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Town Board votes to pursue five‑year renewal of shale‑bank mining permit, to study reclamation
Summary
The Seward Town Board moved to pursue a five‑year renewal of an expired mining permit for the town's shale bank and to explore reclamation options after the DEC confirmed renewal is possible; the motion passed with four yes votes and one abstention.
Supervisor Earlin Rosa told the board that a regional Department of Environmental Conservation official indicated the town may renew an expired permit for the local mining operation.
"According to Mr. June, we can renew the permit if we so choose to," Rosa read aloud, noting the permit is licensed to the highway department and that the DEC official said he would discuss reclamation planning with the highway superintendent if the town decides not to renew.
Councilman William Harlow moved, seconded by Councilwoman MaryAnn Nelson, to pursue renewing the permit for five years while simultaneously looking at the reclamation process. The board recorded a voice vote of 4 yes and 1 abstained; Supervisor Rosa abstained from voting. The motion carried.
The board's statement noted the current owner has told DEC that transferring the permit is not of interest due to operating costs. The motion directs the town to evaluate permit renewal and reclamation options; the highway department — as the licensee named in the board's summary — would have responsibility for renewal if pursued.
