Owners Seek to Expand Watkins Glen Sand and Gravel Mine

Heavy equipment processes gravel at a quarry overlooking a Finger Lakes lake and autumn trees.
A view of the Padua Ridge sand and gravel mine in Watkins Glen, which is seeking expansion.

Two public hearings are scheduled for next month on a proposal that calls for the expansion of a sand and gravel mine that borders Watkins Glen State Park.

According to the DEC, It’s Greener Now, Incorporated is proposing to expand 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 a duration of approximately 20 years.  In its proposal, Greener Now says the hours of operation at Padua would remain the same and there would be no proposed changes in the equipment used or truck traffic.

The first of two public hearings will be held virtually on February 12th at 6 p.m. with the in-person public hearing held the following day, February 13th at 2 p.m. at Clute Park in Watkins Glen.  Comments can also be emailed to the DEC through February 24th.

Comments can be filed through email at [email protected] through Feb. 24.

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