JASPER COUNTY, SC — Plans to open a new construction sand mine near a small community in southern Jasper County have sparked strong opposition from local residents concerned about truck traffic, dust, flooding, and environmental impact.

As one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, Jasper County faces a booming demand for construction sand — a crucial ingredient in concrete slabs for commercial buildings, homes, and infrastructure along the Interstate 95 shipping corridor.

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (DES) held a public hearing Thursday night attended by more than 200 people, where residents voiced their objections to the Monroe Tract Surface Mine permit application submitted by CFH Monroe, LLC. The proposal calls for a 25-acre open pit sand mine adjacent to residential neighborhoods in southern Hardeeville, near the unincorporated community of Levy.

Local Concerns on Environmental and Community Impact

“The property is in a planned unit development allowing ‘light industrial’ use,” said Juan Singleton, Hardeeville’s spokesperson. But residents said they moved to the area for its rural, peaceful character and expressed concerns that the mine would disrupt the neighborhood’s tranquility and environment.

A major point of contention is the risk of increased flooding. Several nearby subdivisions, including Osprey Lake and Carroll Estates, have existing drainage systems that could be compromised. “Water pumped out of the mine would affect the drainage system leading to the lake at the center of the subdivision and cause my septic system to fail,” said resident Vil Vaitas, who also shared photos of local wildlife like wood storks and bald eagles that could be displaced.

Lisa Price, whose backyard floods regularly after rainstorms, urged regulators to deny the permit. “I am requesting that this be sternly denied, because I am busy right now trying to figure out how to get this water out of my yard,” she said. “I don’t have time to get sand pit water out of my yard.”

Concerns About Dust and Truck Traffic

Residents also raised issues related to truck traffic and dust pollution. Lorraine White, a Levy Road resident near an existing sand mine, described how her once quiet neighborhood now suffers from noise, dust, and speeding trucks that prevent children from playing outdoors safely.

The proposed mine would include a 50-foot buffer zone between mining activity and neighboring homes, but several homeowners expressed skepticism about whether this would sufficiently mitigate dust and noise.

DES officials clarified that truck traffic regulations fall under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Transportation and local zoning ordinances, not the mining permit.

Project Details and Next Steps

According to permit documents, the mine would operate for about five years, extracting sand from a pit reaching up to 25 feet deep before being converted into a series of ponds. The mined sand is expected to supply nearby construction projects supporting Jasper County’s rapid growth.

South Carolina currently has over 500 active mines, including 15 in Jasper County alone.

The public comment period for the permit review ends June 6, 2025, after which DES will assess community feedback before deciding whether to approve or deny the permit.

Attempts to reach representatives of CFH Monroe, LLC for comment were unsuccessful.

Sand mining plays a vital role in the construction sector, but it often raises environmental and community concerns, especially in rapidly developing regions. Jasper County’s growth has heightened demand, putting pressure on natural resources while also increasing residents’ sensitivity to quality of life issues like traffic, noise, and water management.

The controversy over the Monroe Tract Surface Mine exemplifies the “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) phenomenon, where communities support economic development broadly but resist projects perceived as threats to their immediate environment.

Environmental groups have also weighed in, warning about potential impacts on wetlands and local ecosystems. The nearby Monkey John Swamp, a significant wetland habitat, has been highlighted as particularly vulnerable to changes in drainage and water quality.

Originally reported by Lydia Larsen in Construction Equipment.