By Addey Lilley
The residents of Southeastern Massachusetts did not agree to live in a sacrifice zone— but due to unregulated sand and gravel mining throughout the area they’ve been forced to carry significant health and environmental burdens. On Tuesday, June 4th, the Massachusetts state legislature heard testimonies concerning Bills H.918 and H.948 calling for a moratorium on sand mining in southeast Massachusetts until a comprehensive understanding of its effects and regulations can be put into place. Many testimonies were heard from various affected individuals and experts. Residents of Plymouth and surrounding areas, lawyers, and scientists all spoke to the detrimental effects of the mining.
Local residents spoke of their unanswered pleas by the local government when previous grievances had been raised. Meg Sheehen spoke of a mother breaking down in tears at a Carver Town hearing in February of 2024, begging for the mining to stop. Living in a perpetual filmy layer of dust is a common occurrence for those who live near the mining sites, some a mere 4/10th of a mile away from residential homes. “There’s so much sand in my house, you’ve killed my vacuum cleaner, now you’re killing me” were the words spoken at a recent carver town meeting by a grandmother who attended with her grandson.
No one feels the importance of this land’s survival more than its indigenous residents. Southeast Massachusetts is also home to the Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens ecoregion, a globally rare and protected land that is one of three in the world. Lesley Jonas currently teaches at MIT in the department of Urban studies, and testified as a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe from Cape Cod. She spoke of the environmental racism at play, as the “unanswered pleas of the community” is nothing new for indigenous populations, who are a historically silenced and targeted population. “We don’t ever want a silent spring” Jonas said as she went through the historical destruction and fragmentation of the Pine Barrens. This destruction of this protected land leaves disappearing species like red tailed hawks, bald eagles, and falcons without a home, as well as destroys culturally significant sites. Jonas noted that multiple requests for mindful engagement were ignored as Indigenous scared land and burial grounds are being desecrated by mining excavation.
“What happens up river happens down river” Joseph Still reminded us in his testimony, raising to the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources’ attention that this issue affects a much larger community. The negative effects on the water, flora, and fauna are felt by all who share the river channels, or feel a draft from the same breeze. Olin College environmental scientists spoke of studies conducted that indicated a major presence of respirable silica which is carcinogenic— having the potential to cause cancer. They continue to set up projects to monitor the long term effects of this air quality degradation as people continue to live without knowing the full extent of health consequences.
Despite this, mining permits continue to be given out. This is a clear indicator of the prioritization of economic prosperity to the health and wellbeing of Massachusetts residents. Without proper impact reviews and management mechanisms in place, all that call Southeastern Mass home suffer. Residents, Wampanoag citizens, plants and animals alike face extermination by letting mining companies infiltrate and take over the land. What is ignored now sets precedent for ignoring calls of environmental justice later. If Makepeace, the mining company, is told that they can drain the land dry, there’s no telling where the line gets drawn.
Currently these bills are still under review by the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Emphasize the importance of this issue and demand that Mining Companies be subject to proper regulation by going to this link to file comments with the committee via a template provided by the Community Land and Water Coalition. Written Comments are due June 16th.
If you’re interested in learning more you can go to sandwars.org.
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Addey Lilley is a MAPA intern and a student at Wellesley College.