RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Plans for a rock quarry near Raleigh-Durham International Airport have been put on hold.

A Wake County judge granted a temporary injunction as they try to figure out if the RDU Airport Authority has the ability to lease the ground without approvals from outside agencies.

“What they’re trying to do is jerry-rig this FAA statute,” said an attorney representing RDU.

“I have a number of questions about the fundamental issues relating to this lawsuit,” said Wake County Judge Paul Ridgeway.

“This is like a three-legged stool judge,” said an attorney for the Umstead Coalition. “It’s not that I have to have all three legs.”

Just nine miles away, exploratory work for what could become a large quarry was halted by Wake Stone prior to Ridgeway issuing a temporary restraining order.

“It’s a huge sense of relief,” said Tamara Dunn. “At least we can step back, take a breather, and figure out what happens next.”

Tamara Dunn lives near the proposed quarry site and has watched as it has quickly transformed after RDU leased the property to Wake Stone.

“They start at 7:30 in the morning, and run until about 4:30 in the afternoon,” said Dunn. “The dumping starts at about 7:30 in the morning as they bring in loads of gravel.”

While there is nothing illegal about the work Wake Stone has already performed on the property, a temporary restraining order prevents them from moving forward with any work other than exploratory drilling.

“I’d rather they didn’t, but I don’t see that so much as a permanent damage,” said Dunn.

As the case heads deeper into the legal system, both sides of the debate left the courtroom with an ominous message.

“You can see what’s coming, judge,” said an attorney for Wake Stone.

“We will take as much time as we need to try and fight it,” said Dunn. “If we lose we lose. When it comes to protecting things you love you have to put your heart and soul in it and not worry about the risk.”

An evidentiary case will be heard sometime in the next 10 to 20 days, depending on court availability.

Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority spokesman Jake Potter issued the following statement Monday night:

RDU appreciates the judge’s time and careful consideration of the information presented by the parties today. We are pleased with the judge’s ruling to allow Wake Stone to continue exploratory activity on the property.

Just nine miles away, exploratory work for what could become a large quarry was halted by Wake Stone prior to Ridgeway issuing a temporary restraining order.

An attorney for Wake Stone told Judge Ridgeway that the company had voluntarily halted all activity at the site March 14 when they were served with the lawsuit.