Page 70 - 2022 Sustainability Report

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Additionally, many of our quarries benefit biodiversity by Once the fish was found in the same area of the plant
creating and maintaining valuable habitats for many where the crew was to begin moving overburden, a new
species of wildlife, including threatened or endangered plan had to be designed that would allow the team to
species. This occurs both in the ordinary course of complete its work while respecting the Cherokee darter’s
maintaining large rural sites and through set-asides and home. “Preserving the darter’s habitat was a particular
conservation easements we have granted. In addition, in focus because this fish is endangered,” said Will
many of our sand and gravel operations, we create Rasmussen, a senior environmental engineer. “Completing
wetland features that improve water quality long term and this extensive work shows everyone – our customers, our
water-storage basins that help to supply local water needs. investors and our industry – that this is an essential
concern for us. Sustaining the environment is crucial for
Georgia Quarry Land Bridges Protect the health of our community, which means it is also crucial
Endangered Fish for our Company.”

When visiting Ball Ground Quarry, it quickly becomes clear Rasmussen said that constructing two land bridges became
why the crew brags about the site’s beauty. The lush, a priority for him and his team, with the main focus being
scenic drive to the pit, the fresh Georgia air and the bright to make as little a difference as possible to the natural
blue southern sky make for a picture-perfect postcard landscape. This also had to be done while ensuring the
quarry experience. moving of materials did not harm the wildlife before or
after the bridges’ creation. Made to allow easy access to
“When I first came to the site, I was immediately the opposite side of the quarry and to be highly durable,
impressed,” said Plant Manager Will Dennis. “From the drive each bridge is half-cylindrical, with rock and soil placed on
off the main road to the customer sites to the scale, and all the half culvert and sides.
the way around – it’s just amazing what our people can do.
And it shows how much pride they have in this place.” Bridge construction lasted about six months and consisted
of driving metal sheets away from the stream’s edge and
This natural splendor may be the reason why a different then creating a footing within the excavated material on
kind of visitor has taken home to Ball Ground Quarry. The the opposite side of the creek. This was to ensure that no
Cherokee darter is a rare species of freshwater fish found impact struck the bank side’s natural landscape.
on the quarry’s east side. When an outside consulting
group discovered this species was living on the property, Rasmussen said expending significant resources in order to
environmental experts at Martin Marietta wanted to complete projects with important environmental benefits is
ensure their aquatic friends received appropriate care. nothing new for Martin Marietta. “Usually, for our
quarries, the end goal is to turn our pits into large
The fish is native to Georgia and inhabits creeks with rocky reservoirs of water or lakes. This reclamation is a massive
bottoms and little silt, typically found just above and below benefit to any ecosystem in the area. It becomes a
the rocky part of a stream. Because of its small range and wetland. It becomes a source for migratory birds. It
fragmented habitat, the International Union for becomes another habitat for fish in the area. We always try
Conservation of Nature designated the species as to leave behind a strong legacy of improvement,” he said.
endangered. Despite its small stature, the Cherokee darter Now complete, the project is yet another source of pride
plays a significant role in Georgia’s waterway ecosystems for the Ball Ground team, adding to its already extensive
as it controls plant populations within the northern portion list of bragging points.
of the Etowah River system.

68 2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT