DEC & EPA radiological assessment update for Friday, July 31

Submitted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The state Department of Environmental Conservation and Environmental Protection Agency continue to advance fieldwork across areas of interest in Niagara and Erie counties.

On Thursday, agency representatives held the first of three scheduled drop-in sessions at the Town of Niagara’s community center. Approximately 40 residents attended the four-hour session, asked questions, and learned more about the property access and survey process.

The next two sessions (listed below) will also be held at the Calvin K. Richards Senior/Youth Activity Center, Veterans Memorial Community Park, 7000 Joe Rotella Way, Niagara Falls.

•Monday, Aug. 3, 3-7 p.m.

•Monday, Aug. 10, 3-7 p.m.

On Thursday, teams visited 45 properties to speak directly with residents and request permission to conduct screening, bringing the total number of homes visited to nearly 1,100 properties since July 23. In that time, 566 new access forms were signed and provided both in-person and through the newly activated call center.

On Thursday, joint DEC-EPA teams screened 38 properties. Weather-permitting, surveying continues today. Once the on-site radiological survey is complete, the data is brought back to the DEC, EPA and NYSDOH experts to thoroughly analyze the results and determine if additional assessment is needed. Where additional investigation is needed, EPA and DEC are working with property owners to schedule and complete additional assessment activities, which may include additional radiological scans, air sampling, and soil sampling. Yesterday, teams conducted soil sampling at one property.

Staff also remain in direct contact with residents who have been offered voluntary temporary relocation, providing updates, discussing next steps, and helping connect them with available support.

Residents who have questions about the ongoing radiological assessments are encouraged to call 518-712-8279, a dedicated phone line for the Niagara and Erie County radiological assessment. This phone line will be monitored daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Residents seeking to request a property assessment or submit a property access form can also do so via email at NECRA@dec.ny.gov. Residents can also visit the dedicated webpage, on.ny.gov/NECRA, and sign up for updates by email.

DEC and EPA will continue providing updates as fieldwork progresses and additional information becomes available.