This concludes a two-part series.

The Pamlico-Tar River Foundation has asked Gov. Beverly Perdue and Dee Freeman, secretary of environment and natural resources, to “stop the proposed (Martin) Marietta Mining Project until a full and complete analysis can occur that adequately assesses the negative impact the operation will have on the growing communities in the area of the mine, the impact on public and private drinking water, and the economic impact of a degraded aquatic nursery area on creation and commercial operations in the area and the region.”

In an action alert sent recently to PTRF members, PTRF Riverkeeper Heather Deck wrote, “The public and affected communities and families have been kept in the dark. We deserve a transparent and open process.”

Anthony Overton, with the aquatic biology faculty at East Carolina University, has been studying the fish populations of estuaries like the Pamlico-Tar River for 15 years and the local estuary for more than three years. He said that the discharge of wastewater from the mine into Blount’s Creek will displace fish and likely will “alter the whole system.” His primary concern is with the aquatic vegetation and animal life that cannot move.

“Fish are mobile and they would probably go somewhere else,” he said. “The problem lies with those animals and plants that can’t move. They will die.”

Concern over the proposed Martin Marietta Materials rock quarry was scheduled to spill over into the Beaufort County commissioners’ meeting Monday night with a number of people signed up to speak about the project during the public-comment portion of the meeting.

In recent months, area residents have used the public-comment period to voice concerns about environmental topics ranging from a proposed sulfur-melting project at PotashCorp-Aurora, a wind farm proposed for eastern Beaufort County and odors associated with an animal-rescue operation.

The county commissioners were not expected to take a stand on the issue, but County Manager Randell K. Woodruff told the Washington Daily News that representatives of Martin Marietta Materials have agreed to hold a public meeting in Beaufort County some time later this month or in early February.

“The commissioners want to know more about the project,” Woodruff said. “This will be a good way for people to ask questions.”

Commissioner Jay McRoy said he hadn’t been contacted by many constituents about the mine issue.

“I’ve heard pros and cons,” he said.

Commissioner Hood Richardson said he’d heard from four or five constituents opposing the mine.

“I’m in the business,” said Richardson, a surveyor and engineer. “I spent 25 years doing this. I do mine permits.”

Richardson said the mine discharge wouldn’t reduce the salinity of Blount’s Creek, which is a freshwater body.

“It’s not even brackish,” he said, adding it appeared the water would have to travel through miles of territory, and through drainage canals, before reaching the creek.

“I think they’re disturbed over nothing,” he said of mine opponents.

Some mine opponents said the salinity levels of the creek vary based on a number of factors, including wind direction and rainfall.

According to Deck, the problem is large amounts of mine runoff would flow into small channels at the discharge points to Blount’s Creek, stirring up sediments and flushing unknown pollutants into nutrient-sensitive waters.

“This would change (the waters) in such a way that you would have a constant flow of discharge that’s a combination of groundwater and stormwater,” she said.

It’s unclear what pollutants might be found in sediments from the mine, Deck said.

“Blount’s Creek is a pretty critical habitat area,” she said, noting a large freshwater input can cause changes in the creek’s salinity.