Vincent, AL - Planners of the White Rock Quarry in Vincent say they have uncovered evidence that a neighboring business dumped toxic chemicals  for more than 15 years.  That business is the quarry's most vocal opponent.  

Quarry builders distributed a massive document, Thursday, they say is full of pictures taken by the Alabama Department of Environmental management.  Representatives for White Rock Quarry say their neighbor Ebsco opposed the development hoping to keep anyone from discovering the toxic waste it dumped.

"We now believe that Ebsco is very afraid of what those samples of soil and groundwater might show," said quarry representative Stephen Bradley. "It disregarded the regulations of the environment. It built a plant expansion on top of its prior dump field, thus preventing access to the disposal area."

Homeowner Charles Cantrell doesn't buy it.  "What does that have to do with a rock quarry," he asked.

Cantrell says the quarry's announcement is just another tactic to sway public opinion.

"Trying to detract the focus from them so they can march five elephants down the street and nobody will even notice.

Last week, Ebsco officially announced its opposition to the quarry.  It said the blasting would create sink holes under its plant.

"That didn't make much sense to us because they've had several sink holes on their property for quite some time that have nothing to do with White Rock and they haven't done anything about it," said Bradley.

Quarry builders say they tested the groundwater near the alleged dump site and it came back clean.  But they say carcinogens dumped by Ebsco could surface later.

"I think it also speaks to Ebsco's credibility," said Bradley. "They've accused us of bad faith in this project."

"I don't believe Ebsco is polluting the environment," said Cantrell.  "I believe this is just another White Rock lie."

Ebsco declined to comment on the quarry's announcement. 

The quarry applied for a zoning permit several weeks ago.  It has not yet been granted.

 

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