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Board rescinds mine-closing resolution, adopts phased reclamation plan to preserve winter sand stockpiles
Summary
The board rescinded a previous resolution to close the Highway Sand mine and instead approved a plan to ask the operator to pause active mining, begin phased reclamation under DEC standards, and seek a permit modification to redraw life-of-mine boundaries while allowing stockpiling for winter needs. Speaker said $75,000 is budgeted to begin reclamation.
After discussion, the Johnsburg board moved to rescind Resolution 179.25 (the prior closing-the-mine resolution) and adopt a revised approach that aims to balance reclamation with operational needs for municipal winter sand. A board member summarized DEC guidance and said the recommended path is to ask the operator, Fred, to pause active mining while the town begins phased reclamation and pursues a permit modification to redraw the life-of-mine boundary.
"Her guidance for the town was instead of saying we want to close the mine, what we want to do is essentially ask Fred to pause his sort of active mining operations," the board member told colleagues, citing conversations with Kate Smith, a mining specialist from the DEC. The speaker said the town has $75,000 budgeted to get started on reclamation work and hopes to seek DEC sign-off and a permit modification by spring 2027; the revised approach would preserve the ability to stockpile winter sand and avoid abrupt operational gaps.
