New sand mine in Grundy County draws fire from residents who say there’s a rule against it

Contributed map by Grundy County, Tennessee, resident Jeff Stewart / This map shows the Clause Hill Sand Quarry, owned by Tinsley Sand and Gravel LLC, and its approximate proximity to nearby residential areas that lie within 5,000 feet of the operation, a distance county officials and others say violates a county powers act passed in 2019. Contributed map by Grundy County, Tennessee, resident Jeff Stewart / This map shows the Clause Hill Sand Quarry, owned by Tinsley Sand and Gravel LLC, and its approximate proximity to nearby residential areas that lie within 5,000 feet of the operation, a distance county officials and others say violates a county powers act passed in 2019.

By Ben Benton February 18, 2022 8 min read

The neighbors of a new, recently-permitted sand mine on the Cumberland Plateau in Grundy County, Tennessee, are roiling over what they say is a surprise operation local residents never knew was coming.

And Grundy County’s mayor isn’t too happy either, pointing to a county resolution on the books that prohibits an operation like the one belonging to Tinsley Sand and Gravel LLC, which has operations in surrounding counties.

Carol Vandenbosch, of Monteagle, said the Clause Hill Sand Quarry’s blasting and crushing operation will cause environmental damage, is contrary to the county’s efforts to boost tourism and should be stopped.

The company is owned by Eddie Tinsley Jr., and he is listed in state documents as the sole responsible party for all activities at the site. Tinsley has asphalt plants in South Pittsburg in Marion County, Decherd in Franklin County and McMinnville in Warren County, all direct neighbors of Grundy County, according to the company website.