Huger's Fight Against Sand Mining: A Community's Struggle

In Huger, a small rural community, residents are up in arms over a sand mine project. Cedar Hill Acquisition LLC wants to open a 140-acre sand mine, but the locals are not happy. They remember the problems that came with the Donmar Sand Mine, which opened in 2017. Noise, dust, and heavy truck traffic made life miserable for the people living nearby. When the county board denied the permit for the new mine, residents thought they had won. But then, Cedar Hill took the county to court. The county council recently agreed to a secret deal, allowing the mine to open. This has left the community feeling betrayed and frustrated. The mine's purpose is to provide fill material for infrastructure projects. It will be 140 acres and up to 25 feet deep. To protect the environment, there will be 50-foot buffer zones around wetlands and a 100-foot buffer between the mine and nearby homes. The mine will operate from 7:30 a. m. to 6 p. m. on weekdays, with occasional weekend and nighttime work. There will be 50 to 150 dump truck trips per day. After 10-15 years, the mine will be reclaimed and turned into a lake with wildlife habitat. The property is part of Cedar Hill Plantation, one of the largest privately-owned plantations in the area. Cedar Hill Acquisition LLC bought the property in 2021 for $22. 3 million. The company is connected to Ben Navarro, a local businessman and CEO of Beemok Capital LLC. Navarro is also involved in other major projects, like the Union Pier Terminal development.Residents are worried about the impact on their quality of life. They have seen how mines can disrupt their daily lives and harm the environment. They fear that the new mine will bring more noise, dust, and traffic. They also worry about the long-term effects on their community. Mines can leave behind land that is difficult to use for other purposes. The Donmar Sand Mine, which opened in 2017, has been a source of contention. The mine expanded despite opposition from locals. The company eventually agreed to pay for some community projects, but residents say the mine has not lived up to its promises. They feel that the new mine will bring more of the same problems. At a recent county council meeting, residents pleaded with leaders not to settle with Cedar Hill Acquisition. They argued that mines have not brought any benefits to Huger. Instead, they have harmed the environment and made life worse for the community. They feel that the county's decision is a "slap in the face" to the Huger community. The fight is not over. Residents plan to continue their opposition to the mine. They hope to raise awareness about the issues and push for better protections for their community. They believe that sand mining is not appropriate for their area and that the county should listen to their concerns.