Two important bills addressing sand mining in Massachusetts were the subject of a State House hearing before the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources on June 3.
House Bill 918 and House bill 948 will put a one-year moratorium on sand mining in Southeastern Massachusetts and establish a committee to study the effects of sand mining on drinking water, impacts on environmental justice communities, climate change mitigation and resilience, and air pollution.
The lengthy hearing included testimonies from scientists at the Olin College of Engineering, environmental advocacy groups such as Conservation Law Foundation and Trout Unlimited Massachusetts Chapter, and dozens of residents from across the state. Leslie Jonas, a Mashpee Wampanoag elder from Cape Cod who teaches at MIT said, “The rights of nature no longer exist [in Southeastern Massachusetts] and have been plowed for profit under the guise of cranberry agriculture. We are here to challenge the silence, as we don’t ever want a silent spring.”
Dr. Chhavi Goekna and researcher Benjamin Eisenbraun of Franklin Olin College of Engineering presented scientific tests of sand dust on residents homes in Carver – ground zero for sand mining – is respirable crystalline silica that causes silicosis and other health issues. This was a groundbreaking revelation. It confirms that sand mining in Southeastern Massachusetts is emitting medically harmful silica dust that threatens public health.
Peter Schwartzman, hydrologist and member of Plymouth’s Savory Pond Conservancy spoke on the importance of supporting these bills to protect drinking water. “The Plymouth-Carver area relies entirely on groundwater, and the regional aquifer has been designated as an all-source aquifer by the EPA,” he said, “This means that there are no other water supply options in the area. If mining extends down into the water table, there will be increased vulnerability to the aquifer.”
Sandy Fosgate of Plymouth showed images of the destruction of Pine Barrens forest next to Myles Standish State Forest by EJ Pontiff Cranberry for a sand mine claiming to be “cranberry agriculture.”
“House bills 918 and 948 are urgently needed to address the health, safety, and environmental issues of unregulated sand mining in Southeastern Massachusetts,” said Meg Sheehan of Community Land and Water Coalition. Rachel Atkins, CLWC board member and co-founder with Plymouth roots, spoke about the wide range of people who are concerned about the issue.
We urge the joint committee to issue a favorable recommendation on House bills 918 and 948 to protect residents and the environment.
– Chloe Yu
Yu is a members of the Community Land & Water Coalition.