Halifax Community Sounds Alarm on Sand Mining's Environmental Impact
Officials hear concerns about aquifer depletion, loss of biodiversity, and Native American cultural sites
HALIFAX - December 3 - Halifax officials heard concerns about the extensive sand mining occurring in southeastern Massachusetts and its potential impact on the town's drinking water and environment. During a recent Select Board, representatives from the Community Land and Water Coalition presented evidence of widespread sand extraction in the region, urging stricter regulations to protect natural resources.
Katherine Harrelson of the Community Land & Water Coalition told the board, "We are losing [water resources] fast. The United Nations has identified sand mining as a global environmental crisis."
According to Harrelson, a 10-year investigation by the Coalition has identified 110 sand and gravel mining sites in southeastern Massachusetts. Over 89 million cubic yards of sand have been removed, relocated, or sold from the aquifer, with more than 2,000 acres of land deforested and strip mined for sand.
The group warned of several environmental consequences, including the destruction of natural filtration for drinking water, elimination of protection for surface and groundwater against pollution, and the loss of biodiversity in the globally rare southeastern Massachusetts pine barrens.
"Sand mining takes away the land, it levels hills, it removes forests, it removes top soil, and it removes entire ecosystems. Sand mining leaves behind a desert," Harrelson said.
The Coalition identified one site in Halifax at 250 Lingan Street, where over 167,000 cubic yards of earth removal has occurred or been permitted. The site, once forested on the banks of Monponsett Pond, now resembles a desert according to the group.
Steve Goodman, a Halifax resident and former Conservation Commission member, expressed concern about the impact on water quality. "I never needed a whole house filter in my house. I do now. And even with a whole house filter and a filter in my water pit, I still change my three-month filter every month," he said.
The board did not take any immediate action but acknowledged the information presented. Board members noted that while there are no current earth removal projects before them, they are involved in ongoing litigation with Morse Brothers over past activities.
In other business, the board discussed the town's challenging financial outlook for the upcoming fiscal year. Town Administrator Cody Haddad reported that Halifax, like many Massachusetts municipalities, is facing a potential budget shortfall as costs continue to outpace revenue growth.
Haddad explained that while most of the town's revenue comes from property taxes, which can only increase by 2.5% annually, costs are rising at a much higher rate. "It was inevitable that we were going to reach a point where you can't continue to provide the same service when they're outpacing the revenues of 2.5%," he said.
The town administrator revealed that 12 to 15 out of 30 to 40 municipalities surveyed in the area are considering operational overrides this year just to maintain current service levels.
Halifax officials are preparing for a joint meeting with School Committees and Finance Committee members from Silver Lake towns on Jan. 16 to discuss budget challenges. The meeting aims to provide a clearer picture of the financial situation facing each community and the regional school district.
Haddad also highlighted the financial strain caused by special education costs, noting a shift in services provided by the district rather than Halifax Elementary means a drop off in circuit breaker funds from the state next year, as those funds will now reimburse the district.