Bill > S03253

This bill amends the environmental conservation law to require a minimum 10-foot buffer of undisturbed ground from the existing water table for mining plans in counties with a population of one million or more that primarily rely on a designated sole source aquifer for drinking water. Specifically, the bill targets mining operations in such counties, mandating that no mining plan can be approved or renewed unless it maintains at least a 10-foot buffer between mining activities and the current water table. This provision aims to protect critical groundwater resources by creating a protective zone between mining operations and the water source. The bill is particularly relevant to Long Island, which relies heavily on its aquifer system for drinking water and has a population over one million. By establishing this buffer requirement, the legislation seeks to minimize potential environmental risks and contamination associated with mining activities near important water resources. The amendment is designed to safeguard the water supply by ensuring a minimum separation between mining operations and the water table, thereby reducing the potential for direct impact on drinking water sources.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3253