PRESS RELEASE
April 23, 2008

Legislators Eager to See Progress on Nassau Toxic Clean-up

Rensselaer County Legislators Martin Reid and Alex Shannon said they are eager to see progress on remediation of the Loeffel landfill and protection of Nassau Lake and groundwater supplies, following a presentation by state officials in Nassau on April 22.

However, Reid and Shannon said they are concerned plans to construct a treatment plant to deal with collection of leachate from the Loeffel site could be derailed due to state budget issues and a change in priorities at the state level. The two legislators are also concerned a project to improve a dam to protect Nassau Lake from toxic contamination will not be completed this year, after a promise to improve the dam was made in 2005.

“Residents are somewhat frustrated because the words have not turned into action. The residents are hopeful they will see some progress, and deserve to see results this year,” said Shannon.

“The dam and the treatment plant are important to the health, safety and quality of life for residents in the lake area. We don’t want to see these projects get bogged down in a bureaucratic mess in Albany,” added Reid.

State officials said they hope to break ground on the treatment center by 2009 and have previously said they may begin work on improving the dam near Nassau Lake this year.

Residents also asked state officials to consider complete removal of toxic waste from the Mead Road site. The Mead Road site is home to 46,000 tons of toxic waste, more than the infamous Love Canal site. Residents also asked about conducting health surveys and expanded monitoring of residential wells in the area.

“Based on the fact that we are still dealing with fallout nearly three decades after the project to cap the site, the idea of removing the waste should be taken seriously by state officials. Should residents be expected to deal with another 30 years of living in a toxic shadow?” asked Shannon.

“I am concerned that DEC officials could justify a $500 million improvement for Governor’s Island in New York City, but don’t seem to want to seriously discuss removal of what amounts to be one of the greatest environmental injustices in American history,” said Reid.

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