Proposed Modifications to Mining Permit
Troy Sand & Gravel Company Inc. (TS&G) proposes to modify their DEC Mined Land Reclamation Permit (DEC # 4-3840-00008) at the West Sand Lake Quarry by:
- Increasing the overall depth of excavation by 100 feet, from a currently approved final floor depth of 430 feet above mean sea level (amsl) to 330 feet amsl;
- Adding 5.2 acres to the consolidated bedrock excavation area consisting of:
- 3.0 acres for enhanced reclamation shoaling areas, and
- 2.2 acres to square up the southwest corner of the quarry; and
- Adjusting the benching layout within the consolidated excavation area.
All modifications proposed in the TS&G permit application are located within the previously approved life-of-mine area. The proposed action requires the following approvals from DEC:
- Article 23 Mined Land Reclamation Permit – For potential environmental impacts from increasing depth of excavation of consolidated bedrock by 100 feet and adding 5.2 acres to the consolidated bedrock excavation area.
- Article 15 Water Withdrawal Permit – For potential impacts to groundwater from increasing water withdrawal capacity due to mining deeper into the water table.
- Article 15 Stream Disturbance Permit – For potential impacts to the Class B(TS) Wynantskill, from stormwater, water withdrawal, or mining activities.
- Article 17 State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) – For potential impacts to waters of the state from increase in stormwater runoff and mine dewatering.
The proposed action may require the following approvals from DEC:
- Article 15 Stream Disturbance Permit – For potential impacts to the Class B(TS) Wynantskill, from stormwater, water withdrawal, or mining activities.
- NYSDEC Article 19 Air Pollution Control – Air State Facility Permit – To update permitting for existing processing facilities within the mine (concrete batch plant, blacktop plant, and aggregate processing plants) as a result of updated Air Pollution control regulations.
Additional approvals from the town of Sand Lake may also be required as part of this proposal.
Brief History of the Proposal
TS&G currently operates an argillite/shale quarry and a sand and gravel mine at the West Sand Lake Operation with a total Life of Mine area of 161.6+/- acres and a consolidated excavation area of 61.8+/- acres. TS&G mines argillite at the site using standard blasting techniques to loosen the stone that is then transported to the on-site processing plant for crushing and sizing.
Permit Modification Application Status
DEC has been designated the Lead Agency under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) for this proposed action and has determined that the proposal has the potential for at least one significant adverse environmental impact. Accordingly, DEC has issued a Positive Declaration SEQR determination (PDF), thus requiring an Environmental Impact Statement to be prepared for the project.
DEC is following public scoping procedures as outlined in the SEQR regulations (6 NYCRR 617.8) which includes opportunity for the public to provide written comments on the draft scope (PDF) of issues to be evaluated in the draft Environmental Impact Statement.
On May 7, DEC published a Notice of Availability of Draft Scope in the Environmental Notice Bulletin. Comments on the draft scoping document must be submitted to DEC by no later than June 6, 2025.
Electronic submission of comments must be submitted to the Department at: [email protected].
Comments may also be submitted via USPS mail to: Patrick Connally, NYSDEC, 1130 North Westcott Road, Schenectady, NY 12306.
Comments submitted on this proposed project should focus on relevant potential significant adverse impacts, as “general project opposition” cannot be considered for inclusion in the final scoping or Environmental Impact Statement documents.
Permit Modification Application submission timeline:
May 6, 2025 – DEC Issued an amended Determination of Significance (PDF) under SEQRA to reflect the updated mining permit application and full EAF Part 1 received on July 10, 2024.
August 7, 2024 – DEC Issued a Request for Additional Information specific to the mining permit modification application.
July 10, 2024 – TS&G submitted a revised draft Scoping Outline and updated mining permit modification application (PDF) to DEC. Document includes most up to date:
- mining plan map (MPM);
- reclamation plan map (RPM); and
- cross section plans.
June 10, 2021 – DEC issued a second NOIA, notifying the applicant of deficiencies within the draft Scoping Outline.
April 16, 2020 – TS&G submitted a draft Scoping Outline to DEC.
March 4, 2020 – DEC issued a Determination of Significance (PDF) under SEQRA stating that the project has the potential for at least one significant adverse environmental impact, and therefore, a Positive Declaration was issued, and a draft Scoping Outline was to be prepared.
March 2, 2020 – DEC issued a Notice of Incomplete Application (NOIA) to TS&G.
February 10, 2020 – DEC assumed lead agency status under SEQRA.
January 2020 – TS&G submitted a Mining Permit Modification Application (PDF) to DEC to increase the depth of excavation and adjust the benching. DEC coordinated lead agency status for environmental review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), and the town of Sand Lake did not object.
