Jan 2, 2013 11:23 AM
The Pine Barrens Society, the environmental group that spearheaded the preservation of the Central Pine Barrens in the early 1990s, is suing the panel of local elected officials that oversees its protection, the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission.
The lawsuit, filed on November 15 in State Supreme Court, concerns a waiver granted to the owners of a sand mine in Speonk several weeks prior, freeing them from the land-use controls within the pine barrens. The waiver will allow the mine, owned by Westhampton Property Associates, to operate in the environmentally sensitive zone for at least an additional 25 years, until 2041, well beyond its original 2016 permit sunset. The lawsuit demands that the commission revoke the extension, saying there is no basis in the legislation for granting it.
Pine... more
The lawsuit, filed on November 15 in State Supreme Court, concerns a waiver granted to the owners of a sand mine in Speonk several weeks prior, freeing them from the land-use controls within the pine barrens. The waiver will allow the mine, owned by Westhampton Property Associates, to operate in the environmentally sensitive zone for at least an additional 25 years, until 2041, well beyond its original 2016 permit sunset. The lawsuit demands that the commission revoke the extension, saying there is no basis in the legislation for granting it.
Pine... more
Guess ATH doesn't understand the meaning of "self-created hardship". What a fool, and of course Marty said what he said - guess who signs his paycheck? ATH!
The Supervisor's protect one another's interests and the legislation should be changed to add two more members to the board so ...more that the Supervisor's no longer have a majority. But that won't happen, so we will continue on with the Commission approving projects in the Carmans River Watershed, Projects in the Special groundwater protection area in Southampton and projects @ EPCAL. Build baby Build!
That is total BS. In order to get a Sand Mining permit from the state, you have to agree to a remediation plan which the sand mine owner is legally obligated to fullfil. But they keep ...more kicking the can down the road and ask to go deeper and deeper - often times puncturing our aquifer. Hey, maybe once there's a mile long lake here we can have another water ski venue like in Riverhead, right Walters?!?!
Meanwhile back at the ranch...
Study: Environmentally Friendly Lightbulbs Cause Cancer
The federal government is forcing more and more Americans into buying new energy efficient lightbulbs by outlawing incandescent light bulbs, which supposedly waste energy. But a new study shows that eco-friendly lightbulbs may not be human-friendly.
According to a study from ...more Long Island’s Stony Brook University, the lightbulbs give off extraordinary levels of radiation, which can cause cancer. “When there is something in your house,” said Miriam Rafailovich, Professor of Materials Science at Stony Brook, “you don’t perceive any danger, you wouldn’t get that close to an x-ray in a doctor’s office.
The bulbs could have a disproportionate effect on children.
forget the guns recall the CFL's
But at least the polar bears will sleep a little sounder tonight.
LEDs, here we come...
I bring profit ...more into the equation because that's what's driving this. I have no problem with small businesses and people making the money they are entitled to make or that they are able to make. But why should it come at the expense of the environment? Why should someone be able to flout the rules? The regultaions set forth in the Pine Barrens Comprehensive Land Use Plan specifcally say that for a hardship to be granted, it cannot be a self-created hardship.
Ok, well this is a self-created hardship. They bought the property, knew that 2016 was the last year they could do this, then said they want to do it more because they want to... [make more $$$]. Then, they try and say they will reclaim the property as "mitigation"? As I said above, that's BS - it's a requirement of the permit.
And show me a sand miner who isn't "making as much as I think" and I'll show you a bridge I have for sale. According to an article in the EH Star - Sand can be purchased for $20 a cubic yard - there's a lot of cubic yards on 100 yards wide/1 mile long.
Marty holds his own with the Conservation Board and when it comes to wetlands permits - the problem comes when he is tasked with other environmental queries posed to him by the Supervisor. If he says "no way ...more I'll stand behind you on this" he gets fired. Can't blame a guy for wanting to protect his livlihood can you?
Additionally, what he said is not actually wrong. He's right in that it won't impact the Pine Barrens... what he fails to mention is potential impacts on groundwater and the unique and natural qualities of the Pine Barrens that make them a state listed Critical environmental Area and the fact that it's a self-created hardship. Through his omission - he can justify what he is "approving".
As for it being "no one's business" I guess you don't how taxes work do you?