Kenneth Waycaster News Today

Residents of Hicks Chapel, a rural community in McDowell County, had their day in North Carolina administrative court in April to make a case against the expansion of the Mountain

Carolina Public Press’ multipart series focusing on the Mountain Mist Mine continues. In parts four and five, the finale, residents of Hicks Chapel, a rural community in McDowell County, have their day in North Carolina administrative court.

Residents of Hicks Chapel, a rural community in McDowell County, challenge to mining expansion was rejected by an administrative law judge.

A McDowell County neighborhood’s concerns about the impact of a mining operation drew the attention of state regulators two years ago. In addition to the nuisance of living near a mine, residents of rural Hick Chapel worry the extraction of dimension stone from an open pit could impact their water source.