Sunday night, I received an email from the Commissioner of the Suffolk County Health Department informing me that the State DEC had sent a notice to Sand Land Corporation, dated September 11^th, advising them of the DEC’s intent to modify its mining permit. The modification would require that mining activities cease and that reclamation activities begin. 

The State DEC has finally recognized what was obvious to the public for months. Sand Land Corp is a polluter that has flouted state and local laws. They should not be permitted to continue. At last, the DEC agrees.

This is not the end. However, hopefully, it is the beginning of the end. If history is any guide, we can anticipate more administrative proceedings, as well as litigation from the polluter.

Further, we must make it clear to the DEC that simple reclamation of the land is not enough. We must be assured that our drinking water is also remediated.

The decision is a victory for the environment and public health. Today, all levels of government have come to the same conclusion. No more permits. It must be shut down.