Usurping state’s responsibility? D.E.C. has failed, say the law’s backers
A proposed local law would give East Hampton Town greater oversight over mining operations including at the Bistrian Materials, above, and Sand Highway companies.
A local law that would give East Hampton Town regulatory powers over mining, mulching, and composting operations and require the monitoring and reporting of any impacts to groundwater drew strong support from environmental advocates at a public hearing last Thursday. Representatives of a local business engaged in such operations, however, vigorously criticized the proposal.
The law would require groundwater monitoring for companies engaged in composting, mining, mine reclamation, and mulch production; work plans for the monitoring of impacts and installation of monitoring wells, and periodic reporting, on a schedule set by the town, on samples taken from such wells. The proposed legislation also includes a long list of volatile organic compounds, metals, perfluorinated chemicals, pesticides, acids, and other substances which would have to be monitored.
A first violation would be punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up 15 days, or both. Any subsequent violation would be punishable by a fine of $10,000 to $30,000 per violation and/or up to 90 days’ imprisonment, or both.
Callers to the virtual meeting in support of the law’s adoption spoke of the importance of protecting Long Island’s sole-source aquifer, and also cited a...
Read Full Story: https://www.easthamptonstar.com/government/20211222/town-might-take-mining-oversight
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