Ignoring facts

A “prominent opponent” of the Carolinas Cement Company writes with more alarmist views of the proposed plant at a site near Castle Hayne. The writer worries about water “removal,” a “threat” of contamination and saltwater “intrusion.” (link)

She says that water is a “limited resource”—untrue in context with the fact that we live in one of the most plentifully watered area on the east coast. Nor, is water “used” in the sense of “lost. Those with elemental knowledge of ecology know about the “Water Cycle.” Virtually all surface water is continually recycled. Only a small amount is temporarily stored on earth.

Thus, as Carolinas Cement Manager Bob Odom has often explained, relatively little water will be used in the manufacturing process; all other water will be stored and recycled. There’s no evidence that it will be “removed from the aquifer” and not replenished.

As for “contamination,” Mr. Odom has repeatedly said that spill and pollution prevention controls will be in place.

And about saltwater “intrusion”; the writer should take a cruise up the Northeast Cape Fear River with environmentalist Doug Springer who will show where salt water abruptly ends well downriver from the mine site.

CCC activist opponents display perpetual ignorance about the environment, the mining process, modern technology—and irrational hostility toward the company.

It’s embarrassing, but facts must be dismissed. They inconveniently counter the agenda—to shut down our vital natural resources industries and sabotage economic progress.