Source: https://ecode360.com/8593824
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 00:33:31+00:00

Document:
§ 53-3 Operations regulated; fees.
§ 53-5 Bond to be posted.
§ 53-6 Documentation to be provided.
§ 53-7 Revocation of permit.
§ 53-8 Existing mining operations.
§ 53-10 Authorization to adopt rules and regulations.
§ 53-11 Penalties for offenses.
Building construction — See Ch. 16.
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Ch. 53, Sand and Gravel Pits; Excavations; Removal of Topsoil, adopted 6-16-1987 by L.L. No. 7-1987.
The Town Board of the Town of Brookhaven recognizes that sand and gravel are valuable natural resources of property owners within certain areas of the Town and that in past years the excavation of sand and gravel has proceeded in an unsatisfactory manner resulting in the elimination of ground cover, natural vegetation and the degradation of slopes, radical changes in stormwater runoff and other problems which, in all likelihood, will lead to the permanent sterilization of property within the Town; therefore, the purpose and intent of this chapter is to restrict the removal of sand and gravel to those instances where it is absolutely essential to remove said raw materials from a site in connection with the residential, commercial or industrial development of the premises, and further that the purpose and intent of this chapter is to encourage development which utilizes existing slope contours wherever possible so that drainage patterns and existing vegetation will be subjected to the least disturbance as is practicable.
The extraction of overburden and minerals from the earth; the preparation and processing of minerals, including any activities or processes or parts thereof for the extraction or removal of minerals from their original location and the preparation, washing, cleaning, crushing, stockpiling or other processing of minerals at the mine location so as to make them suitable for commercial, industrial, or construction use; exclusive of manufacturing processes, at the mine location; the removal of such materials through sale or exchange, or for commercial, industrial or municipal use; and the disposition of overburden, tailings and waste at the mine location. "Mining" shall not include the excavation, removal and disposition of minerals from construction projects, exclusive of the creation of water bodies, or excavations in aid of agricultural activities.
No lands or other premises shall be operated or used for mining operations unless the premises is zoned L-2 Industrial and has a DEC mining permit or is a legal preexisting mine with a DEC permit.
"Mining operations" does not include the removal of sand, gravel, stone, or other materials for: the construction of roads, drainage structures, recharge basins, sanitary systems, drywells, foundations, pools, parking lot construction, including cross access. In the event a subdivision, site plan or other land use application includes the removal of materials for the construction of roads, drainage structures, recharge basins, sanitary systems, drywells or foundations, the applicant must submit a materials removal plan. The materials removal plan shall be reviewed by the Department of Planning, Environment and Land Management. The least amount of material to allow for construction shall be approved by the Department of Planning, Environment and Land Management. The Department shall accept, reject or accept with modification each materials removal plan. The final determination of the amount of material subject to the fees set forth in § 29-7C shall rest with the Commissioner of the Department of Planning, Environment and Land Management. Topsoil may not be removed and shall remain on site for landscaping purposes.
Include the reasons for material removal and an explanation as to why other engineering techniques that would eliminate the need for removal of soils cannot be accomplished on the subject site, including, but not limited to, cutting and filling, the import of soil backfill approved by an environmental regulatory agency and certified by the PE to be clean [meet 6 NYCRR Subpart 375-6.8(b) soil cleanup objectives for residential land use and protection of groundwater], use of retaining walls and/or grading.
The location of the premises relative to sensitive environmental areas, including, but not limited to, groundwater deep recharge zones (Zones I and III, Long Island Comprehensive Waste Treatment Management Plan, Koppelman, 1978), wetlands, wild and scenic rivers, and critical environmental areas (CEAs). Excess material removal in sensitive environmental areas shall not be permitted.
The proposed changes in topographic slopes and elevations of the premises relative to existing slopes and elevations on the premises and all abutting properties. Excess material removal that changes the topographic elevations or slopes of the premises in a manner so as to alter drainage patterns, groundwater recharge, viewsheds, or vegetation patterns on the premises or abutting properties or that may result in increased soil erosion, groundwater degradation, or other negative impacts shall not be permitted.
The proposed elevations throughout the premises following materials removal and prior to any backfilling, relative to the elevation of the water table surface beneath the premises, as determined from maps most recently published by the U.S. Geological Survey or Suffolk County Department of Health Services. Excess materials removal shall not be permitted if the vertical separation between the water table and the lowest proposed elevation is less than 15 feet. Materials removal plans shall maximize the vertical separation between the water table and the proposed elevations to protect groundwater.
The nature and extent of vegetation removal. Vegetation removal shall be minimized, particularly the removal of native vegetation and mature forest. Vegetation removal shall not be permitted within the lot line setbacks applicable under the zoning of the premises, and in no case within 50 feet of the premises' lot lines.
The applicant's proposed restoration of the premises following materials removal; the proposed restoration must be detailed in a restoration plan. The restoration plan must include slope stabilization measures, drainage design, backfill placement as needed (consistent with soil import requirements in § 53-3C), revegetation with native plant materials in kind with native plant materials on the premises and abutting properties, and other measures as needed to restore the topographic slopes, natural drainage, and vegetative cover of the premises following materials removal. The restoration plan shall include a monitoring plan. The monitoring plan shall be implemented over a minimum of five years following restoration and shall include, at a minimum, an annual inspection of the topographic slopes, drainage, and vegetative cover of the premises by a NYS-licensed PE, who shall recommend any measures needed to repair any deficiencies in the restoration. Any identified deficiencies shall be corrected within three months of identification and monitoring shall be continued for not less than five years following any corrective measures.
At no time shall any backfill be placed on the premises that includes suspect materials, including but not limited to historic fill, construction and demolition debris, asbestos-containing materials, asphalt, or other deleterious materials, regardless of the backfill chemical composition. "Suspect materials" shall include, but not be limited to, solid waste and materials that contain hazardous substances as listed in 6 NYCRR Part 597, "Hazardous Substances Identification, Release Prohibition, and Release Reporting."
The least amount of material to allow for construction shall be approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
No sand mine, gravel mine or sand and gravel mine shall be used for a sanitary or other landfill.
Fees shall be as established by Town Board resolution.
All fees required pursuant to this chapter and as established by Town Board resolution shall be due upon final conditional approval of each subdivision section and/or each site plan and/or site plan phase.
The removal of excess material covered hereunder shall not exceed a period of one year from the date of issuance of the site plan approval or subdivision approval. The Board of Zoning Appeals shall have the authority to grant one-year extensions of permits for any operation, if the activity was approved pursuant to Board of Zoning Appeals grant, provided that the applicant can demonstrate that the extension is necessitated by construction delays caused by acts of nature or other catastrophic events outside of the applicant's control.
The applicant, prior to commencing removal of excess material, must post a bond in such form as shall be approved by the Town Attorney and in an amount to be specified by the Planning Board to guarantee performance in accordance with the approved site plan or the approved subdivision plan. In the event that the regulated operations authorized pursuant to this chapter are not completed within the time permitted, the bond may be defaulted to cover the cost of restoration of the premises. In the event that there is an existing bond, which otherwise conforms to the requirements set forth herein, which was issued to secure performance to the State of New York or any of its agencies, the Town may be added as additional named insured thereunder.
At least annually, a photogrammetric aerial survey of the subject premises.
At least every three years, a complete topographic survey, to the same scale as the photogrammetric survey, of the subject premises.
Any deviation in operations permitted pursuant to the authority of this chapter from the approved site plan or the approved subdivision map (to the extent of the grading plan incorporated therein) shall constitute grounds for summary revocation by the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals of any permit granted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
The dumping of garbage, debris, rubble or any other kind of material or solid waste, including but not limited to construction and demolition debris, and any materials that contain hazardous substances as delineated in 6 NYCRR 597, entitled "List of Hazardous Substances," shall be strictly prohibited at any such site.
All costs and special fees incurred by the Town in connection with the processing of an application pursuant to this chapter or for the supervision of operations conducted pursuant to a grant of permission pursuant to this chapter, including but not limited to engineering reports, on-site inspections and aerial inspections, shall be borne by the applicant and/or permittee of the subject premises.
In connection with the approval of any building permit, site plan or change in use involving mining operations, the Planning Board and Board of Zoning Appeals shall have the power to adopt rules and regulations consistent with this chapter.
For any and every violation of the provisions of this chapter, the owner, lessee and/or agent thereof, including but not limited to said owner's or lessee's engineer, surveyor, contractor or any other agent thereof who knowingly permits, takes part in or assists in any conduct constituting a violation of this chapter or who maintains any premises upon which any such violation shall exist, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 20 days, or both. Each day's continued violation of this chapter after written notice thereof shall constitute a separate additional offense.
For any and every violation of the provisions of this chapter, the corporate owner, corporate lessee, and/or agent thereof, including but not limited to said owner's or lessee's engineer, surveyor, contractor or any other person or corporation who or which knowingly permits, takes part in or assists in any conduct constituting a violation of this chapter or who or which maintains any premises upon which any such violation shall exist, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 20 days, or both. Each day's continued violation of this chapter after written notice thereof shall constitute a separate additional offense.
The owner, general agent, lessee or tenant of any part of the premises for which a violation under this chapter has been committed or shall exist shall be responsible for damages caused to adjacent properties, whether public or private, and shall be responsible for the cost of restoring the subject premises in such manner as to ensure that damage to adjacent properties will cease. In the event of any such violation, the Town Attorney is hereby authorized to commence an action in a court of appropriate jurisdiction to restrain and correct said violation and for damages.

References: § 53

§ 53

§ 53

§ 53

§ 53

§ 53
 § 29
 § 53