rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/protect-massachusetts-residents-from-dangerous-sand-mining?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-protect-massachusetts-residents-from-dangerous-sand-mining' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Community Land & Water Coalition https://actionnetwork.org/groups/community-land-water-coalition https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/letters/photos/000/448/687/normal/SLT_Earth_Removal_Site_Carver_MA_Dec_10_2021.jpg A dangerous sand mining operation has been desecrating the environment and harming Massachusetts residents with emissions of dust and noise for years. Now, the company behind the mine is trying to expand the project. Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper is accepting public comments on the plan – but only until June 22. Our best chance to stop this expansion is to flood Secretary Tepper with public comments urging full environmental review and maximum measures to mitigate harm done so far and avoid and minimize future harm. Please make sure to send your letter by June 22. In 2018, the sand mining company SLT Construction and its sister company obtained a MEPA environmental review certificate for the 43 acre, mostly undeveloped and undisturbed land. Based on the developer's report, the Certificate says the project will "alter 9.95 acres" and with "33.75 acres of open space" left to "avoid, minimize and mitigate" the site development and sand mining.  Now, almost the 43 acre-entire site has been stripped. This sand mine: ·       Leveled Carver's highest hill, ·       Spews sand dust into Rickets Pond and nearby homes, and is a source of Respirable Crystalline Silica that causes irreversible lung disease according to experts, ·       Is mining without a permit according to a recent lawsuit by the Town of Plympton, ·       Mined at least $10 million in sand, according to the president's statement, and ·       Is within 5 miles of four Environmental Justice Neighborhoods. The company is mining in Plympton to put in a dense housing project on the "open space." Under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) the expansion required a "notice of project change" and a review to determine whether the plans "avoid, mitigate and minimize" damage to the environment. Demand a full environmental study of the cumulative impacts of this project! Take Action! Urge the state to require a full environmental review. Click to the next step and write a letter. You can view the entire MEPA submittal here. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/protect-massachusetts-residents-from-dangerous-sand-mining