Copyright 2000 The Hearst Corporation
The Times Union (Albany, NY)
November 29, 2000, Wednesday, 4 EDITION
CAPITAL REGION, Pg. F3
Ruling against rock mine will preserve East Nassau
By: EDWARD SWARTZ, Vice chairman of the Legislature; MARTIN REID, Legislator; MARGARET VAN DEUSEN Legislator
Recently, a state appeals court brought an end to a nearly decade-long fight over the fate of Snake Mountain in Brainard. Since the early 1990s, the Lane Construction company had sought to establish a hard rock mining operation on Snake Mountain, a project that would have forever changed East Nassau.
The victory against the Lane mine not only protects Snake Mountain and the nearby Kinderhook Creek but also helps preserve the quiet, rural way of life in the Brainard-East Nassau area.
As legislators representing Nassau, we welcome the end to a long battle over the Lane mine project. We also support the decisions by a deputy commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation and various state courts to reject the proposed hard-rock mining project.
We had opposed the Lane project because of the potential impacts on the homes and businesses in East Nassau, the expected increase in heavy truck traffic and the possible damage to the nearby Kinderhook Creek. The damage to Snake Mountain itself would have significantly altered the appearance of the community.
We are particularly grateful for the efforts of one of our employees, Environmental Management Council Executive Director Ken Dufty. Ken played an active and important role in the lengthy administrative hearings over the project, working closely with residents concerned about the Lane proposal.
Residents of East Nassau, especially the members of the Nassau Union of Concerned Citizens, are also deserving of recognition. Many residents made considerable sacrifices to have their concerns about the project addressed. They proved yet again the importance of residents making their voices heard.
The decision by state courts against the Lane project recognizes the valuable natural resources we have right here in Rensselaer County. Because of the informed rulings in the courts, and the efforts of many residents and public officials, Snake Mountain will continue to be part of Nassau in the new century.
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