Permit program for certain commercial projects involving quarrying. Program requirements

The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall establish a permitting program for any commercial project that involves quarrying proposed on a parcel of property that consists of one hundred or fewer acres and that is located in a municipality that has a town meeting form of government and a population of not less than two thousand and not more than three thousand. Such permitting program shall require any person who seeks to engage in such commercial project that involves quarrying to submit to the commissioner any information requested by the commissioner, including, but not limited to, a statement of the environmental compatibility of such project with the nature of such property and all neighboring properties. Additionally, any such applicant shall submit a statement to the commissioner indicating why such parcel of property is the most suitable parcel for such project. Any person who seeks to engage in such commercial project that involves quarrying shall obtain a permit from the commissioner prior to commencing any work on such project. The commissioner shall not grant a permit for any such commercial project that involves quarrying if the commissioner determines that such project may adversely affect the quantity or quality of any surface water or groundwater.