DUNLAP, Tenn. -- Sequatchie County developer Phil Hunt says people can't appreciate the impact of rock mining on local property until they see it for themselves.

The residential developer is inviting everyone for a first-hand tour. Mr. Hunt owns thousands of acres on Cagle Mountain, but he doesn't own the mineral rights. "Other people own property that don't own the mineral rights and I want them to see what can happen to them," Mr. Hunt said. Mr. Hunt wants interested people to tour of his development so they can see how rock mining is done and what a 3,500-acre residential development looks like in the aftermath. He hopes to attract the attention of government officials who could come up with a solution, he said. Mr. Hunt said he knew Tennessee Consolidated Coal Co. owned the mineral rights to his property. He said he discussed removal of rock from his property with the coal company but when big trucks and equipment began using his roads, he began trying to protect his work and property.

Tennessee Consolidated is owned by .... more