DEC & EPA radiological assessment update for Aug. 12

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.

More than 1,290 properties have been visited since July 23, with 847 access forms received to date.

Throughout the week, teams will continue requesting access permission to conduct screening on the properties that are identified in the areas of interest, weather-permitting. On Monday and Tuesday, joint NYSDEC and EPA teams screened 50 properties and sampled two properties. Weather-permitting, surveying and sampling will continue throughout the week.

To date, more than 100 properties received notification indicating no additional radiological investigation is needed at their property. Information packets, which include a formal letter of determination, a copy of the property’s screening map, fact sheet, and frequently asked questions with contact information, were mailed to property owners.

Preliminary data reviews indicate that the vast majority of properties screened will need no further action. EPA and NYSDEC will contact residents and property owners when screening results and a property-specific technical review are complete to advise when no further action is needed at this time. Notifications to residents and property owners will be forwarded on a continuing basis as the data is reviewed.

Once an on-site radiological survey is complete, the data is brought back to NYSDEC, EPA, and New York State Department of Health experts to thoroughly analyze the data and determine if additional assessment is needed. Where additional investigation is needed, EPA and NYSDEC are working directly with property owners and residents 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 residential properties offering voluntary temporary relocation, providing updates, discussing next steps, and helping connect them with available support.

Also on Monday, EPA, NYSDEC and NYSDOH hosted a drop-in session at the Town of Niagara’s community center in Veterans’ Memorial Community Park for residents to learn more about the NECRA project. About 30 residents attended, and seven access forms were signed.

The next scheduled drop-in sessions for residents to learn more about NECRA project: 

•Monday, Aug. 17, 4-7 p.m., Western New York Welcome Center, 1999 Alvin Road (Exit 19 off I-190) Grand Island

•Thursday, Aug. 20, 4-7 p.m., Niagara Falls Convention Center, 101 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls

•Monday, Aug. 24, 4-7 p.m., Lewiston Library, 305 S. Eighth St., Lewiston

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., or they can email the team at NECRA@dec.ny.gov. Residents can also visit the dedicated webpage, on.ny.gov/NECRA, and sign up for updates by email.

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