BELLE MINA, Ala. — A local congregation and environmentalists have launched a legal battle seeking to block a limestone quarry project in Limestone County, fearing it could spell disaster for endangered wildlife and disrupt the community. Filed in Limestone County Circuit Court late Monday, the lawsuit aims to protect three endangered snail species that it argues would be jeopardized by the quarry operations.
The legal filing lists both Stoned LLC and Grayson Carter & Son, Inc. as defendants. This action follows a warning issued by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), which had previously granted the construction teams a 60-day period starting November 21 to either cease their activities or secure a permit that covers incidental harm to endangered species.
Representatives from New Beginnings Covenant Ministries and Belle Mina Methodist Church, alongside Pastor Cody Gilliam, emphasize that the projected quarry, spanning nearly 200 acres, poses significant threats not just to local wildlife but to the fabric of their rural community. Pastor Gilliam voiced concerns about the irreversible changes the project could bring to residents’ lives, stating, “Our efforts to halt the quarry have been manifold, yet the threat looms larger by the day.”
Located east of Interstate 65, adjacent to Mooresville and Garret Roads, the quarry site is in close proximity to various community keystones including multiple churches, private farms, and the Tennessee Valley Research & Extension Center operated by Auburn University.
Central to the lawsuit’s argument are three species of snail — the Armored Snail, Slender Campeloma, and Anthony’s River Snail — that inhabit the nearby Limestone Creek. Remarkably, one of these species is found nowhere else but in this creek, highlighting the ecological uniqueness of the region.
Sarah Stokes, a senior attorney with the SELC, underscored the multipurpose nature of the lawsuit. “While our immediate concern is the protection of these vulnerable snail species, the broader aim is to safeguard the surrounding community and its environment from potential harm,” said Stokes.
The intersection of conservation and development has previously stymied local projects, reminiscent of the 2016 delay in replacing the Old Highway 20 bridge due to similar environmental impacts. That project eventually commenced in 2021 after overcoming legal hurdles linked to wildlife preservation.
Despite recent judicial setbacks, including the lifting of a Temporary Restraining Order that previously stalled quarry operations, the local community, steered by Gilliam, remains resilient. “It was disheartening to lose that decision, but our resolve hasn’t waned. We’re strategizing our next steps and this lawsuit is pivotal in that process,” Gilliam relayed.
The lawsuit also notes local ordinances that ostensibly restrict quarrying within specific proximities to public schools and designated industrial sites, which the plaintiffs argue bolster their case.
As the community braces for a continued legal fight, concerns about the quarry’s immediate effects remain notably high. Situated a mere 25 feet from the nearest homes, the potential for noise, dust, traffic, and water runoff has galvanized substantial local opposition.
If the construction teams do not comply with the SELC’s demands within the designated timeframe, further legal action under the federal Endangered Species Act in a federal court is anticipated.
Meanwhile, the community is actively rallying, preparing for a December meeting to consolidate their opposition and strategize forthcoming actions. Their fight underscores a broader narrative about balancing industrial development with environmental and community interests.
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