Rural residential life is under attack.  We are fighting to preserve our quality of life- clean air, natural noise, good drinking water and forested and agrarian lands.

The Threat- The applicant, Gorham Sand and Gravel (GSG), a multi-million dollar sand pit operator, wants to put their first hard rock extraction quarry in the middle of our neighborhood, feet from abutters' wells and foundations, a few miles from thousands of homes and the elementary school. This quarry will ruin our air, water, and land forever.  We are not the first small community GSG has attempted to put a hard rock quarry in but we are the latest.  Southern and central Maine has been targeted. With weak ordinances and volunteer town boards, citizens are left with the responsibility of fighting large influential companies.

Citizens of Alfred is working to stop GSG’s proposal, educate our community and planning board and work with state officials to create lasting change for the environment and the rural residential way of life.

The Destruction- The proposed quarry’s “1st phase” would be to blast into 5 acres of a 177 acre lot.  That 5 acres is equivalent to 7 football fields in size! The access road in their proposal fills in wetlands, covers over a railroad bed that has existed for hundreds of years and is feet from the backyards of residents.

This is the wrong place for a quarry. This quarry would be placed in a rural residential zoned district. This type of industry is allowed due to weak ordinances and lack of town oversight. Concerned Citizens of Alfred has had to research, hire experts and work tirelessly to stop this quarry. 

The Residents Concerns- The EPA tells us that quarries create SILICA DUST. This carcinogenic “dust” will enter our air (and then our lungs), our water and our land.  Livestock, pets and every person living within a few mile radius will be at risk.  

POLLUTING OUR WATER SYSTEM- The pit will be “internally drained”- producing and draining tons of poison into the groundwater and storm water run off will be diverted into our local streams and water tributaries.  Most of the residents have wells. 

Maine is known for clean, fresh air and Alfred is no exception. DUST through the blasting, rock crushing and sifting and loading will be a forever contributor to dirtying our air.

Blasting produces FLYROCK.  Residences within feet to a mile radius are at risk of being hit with large fragments of rock.  That includes hundreds of homes, and a major secondary state roadway.  

A quarry produces loud and constant NOISE and will alter and ruin the soundscape of our area.  The stress and agitation that this will cause to our animals, the wildlife, our veterans and disabled children, most who are unable to advocate for themselves, should be enough to stop this project instantly.  

Our small town will be PERMANENTLY RUINED by the quarry.  For half the town, the noise, water and air degradation will be an immediate effect.  For the rest of the town, the large volume of dump trucks full of heavy aggregate, spewing silica dust out from the back will not only present dangerous air quality but life threatening driving conditions, with heavy truck traffic entering and exiting already busy and DANGEROUS ROADS, reducing the safety of commuters, bikers and neighbors. 

Our REAL ESTATE value will be devastated and livelihoods will be diminished.  

Our historic and quaint town's reputation would be forever altered.

The applicant (GSG) would extract millions of dollars per year in aggregate.  According to their spokesperson, the aggregate would be “too expensive” for retail so all of the rock would be used within their own company and for their benefit.  The small town of ALFRED GAINS NOTHING from this project-nominal real estate taxes.  This land represents years, likely 100 or more, of quarrying for the applicant and will forever change the character of Alfred.

• Join our email list for updates and calls to action.

• Follow us on Facebook- "Citizens of Alfred Maine"

• Donate to COA. We’re 100% volunteer: your contributions help fund our specialized team of legal, engineering, and advocacy professionals who are central to helping us stop this assault on our peaceful way of life.