New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF, WE- Sag Harbor) today announced that the New York State Assembly has given final passage to legislation which authorizes local governments to enact and enforce local laws requiring groundwater monitoring in connection with mining operations. The proposed law would apply to local governments in Suffolk County and Nassau County. Both counties draw their drinking water from a state protected sole source aquifer. The vote was 138-1.

Thiele stated, “The situation at Sand Land in Noyac illustrates the need for this legislation. Years of regulatory neglect resulted in contamination that would more likely be associated with an open dump than a sand mine. The State DEC never monitored the groundwater and failed to protect the public. This is the most sensitive water charge land in the Town of Southampton, east of the Shinnecock Canal. It is a State Special Groundwater Protection Area. Now the groundwater is compromised by contamination.”

Thiele added that the situation at Sand Land is not unique on Long Island. He explained, “A study conducted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Suffolk County Department of Health Services several years ago also demonstrated the significant adverse groundwater impacts associated with mining operations. We must take a proactive approach to groundwater protection. There must be a comprehensive groundwater monitoring program adjacent to every mining site. Routine groundwater sampling and monitoring can help determine if groundwater resources are being impacted and will provide an early warning system for groundwater contamination.”

The bill now goes to the State Senate for consideration, where it is sponsored by State Senator Ken LaValle.