Dear Editor,
On Wednesday, July 29, the U.S. Geological Survey initially reported that an earthquake had occurred around 11 a.m. near Lilburn. The event was later determined to have been a quarry blast rather than an earthquake.
Quarry blasts can create a variety of issues for nearby homes and businesses. The explosions generate ground vibrations that can shake buildings and, in some cases, crack plaster or drywall. The resulting air pressure can rattle doors and windows, while rock fragments thrown beyond the blast area can pose a serious safety hazard. Dust generated by blasting also can affect nearby properties and local air quality.
Frequent blasting may be disruptive to surrounding communities and, in some cases, may affect groundwater flow or private wells, although proving that a blast caused well damage can be difficult. Repeated blasting also can raise concerns about quality of life and property values. Even when quarry operations comply with federal and state regulations, nearby residents may still report adverse impacts, sometimes leading to disputes with quarry operators.
According to publicly documented records, states including Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Indiana have seen claims, lawsuits or regulatory actions related to quarry blasting.
It should also be noted that Putnam County Stone LLC's website and publicly available filings do not identify all of the individuals or any parent company behind the project. Without that information, it is not possible to determine whether those individuals or entities have been involved in litigation or regulatory actions in other states under different company names.
Robert T. Lee Eatonton