(Birmingham, Alabama) -- Representatives with White Rock Quarries handed out a two-inch thick binder to representatives of the news media during a special called press conferenced in the City of Vincent Thursday morning.
The binder contains records regarding an ADEM investigation surrounding the dumping of hazardous materials into the septic system of "Vulcan Information and Packaging" from 1970 until 1985.
The plant is owned by EBSCO Industries which has aggressively opposed White Rock's installation of a rock quarry next to the plant.
EBSCO has gone on record saying that a quarry would increase the number of sinkholes in the area.
But Stephen Bradley who represents White Rock Quarries says that he believes EBSCO is concerned that traces of hazardous material may still be in the ground and would be exposed by the quarry.
The people of Vincent have been divided in their support of the quarry and this new information has done nothing to change their minds.
Mark Arsenault owns a garage in downtown Vincent. He believes that the quarry could help jump start his business which has suffered in the past two years.
Arsenault says that information about possible ground water contamination should capture the attention of others in town. "If people are doing things that they shouldn't be, it needs to be brought to everybody's attention because of the drinking water, the environment, the air. The air quality is a major concern with everybody."
Charles Cantrell has long opposed White Rocks bid to mine limestone. Cantrell says he agrees with EBSCO Industries that the quarry would displace ground water and contribute to additional sink holes in the area.
Cantrell believes the White Rock's bringing up the ADEM investigation is a "smoke screen."
"It sounds like a mudslinging political campaign to me. I don't know that there's any truth in it. If there is, EBSCO would certainly clean it up. They would pay any applicable fines. But what does that have to do with a rock quarry?"
A records search of the Environmental Protection Agency shows that Vulcan Information and Packaging has a clean record over the last five years.
And Jerome Hand with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management says that ADEM records show the septic system at Vulcan Information and Packaging has not been used since 1989.
Hand adds that EBSCO Industries submitted a closure plan in 2001. A inspection by ADEM at that time shows that the system was closed properly.
On Thursday evening EBSCO Industries issued the following statement.
The issue is whether or not it is appropriate for a quarry to be located in such close proximity to the community of Vincent. EBSCO is disappointed in the tact White Rock has chosen to take in pursuit of its desire to obtain the approvals required to open a quarry in Vincent. EBSCO always strives to be a good corporate citizen, provide a safe working environment for our employees and to operate within the law. We are proud of our Vulcan Information Packaging operation and its 200 employees, and our 41 year track record in the community of Vincent. We look forward to finding a solution that best serves the citizens of Vincent and our employees at Vulcan Information Packaging.