Legislation aimed at alleviating Belle Mina quarry concerns to be heard in committee Wednesday
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — House Bill 422 sponsored by Republican Representative Parker Moore of Hartselle, was introduced late last week. The legislation is now scheduled to go before the House Limestone County Legislation Committee.
The bill comes at a time when a group of Limestone County residents are pushing back against a proposed quarry in their community and the blasting that comes with quarry operations.
House and Senate negotiators set to meet on Alabama gaming bill
The Limestone County-specific legislation, covering about a total page, talks about regulating blasting activity from quarries near municipalities. Specifically, it would require that quarries within one and a half miles of designated historic buildings not conduct blasting with exceptions of existing quarries.
According to community members in the small unincorporated community, Belle Mina is home to several historic structures.
Since late last year those community members, have voiced their concerns after plans for a rock quarry and asphalt plant in their centuries-old community came to light.
Some residents there say the infrastructure in Belle Mina can’t sustain blasting practices.
Cody Gilliam, Pastor of Belle Mina Methodist Church, the community has led the charge against the quarry coming to the area, saying he wants to preserve lives, homes, and history.
Alabama ‘Teacher’s Bill of Rights’ heads to House committee
“There are some wonderful people that live here. There are some people that are raising families. There are some people that are retired in the later years of their lives and some of them have pulmonary issues. Some of them don’t, but none of them deserve to live in a place where the air quality will be lowered to the point that it will be a danger to their health if they go outside or even in some instances are inside,” he said.
“I know that God has called me to fight this fight and that I should do what I can to make sure that my neighbors are taken care of,” Gilliam added.
Gilliam said his church is a testament to the history of Belle Mina.
‘Fox in the henhouse’: Alabama House rewrites state code of ethics
Built in 1897, Belle Mina Methodist would host many well-known Alabamians. Including Judge James Horton, attorney for the Scottsboro Boys. Gilliam says Horton prayed at the altar inside of his church before embarking on the journey for justice.
This is history Gilliam says is worth protecting from the potential fallout from the construction of a quarry.
The hearing in Montgomery is set to begin at 10:30 in the state capitol building.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
