A request to extend the comment period on the proposed expansion of the Padua Ridge gravel pit has been granted by the state DEC. However, the extension is for 45 days and not the 90 days that the village of Watkins Glen and State Senator Tom O Mara and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano had been seeking.
The state agency said it extended the deadline due to the amount of public interest received. In January, the DEC set the cut-off for comments to be February 24th. The village says there are numerous concerns associated with this proposed expansion and too many technical issues to be considered in such a short time.
It’s Greener Now, Incorporated is proposing to expand the Padua Ridge location by more than 60 acres to approximately 75.38 acres. The proposed expansion of the State Route 409 location would result in the extraction of approximately 3.5 million cubic yards of material for approximately 20 years.