Mining Regulations

While mining operations contribute to the economic diversity of a community, they can have negative impacts on water quality, noise and dust in a community, and truck traffic on roadways. If not properly reclaimed, mined areas can have long-term negative aesthetic consequences for a community, as well.

Although the New York State Mined Land Reclamation Law regulates large mining operations (removal of over 750 cubic yards of material), municipalities may choose to regulate smaller mines through a local mining regulation or as part of a zoning ordinance. Municipalities also have the right to regulate the location of all mines (including the large ones) through zoning regulations. Special use permits for mining operations may include conditions pertaining to access to the site, haul routes for mining trucks, and enforcement of the required site reclamation.