ATHENS TOWNSHIP, Pa (WENY) -- After two long years, the proposal for a sand and gravel mine in Athens Township is starting to pick some steam. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection held a meeting Monday night so the public could voice their comments and concerns about the project. 

The permit for the Minard Mine project is currently under review. This project has been very controversial and widely protested within the Athens Township Community, and over forty people signed up to speak in front of the panel of officials in charge of the Minard Mine project. 

“I came because I'm concerned like other members of the community about the results of this mining project that they're planning to put in the heart of our community,” said Brian Mounts, an Athens Township resident. 

 Officials from the PA DEP and the Bishop Brothers Construction Company were on the panel of the information session tonight. The Bishop Brothers are the ones who applied for the permit to mine in Bradford County. 

According to the DEP, the proposed plans would allow Bishop Brothers to blast and remove sandstone from project area, which is proposed to be over 300 acres. There has been an out-pouring of protest from the community about the negative effects this project could potentially cause. 

“There's a school, an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school directly across the river.  this is where our children go to school, is money so important compared to the health of our children?" added Mount. 

Mount was just one of many to speak tonight. Other community members shared their thoughts on the environmental impact. Topics of air quality, noise levels from blasts, and overall quality of life were all up for discussion. DEP officials say the mine will not pose any dangers to the community and follows the PA State constitution of the right to clean air -- pure water -- and the preservation of land. 

“[There will be] inspections on the site to ensure that everything is being done according to the permit,” said one DEP official. 

The PA DEP will accept comments on this project until August 25th. The permit is under review as of May 18th, and it has not been decided yet if it will officially be approved.