To Our White Lake Community

Despite our concentrated efforts, the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) Board approved the quarry mining application with only minor adjustments and conditions on January 14, 2022.  The DEC followed with their approval on January 26, 2022.

To the many who donated their time and dollars to support this effort, a heartfelt thanks.  We also appreciate all the letters and public comments you sent on behalf of our community.

Recently, we polled our lake members "Would you like our Association to stand up against the proposed Quarry, knowing that there will be costs involved?"  An overwhelming majority said yes and expressed a willingness to donate. The White Lake Shores Association conducted a similar survey with similar results.  Based on these responses, the AWLA Board of Directors decided to move forward to resist the quarry, including litigation.

On March 15, 2022, Pace Environmental Litigation Law Clinic, on behalf of Adirondack White Lake Association and Protect the Adirondacks!, filed a lawsuit, an Article 78 proceeding, against the APA and Red Rock Quarry, Associates, LLC.

The Town of Forestport Planning Board held a public hearing on March 9, 2022 to discuss approval of the Red Rock Quarry.   Adjacent landowners questioned the application based upon several issues that had been uncovered during professionally funded research and approval was deferred. At the Forestport Town Planning Board Hearing on May 11, 2022, Planning Board Chair, Paul Rejman, read a written statement from Mr. Sunderlin of Red Rock Quarry Associates stating that he was withdrawing the application for site plan/business permit review. The Town of Forestport is therefore withdrawing its Commercial Highway Work Permit Application to the DOT.

AWLA will continue to monitor the situation. Our members and community will be updated periodically.

Tax deductible donations accepted and appreciated.

Please make checks payable to:
White Lake ADK Association, Inc. 
℅ Virginia Vorhis 
43 Jordan Rd.
Pittsford, NY 14534

*donations can be accepted as a deductible contribution

Description of Proposed Project

File numbers:
APA File P2021-0075
NYSDEC Application ID: 6-3038-00081/00003
OPRHP Project No: 21PR1815

Proposed operation of mineral extraction of 125,000 yards of dimensional stone, consisting of an initial five-year permit, to excavate an initial 5.2-acre area located within a 26.6-acre Life of Mine, phased over 25 years (300 months), in Forestport, Oneida County, New York. 

Mineral extraction operations will occur seasonally April through October, Monday through Friday 7am-6pm and on Saturdays 7am-12pm. During the operating season and within normal operating hours, a maximum of two targeted blast events may occur daily on site between 9am and 3pm with any processing or crushing of ancillary rock for use as aggregate, 10,000 cubic yards/year, occurring between 8am and 4pm. A maximum of 20 trucks/day (which means up to 40 incidents of trucks) may enter and leave the site over Stone Quarry Road during normal operating hours, with no trucking operations or on-site extraction, processing or stockpiling activities occurring on Sundays or legal holidays.

Issues of Concern:

• Health of the watershed, water quality, threats to the aquifer, water flow restrictions/interference, possible outlet blockage, storm water runoff, on-site processing of water, federally designated wetlands, proximity to White Lake (less than 1000’ in some places)

• Noise, potential blasting, boring, and crushing; seismic implications; extensive hours of operation

• Traffic; large vehicles (up to 20/day), safety of road(s) leading in and out; suitability of Stone Quarry Road over outlet

• Environmental concerns like pollution/dust (esp. from dry crushing) and animal habitats/migration

• Residential density in close proximity to proposed quarry (over 100 homes within 1000’ of site); tourism/local tourist businesses

If you have any questions, email louanne1212@mac.com. Thank you for getting involved and staying involved in the proposed quarry actions. It is with your help and participation that we can make a difference!

Independent Mining Expert’s Review

The AWLA and surrounding White Lake community has concerns about the proposed mining commencing off Stone Quarry Road in the Town of Forestport, NY (the “Quarry”). We have hired an independent mining expert to review the application and the impacts of the proposed mining project and provide their thoughts on the risks to the community and the watershed, including White Lake.  

The AWLA has spent the last few months extensively reviewing the mining company’s application to the APA & DEC, consulting with advocacy groups, and creating an action plan for research, advocacy, and public awareness. You will find the independent mining expert’s final report here:

Familiarize Yourself with the Application Materials

Here is a link to all of the submitted application materials. Included is the initial application submitted and withdrawn by the applicant in 2000 and the most recent application submitted in early 2021.