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Martin Marietta Aggregates opened the New Bern Quarry in 1958
as its second limestone quarry in North Carolina. Over 1,000 acres were
permitted to be mined. The average depth of the mine was approximately 60 feet.
Active excavation of marine limestone at the New Bern Quarry ceased in 1996.
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The reclamation work at the quarry occurred in three
separate stages over a ten-year period. Stage 1 consisting of 115 acres in
the middle pit was completed in 1989. Stage 2 reclaimed nearly 77 acres in
the upper pit in 1996. And Stage 3 finalized nearly 718 acres in the lower
pit in 1999. Thus, over 900 acres of previously mined property has been
reclaimed by Martin Marietta Aggregates and subsequently released from its
mining permit obligation by the North Carolina Department of Environment
and Natural Resources. Once the company has removed the remaining
stockpiled material from the site, it will be able to complete reclamation
of this area and release the remainder of the mine site.
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Active pit mining in 1983
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Canada geese checking on construction progress
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The New Bern Quarry has been reclaimed to meet and exceed the requirements
in the North Carolina Mining Act of 1971. Many areas have been sloped much
flatter than required. This flatter slope helps to retain any sediment
runoff, aides in the establishment of vegetation, and offers a wide area
for wildlife habitat. The shear size of this mining project made this a
long-term reclamation effort. The final shoreline distance around all
three pits amounted to approximately 67,480 linear feet, or 12.8 miles of
shoreline. Approximately 85% of the shoreline distance had to be fine
graded and vegetated. Because of heavy tree growth in some areas, the
remaining 15% of the shoreline was left in its existing, natural state.
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Much of the grading work was done concurrently as the
quarry operation was winding down. The final water level elevation had to
be established to determine sloping requirements into the water. Many
areas that would eventually be under water were seeded to prevent
premature erosion. The reclamation project involved a very large amount of
various seeding mixtures, lime, and fertilizer. A majority of the seeding
mixture consisted of sericea lespedeza, KY-31 fescue, bahia, hulled
bermuda, and korean lespedeza.
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Various stages of grading involved in reclamation efforts
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Grading work to prepare ground for seeding
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Grading work done throughout the project took advantage of
the varying ground elevations to provide extremely large areas of deep
water for larger fish, shallow pools for breeding and wetland creation,
and miles of shoreline for amphibians and wading birds. Islands were
also developed to offer safe nesting habitat for certain bird species.
Vegetated areas offer open areas for mammals to hunt and many forested
areas remain to offer shelter. Countless breeds of waterfowl, wading
birds, and birds of prey have been seen on site. Mammals seen
frequenting the area include deer, fox, bobcat, rabbit, and beaver. The
site also offers safe haven for countless breeds of reptile, insect,
migratory birds and fish. Long-term plans are to add picnic areas,
sports facilities and walkways for the benefit of the general public. |
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Wetland development in older portions of the pit
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Double crested cormorants enjoying the wetland habitat
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Exemplary performance has been demonstrated by Martin
Marietta Aggregates through its contemporaneous reclamation and wildlife
enhancement activities. The reclamation represents thoughtful planning, quality
of workmanship, on-going monitoring and maintenance, and the company’s genuine
concern for and dedication to wildlife habitat creation and enhancement.
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