We the undersigned object to the proposed change in the Town Zoning Code that would allow the mining of the berms separating the Hoffay, Hunt, Olsen, and Foley mines without a full environmental impact study to assess the impact of such an expansion. The berms currently serve as a sound and visual barrier between the mines and the neighborhoods that surround them. Their removal is likely to have significant impacts on surrounding residents by:

• endangering their wells and water quality;
• increasing noise pollution, air pollution and truck traffic directly related to mine operations; and
• endangering their health due to the documented connection between gravel mining and increased risk of respiratory diseases and cancer.

The failure of the proposed zoning change to address the impact of increased mining on surrounding neighborhoods ignores an important consideration under the Town’s Zoning Code. The proposal also ignores portions of the Town’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan which state “The Town will continue to use the existing zoning law to balance the economic benefits of mining with the need to protect community character and resources.” (P107, Strategy 7.6 Maintain the Town’s current regulatory approach balancing mining activities and impacts on the community”).

The Town Board resolution adopting the proposed zoning law change claims that such a change “is in the best interests of Sand Lake residents” and it is necessary to “protect the public health and safety, as well as the environment, in the Town”. The Town Board has presented no evidence to support the mining of these berms protect public health and safety and the environment or that it is in the best interests of Sand Lake residents.

The neighborhoods surrounding the proposed expansion of mining were in existence prior to Hoffay/Rifenberg, Olsen, Foley and Hunt mines which began their operations in the 1980’s and 1990’s. These residences pay over ten times the local government property tax rate than the mining applicants’ properties.