DEC & EPA radiological assessment update for Aug. 1

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 Friday, teams revisited properties in areas of interest where contact has not yet been made to speak directly with residents and request permission to conduct screening.

Teams visited nearly 1,100 properties since July 23. In that time, 621 new access forms were signed and provided both in-person, during Thursday’s drop-in session hours, and through the call center.

On Friday, joint DEC-EPA teams screened 18 properties. Weather permitting, surveying will continue throughout the weekend.

Once an on-site radiological survey is complete, the data is brought back to the NYSDEC, EPA and NYSDOH experts to thoroughly analyze the results and determine if additional assessment is needed. 

Preliminary data reviews indicate that the vast majority of properties screened will need no further action. EPA and DEC are contacting residents and property owners when screening results and a property-specific technical review are complete to advise when no additional radiological investigation is needed at their property and no further action is needed at this time. The first email notifications are going today, and additional notifications will continue on a rolling basis. This initial notification will be followed in the coming weeks with a more detailed information packet by mail that will include a formal letter of determination, a copy of the property’s screening map, general information about the screening process, and contact information.

Where additional investigation is needed, EPA and NYSDEC are working directly with property owners and renters to schedule and complete additional assessment activities, which may include additional radiological scans, air sampling, and soil sampling.

Staff also remain in direct contact with four 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.

Residents can also attend scheduled drop-in sessions at the Town of Niagara’s community center to learn more about the property access and survey process:

Sessions will take place 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.

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