O'MARA, PALMESANO EXPRESS OPPOSITION TO PADUA GRAVEL PIT EXPANSION

Albany, N.Y., April 11--Joining opposition from local citizens and communities, Senator Tom O'Mara (R,C-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) today submitted public comment to the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in opposition to an application to expand the Padua Gravel Pit in the town of Dix, Schuyler County.

The DEC's public comment period on the proposed, 61-acre expansion of the quarry operation near Watkins Glen closes tomorrow.

In their April 11 letter to the DEC, they wrote, in part, "It is our understanding that you are in receipt of resolutions approved by the Schuyler County Legislature and the village of Watkins Glen, as well as public comments provided by individual citizens and/or their designated representatives, opposing the current application and requesting its revision and further review, through the aforementioned requirement of an sEIS, to address myriad and legitimate areas of concerns prior to any final decision on the proposed expansion of the Padua Gravel Pit. We unequivocally support the need for the DEC to reject the current application and undertake an sEIS."

[See a copy of the letter attached above.]