Victory! The Hancock County Commission voted to deny the zoning permit application for a proposed quarry. The permit would have allowed Mayfield Natural Resources to open a gravel quarry in Hancock County which would have endangered the health of their community. Ogeechee Riverkeeper opposed the quarry development due to its proximity to the Ogeechee River, and possible adverse effects on water quality, potential damage to the aquifer that locals use for drinking water, and likelihood of it becoming a pollution source. In addition, ORK has been working with local residents for the past four months to help citizens mount robust opposition. While residents’ reasons vary, concerns included complications from silica dust, negative health effects to livestock, infrastructure damage, social and housing inequities, disturbance to local businesses and tourism industry, historic property damage, and more. Thank you to Stack and Associates for representing the concerns of ORK and the citizens whose way of life would have been negatively impacted. Thank you to the commissioners for listening to the concerns of their constituents. Thank you to everyone who helped get this across the finish line. Whether you signed the petition, spoke to a neighbor, donated to the effort, or wrote a letter -- it all matters. Your relentless efforts to protect the river and the watershed from dangerous development worked. You helped keep the Ogeechee River clean and safe. | 
