On Feb. 27, 2008 the Hanover County Board of Supervisors approved a conditional use permit for the Martin Marietta quarry on Verdon Road to be significantly expanded into the area of the North Anna battlefield. Martin Marietta's original quarry on the south side of Verdon Road is nearing the end of its economic utility. The company expanded its quarry operation north of Verdon Road and into the core battle area in 1989, at which time they donated 80 acres to create the North Anna Battlefield Park. The new permit allows Martin Marietta to more than double the size of its operation, from 533 acres to 1,297 acres. As originally filed the permit would have authorized Martin Marietta to significantly impact the battlefield area -- in particular the area where Brig. General James H. Ledlie launched a disastrous counter-ordered charge on the Confederate defensive works. Local opposition to the expansion, particularly the efforts of the Friends of the North Anna, led to concessions in the permit to protect battleground acreage and river buffers. Martin Marietta will also donate an additional 90 acres to the park. The permit will allow daytime blasting and crossing of the park by gravel haulers, as well as 24-hour rock crushing operations Monday through Thursday.
