Commercial sand and gravel excavation. Upon receipt of a notice
addressed to the Town Supervisor from the Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) regarding a complete application for a mining permit,
the Town Supervisor or Town Clerk shall contact and inform the DEC
of the date the notice was received, and forward copies of the notice
and completed application to the Town Planning Board for review and
final action. The New York State Mined Land Reclamation Law supercedes
all other state and local laws related to mining and reclamation,
and provides the Town to schedule a public hearing, take action, and
respond within 30 days of receiving the DEC notice. Upon taking final
action, the Town Planning Board shall submit written comments to the
DEC and applicant that state: whether mining is permitted at the proposed
location; the Planning Board's decision; and the recommended conditions
of approval in the DEC mining permit regarding ingress and egress
to locally controlled roads; routing on locally-controlled roads,
setbacks, barriers, dust control and hours of operation.
(a)
Whether mining is permitted at the location.
(b)
Ingress and egress to locally controlled roads: Truck access
to any excavation site shall be so arranged as to minimize danger
to traffic and nuisance to surrounding properties. At a minimum, there
shall be 500 feet of sight distance at the entrance to the facility.
In order to prevent dust, such entrances shall be kept wet, treated
with chemical dust deterrents, or paved. All ingress and egress points
into the site shall be secured from unauthorized access or trespass.
(c)
Routing of mineral transport vehicles on locally controlled
roads: In consultation with the Town Highway Superintendent, necessary
improvements to Town roads used as haulage ways shall be based on
the width, bearing capacity and type of road surface of all Town roads
that are proposed to be used by truck traffic to or from the site,
and based on the number and weight of the vehicles entering and existing
the property.
(d)
Comment as requested on the requirements and conditions as specified
in the DEC permit concerning setbacks from property lines and rights-of-way,
and fabricated or natural barriers designed to restrict property access
(if needed), including type, length, height and location.
(e)
Dust control: All dust resulting from excavation, processing
or use of heavy equipment including trucks shall be controlled by
using water, suitable mechanical, and approved chemical control methods
identified in the DEC mining permit application. Oils or petroleum
products shall not be used in the site or on any haul-road to suppress
dust. Visible dust shall not be allowed to leave the permitted area.
(f)
Hours of operation: Operation shall be limited between the hours
of 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except when mitigating natural disasters
or following prior approval from the Planning Board for specific projects
that are restricted to night operations.
(g)
Conformance with plans: All activities authorized by the DEC
permit must be in strict conformance with the approved plans submitted
by the applicant or applicant's agent as part of the permit application.
Mining operations shall maintain a copy of a current DEC permit at
the Town offices. Delinquency of maintaining a current DEC permit
after a period of one year constitutes abandonment.
(h)
Enforcement of reclamation requirements contained in the DEC
permit: A plan for restoration and rehabilitation of a commercial
earth excavation area or pit shall accompany the permit and shall
be in conformity with the applicable provisions of the State Mined
Land and Reclamation Act.
(i)
Bond, surety to remain in force: A copy of a required reclamation
bond or other surety, in an amount determined by the DEC, shall be
submitted to the Town, and shall be maintained in full force and effect.
Such a bond or other surety shall not be terminated until the reclamation
of the mined area is approved by the DEC in writing.