Honorable Maria Moore, Supervisor
Councilpersons Pell, McNamara, Iasilli & Schiavoni
Sundy Schermeyer Southampton Town Clerk
James Burke, Esq., Southampton Town Attorney
RE: Sand Mines Amortization/Closures
Dear Supervisor Moore and Honorable Councilpersons, et al:
As the newly appointed Executive Director of the Southampton Business Alliance (SBA), I write to express our objections to the proposed Amortization Law for Sand Mines, as recently drafted. At the request of the SBA Board of Directors, we are reaching out to communicate our concerns regarding the significant impact this law would have on our members, their employees, and the broader community.
When legislation has the potential to affect the businesses and employees within our community, it is the mission of the SBA to closely monitor such developments and mobilize accordingly. In this case, the proposed closure of sand mines in Southampton Town threatens to undermine not only the local economy but also essential public safety and environmental management efforts. As such, we believe this action demands a thorough and transparent review, in full compliance with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).
The SBA and its membership stand in opposition to the proposed closure of all sand mines without a comprehensive environmental, economic, and social review. We assert that these impacts must be evaluated openly and subject to public scrutiny before any decision is made. The closure of these vital local resources could have far-reaching consequences for a wide range of businesses, homeowners, and the general public. It is crucial to question: Why is this law being considered so suddenly? What immediate need or urgency exists to close sand mines without any clear public dialogue or review? The rushed nature of this proposal, paired with its lack of substantiated data and environmental analysis, suggests a lack of consideration for the broad implications at play.
Environmental Impact
The proposed action qualifies as a Type 1 action under SEQRA and, therefore, mandates the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The availability of sand is essential for various applications, including composting, backfilling low-nitrogen sanitary systems, and supporting the raising of roads and infrastructure that are vulnerable to sea level rise. Closing local sand mines will disrupt these activities, forcing a reliance on distant sand sources from outside the region—whether from Suffolk County mines, upstate New York, or Pennsylvania. This will exacerbate already severe traffic congestion along County Road 39, which is known as the “Trade Parade,” and contribute to further environmental degradation through the increased use of fossil fuels for transportation.
Additionally, the claim that closing the sand mines provides a net environmental benefit is unsubstantiated by any concrete studies specific to the impact of the mines in Southampton Town. No comprehensive environmental review has been presented to demonstrate significant adverse impacts caused by local sand mining. The Town Board must adhere to state law and conduct a “hard look” at the potential environmental consequences before proceeding with any action.
Economic Impact
The closure of sand mines will have profound economic repercussions throughout Southampton Town and the East End of Long Island. The loss of these local sources of sand will lead to significant job losses both directly in the mining sector and indirectly in industries that rely on sand, such as landscaping, contracting, and public works. Moreover, the need to source sand from farther locations will triple transportation costs, further driving up prices.
Many businesses, including landscaping companies, contractors, and municipal agencies, rely on the availability of affordable sand to maintain their operations. The closure of sand mines will lead to higher costs for these essential services, forcing businesses to raise their prices, cut services, or even lay off workers. The local Highway Department, along with village highway departments, will face increased operational costs, as sand is vital for maintaining road safety during the winter months.
Social Impact
The social consequences of this legislation have been completely overlooked. The closure of sand mines will result in significant job losses, disrupt essential infrastructure projects, and hinder critical water quality initiatives. These outcomes will negatively impact the quality of life for Southampton residents. From the disruption of local livelihoods to the loss of public safety resources, the consequences for the community are grave.
The failure to address these environmental, economic, and social impacts runs counter to the requirements of SEQRA, which mandates that these effects be identified, assessed, and mitigated before any action can be taken.
Conclusion
On behalf of the 300 plus working members and families of the Southampton Business Alliance as well as the business community at large, we respectfully request that the Town Board reconsider and abandon the proposed closure of sand mines. We urge that a comprehensive, transparent, and public review process be undertaken, including full environmental, economic, and social impact assessments. Only through such a thorough review can we ensure that the needs and interests of the community are fairly represented and safeguarded.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Southampton Business Alliance
Kristy Verity, Executive Director
CC: SBA Board of Directors