The Tompkins County Legislature approved a resolution urging the Department of Environmental Conservation to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement on the Cargill Salt Mine beneath Cayuga Lake.
The resolution seeks greater transparency about the mine’s operations and potential risks of storing brine water, citing concerns about environmental safety and long-term impacts.
Environmental advocates argue an EIS is necessary to evaluate potential hazards, referencing past mine collapses.
Critics worry the resolution could lead to the mine’s closure, jeopardizing jobs, but proponents insist the focus is on protecting Cayuga Lake’s fresh water. Eight local municipalities have passed similar measures, with Ithaca’s Common Council set to discuss the issue further.
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