By Hank Russell
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently closed down sand mining operations in Bridgehampton and directed the company to begin reclamation of the Sand Land Mine after the recent determination by the Southampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals as ordered by the New York State Court of Appeals.
According to the office of Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni (D-Sag Harbor), operations at Sand Land Mine have long-presented cause for public concern as it is located in the deepest groundwater recharge area on eastern Long Island which has been designated a Special Groundwater Protection Area (SGPA) under the State Environmental Conservation Law. In 2018, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services issued a report relating to this mine that found “significant adverse impacts” from the activities conducted on this site.
Despite an Appellate Division decision annulling Sand Land’s 2013 mining permit issued by the DEC and a stop work order from the Town of Southampton, Schiavoni said, Sand Land Corp. allegedly repeatedly attempted to expand its mining footprint. In 2023, Sand Land Corp. applied to DEC to expand operations, but DEC deferred to the town to determine whether mining is an allowable use.
Last month, the Southampton Zoning Board definitively ruled that the mine has no pre-existing nonconforming use permitting mining at the site, and DEC promptly ordered Sand Land to cease all mining and complete reclamation of the property within two years after mining is terminated pursuant to NYS Environmental Conservation Law.
Schiavoni said DEC’s enforcement action was “long overdue,” but was glad to see it finally happen. “I applaud DEC’s enforcement of the law and their assurance to regulate the Sand Land mine until reclamation is complete, being that the existing mining permit is exhausted,” he said.
He also praised the town for “upholding and enforcing local zoning authority and for its work protecting Long Island’s fragile ecosystem.”
“My constituents, local officials, and environmental advocates rightfully questioned how Sand Land Corp. could remain operating while threatening our natural environment,” Schiavoni said. “I will continue to monitor this situation as reclamation begins, and I am deeply committed to protecting the environment and Long Island’s sole source aquifer, the only viable source for drinking water we have on the East End.”
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to the Town of Southampton, DEC and Gregory Brown, Sand Land’s attorney, for comment. None of them responded as of press time.
“This decision is long overdue and a big victory for local control, the rule of law and most importantly the Southampton community,” said state Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk). “For years, the Town of Southampton opposed the Sand Land mining facility out of quality-of-life concerns and to protect the region’s drinking water and local environment. The DEC must ensure that the Sand Land mine reclamation is complete, and that our sole source aquifer is protected.”