ENB Region 8 Completed Applications 05/04/2005

The Department has received a Mined Land Reclamation application from Chemung County’s Elmira-Corning Regional Airport for Permit renewal and expansion of the Airport Mine.  The applicant proposes to expand an existing 29.9 acre sand and gravel mine by 22.07 acres, for a total of 51.97 acres, within properties totaling 626.3 acres. The project site is part of the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport, at 276 Sing Sing Road in the Town of Big Flats.  The expanded mine site will consist of a 32.99 acre section and an 18.98 acre section, both on the east side of Chambers Road near the northeast end of the Airport property.

Operation of the mine will continue surface extraction of sand and gravel.  Mining is proposed to remain above  the local water table, and will convert the mine site to storm water retention and infiltration areas.  In addition to areas previously approved, mining operations will remove approximately 282,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel from the 22.07 acre expansion area over the 7 year operational life of the mine.

Material will continue to be processed (dry screened) on site.  Maximum truck traffic has been estimated by the applicant to be 12 round trips per hour.  Final reclamation will include replacement of topsoil and seeding with an approved mixture.  Hours of operation will remain Monday through Saturday from 7 AM until 7 PM.

The application is available for review at the Region 8 NYSDEC office, and a copy of the application materials has been sent to the Town of Big Flats.

The Department has made a tentative determination to issue a new SPDES permit for a discharge of 240 gallons per day (average) of treated equipment wash water from an oil water separator to an existing storm sewer drain which discharges to Spring Creek near the intersection of Oak Orchard Road and West Saile Drive.  The file is available for review and comment at NYSDEC Region 8.

The proposed Mercy Flight Subdivision project encompasses an approximate 24-acre parcel in the Town of Parma on the west side of Manituou Road accross from the intersection with Hincher Road . The proposed development includes the construction of 55 single family housing lots, installation of a circular access Road (James Moore Circle) and storm water facility, as well as the installation of utilities including water and sewer connections.  The site is currently maintained as a horse pasture with a regulated New York State wetland and adjacent area at the southern border (FWW GR-1, Class 1).  The site also includes a 0.31 acre pond that falls within 50 meters of GR-1 and is regulated as part of the wetland.  The project proposes to construct a storm water facility within the previously disturbed regulated adjacent area.  The project also propose to dedicate the pond, wetland adjacent area, and proposed storm water facility to the Town of Parma. This dedicated area is to remain “forever wild” except for maintenance of the storm water facility.

The applicant operates a polystyrene foam production facility located on North Street in the Town of Canandaigua.  The Department has received an application to modify the above referenced wastewater discharge permit for this facility.  This modification will add an effluent limit for chlorine to the permit based on the use of new water treatment chemicals.  This facility discharges to a Class C tribuatry of Sucker Brook.

The Department has made a tentative determination to approve this application.  As a tentative determination, the Department seeks public comment prior to making a final decision on permit issuance.  A draft permit is available for review.