About the Proposal
The proposal involves construction of a concrete production facility located approximately 180 feet from the Dwaas Kill, a protected waterway classified as a Class A trout stream. The site lies within a land conservation district and is adjacent to the Dwaas Kill Nature Preserve, an area intended to protect floodplains, wildlife habitat, and water quality.
The location is also within close proximity to hundreds of homes in Clifton Park and Halfmoon, with thousands more within a two-mile radius.
Why Residents are Concerned
Concrete batch plants are known sources of particulate matter, including:
- Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
- Cement and silica dust
- Diesel exhaust from heavy truck traffic
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified these pollutants as posing serious public health risks, particularly for children, seniors, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Residents have expressed concern about the cumulative impact of emissions on nearby neighborhoods.
The Dwaas Kill is an environmentally significant waterway that supports aquatic life, recreation, and long-standing conservation efforts. According to local environmental organizations, it is already classified as an impaired water body, with siltation and stormwater runoff identified as key contributors.
A concrete batch plant typically involves:
- High water usage
- Cement and aggregate handling
- Risk of runoff containing fine sediments or pollutants
Given the existing impairment of the Dwaas Kill, residents are concerned that additional industrial activity so close to the stream could further degrade water quality and harm sensitive trout habitat.
The project anticipates over 100 cement truck trips daily along Route 9, with trucks entering and exiting a site that presents limited sight distance to the north. This raises important questions about traffic flow, roadway safety, and potential impacts along an already heavily traveled corridor.
Residents from the Clifton Park-Halfmoon area have raised concerns about noise pollution, safety, property values, and overall neighborhood livability.
At a January 2026 meeting of the Clifton Park Planning Board, dozens of residents spoke during restored public comment sessions, voicing concerns about water quality, air emissions, dust, and noise associated with the project.
Following public input, the Planning Board unanimously voted to request that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) serve as lead agency for the environmental review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). This decision reflects the environmental complexity and potential statewide significance of impacts to an impaired waterway.
Our Call for Responsible Development
Residents for Responsible Development (RRD) is actively engaged in reviewing a proposal by Bonded Concrete to construct a ready-mix concrete batch plant at 1910 U.S. Route 9 in Clifton Park.
We support thoughtful, well-planned growth. However, based on the proposed location and the nature of this facility, we believe this project raises serious concerns related to quality of life for surrounding communities, environmental protection, and infrastructure capacity.
Helpful Information
Our Position
Residents for Responsible Development is not opposed to development.
We are opposed to irresponsible siting.
We believe that heavy industrial facilities must be located where they:
- Do not threaten protected waterways
- Do not overwhelm nearby residential communities
- Are compatible with surrounding land uses
- Reflect long-term environmental stewardship
In January 2026, RRD formally urged the applicant to withdraw the proposal based on the clear and consistent concerns expressed by the community and the environmental sensitivity of the site.
RRD supports the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) serving as Lead Agency in the SEQRA review process to ensure a comprehensive, science-based evaluation of environmental and public health impacts. We have also formally requested that RRD be recognized as an interested party in the SEQRA review to help ensure transparency and meaningful community participation throughout the process.