Adamstown resident describes impacts of Frederick County data center construction
An Adamstown resident in Frederick County, Maryland, describes significant negative impacts from a data center construction project near his home. Issues include well water contamination, dust, mud, runoff, traffic, and inadequate visual screening, with promises made by developers allegedly unfulfilled. Concerns about alleged illegal excavation of an environmental covenant and future zoning expansion are also raised.
Gene Butler, a 45-year resident of Adamstown, Frederick County, Maryland, details the significant impacts of a nearby data center construction project, located on what was formerly the Eastalco/Alcoa property. Butler recounts that residents were initially unaware of the development until the property was sold to Quantum Loophole for a data center in approximately 2022. He states that the project, reportedly by Rowan Digital Infrastructure, has led to numerous issues directly affecting his property and business.
Butler describes problems with his well water, which he believes is due to the developer's dewatering efforts and alleged "illegal excavation" of an environmental covenant where Eastalco/Alcoa chemicals were buried. He reports constant dust, mud, and runoff from the construction site, impacting his business vehicles and causing hazardous road conditions. Additionally, he claims the developers failed to deliver on promises for effective visual screening, with inadequate berms and saplings instead of tall trees, resulting in persistent light pollution.
The resident also shared receiving "threatening letters" sent to a military base, falsely alleging that he was housing dead bodies and making COVID-19, which led to multiple investigations. Butler expresses concerns about future development, noting that a proposed "overlay" could lead to his 20-acre property becoming "completely surrounded" by data centers. He disputes claims by officials, including Jessica Fitzwater, regarding well water testing, asserting that contamination stems from the environmental covenant disturbance, not the data centers themselves.