D.E.C. Says No to Bridgehampton Mining Expansion

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has denied an application from Sand Land Corporation to expand operations at a mine south of the Bridge Golf Club. 

The proposal from Sand Land, also known as Wainscott Sand and Gravel, was denied based on a long list of issues that had been raised by environmental organizations, neighbors, and officials, according to a letter from Marc S. Gerstman, the executive deputy commissioner at the D.E.C. in Albany, to David E. Eagan, the attorney for Sand Land, and John Tintle, the principal at Sand Land on April 3. The issues include failure to disclose certain information, failure to consider the mulching operation that is atop the mine on Millstone Road in northern Bridgehampton, and concerns that were raised by the Town of Southampton and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

The mine is located in one of the county's six special groundwater protection areas. Sand Land also processes construction and demolition debris, land-clearing debris, and yard waste on the same property.

The decision came down after Sand Land made a "five-day request" for a determination, a provision in the state uniform procedure act that requires a D.E.C. decision after a period of time, or a default approval if that decision is not made. 

"It's probably as much of a win as you can get — it's an outright denial," said Robert DeLuca, president of the Group for the East End, adding that his organization's principal concern was the potential for groundwater contamination and planning and zoning issues on a property that has a pre-existing, non-confirming use in an acquifer protection overlay district. "Obnoxious uses like this are essentially supposed to be going out of business over time not growing," he said. 

The whole process began last year when Sand Land renewed its existing permits. "This operation has been there for decades, but it's coming to the end of its life, which is why they want the expansion," Mr. DeLuca explained. "I'm very happy that the Albany office took this over and looked at it in its full context." 

The mine, which has been permited since 1981, covers 50 acres and goes down to a depth of 80 feet. The application calls for mining an additional 4.9 acres and excavating an additional 40 feet in depth. 

The corporation also owns a now defunct sand mine in Wainscott.

In its decision, the D.E.C. said that several alleged violations regarding dust, standing water, mulch fires at the composting facility, and more have the department's attention and will be subject to further evaluation. 

Sand Land can request a public hearing in writing within 30 days of the denial, at which time both the applicant and any opposing parties could be heard again. 

Mr. Eagan and Mr. Tintle could not immediately be reached for comment.