LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. — The fight to stop a controversial quarry project in Limestone County has taken another turn, with a court scheduling a hearing to consider new efforts to pause operations.
According to court documents, Judge Matthew Huggins has set a hearing for Dec. 17 at 1:30 p.m. on a motion for a preliminary injunction filed by New Beginnings Covenant Ministries and the Belle Mina Methodist Church.
The two churches filed their most recent lawsuit against the developers of the quarry, Stoned LLC and Grayson Carter & Son, Inc., alleging that the quarry project threatens the quality of life for nearby residents.
"This is a critical step in our efforts to stop this quarry from moving forward," Pastor Cody Gilliam of Belle Mina Methodist Church told FOX54. "We're hopeful the court will see the negative impacts this project would have on our community."
The lawsuit is the latest development in the ongoing battle over the proposed 200-acre quarry, which is located east of Interstate 65 near the intersection of Mooresville and Garret Roads. The site is situated close to several churches, private farms, and the Tennessee Valley Research & Extension Center, an Auburn University agricultural research facility.
In addition to the lawsuit filed by the churches, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has also been challenging the quarry project on behalf of three protected snail species that inhabit Limestone Creek. The SELC has given construction crews a 60-day window, starting November 21, to either halt building or obtain an "incidental take permit" to protect the endangered species.
"Our hope is that this process will stop them from not only harming the snail, but also the community around them and the rest of the environment," said Sarah Stokes, a senior attorney with SELC.
The community's legal battles have faced setbacks, with a recent court decision denying injunction filings and lifting a Temporary Restraining Order on the developers. However, Gilliam remains optimistic about the latest legal strategy.
"Even when it seems like we've lost a battle, the war still rages," he said. "We're going to keep fighting to protect our community."
The quarry's proximity to residential areas has been a concern for local residents, who fear significant disruptions including noise, flooding, increased traffic, and environmental degradation.
