Clearwater, along with several environmental advocacy groups, breast cancer groups, and community organizations sent a letter to Governor David Paterson and Governor-Elect Andrew Cuomo this week asking them to “Come Clean” on the impacts of proposed cuts to toxic waste cleanup program. The letter expressed the group’s concerns about the state’s plan to eliminate state participation in federal Superfund site cleanups in New York.
No details have been provided about this proposal since it was announced at the end of October. It could affect cleanup activities at more than 80 severely contaminated sites across New York State, from Niagara to Suffolk County.
The groups contend that prior to taking any action, the state should conduct a comprehensive analysis of what the impacts would be to New York’s environment, health and economy and share this information with the public. They also questioned whether this move would save the state any money, since the state can be reimbursed for many of its activities at federal Superfund sites.
A list of the sites in New York that are on the National Priorities List can be found at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/query/queryhtm/nplfin.htm
The letter is online at http://www.nypirg.org/enviro/2010.11.16_Superfund_sign_on_letter.pdf .
