NYSDEC & EPA: 'Significant progress' made on Niagara & Erie counties radiological assessment

Submitted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Environmental Protection Agency assessment teams continue to make substantial progress conducting fieldwork across areas of interest in Niagara and Erie counties.

In the last month alone, NYSDEC and EPA went from a handful of signed access agreements to nearly 1,030 signed forms, and hundreds of properties screened, due to a multiagency commitment to and enhanced investigation response.

Since July 23, joint NYSDEC and EPA teams successfully screened 726 properties. Preliminary data reviews indicate that the vast majority of properties screened will need no further action. Of these initial screenings, more than 475 properties received notification indicating no additional radiological investigation is needed at their property. Thirty properties were referred to EPA for additional investigation, with four properties recommended for voluntary relocation.

Notifications to residents and property owners will be forwarded on a continuing basis as the data is reviewed. Information packets, which include a formal letter of determination, a copy of the property’s screening map, and fact sheet, were mailed to property owners. 

This week, teams will continue requesting access permission to conduct screening on the remaining properties that are identified in the areas of interest, weather-permitting.

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. 

On Monday, teams hosted the latest drop-in session at the Lewiston Library for residents to learn more about the NECRA project.

New phone number

Starting Aug. 24, the public can call 844-612-8144 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays to reach the NECRA team helpline. Outside these hours, callers can leave a message, and a call center representatives will get back to them during operational times.

The public can also email NECRA@dec.ny.gov, and visit the dedicated webpage (on.ny.gov/NECRA) to sign up for updates by email. 

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