said those concerns are related to permanent ecological damage, air and water pollution, and health risks from silica dust exposure. “These are just a few of the negative impacts that could come from the types of proposed mining that are being considered in the county. The environmental footprint alone, and the permanent habitat destruction, and the water contamination itself is a very serious risk that needs to be carefully considered. Our ancestors have lived here for hundreds of years, and that should be taken into consideration.”

Concerns from the EDC

Ronnie Locke, chair of the Halifax County Economic Development Commission, said the Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport, which is in the vicinity of Halifax Aggregates' proposed rock quarry, as well as the Halifax County Corporate Park, are critical economic assets which the county has supported for long-term growth. “Currently, we have a company focused on the entire corporate park (one not related to Halifax Aggregates) for a major expansion project estimated at a $45 million investment.”

He said that project’s location is directly tied to land use and compatibility decisions made by the board, including the proposed mining ordinance. Of the Halifax Aggregate proposal, Locke said, “This is not a small or isolated operation. It represents a long-term industrial land use that would permanently alter the character and functions of this area forever.” 

Mining, Locke said, will include potentially disruptive activities such as blasting, extraction, crushing, and heavy truck traffic. “The EDC is not opposed to mining as an industry. The issue is location. The proposed mining ordinance provides ample opportunities for mining without placing them next to critical economic assets.”

Another tribal voice

Tyler Richardson, a council member and secretary of the tribe, told commissioners, “Our people hunted these lands, we lived on these lands for generations before there were county lines, before there were states, and before this nation was even imagined. Our relationship to this land is not abstract. It is physical, cultural, spiritual, and environmental.”

That history, he said, still matters today because the land remembers. Richardson said the impacts of mining do not stop at property lines. “Blasting, dust, truck traffic, and water disruption affect entire communities — public health and long-term environmental stability. The risk is not theoretical — it is permanent. Once a burial site is disturbed, once groundwater is damaged, once soil and waterways are compromised, there is no restoring what was lost.”

Concerns from the airport

Ralph Johnson, chair of the airport authority, said he is in favor of industry coming to the area, but he is concerned about the location. “The FAA considers mining operations as wildlife attractors. The FAA recommends keeping wildlife attractors at least 5,000 feet from airports for piston-powered aircraft and 10,000 feet for turbine-type aircraft.”

IXA, the identifier for the local airport, handles all these aircraft types, Johnson said. From 1990 to 2024, Johnson said an FAA report documents more than 320,000 wildlife strikes. “Over 360 aircraft have been destroyed because of impact with birds and other types of animals, and 643 people have died.” 

While IXA operates with three employees and a $300,000 budget, he said it is responsible for creating 140 jobs, $10,570,000 in personal income, and $9 million in state and local taxes.

‘Potential obstacles’

Danny Hinnant said he is very concerned about the location, “which I feel brings potential obstacles to the area. A lot of tax money and time has been put into creating an industrial park that will bring viable industry to the county. As a landowner in close proximity to the site, I am concerned about the impact on the quality of life, and the property values for myself and my neighbors.” 

He also expressed concern about the environmental impacts to Quankie Creek, noting its proximity to the historic town of Halifax.

Concerns from Halifax

Meredith Holdford, who serves as mayor pro tem of the town of Halifax, said the town has many concerns. “One-half of the optioned property is within our ETJ (extraterritorial jurisdiction). We are concerned about Quankie Creek. There’s major historical, cultural, and natural resources there. There was an old grist mill back there.” There is also wildlife habitat and two cemeteries in the area, she said. “One of those cemeteries is protected by two general statutes."

Holdford continued, “Since the initial planning board meeting on this topic, the town has proposed a strict, definitive setback to the corporate limits or ETJ of every incorporated town in the county. We feel this is an important provision protecting the towns and their residential and business properties from the potential negative impacts from blasting and surface mining.”

Patterson Wilson, a Halifax native and business person, discussed human value. “Myself, my neighbors, and everyone around me is going to be impacted by this — the noise, the trucking, the dust in the air. I think about it beyond Halifax, because we could be talking about Weldon, Enfield, Scotland Neck, Hollister, or anywhere else. I really think we need to put a lot of thought into this and put residents above aggregate.”

Wilson noted that Halifax is one of the most historic towns in the entire state. “People love the quaint, quiet, charming historic district. This project is going to change that environment. This is going to permanently change the identity of our town.”