Dive Brief:

• Sand Land Corp. has placed a request to expand its solid waste management facility and mining operation in Bridgehampton, NY, a hamlet located on Long Island.
• The mining firm is looking to increase the size of the operational area by 4.9 acres. The current site is already comprised of more than 50 acres. The plan calls for 40 additional feet in depth, creating a total expansion of 200 feet vertically. Plans also include a request to extend the lifespan of the site by 25 years. 
• The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) will hold a hearing regarding the state of the expansion proposal.

Dive Insight:

A battle is brewing between the Sand Land and the local community. Those against the expansion cried foul when it was revealed that an Environmental Impact Statement would not be required before the ruling on the application.

Another point of contention stems from an aquifer that is said to be located directly below the site. The NYSDEC will not require groundwater testing to monitor the water quality—a provision those against the expansion would like to see enacted.