Congaree Riverkeeper
Possible Cayce Quarry Expansion Along the Congaree River
In 2020 Martin Marietta purchased more than 220 acres of land from Dominion Energy. The land sits along the Congaree River, just south of their existing quarry in Cayce. In April of this year the City of Cayce proposed amendments to their zoning ordinance that, among other changes, would have allowed the property to be mined. After hearing about these proposed changes we attended the City Council meeting to voice our concerns and met with City staff to discuss the issue. Later that month Council amended the zoning ordinance changes and the prohibition on mining was kept in place. But that doesn't mean it can't be mined in the future.
This area along the river, which also abuts the Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve (an area protected for its unique ecological and historic value), should be protected, not mined. Quarries often operate for decades or even centuries, cause impacts to the environment and surrounding community, and leave a permanent scar on the landscape. We don't need another giant hole next to our river and our public lands.
