Brownfield NewsLinks - Rochester, NY area RochesterEnvironment.com

These Brownfield Newslinks represent a decade of monitoring the Internet for news stories about this issue as they pertain to our area.

The more recent stories are on the top and oldest at the bottom of this list. Looking for something specific. Use Control + F and search for it on this page.

And, although many of these links no longer work, I believe that it is important to be able to find that these stories have existed for ferreting out existing or impending environmental problems. The repercussions of pollution or overuse of a resource often takes a long time for us to recognize and when we finally do, it is invaluable to be able to track the history of various issues before they found a tipping point and became a crisis. Students, scientists, historians, and citizens alike should benefit from being able to follow the thread of an issue back through time.

Page Contents: City Dump site in Greece | 2003 Tanker Crash | Dias Event in Holly |Csx Train Crash in 2001

2010

Brighton site gets DEC plan for cleanup | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Removal of contaminated soil and an attempt to address tainted groundwater are part of a proposal to clean up potentially harmful solvents spilled at a former dry cleaner on Monroe Avenue in Brighton. (March 11. 2010) Democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
03/08/2010: EPA Submits Final Report on First Phase of Hudson River Dredging For Independent Scientific Review; 45-day Public Comment Period Begins Today (New York, N.Y.) After completing the first phase of dredging PCB-contaminated sediment in the upper Hudson River, EPA today released a detailed technical assessment of the work to a panel of independent scientific experts for review. The EPA report and a similar one prepared by the General Electric Company (GE) are being submitted to the panel in accordance with the agreement under which GE performed the first phase of the dredging, to ensure that the Hudson River dredging project is evaluated using the best scientific and technical information. The EPA report details the effectiveness of the first phase of dredging, as well as the challenges encountered during the first dredging season. It also lays out the Agency’s modifications to the engineering performance standards for dredging resuspension, residuals, and productivity proposed for the second phase of the project, set to begin in 2011. (March 8, 2010) U.S. EPA Newsroom - News Releases [more on Brownfields in our area]
03/04/2010: EPA Announces Superfund Cleanup Progress for FY 2009 WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released today the annual summary of the Superfund program’s fiscal year (FY) 2009 progress. The report shows that the program continues to make significant progress in achieving its mission of cleaning up the country’s most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites and protecting the health of nearby communities and ecosystems from harmful contaminants. (March 4, 2010) U.S. EPA Newsroom - News Releases [more on Brownfields in our area]
Environmental groups claim science, not what they call ‘corporate interests’ should guide Hudson River cleanup CAPITAL REGION/HUDSON VALLEY— As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and General Electric Co. (GE) prepare to release their final reports on Friday, March 5, on the first phase of GE’s legally mandated cleanup of toxic PCBs the company dumped in the Hudson River, leading environmental groups are stressing that ‘objective science’ and the EPA - not ‘corporate interests’ —must determine the path forward to complete the historic cleanup. (Marcy 3, 2010) New York State News on the Net! [more on Brownfields in our area]
03/02/2010: EPA Proposes Sections of the Black River to the Superfund List (New York, NY) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to add sections of the Black River, which runs through the villages of Carthage and West Carthage, Jefferson County, NY to its Superfund National Priorities List of the country’s most hazardous waste sites because sediment in the river and along its banks are contaminated with hazardous substances. The Black River is a popular location for recreation and fishing; people often eat the fish caught in the river. The Superfund listing would enable EPA to investigate the contamination of the sediment and to take actions to address it. The Black River empties into the eastern end of Lake Ontario. (March 2, 2010) U.S. EPA Newsroom - News Releases [more on Brownfields in our area]
Cleanup resumes at illicit toxic dump in Sweden | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle More than a decade after a prolonged and costly cleanup at the biggest illicit toxic dump site ever found in the Rochester region, workers have returned to the site in the town of Sweden this month to do still more work. Now a grass-covered field about three miles south of Brockport, the site was an unauthorized burial ground from which more than 2,500 drums and bottles of industrial waste were removed in the 1990s. More than 2,000 tons of contaminated soil was treated on-site to remove toxic chemical residue. (February 22, 2010) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
Proposed Rochester riverside development gets a boost - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow Rochester, N.Y. — New York’s top court ordered conservation officials Thursday to allow the Lighthouse Pointe redevelopment project in Rochester into the state’s brownfields cleanup program, making it eligible for an estimated $25 million in tax credits and release from further liability for old contamination after the job is done. (February 19, 2010) [more on Brownfields in our area]
Court rules Irondequoit housing project should be in brownfield program | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Next Page 1 | 2 Previous Page After a three-year legal battle, an Irondequoit development group won access Thursday to a state environmental program that may allow the group to fulfill its dream — construction of a $250 million residential-commercial complex atop an old dump along the Genesee River. (February 19,2010) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [More on Brownfields in our area]
Conflicts on PCBs' removal -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY General Electric, federal EPA offer views on future of Hudson River dredging SARATOGA SPRINGS -- General Electric Co. and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offered different lessons Wednesday on the first year of PCB Hudson River dredging -- starting with how much PCBs were removed. (February 18, 2010) Albany NY News - Times Union - Serving Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Troy [More on Brownfields in our area]
New York Submits Comments on "Phase 1" of Hudson River PCB Dredging Project - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today submitted its comments and recommendations to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the first phase of the dredging of the Upper Hudson River to remove PCB-contaminated sediments near Fort Edward. (February 17, 2010) Press Releases - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation [More on Brownfields in our area]
Stimulus funds to clean up two brownfields - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnowAlbany, N.Y. — Federal stimulus funds are being used to clean up two contaminated sites in Monroe County. (February 15, 2010) Home - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow [more on Brownfields in our area]
Dozens of Abandoned, Leaking Petroleum Sites across the State to Be Cleaned up through Stimulus Funds - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation New York to Use $9.2 Million to Spur Environmental Cleanup, Economic Investment Dozens of petroleum spill sites across New York will soon be cleaned up and ready for redevelopment thanks to more than $9.2 million in federal stimulus funding, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. Funding provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is supporting the investigation and cleanup of approximately 60 sites with underground storage tank petroleum leaks, with several projects already underway. ( February 12, 2010) Press Releases - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation [more on Brownfields in our area]
Stimulus money to clean spilled gasoline at Thurston Road, Ridge Seneca Plaza | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Two petroleum spill sites in Rochester are among 60 statewide that will be cleaned up using $9.2 million in federal stimulus funds. Contaminants at the 60 sites do not pose a direct health threat but are harming the environment and impeding economic development, state Department of Environmental Conservation officials said Friday. "February 13, 2010) [more on Brownfields in our area]
Brownfield Cleanups Completed in Communities Across the State - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Ten cleanups of abandoned or underutilized contaminated sites in communities throughout New York were certified as complete by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in December 2009, Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. Two other sites were also completed earlier in the year. All twelve sites had remnants of industrial or commercial activities that led to varying degrees of contamination, and all will now provide new residential, recreational, or economic opportunities. (January 28, 2010) Press Releases - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation [more on Brownfields in our area]
Four Rochester area brownfield sites clean and ready for redevelopment | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle ALBANY — Twelve contaminated sites, including four in the Rochester area, were certified in recent months as cleaned up and ready for redevelopment, the state Department of Environmental Conservation announced Thursday. (January 29, 2010) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
GE, EPA seek changes in Hudson dredging rules | LoHud.com | The Journal News ALBANY — Hudson River dredging released almost 25 times more PCBs into the water than expected, General Electric said Thursday in calling for changes in performance standards before the massive Superfund cleanup resumes. (January 22, 2010) LoHud.com | The Journal News | Westchester, Rockland, Putnam news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, New York [more on Brownfields]
Release of PCBs during dredging much worse that expected - The Daily Freeman News: Serving the Hudson Valley since 1871(DailyFreeman.com) ALBANY — Dredging a portion of the upper Hudson River released almost 25 times more PCBs into the water than expected, General Electric said Thursday in calling for changes in performance standards before the massive Superfund cleanup resumes. (January 22, 2010) The Daily Freeman: Serving the Hudson Valley since 1871 (DailyFreeman.com) [more on Brownfields]
Toxins 'no buy' list being weighed -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY ALBANY -- New York is poised to create a list of 85 chemicals for state agencies to avoid buying, a measure short of a ban but which could still drive industry to produce fewer products with toxins and carcinogens. (January 3, 2010) Albany NY News - Times Union - Serving Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Troy [more on Brownfields in our area]

2009

Dry-cleaning chemical spills require cleanup throughout Rochester area | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle From Brockport to Penfield, from Main Street in Rochester to Monroe Avenue in Brighton, the local map is stained with more than a dozen spots where dry cleaning went bad. The cause: A toxic chemical solvent that for decades washed clothes miraculously clean but escaped into the environment at the same time, leaving contaminated soil and underground plumes. (December 20, 09)democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
Dry-cleaner contamination draws multiple lawsuits in area | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle A lawsuit filed by Brighton residents whose homes were impacted by two releases of dry-cleaning solvent and a major gasoline leak was settled last year. (December 20, 09)democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
12/08/2009: EPA Releases Most Up-to-Date Information Ever About Chemicals in New York Communities; Releases in New York State Down 15 Percent New York, N.Y.) Did you know that with a few clicks of a mouse, you can learn how many pounds of toxic air pollutants were generated by your local power plant, or how many pounds of toxic chemicals were released by a factory near your child’s school? Even better, for the first time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making its inventory of toxic release data, called the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), available in the same calendar year that the reporting facilities submitted the information to the Agency. (December 8, 09) U.S. EPA Newsroom - News Releases [more on Brownfields in our area]
Energy Dept. to issue report on inquiry into N-waste effects in Lewiston, Porter : Niagara County : The Buffalo News LEWISTON — The U. S. Department of Energy plans to release a report in March as part of its inquiry into potential radiological contamination in Lewiston and Porter left over from the country’s first nuclear weapons program, an agency representative said Wednesday night. (December 3, 09) The Buffalo News [more on Brownfields in our area]
Rochester investigates landfill site because of vapor concerns | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Concern that vapors from the former Emerson Street Landfill might be entering buildings on the site has prompted the city to seek a consultant to re-investigate the property. (December 3, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
Methane gas in Irondequoit found during legal battle | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle The methane issue on Timrod Drive was exposed because of a legal battle that has been going on for years involving a proposed $250 million riverfront development project. (November 29, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
Irondequoit residents living above old dump sit on uneasy ground | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Time and again over the last quarter-century, state and local agencies raised questions and alarms about possible threats to residents of Timrod Drive but never acted, an investigation by the Democrat and Chronicle found. On at least two occasions, officials recommended testing to see whether Timrod Drive residents faced any health risks, but the testing was never done. (November 29, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
Dry cleaner on Monroe Ave. reports release of solvents | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle A third dry cleaner in a three-block stretch of Monroe Avenue in Brighton has reported releases of toxic solvents into the environment, adding to an already complicated cleanup effort that began in the neighborhood six years ago. (November 23, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
Watertown Daily Times | DEC releases strategy for site OGDENSBURG — More than 24 years and $2.5 million after the cleanup began, the state says there has been sufficient cleanup of the former Diamond International property. The state Department of Environmental Conservation released its proposed remedial action plan for the 17-acre site Monday. The plan did not call for any further cleanup, but recommends that the land not be redeveloped for single-family homes. (November 10, 09) http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/ [more on Brownfields in our area]
Panel criticizes report of former ordnance site’s risk : Niagara County : The Buffalo News Contamination study is called ‘meaningless’ A review of risks posed by contamination at a former federal weapons site in Lewiston and Porter has been called “meaningless” and incomplete by a volunteer panel of area residents with technical expertise in the issues. The Army Corps of Engineers ignored evidence of radiological contamination when it characterized potential dangers at the former Lake Ontario Ordnance Works site, according to the LOOW Restoration Advisory Board. (November 9, 09) The Buffalo News [more on Brownfields in our area]
DEC Proposes Changes to Brownfield Cleanup Process to Help Increase Community Revitalization - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today proposed two new policies to speed up the time it takes for abandoned, contaminated industrial parcels known as brownfields to go from community blight to community asset. The proposals will streamline the process by allowing certain properties to pre-qualify for inclusion in the state's Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) and by shortening the time frame from application approval to execution of a cleanup agreement with the state. As a result, communities will know sooner about the potential to remediate and market properties for reuse and redevelopment. (November 5, 09) Press Releases - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation [more on Brownfields in our area]
DEC aims to streamline brownfield cleanups | Rochester Business Journal New York business news and information Officials from the state Department of Environmental Conservation proposed two new policies that they say would streamline the cleanup of brownfield sites. (November 7, 09) Home | Rochester Business Journal New York business news and information [more on Brownfields in our area]
Study finds numerous brain cancer cases near contaminated groundwater in area of Victor but finds no link | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle State health officials Wednesday told Victor residents how their long-awaited study found an unusually high number of brain cancer cases in the section of western Victor that has contaminants in the groundwater. (October 28, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
Federal authorities, state settle on cost of cleanup at nuclear site : Other WNY : The Buffalo News WASHINGTON — The federal government and the state have settled a decades-old dispute over how to split the cost of the cleanup of the West Valley Demonstration Project, a massive task that could cost as much as $9 billion. (October 28, 09) Buffalo News -- Home [more on Brownfields in our area]
DEC Announces Settlement for Natural Resource Damages at Aluminum Plant in Oswego County - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Agreement with Novelis Corp. Will Help Fund Restoration Project New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced that Novelis Corporation will pay $220,000 to settle natural resource damages claims centering on the company's aluminum manufacturing facility adjacent to Lake Ontario in Scriba, Oswego County. The settlement relates to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in several areas bordering the Novelis facility, including natural and man-made wetlands, man-made ponds and a stream. (October 27, 09) Press Releases - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation [more on Brownfields in this area]
DEVELOPMENT: Irondequoit's explosive discovery - News Articles - Rochester City Newspaper Living next to a former landfill has its risks - like learning that your home has a methane pocket growing under it, and that there are elevated levels of volatile organic compounds in the air. (October 28, 09) Rochester City Newspaper [more on Brownfields in our area]
DEC reassures Victor residents on tainted groundwater | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Victor residents heard Tuesday how state officials intend to continue monitoring a contaminated area of the town and, if necessary, take additional steps. About 40 residents and public officials attended the meeting at Victor Town Hall, with some of the questions focusing on whether the proposed monitoring plan was sufficient and the pros and cons of alternatives. (October 28, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
Parma sports field to have more soil tests | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle A Parma resident and two citizen activists collected soil from a Parma sports field Tuesday, marking the third time the dirt has been sampled for harmful arsenic. The resident, John Chart, first suggested last winter that parts of the Parma Town Park could be contaminated with arsenic and other pesticide residue in the soil, which was trucked from an old apple orchard several years ago and used to build up a football-soccer field. (October 28, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
DEC Revises Draft Hazardous Waste Facility Siting Plan and DGEIS - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Second Round of Hearings to be Scheduled, Public Comments Received Until Dec. 14, 2009 Revised versions of the New York State Hazardous Waste Facility Siting Plan and Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) that were proposed in 2008 are now available for public review. The revisions stem from the first of two required rounds of public comment opportunities and hearings on the draft GEIS and Siting Plan. (October 26, 09) New York State Department of Environmental Conservation [more on Brownfields in our area]
Agent Orange coverage may be expanded | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Recent scientific findings, such as a study earlier this year by the Institute of Medicine, have added to the large body of evidence that exposure to Agent Orange increases the risk of health problems such as heart disease or Parkinson's. (October 26, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
Greece polluted site remains uncleaned - RocNow.com Eight years after agreeing to clean up contamination at an old shipyard and military plant on Dewey Avenue in Greece, the property owner has given up, leaving New York state with the task of overseeing remediation of the heavily polluted site. Longtime Greece residents remember the huge building at 4777 Dewey Ave. as the Odenbach Shipbuilding Co. In the 1950s, the structure became Air Force Plant No. 51, where bomber and missile-related equipment was manufactured. (October 20, 09) RocNow.com [more on Brownfields in our area]
Study finds no link between tainted water in Victor and brain cancer cases | A long-awaited study has found no link between an unusually high number of brain cancer cases in a section of western Victor and contaminants in the area's groundwater. (October 17, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
DEC: No More Groundwater Cleanup Needed in Victor | The DEC said there is no danger for Victor residents who live in the area with groundwater contamination. All 59 homes in the Modock Springs area are now hooked up to public water. The state says clean-up is not needed. (October 15, 09) http://rochesterhomepage.net/ [more on Brownfields in our area]
DEC says no cleanup necessary for Victor plume | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Two-and-a-half years after a public uproar in Victor over a contaminated plume of groundwater, state officials have concluded that the level of toxic solvents is low enough, and the threat minimal enough, that no cleanup is needed. (October 15, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Brownfields in our area]
GoV SITE - GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $10 MILLION IN BROWNFIELD OPPORTUNITY AREAS PROGRAM GRANTS Governor David A. Paterson today announced more than $10 million in Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program grants for 24 projects located in communities across the State. These grants support environmental remediation, community revitalization, job creation and the expansion of the tax base in neighborhoods that have been adversely affected by multiple brownfield sites or economic distress. | City of Rochester, Lyell-Lake-State Street - Step 2 $214,509 The City of Rochester will complete a Nomination for the Lyell-Lake-State Street area, which is a 394-acre area with approximately 270 potential brownfield sites. These sites are located in the Browns Square, Edgerton, JOSANA, Lyell-Otis and People of Dutchtown neighborhoods in Rochester. The primary community revitalization objectives include: redeveloping strategic sites that have the most potential to positively impact real estate values, economic development, the local job market and overall quality of life. (October 7, 09)Press Releases [more on Brownfields in our area]
DEC Releases Revised Draft Hazardous Waste Facility Siting Plan - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Second Round of Hearings Scheduled; Public Comments Due by Dec. 14, 2009 The New York State Hazardous Waste Facility Siting Plan and Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) have been revised and are now available for public review, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. Both documents are available on the DEC website. (October 1, 09) Press Releases - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation[more on Brownfields in our area]
Methane gas found beneath two Irondequoit homes | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Methane gas has been found beneath two Irondequoit homes that were built on a former landfill site, and officials quickly alerted residents Thursday to address concerns. (October 2, 09) http://www.democratandchronicle.com/[more on Brownfields in our area]
DEC Joins International Effort to Crack down on Illegal Transportation of Hazardous Waste - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Working with INTERPOL and Canadian authorities, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently participated in an international initiative targeting the illegal transportation of hazardous waste, Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. The two-day operation (Sept. 23-24) focused on major transportation routes in the Buffalo-Niagara region, with NYS Environmental Conservation Officers and investigators checking transporters entering the U.S. at the Peace Bridge and the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge. Canadian agencies checked transporters on the other side of the border. The operation targeted vehicles potentially carrying waste of all forms - including industrial and chemical waste. (September 25, 09) Press Releases - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation [more on Brownfields in our area]
Rochester Teachers File Grievance Over Toxic School | The Rochester teacher's union doesn't want any school employee working at a building declared a brownfield site. (Sept 11, 09)RochesterHomePage [more on Brownfields in our area]
Feds halt dredging as PCB levels rise -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY:2855: FORT EDWARD -- Federal officials say dredging of PCBs from the Hudson River has been stopped after unsafe levels of the toxic chemical were found downstream. (August 8, 09) Albany NY News - Times Union - Serving Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Troy
DEC to landfill: Do full mining study WATERLOO — Seneca Meadows Landfill’s proposed 153-acre clay mine may have a significant effect on the environment. In making that determination, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has ordered Seneca Meadows to prepare a full Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the project. (August 1, 09) Finger Lakes Times Online - Front
Tension rises after PCBs increase -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY:2947: Dredging opponents say findings serious; EPA modifies methods | FORT EDWARD -- Federal officials have modified how they dredge the Upper Hudson River after high levels of PCBs were found in the air and water near Rogers Island in Washington County, they said Friday. (July25, 09) Albany NY News - Times Union - Serving Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Troy
Site to house two Rochester schools qualifies for brownfield status | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle A former factory leased to house two city schools this fall qualified for brownfield status Tuesday, hours before the Rochester Board of Education was to convene a special session to address concerns about environmental contamination at the site. (July 15, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
DEC targets Lackawanna sludge : Southern Suburbs : The Buffalo News Forty pockets of contamination on the site of the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. in Lackawanna are being targeted by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. (June 6, 09) The Buffalo News
Rochester school board schedules session on toxin at school site | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle The Rochester Board of Education has scheduled a special session to question state health and environmental officials about a factory-turned-schoolhouse whose owner has asked that it be declared a brownfield. (July 3, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Assembly fails to take action on plan to tax landfilled hazardous waste : Niagara County : The Buffalo News A proposal to tax hazardous waste disposed in New York was introduced this month in the Assembly, although the chamber’s regular legislative session ended last week without the full body taking action on the bill. {June 29, 09) The Buffalo News
DEC to present cleanup plan in Victor - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow Victor, N.Y. — State Department of Environmental Conservation officials will present a plan in late June for cleaning up underground contamination in the western part of town. (May 29, 09) Home - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow
Owner of St. Paul Street school site seeks brownfield status, tax credits | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle The owner of a former city factory that housed two schools in recent years — and will host a third this fall — has asked the state to declare the site a brownfield and provide tax credits to clean it. "May 26, 09) http://www.democratandchronicle.com/
GOV SITE - STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR DAVID A. PATERSON ON THE START OF HUDSON RIVER DREDGING PROJECT “The start of the Hudson River dredging project marks another chapter in the story of a river coming back from the brink. Forty years ago, the Hudson River was a poster child for pollution and mocked as an open sewer. But through the Clean Water Act, the upgrade of wastewater treatment plants and increased public vigilance fostered by the growing public interest in environmental protection, the Hudson has steadily improved and it is cleaner than it has been in decades. Today, we mark another step forward in the reclaiming of this river for the people and communities of New York. As we celebrate the 400th anniversary of this magnificent river's discovery, there is no more fitting time to undertake this project. (May 15, 09) Press Releases
05/08/2009: EPA Announces $400,000 for Brownfields Projects in New York $200,000 to cleanup sites with hazardous substances EPA has selected the City of Rochester for a brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the 3.9-acre Orchard Whitney site at 354 Whitney Street and 415 Orchard Street. The site has been used for various commercial and industrial purposes since the early 1900s, including tool and die shops, plastics manufacturing, and metal finishing. Site soil and groundwater are contaminated with volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds and heavy metals. Grant funds also will be used to support community outreach and enforce institutional controls. (May 8, 09) U.S. EPA Newsroom - News Releases
EPA Granting Rochester $200,000 Two cities in New York state will share $400,000 in federal money to clean up the environment. The EPA said Friday Rochester and Glen Falls will each receive $200,000 in brownfields grants to address contamination at old industrial sites. (May 9, 09) RochesterHomePage
State to get stimulus money for petroleum spills -- Newsday.com New York State will receive more than $10 million in federal stimulus money to clean up petroleum spills and help reduce diesel emissions, the Environmental Protection Agency announced WednesdayCQ:Wed. (April 8, 09) Long Island and New York City news from Newsday.com - A Long Island Newspaper -- Newsday.com
Perinton landfill uses birds of prey to keep seagulls away | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle The truck is the cue. Every time one rolls down Waste Management's High Acres landfill a couple dozen gulls swarm the air in search of anything that resembles food. (March 21, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
WXXI: State Rechecking Old Chemical Contamination Sites (2009-03-17) The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is re-opening investigations into hundreds of Superfund, brownfields or other sites around the state. They're trying to determine if chemical vapors are lingering at these sites and if so, whether that poses a risk to the public. WXXI NewsRoom
WXXI: Cleanup of Former Defense Plant Stalls (2009-03-17) The owners of a former defense plant in the Town of Greece say they're withdrawing from a voluntary agreement to clean up toxic waste left there from years of heavy manufacturing. The State Department of Environmental Conservation says that doesn't mean chemicals will remain in the soil and water there, but it will probably take years longer to remove them. - WXXI NewsRoom
AuburnPub.com - EPA to follow up on GE Powerex clean-up The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will soon test indoor air quality as a follow up to an eight-year clean-up of groundwater believed to have been contaminated by the old General Electric Powerex plant on West Genesee Street in Auburn. Ninety residents in the Auburn/Union Springs area received letters from the EPA asking them to open their homes in April to a precautionary investigation of air quality. These homes are possibly impacted by contaminated groundwater in the vicinity of the Cayuga Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site. (Feb 25, 09) AuburnPub.com - A product of The Citizen
Developers abusing NY brownfields program, critics allege | pressconnects.com | Press & Sun-Bulletin ALBANY -- What state officials view as a loophole in a program to give tax credits to developers who clean up polluted sites for reuse is threatening to scuttle the program and hamper efforts to redevelop abandoned urban sites, critics say. (Jan 20, 09) pressconnects.com | Press & Sun-Bulletin | Binghamton news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Binghamton, New York
Bringing polluted property back -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY A prominent Saratoga Springs engineering, architecture and planning firm has added what it calls a "brownfield studio" to its stable of services, betting it can capture a share of a growing market to bring polluted sites back into productive use. (Jan 11, 09)Albany NY News - Times Union - Serving Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Troy

2008

Vapor intrusion tests coming near Scottsville plant | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle . (Dec 27, 08) Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
www.News10NBC.com - DEC shares findings from Victor water investigation There was more discussion on the Modock Springs concerns in Victor Wednesday night. People came out to hear the summary from the DEC's investigation and hear more about the Modock Springs Value Protection Plan. (Dec 18, 08) www.News10NBC.com - Rochester, NY News, Weather, Sports, Health, Investigative, Entertainment
No peril in Victor plume, DEC says | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle VICTOR — The state official who oversaw the investigation of toxic chemicals in western Victor's groundwater gave assurances at a meeting Wednesday that the problem no longer poses a direct threat. (Dec 18, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
DEC finds source, amount of toxins in Victor groundwater - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Victor, N.Y. — State officials will update residents Thursday on their investigation into groundwater contamination south of Modock Springs. (Dec 15, 08) - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
DEC plan called dumping on Niagara | Target is disposal of toxic waste NIAGARA FALLS — Members of the public Wednesday night denounced a draft plan from state environmental regulators that they said proposes to keep Niagara County as the state’s only place to landfill hazardous waste. (Nov 20, 08) Buffalo News
Brownfields Smart Growth 'Spotlight Communities' Initiative announced - ALBANY - Governor David Paterson and Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez announced Tuesday the Brownfields Smart Growth Spotlight Communities Initiative. This initiative links communities participating in the state's Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program with the Governor's Smart Growth Cabinet. This state-local partnership will demonstrate how existing state programs can support and complement local efforts to redevelop brownfields and simultaneously achieve neighborhood revitalization and smart growth objectives. New York State News on the Net!
Vapors end deal for new School 54 | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle A defunct Rochester charter school located in the former Mapledale Party House, once eyed by the city as a possible site for a public school, is now considered by the city to be too contaminated to consider buying. (Aug 22, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Fuel Tanks Here May be Leaking by The Associated Press File photo Published Aug 13, 2008 WASHINGTON, D.C. hundreds of government-owned underground fuel tanks across the country including Rochester, may be leaking hazardous substances which could contaminate ground water.R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
Environmentalists seek tougher state pollution standards | pressconnects.com | Press & Sun-Bulletin Groups cite brownfield chemical levels - ALBANY -- The state's cleanup standards for chemicals commonly found at polluted sites known as brownfields are weaker than federal government laws and should be strengthened, environmental groups claimed Monday. A lot of brownfields sites that are upstate -- especially in Rochester, Utica, Buffalo and Syracuse -- are next to residential neighborhoods, so particular care should be taken for health and safety, the groups said. (Aug 5, 08) pressconnects.com | Press & Sun-Bulletin | Binghamton news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Binghamton, New York
www.ny.gov - GOVERNOR PATERSON SIGNS BROWNFIELDS REFORM LEGISLATION IN BUFFALO Sustainable Cleanup Program Will Help Revitalize Cities and Towns While Protecting Public Health and the Environment - Long Overdue Changes Are a Victory for the Paterson Administration and the State - Governor David A. Paterson today signed landmark legislation that reforms the State’s Brownfield Cleanup Program to better target incentives for cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites. This important legislation, which will greatly benefit the Upstate economy, was one of 26 agreements reached between Governor Paterson and the State Legislature during this year’s session, and brings long-overdue reforms to this important program. (July 23, 08) www.ny.gov/governor
Governor Paterson Signs Bill to Reform Brownfields Cleanup Program - BUFFALO, NY (2008-07-23) Governor Paterson was in Buffalo Wednesday to sign the Brownfields Reform Legislation. The new law will cap re-development credits while increasing incentives for actual cleanup.wxxi NewsRoom
N.Y. fixes brownfields law | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle ALBANY — Gov. David Paterson signed legislation Wednesday that will provide more incentives to clean up polluted sites, cap tax credits for redevelopment to limit the state's liability and increase fiscal accountability for the tax breaks. (July 24, 08) Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
ATTORNEY GENERAL CUOMO SUES TO HOLD JUNKYARD OWNERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE Lawsuit Seeks Immediate End to Pollution at the Site, Comprehensive Environmental Cleanup, and Substantial Financial Penalties ALBANY, N.Y. (July 21, 2008) – Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced he is suing the owners of a Washington County junkyard for years of environmental damage caused by allowing toxic chemicals to contaminate the air and nearby groundwater. (July 21) Office of New York State Attorney General Andrew M Cuomo
Victor votes to adopt committee's recommendations for contaminated area | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle VICTOR — Recommendations proposed by a citizens' advisory committee to help homeowners in an area of contaminated groundwater were adopted Monday night by the Victor Town Board. (July 15, 08) Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Brownfields legislation receives final passage ALBANY – While citing some reservations that the measure does not go far enough, Senate Democrats are hailing the final passage of new Brownfields legislation. The reforms adopted in the unanimously passed measure go a long way towards helping to stimulate the upstate economy, clean up the environment and assist developers with tax credits to encourage new building on sites once thought to be vast wastelands. (June 27, 08) New York State News on the Net!
DiNapoli Releases Brownfields Report Tax Credits Only Part of the Solution State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today released a report on New York State’s Brownfields Cleanup Program (BCP). DiNapoli’s report found that while the State has had moderate success cleaning up former industrial sites the State needs to consider refining the tax credit incentives for brownfield clean up and broadening the scope of its policies. --Get the Report: Overview of the New York State Brownfields Cleanup Program June 2008 --from New York State Office of the State Comptroller
Brownfield tax break criticized -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY ALBANY -- State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis on Monday fired a rhetorical shot at big developers who have reaped hundreds of millions of dollars under a state tax program aimed at cleaning and rebuilding on polluted land. ( June 10, 08) Albany NY News - Times Union - Serving Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Troy
Advocates push for revamped brownfields law in New York state | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle ALBANY — Environmental officials and advocates said Monday that lawmakers should not go home this month without overhauling New York state's brownfields program, which is widely considered dysfunctional because some developers have received millions of dollars in tax credits while thousands of contaminated sites remain untouched. (June 10, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Beef up state lead law | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle In Monroe County last year, 426 kids were lead-poisoned. That number — down from 1,234 in 2002 — represents a small victory. And while Rochester, with its 2-year-old lead abatement law, is doing much better than other areas around the state, it's no time for celebration. Truth be told, it took Rochester far too long to get to where it is today. Even the law currently in place was met initially with opposition. (April 28, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Brownfields cleanup reform urged | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle State programs to clean up and redevelop old gas stations and manufacturing and dry-cleaning properties might be working in New York City and other metro areas downstate. But local officials said Monday that the current brownfields programs and incentives have failed to deliver the economic development boost needed upstate. (April 29, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Yonkers, Rochester clash over brownfield program | lohud.com | The Journal News The mayors of Yonkers and Rochester find themselves poles apart over how to clean up contaminated former industrial sites known as "brownfields." The debate will resume next week at the Capitol. Yonkers Mayor Philip Amicone wants to keep the current program, which has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to only a few developers in the past few years. But Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy backs a proposal by Gov. David Paterson to cap the amount that can be awarded to a developer so that more sites can be cleaned up with existing state funds. (April 13, 08) lohud.com | The Journal News | Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties, New York
Officials detail cleanup of toxic solvent in Farmington | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle FARMINGTON— State Department of Environmental Conservation officials outlined Wednesday night how a Syracuse-based firm that specializes in cleaning up brownfields wants to break down remnants of the toxic solvent trichloroethene at a site along Route 96. Almost three quarters of a ton of trichloroethene, or TCE, had been dumped on the property of Griffin Technology more than two decades ago and, according to the DEC, the contamination levels in groundwater are as much as 400 times acceptable levels. (March 27, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
Third toxic site found in Brighton - Rochester, NY - MPNnow A third toxic site in Brighton has been found by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The DEC recently announced that 235 Metro Park — which is sandwiched between East and West Henrietta roads and Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Road to the south —tested positive for traces of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE). (March 24, 08) Homepage - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
Farmington site to be tested for toxic vapors | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle FARMINGTON — Tests for vapors contaminated with the toxic solvent trichloroethene will be taken on the property of Wade's Market Center this spring. The tests will determine whether there is a need to take air samples inside the grocery, said Todd Caffoe, an environmental engineer with the regional office of the state Department of Environmental Conservation. (March 22, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
Site's cleanup draws little interest | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Barring a flood of public comments, state environmental officials could decide early next month on a cleanup option for a site in northeast Rochester where soil and groundwater are contaminated with toxic solvents. (March 12, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
Budget Bill Brownfields Proposal - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation The Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) was established in 2003 to provide incentives for the cleanup of brownfield sites. Since that time, a number of unintended consequences and issues have been identified. This proposal is designed to correct a number of problems in the way the tax credits are awarded under the BCP, in order to: Promote more and better cleanups Reward sound development Foster urban revitalization Target limited state resources more effectively --from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Third toxic site uncovered, in Brighton - Even as state environmental officials are publicizing cleanup plans for two Rochester-area toxic dump sites, another local contamination site has been placed on the to-do list. The new site, off Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Road, is a commercial property where the once-ubiquitous industrial solvent trichloroethene, or TCE, was used — and apparently spilled. Groundwater near the building at 235 Metro Park in Brighton contains relatively high concentrations of TCE, as well as other solvents. (March 13, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
EPA Annual Toxics Report Shows Decrease in Chemicals Released From Facilities in New York State | Newsroom | US EPA (New York, N.Y.) The latest Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data continues to show a general downward trend for chemical releases by facilities in New York State, according to the annual TRI report issued today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) in record time. Total releases to air, water and land by industry in the state decreased by more than 10% between 2005 and 2006, from 32.9 million pounds to 29.1 million. “TRI is an important tool for regulators, emergency responders, businesses and communities because it helps them better understand and be aware of the types and amounts of chemicals being released in their neighborhoods,” said Alan J. Steinberg, EPA Regional Administrator. “It also serves to encourage industries to improve their processes and reduce the amounts of chemicals released – leading to this reduction in the amounts released into New York’s environment.” --from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cleanup could be near for old refinery land — On the west bank of the Genesee River, halfway between Corn Hill Landing and Brooks Landing, lies nearly 60 acres of prime land. More than a mile of the waterfront is city owned. The rest is a mix of state and private property. At the heart of the site, in the area of Flint and Exchange streets, is the former Vacuum Oil Co. refinery. And nearly all of that land is potentially or documented to be toxic. (February 21, 2008) Democrat & Chronicle
DEC chief pushes for cleanup of tax credits — Stumping in Rochester for proposed changes to the state brownfields cleanup program, New York's environmental commissioner said Wednesday the new program would be a boon for upstate cities.(February 14, 2008) Democrat & Chronicle
ENVIRONMENT: Troubled Brockport properties get county assist - News & Opinion - Rochester City Newspaper The 28-acre property is an inactive hazardous-waste site. Contaminants found in soils, storm sewers, and stream sediments include cyanide, heavy metals, and solvents. Much cleanup work has been done, but environmental questions still surround the property. (Jan 30, 08) Rochester City Newspaper

2007

ATTORNEY GENERAL CUOMO ANNOUNCES $1.6 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH POLLUTERS OF ROCHESTER HAZARDOUS WASTE SITE Bausch & Lomb, DuPont, Eastman Kodak, Xerox, and Others Required to Reimburse the State for Cleanup Costs ROCHESTER, NY (January 16, 2008) – Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a settlement with eight private and public entities requiring them to reimburse the State of New York nearly $1.6 million for costs from the cleanup of the Rochester Fire Academy, a hazardous waste site in Monroe County. The eight entities, including Bausch & Lomb, DuPont, Eastman Kodak, and Xerox, disposed of hazardous waste at the site from 1954 to 1980. (Jan 16, 07) Office of New York State Attorney General Andrew M Cuomo
A Coalition Seeks Toxic Chem Ruling - A statewide coalition is pushing for stronger regulations on a toxic chemical. The chemical is called trichloroethylene or TCE. It’s a problem residents in one Victor neighborhood are dealing with after the chemical was found in groundwater. The DEC thinks it seeped into the ground from a mining operation on Malone Road. (Dec 30, 07) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
Lighthouse Point project wins court case with DEC— IRONDEQUOIT— The State Supreme Court has ruled that the state Department of Environmental Conservation was wrong to exclude the proposed Lighthouse Pointe development from the State Brownfield Cleanup Program. Lighthouse Pointe Property Associates LLC aims to build upscale condos, townhouses, restaurants and a promenade on the site of a former city dump bordering the Genesee River on the eastern side of the Col. Patrick O'Rorke Bridge in Irondequoit. The project is expected to cost about $200 million. (December 25, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
DEC testing in Victor called inadequate — State environmental workers returned to a section of western Victor on Tuesday to begin a new round of tests for the presence of intruding toxic vapors. But their work plan has been scaled back — and that decision, like others, doesn't sit well with some residents. A pocket of the Ontario County town has been in the spotlight much of this year because of groundwater contamination that was first uncovered in 1990. State officials spent years tracing the source of industrial solvents in the groundwater and testing residential drinking-water wells for the chemicals' presence. (December 17, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Environmental backlog/Day 2: Change at DEC frustratingly slow — Like many other interest groups in New York state, environmental advocates were keenly optimistic that Gov. Eliot Spitzer would push new initiatives and complete tasks that his predecessor, George Pataki, had left undone. "We entered this year with high expectations," said Laura Haight, senior environmental associate for New York Public Interest Research Group. (December 17, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Vapor intrusion may be crucial test for DEC — By some accounts, New York is at the cutting edge on a hot-button environmental concern. Others say the state was tardy and has years of work to do. At issue is vapor intrusion, a phenomenon in which chemical vapors can rise from underground contamination and accumulate in buildings, putting occupants at risk. (December 16, 2007) (December 16, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
DEC scrambles to catch up on environmental projects — The agency charged with protecting New York's environment, weakened by years of deep staff cuts, faces a mountain of environmental work left undone. Despite burgeoning public interest in "green" issues, major programs to reduce air pollution are not fully implemented. Hundreds of water pollution permits are out of date. Dam inspections have been called inadequate. Hundreds of old toxic dump sites have not been cleaned up. And cleanup regulations have been weakened. (December 16, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
States join lawsuit against EPA -C ase fights loosening of rules over reporting, tracking of toxic chemicals — New York joined a coalition with 11 other states Wednesday in suing the federal government to force stricter reporting and tracking of commercial use and storage of toxic chemicals. In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan, the states are seeking a reversal of a move last year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that relaxed the requirements for companies to report toxic chemicals they use. (November 29, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
DEC shows Victor citizens options cleaning up contaminated groundwater — Three interim cleanup options for contaminated groundwater in a part of western Victor were outlined Wednesday for citizens who trickled into public sessions held by state officials. State environmental officials will select one of the options, all of which would cost more than $1 million to implement, early next year. If all went as planned, actual cleanup work could begin in mid- to late 2008, said Jason Pelton, state Department of Environmental Conservation project manager for the Victor site. (November 29, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
ATTORNEY GENERAL CUOMO SUES EPA FOR DENYING THE PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON TOXIC CHEMICALS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS - Cuomo Leads Coalition of 12 States to Overturn EPA’s New Restrictions ~ Lack of Transparency Increases Risk to Workers, Community Members, and the Environment - NEW YORK, NY (November 28, 2007) - Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York and eleven other states are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over new regulations denying the public access to information about toxic chemicals in their communities. -The EPA will allow thousands of companies to avoid disclosing information to the public about the toxic chemicals they use, store, and release into the environment by rolling back chemical reporting requirements. The suit seeks to overturn the weakened reporting requirements and provide the public with the access they had in the past. (Nov 28, 07) Office of New York State Attorney General Andrew M Cuomo
Victor contamination prompts possible health study — The state Department of Health has called a meeting for Nov. 5 to discuss the possibility of a contamination-related health study of Victor village residents. (October 26, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Rochester to receive state brownfields grant - Rochester – The city is going to receive a nearly $3.4 million state Environmental Conservation Department grant for remediation of environmental contamination at 1000 Driving Park Avenue. (October 10, 07) New York State News on the Net!
DEC hires outside experts in Victor toxin case - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Victor, N.Y. - The state Department of Environmental Conservation has contracted with Malcolm Pirnie, a national consortium of independent environmental engineers, scientists and consultants, in its investigation of underground contamination in the western part of town. (October 10, 07) Homepage - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
DEC Shuts Down Victor Mine - A big development in Victor's water contamination woes. The state shut down a mine and gravel operation in the town suspected of being the source of the problem. (October 4, 2007) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
ROCHESTER SELECTED TO RECEIVE BROWNFIELD GRANTS FROM NYSDEC Mayor Robert J. Duffy announced today that the City will receive nearly $3.4 million from the N.Y. State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) for remediation of environmental contamination at 1000 Driving Pk. Ave. The Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) grant is one of the largest environmental cleanup grants awarded to the City in the last 20 years. (October 6, 2007) Welcome to the City of Rochester
Victor cleanup on the horizon - Mystery of plume lessens, but grievances linger — State investigators still don't know who dumped toxic solvents near a gravel mine in Victor decades ago, causing a contamination problem that haunts part of the town today. But they are closer to solving that mystery than before and are, for the first time since the solvents were discovered 17 years ago, making plans to begin cleaning up the mess. (September 30, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
MPNnow Expert to visit Victor pollution site RSS Victor, N.Y. - New state Department of Environmental Conservation Region 8 Director Paul D'Amato will escort an environmental staffer from state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office Wednesday on a visit to the contaminated area on a western part of town. Town environmental consultant Paul Lytle announced the visit Monday at a Town Board meeting. (Sept.25, 07) Messenger Post Newspapers
Back to Albany for Victor contamination issue - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Victor, N.Y. - Town Supervisor Leslie Bamann Monday will attend a key meeting in Albany that she hopes will put state and local officials on the same page in working to settle a groundwater contamination case. (Sept. 15, 07) Homepage - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
EPA finishes clean up at Diaz in Holley The dismantling of buildings at the former Diaz Chemical plant in Holley has been completed - a major step toward the completion of the clean up of the contaminated site. The Environmental Protection Agency has been a presence in the Village of Holley for many years now, but its work is nearing its end, Michael Basile, public relations coordinator of the EPA said. "Once we went in to the plant, following the chemical spill in 2003, we staged the chemicals that needed to be removed and began the clean up," he said. "The demolition of the buildings that were contaminated or structurally unsound has been finished. The buildings that are still standing will remain and could be used in the future." (Sept 9, 07) Westside News Inc.
Kodak Park tainted past hard to bury - Some claim state oversight isn't stringent enough — Three more Kodak Park buildings will be imploded next month, part of a revitalization program in which 100 structures will have been demolished at the vast manufacturing complex by year's end. But long after the buildings are leveled and rubble is cleared, the impact of decades of pollution will persist. Despite hundreds of millions of dollars in spending, and about $65 million more to come, large swaths of Kodak Park remain contaminated, their soil and groundwater tainted by countless chemical leaks and spills over the years. (August 26, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Experts say Kodak's dust truly clean - No implosion ever takes place until all that's toxic has left the building — When Kodak buildings 65 and 69, at the corner of West Ridge Road and Dewey Avenue, come tumbling down on Sept. 22, all that will remain of the 1950s-era research and engineering structures will be a huge pile of masonry rubble. (August 26, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Smokestack, decried for years, now dismantled — The 198-foot-tall smokestack attached to Kodak Park's chemical waste incinerator, perhaps the most contentious environmental symbol at the industrial complex, was unceremoniously dismantled several months ago. Through the incinerator's 31 years of service, Eastman Kodak Co. stoutly defended it as a safe and efficient way to rid itself of hazardous waste. The unit, southwest of the railroad crossing on West Ridge Road in the Rochester portion of Kodak Park, incinerated as much as 60 million pounds of solid and liquid wastes annually. (August 27, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Pollution limits Kodak Park's uses - A third of complex restricted to commercial or industrial — The future use of sprawling Kodak Park will be dictated in part by the contamination that remains behind as a legacy of past environmental problems. Much of the 1,100-acre site, which was largely farmland before Eastman Kodak Co. moved manufacturing operations there in 1891, has been designated for the same use it has now: industrial and commercial businesses. Kodak is nearly finished demolishing unneeded buildings and clearing sites for reuse by itself or other companies. (August 27, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
State links chemical hazard to dry cleaner in Brighton — A Brighton neighborhood already dealing with two hazardous sites now has a third — the former Speedy's Cleaners at 2150 Monroe Ave. Tetrachloroethene (or PCE), a chemical commonly used by dry cleaners, was found in high levels in recent groundwater samples and now has been linked by state environmental officials to Speedy's, which moved from the Monroe Avenue site about two decades ago. (July 27, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Brownfield tax breaks debated - ALBANY — Besides the more than $1 billion that the state knows it owes developers of projects built on polluted land, taxpayers could be on the hook for billions more, according to state officials. That's because besides 54 projects already identified as qualifying for breaks, another 123 are also in line to get them, officials said this week. (July 14, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Oil Based Paint Soon to be Illegal - Oil based paints have been the preferred choice of professionals for more than 70 years especially for outside jobs. Come July 16th many of those paints, stains and sealants will no longer be available in New York State. (July 6, 07) http://www.rnews.com/
Emerson submits work plan to DEC addressing TCE cleanup timetable -ITHACA — Emerson Power Transmission submitted its work plan in response to a letter from the Department of Environmental Conservation calling for quicker and more comprehensive action in addressing contamination on South Hill. -The plan combines numerous aspects of the project, as requested by the DEC in their letter. The areas addressed include soil borings in the 25 Areas of Concern, further investigation of the fire water reservoir where the contamination was first identified and further investigation into possible transmission pathways in the bedrock. (July 5, 07) The Ithaca Journal
Mercury Reduction Plan for New York and New England Waters - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation A draft plan has been released for reducing mercury in the waters of New York State and New England to eliminate fish-consumption advisories caused by mercury from air deposition. Seven states-New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont-collaborated with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) to produce the draft plan entitled, "Northeast Regional Mercury Total Maximum Daily Load" (TMDL). In New York State, the draft TMDL is not anticipated to place any additional economic or regulatory burdens on municipalities. The intent of the draft plan is to serve as a starting place for initiatives to control atmospheric deposition to levels where fish-consumption advisories are no longer necessary. (June, 07) NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Leaders seek action on TCE, cite Victor - Schumer, Spitzer demand response - — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, using Victor as a prime example, said Wednesday that environmental contamination by the solvent trichloroethene is a growing problem in upstate New York that federal authorities must address more aggressively. Schumer, D-N.Y., said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "has turned a blind eye to this growing danger." He called on the agency to toughen regulatory standards and update its health risk assessment of trichloroethene, or TCE, which he said is 20 years out of date. (June 28, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Schumer berates EPA for lack of action on TCE contamination - ITHACA — Claiming that the Environmental Protection Agency has been dragging its feet for too long, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, D-NY, called for action on the issue of trichloroethylene contamination in Upstate. The call came in the form of a press blitz Wednesday during which Schumer said if he didn't see action soon he would propose budgetary pressures on the agency. (June 28, 07) The Ithaca Journal
Lyons board plans landfill maintenance and cleanup LYONS - The Town Board discussed plans for summer maintenance at the closed Lyons/Galen Landfill at its meeting Wednesday night. (June 30, 07) Finger Lakes Times Online
MPNnow.com: Cancer study, cleanup plan in works But Victor residents who met with state officials about groundwater pollution left roiled over the pace of answers and action. (Jun 27, 07) Messenger Post Newspapers
MPNnow.com: Schumer urges tougher handling of toxins With air and groundwater pollution spread far and wide, Sen. Charles Schumer calls for stricter standards and vigorous cleanup efforts. CANANDAIGUA — Sen. Charles Schumer likens the handling of toxic wastes "like those plaguing Victor" to using a squirt gun where a cannon is required. During a teleconference Wednesday, he blasted the federal Environmental Protection Agency for not developing stricter standards to deal with industrial toxins. The state Department of Environmental Conservation likewise was scolded for its ineptitude in fielding complaints and inspecting sites for compliance. (June 28, 07) MPNnow.com: Rochester and Western Finger Lakes News, Entertainment, Sports, Opinions, Photos and More
The toxic legacy of midnight dumping - An ongoing Democrat and Chronicle investigation has revealed that the Rochester region is replete with old, illicit, toxic dump sites that have not been cleaned up by government agencies. As a result, hazardous chemicals, especially TCE, continue to seep through soil and water, posing a threat to the health of nearby residents. (July 1, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
How many more dumps are out there? 'Many times it looks pristine,' says an EPA spokesman, 'but you never know' — Many of the known rural waste sites in the Rochester region were discovered in a frenzy of environmental sleuthing that began in the late 1970s, in reaction to the Love Canal hazardous waste-dumping disaster in Niagara Falls. A few more have come to light since then. But as development moves farther into once-rural areas, a question lingers: Are more sites yet to be uncovered? (July 1, 2007) (July 1, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Dump worries go on and on - A history of plodding cleanup goes back decades; toxicity lingers as area issue — When workers began clearing the earth for a 2005 Mendon subdivision expansion, the grader's huge blade encountered more than soil. "All of a sudden it was scraping a big wide blue, red and purple smear," said Lt. Michael Van Durme of the state Department of Environmental Conservation. (July 1, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
State to open cancer cluster study in Victor — Citing an apparently high incidence of brain and other cancers in a part of Victor troubled by contaminated groundwater, the state Department of Health said tonight it planned to conduct a full cancer cluster study in the area. Citizens concerned about groundwater contamination by the toxic solvent trichloroethene, or TCE, asked for the cluster study two months ago after compiling a list of several dozen residents with serious illnesses. - June 26, 2007 Democrat & Chronicle
Decades of dumping: A toxic legacy — Many years ago, the practice known as midnight dumping – the covert and illicit disposal of industrial wastes in farm fields, gravel pits and other out-of-the-way rural locations – was a not-uncommon practice in the Rochester region.- June 28, 2007 Democrat & Chronicle
Victor meeting Tuesday on contamination — An informational meeting on the Victor groundwater contamination issue, at which New York state officials will discuss vapor intrusion, cancer concerns and other matters, will be held Tuesday evening at Victor’s educational campus. The meeting, called by the state departments of health and environmental conservation, begins at 6 p.m. in the Victor Education Center off High Street. Officials have said they will discuss the latest results of indoor air and groundwater testing, a citizens’ request for a cancer cluster study and remediation work at the contamination site in western Victor. (June 25, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Victor pollution clues come up dry — Nearly two months into a hunt for the source of toxic chemicals that have tainted groundwater in Victor, state investigators have chased down rumors, sought out potential witnesses and picked up tantalizing clues. But they haven't hit pay dirt. An explanation of how industrial solvents came to enter the groundwater decades ago — and who put them there — remains elusive. (June 22, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
ROCHESTER SELECTED TO RECEIVE BROWNFIELD GRANTS FROM U.S. EPA Mayor Robert J. Duffy announced today that the City has been selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to receive two new grants totaling $400,000 for brownfield assessment and cleanup. Brownfields are properties that are more difficult to redevelop or reuse due to actual or perceived environmental contamination. (June 13, 07) Welcome to the City of Rochester
EPA Awards Environmental Justice Grant to Community Group in Rochester, NY - - ( Rochester, N.Y. ) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) has awarded the Southwest Area Neighborhood Association ( SWAN ) in Rochester, N.Y. a $100,000 grant to help reduce the exposure of community residents to household hazards such as lead, carbon monoxide and asthma triggers. The EPA grant was given through a Collaborative Problem Solving ( CPS ) Cooperative Agreements program, and presented to SWAN last week at a workshop in Washington D.C. (Media-Newswire.com)
Victor to provide aid to homes affected by plume — VICTOR — The Victor Town Board Monday night approved two measures that will help homeowners near contaminated groundwater in a pocket of western Victor. One measure will reduce costs for residents to hook up with public water, while the other will cover the cost of ventilation systems until state money is received. (June 12, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
MPNnow.com: The toxic peril that ate my house’s value! New publicity over decades-old groundwater contamination is scaring away home buyers from property not only in the affected neighborhood but across Victor. (June 10, 07) Messenger Post Newspapers
Democrat & Chronicle: Derelict dump sparks inquiry -State DEC zeroes in on Ganondagan site, which is near Victor's toxic plume. For decades, rows of half-buried barrels, abandoned construction equipment, rusted-out storage tanks and building debris lay on a steep, wooded hillside in Victor. The 1-acre dump is the sort of place that New York's Department of Environmental Conservation might be expected to target for cleanup. But in this case, the DEC never discovered the dump on its own and the property's owner never felt a need to alert the environmental agency. June 10, 2007 Democrat & Chronicle
www.ny.gov - BROWNFIELDS BILL KEY TO ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION Goal is to Focus Tax Dollars on Brownfields Clean-up - Governor Eliot Spitzer today proposed legislation that would restructure and improve the state’s brownfields program. If adopted by the State Legislature, it would redirect state tax dollars to provide real incentives for cleanups of brownfields development sites in order to create “shovel ready” land across the state for development purposes. (June 5, 07) www.ny.gov/governor
Brownfields bill key to economic revitalization, says governor - Albany -- Governor Eliot Spitzer has proposed legislation that would restructure and improve the state’s brownfields program. If adopted by the State Legislature, it would redirect state tax dollars to provide real incentives for cleanups of brownfields development sites in order to create “shovel ready” land across the state for development purposes. (June 06, 07) New York State News on the Net!
MPNnow.com: Four more Victor homes added to cleanup list Of 40 homes tested in the contaminated area, four qualify for air cleanup systems. VICTOR — Four more homes have qualified for cleanup systems following the latest round of air quality testing in the mile-long ground water contamination site. (June 1, 07) Messenger Post Newspapers
Victor soon to breathe easier - Special fund to begin flowing to protect homes hit by toxic plume — Installation of ventilation systems to protect against toxic vapors, paid for by a special state Senate grant, should begin soon in a pocket of western Victor. A number of homeowners have been contacted this week about the systems, and a contractor has set dates for home visits or system installation, said Victor town finance director Michael Dollard. (May 27, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Cleanup of brownfield sites is at crawl - 'Tens of thousands' in 4-year-old program not getting aid — ALBANY — The polluted former industrial sites that most need government help to get redeveloped aren't getting the aid they need, slowing revitalization of upstate cities, according to a report released Tuesday. The state's 4-year-old "brownfields" program to provide redevelopment subsidies at the sites of former factories, gas stations and other facilities, has completed cleanup of only 25 sites out of the "tens of thousands" that need attention, said Jody Kass of New Partners for Community Revitalization, a Manhattan-based community group. (May 23, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Victor to get aid for vapor shields - Emergency relief to come from $50,000 Nozzolio grant — Stepping in where New York's executive branch has not, a state senator pledged to provide a $50,000 grant to pay for health-related work in a portion of Victor beset by contaminated groundwater. State Sen. Michael Nozzolio said Wednesday that the money would pay for testing and for installation of home ventilation systems to protect against intrusion by toxic vapors. (May 17, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Investigator assigned to find origin of toxins in Victor — As rumors swirl in Victor, a criminal investigator has been assigned to help environmental officials track down the origin of toxic industrial solvents that have contaminated groundwater in Victor. The decision to bring a state Department of Environmental Conservation investigator into the case was made this afternoon, less than a day after state officials appealed at a public meeting for tips about the source of the solvents. In response to the appeal, several residents offered information about possible sources, and tips continued to come in today. (April 27, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
State considers cancer cluster study in Victor — The state Department of Health is weighing a request that it conduct a cancer cluster study in a part of Victor beset with contaminated groundwater. The request for a cancer study, passed on to Albany last week by state Sen. Michael Nozzolio, originated with a Victor citizens group that is pressing for more answers on the health impact of the contamination. The group’s agenda also includes a better explanation of the results of recent testing for the presence of toxic vapors in Victor homes. (April 25, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
Victor voices vapor qualms - Residents ask for help with interpreting data, senator says — Victor homeowners, concerned about a mile-long plume of tainted groundwater in a western portion of the town, on Sunday implored a state senator to ensure that the state's response to the contamination is quick and thorough. (April 16, 2007)Democrat & Chronicle
Victor vapor data released - State says detailed info shows no 'huge alarm for neighborhood' — State officials Friday released detailed data that they say supports the claim that residents in western Victor shouldn't be overly concerned about vapors wafting into homes from a contaminated site. (April 14, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
DEC announces nearly $8 million in statewide brownfield grants - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis Thursday announced $7.9 million in Environmental Restoration Program grants for the remediation and investigation of environmental contamination at sites in the City of Newburgh-Orange County, the Village of Haverstraw-Rockland County, the Village of Adams-Jefferson County, the City of Syracuse-Onondaga County, the City of Peekskill-Westchester County, the City of Rome-Oneida County, the City of Rochester-Monroe County and the Village of Ellisburg-Jefferson County. The grants are being funded through the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act. (April 13, 07) New York State News on the Net!
MPNnow.com: State pledges action on Victor pollution The town supervisor met with top state environmental officials regarding underground contamination on the west side of town. ALBANY — State officials have agreed to increase the scope of water and air testing in the area of groundwater contamination that runs about a mile from the Syracusa Sand and Gravel mine to the Modock Road springs. They also agreed to begin a remediation plan this month that involves getting at the source of the contamination and identifying the extent and concentrations of the pollutants, industrial solvents that are believed to have spilled at or near the mine as far back as 1981. (April 6, 07) MPNnow.com: Rochester and Western Finger Lakes News, Entertainment, Sports, Opinions, Photos and More
EPA gives progress report on Holley chemical plant site - A high-ranking Environmental Protection Agency official gave a progress report this afternoon about the contaminated former Diaz Chemical Corp. site. Alan J. Steinberg, the EPA’s region 2 administrator, said since the EPA has begun cleanup in 2002, the agency has removed 9,000 drums of chemicals, 112,000 gallons of chemicals and 51,000 feet of chemical piping. (March 26, 07) Democrat & Chronicle
MPNnow.com: Pollution draws calls for resignations An overflow crowd turned out in Victor last night to get information and vent frustration about contaminated groundwater on the west side of town. VICTOR — Concerns over groundwater contamination drew a crowd of roughly 150 residents to a community forum last night that had to be moved from the Town Hall to the Victor Intermediate School auditorium to fit everyone in. A panel of state environmental and health officials tried to quell residents' fears with information about an investigation they launched several weeks ago into groundwater contamination. They also fielded questions from about two dozen worried residents, including Michael Barry, who called for the resignations of two town officials. (March 27, 07) MPNnow.com: Rochester and Western Finger Lakes News, Entertainment, Sports, Opinions, Photos and More
EPA official says he'll look into Victor contamination - (March 26, 2007) — As Victor town officials plan a “community briefing” for this evening on groundwater contamination in a section of the town, the top federal environmental official in New York state said he would inquire about the matter. (March 25, 07) Democrat & Chronicle
Danger below: Toxic vapor woes in Victor also a threat elsewhere - Last month, environmental officers began going into the basements of homes set amid the cornfields and hillsides of western Victor. They told residents they were there to test the air for the presence of toxic vapors rising from industrial chemicals in groundwater below their homes. (March 25, 07) Democrat & Chronicle
EPA fines contractor for destroying wetlands outside Rochester - A local utility contractor working outside of Rochester, New York will be required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to restore wetlands it filled illegally, and pay a $5,000 penalty for the violation of federal law. (Feb 22, 07) New York State News on the Net!

2006

Residents living near contamination site want medical bills paid - News - MSNBC.com It's been several years since chemical contamination was cleaned up from a G.E. small appliances plant in Brockport, but questions remain about whether there could be a possible cancer cluster near the former site. The issue was argued in the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court in Rochester on Wednesday. (September 06, 2006) Rochester, NY news from WHEC-TV - MSNBC.com
Brownfields offer an opportunity — Rochester has a reputation for being proactive about cleaning up brownfields — contaminated sites that impede development in most American downtowns. But at the current rate of 5 to 15 acres cleaned up each year, it would take several centuries to address the problems that exist today. That's why private developers are critical to solving Rochester's brownfields problem, said Mark Gregor of the city's Department of Environmental Services, during a brownfields seminar Friday at City Hall. (March 11, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
WXXI: Hevesi Cuts Ribbon, Preaches Brownfield Cleanup (2006-03-10) ROCHESTER, NY (2006-03-10) New York's top fiscal officer helped celebrate completion of a renovated housing project, and encouraged developers to clean up and re-use former industrial lands during a visit to Rochester on Friday. Hevesi led state and local officials in cutting a ribbon to formally complete the renovation of a major senior citizen housing project in Rochester. wxxi NewsRoom
Hard line taken on rules for cleanups - Residents at state hearing urge strict standards for brownfields — BRIGHTON — "Clean" is a relative term when it comes to the pollution that makes dozens of contaminated Rochester properties, known as brownfields, unappealing to developers. And local residents and environmental activists Thursday told state officials that they won't settle for "clean enough" in new state rules that define when a brownfields remediation project is complete. (March 10, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle

2005

DEC offers plan on contaminated hotel site — GATES — The state Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking public input on a draft plan to investigate contamination on the grounds of a Buell Road hotel. According to the DEC, investigators last year discovered vapors from tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethlyene, under the main basement floor of the Comfort Inn, 395 Buell Road. The discovery came during tests to see if the Comfort Inn site had been affected by nearby contamination at Buell Automatics Inc., 361 Buell Road. (September 6, 2005)Democrat and Chronicle
Polluted sites shown on map - Schumer says gas additive has contaminated 89 places in county - With massive gasoline storage tanks towering in the background, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stood Friday on Genesee Park Boulevard and unveiled a map showing 89 spots in Monroe County that have been contaminated by methyl tertiary butyl ether, a gasoline additive and potential carcinogen. (May 28, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
DEC Tests Mendon Site Groundwater - The Department of Environmental Conservation is testing groundwater near a Mendon housing tract where more than 100 barrels of contaminants were found. The barrels contained paint and solvents. Workers grading land at a construction site in Mendon made the discovery last week. The DEC believes they were buried on the site at least 30 years ago. (May 12, 2005) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens

2004

Sen. Clinton asks EPA to expand Diaz probe - — HOLLEY — U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton has asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to expand its investigation into lingering contamination left in the village after the closure last year of the Diaz Chemical Corp. plant on Jackson Street. In a letter sent last month, Clinton, D-N.Y., lauded the agency for its decision to purchase eight homes that residents fled following a January 2002 chemical spill. (November 8, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
Cleanup nears end after 2001 CSX spill - Charlotte work to be done in a month - — CHARLOTTE — Nearly three years after a scorching train wreck spilled thousands of gallons of solvents, the final step of the cleanup could come as early as next week. In the past month, contractors for CSX Transportation have used a massive crane to scoop 2,000 tons of contaminated sediment from the Genesee River. (October 30, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
Love Canal Removed from Superfund - Federal officials say cleanup work has been completed in the Niagara Falls neighborhood more than two decades after 950 of its families were evacuated. - (October 6, 2004) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
MSNBC - Diaz holds public meeting Rochester, NYUSA - People in Holley came out Tuesday night to learn more about the Environmental Protection Agency'srole in clean up efforts following a chemical leak at the Diaz Plant in 2002. (October 6, 2004) MSNBC
(September 28, 2004) Sierra Club Releases Report On Pollution - The Sierra Club has released a new report on pollution at Air Force plant 51 in Greece. The government made landing barges and other war equipment there during the 1940s and 50s. WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER
(September 28, 2004) Group Wants Former Plant Cleaned Up - Rochester's Sierra Club wants the government to clean up a former World War Two plant in Greece. The former plant known as Air Force Plant 51, used to make landing barges during the war and later bulkheads for B-52 bombers. R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
MSNBC - EPA to buy homes for displaced neighbors of Diaz Chemical plant Rochester, NYUSA - BATAVIA, N.Y. (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency will spend more than $1 million to buy eight houses whose residents were displaced by a chemical leak nearly three years ago.About 80 gallons of a pungent chemical called 2-chloro-6-fluorophenol leaked from Diaz Chemical in the village of Holley, about 20 miles west of Rochester, on Jan. 5, 2002. (September 14, 2004) MSNBC - News Front Page
Democrat & Chronicle: Prep for CSX river dredge begins — Contractors for CSX Transportation this morning started installing silt curtains in the Genesee River at Charlotte, the site of a 2001 chemical spill. The two-layer plastic devices will prevent contaminated spoils from entering the river during a dredging operation expected to last about two months. (September 7, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
Cleanup project to begin at site of 2001 derailment - Workers will begin dredging a stretch of a Rochester river where a freight train derailed in a fiery crash nearly three years ago. About half of the 47 cars on the C-S-X Transportation train jumped the tracks on December 23rd, 2001, sending thousands of gallons of solvents into the Genesee River and its west bank. (August 26, 2004) 10NBC / WHEC TV-10
Democrat & Chronicle: CSX spill cleanup set for river bed (August 25, 2004) — Work began Monday on River Street in Charlotte to set up equipment for a project that will dredge portions of the Genesee River contaminated by a December 2001 chemical spill. (August 25, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
Diaz on superfund list - Holley residents displaced by the Diaz Chemical spill will get federal aid cleaning up their homes. The environmental protection agency has added the Diaz chemical plant to its national priorities list. 10NBC / WHEC TV-10
Democrat & Chronicle: DEC launches new Dewey Ave. site probe — GREECE — In a fact sheet released today, the state Department of Environmental Conservation announced a new plan to investigate contamination at an old military industrial site at the north end of Dewey Avenue. Air Force Plant 51, just south of Round Pond, was used during World War II to build ocean-going oil tankers and some of the landing craft used during the Normandy invasion. (July 15, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Former auto parts plant gets cleanup — GATES — Over the next few weeks, crews from the state Department of Environmental Conservation will start investigating toxic contamination on the site of a former automobile parts factory near Interstate 490. The DEC will remove and test soil and groundwater samples from outside the three-acre former ITT Automotive plant at 30 Pixley Industrial Parkway. The facility was known as Rochester Form Machine until 1994 and was used to manufacture aluminum components for automotive air conditioners. ITT acquired the factory in 1994, and ceased operations there earlier this year. (June 30, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Buckeye, residents reach settlement over gas leak — More than a year after a massive gasoline leak contaminated 14 houses in a 19th Ward neighborhood, Buckeye Pipeline Co. of Pennsylvania on Monday announced a final settlement with most of the residents affected. (June 15, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
Brockport To Get Cancer Report From State - A new study on cancer has focused on people living near the former 3-M Dynacolor and G.E. Black and Decker plants in Brockport and surrounding towns. Both sites are contaminated with PCB’s and other industrial chemicals. (March 17, 2003) WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER
Democrat & Chronicle: DEC urges sweet cleanup of toxic site in Brockport — BROCKPORT — State environmental regulators have a sweet deal for village residents fighting a plume of underground pollution and contaminated surface soil: Add molasses. The state Department of Environmental Conservation at a meeting here Wednesday night proposed injecting a solution of water and food-grade molasses into soils, groundwater and bedrock beneath a contaminated site at 150 State St. (March 4, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
WXXI: DEC To Show Brockport Cleanup Plans (2004-02-25) The State Department of Environmental Conservation says bacteria can help clean up toxic contamination left behind by the former 3M/Dynacolor plant in the Village of Brockport. The D-E-C will hold a public meeting Tuesday evening in Brockport to discuss its investigation of the toxic site and its proposal for dealing with it. (February 27, 2004) Public NewsRoom

2003

Democrat & Chronicle: Brighton gas spill long-term problem - Action taken but total cleanup might be years away, says DEC December 5, 2003) — BRIGHTON — State and county officials fielded questions Thursday from Brighton residents who want to know how soon a gasoline spill that brought gas fumes into some homes will be fully cleaned up. About 8,000 gallons of gasoline leaked into the ground and groundwater from a storage tank under a Citgo gas station, 2087 Monroe Ave.
EPA to describe Diaz cleanup - — HOLLEY — The Environmental Protection Agency has scheduled public information sessions next week to update villagers about the agency’s cleanup efforts at the site of a former Orleans County chemical plant EPA crews have been at the defunct Diaz Chemical Corp. on Jackson Street since mid-October, working to determine what chemicals remain at the plant and the best options for their removal. (November 6, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Brockport site to be cleaned up — BROCKPORT — Starting Sept. 29, a stretch of Erie Street in the village of Brockport will be closed to traffic while the state and a local utility dig up yards to investigate chemicals that might have migrated underground from an old dump site. The chemicals are components of coal tar, waste from what was in the 19th century a manufactured gas plant at Erie and Perry streets, just south of the Barge Canal. September 7, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Buckeye spill to be cleaned up in city's 19th Ward Clean up is underway on the city's west side after thousands of gallons of gasoline leaked in a neighborhood there. The Buckeye Pipeline Company spilled 50,000 gallons of gasoline last March. (September 4, 2003) MSNBC Local News
Contaminated dirt to be removed from Greece neighborhood There was a meeting Wednesday night for concerned residents of the Autumn Heights neighborhood in Greece. Rochester city officials say contaminated dirt that was dumped in the Greece neighborhood should be cleaned up by November. A city-hired contractor dumped the dirt in the Autumn Heights neighborhood sometime last year. (September 4, 2003) MSNBC Local News
Democrat & Chronicle: Spill causes evacuation — PALMYRA — About 75 people were evacuated from their homes Wednesday night after a chemical leak at a business. About 100 employees at Garlock Industries also were evacuated from the plant at 1666 Division St. when 50 gallons of diluted sulfuric acid was discovered to have leaked from a storage vat, said Palmyra Assistant Fire Chief Bill Colburn. (August 7, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Fuel spill called minimal - Brooks Avenue neighbors told that spill cleanup is progressing - — Four months after a massive spill at a Rochester fuel storage facility, health and environmental officials held a meeting Tuesday evening to address questions. About 100 neighbors attended. An underground gasoline leak was discovered March 12 at the Buckeye Terminal, 754 Brooks Ave. An estimated 50,000 gallons spilled, seeping gasoline and gasoline-related chemicals into the Erie Canal and - more than two months later - into the basements of some nearby houses. (July 16, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Gas Spill Cleanup Continues On Tuesday, some residents in Rochester’s 19th Ward will get some answers from state health and environmental officials about what health affects, if any a gas spill has had on them. Gasoline provider Buckeye Terminals is located on Brooks Ave. about 200 yards from homes on Westfield St. On March 12, the company reported to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that gasoline leaked from one of its underground pipelines. (July 13, 2003) R News: Your NewsChannel
DEC releases report on Brooks Avenue gas leak The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation released a clean-up report Thursday on the gas leak at the Buckeye Terminal on Brooks Avenue. A public meeting has been scheduled so people living near the terminal can learn more about the status of clean up. The meeting will take place July 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Brooks Avenue. (July 13, 2003) MSNBC Local News
WXXI: Work Begins To Clean Up Coal-Tar Sediments (2003-07-07) ROCHESTER, NEW YORK (2003-07-07) Cleanup work has begun to remove coal tar-contaminated sediments from the Genesee River at Brewer Street in Rochester. The site is on the east side of the Genesee River gorge near the middle falls, off Saint Paul Street. Construction workers building the county's new sewer system in the mid-1980s hit underground pools of coal tar. They built temporary lagoons to catch the tar-contaminated water, but over the years the tar has leaked into the surrounding soil. (July 7, 2003) Public NewsRoom
Chemical Leak Forces 50 From Their Homes - Lyons, NY (07/06/03) - About 40 homes in Lyons were evacuated after a highly flammable chemical was discovered leaking from a CSX train car. The leak was discovered around 2:00 p.m. from a tanker car headed to Canandaigua. Most of the families were allowed to return to their homes after 7:00 p.m. Sunday. (July 7, 2003) WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER
PCBs in Brockport: Who's to blame? - Testing for contamination has begun on storm sewer pipes in Brockport near the former General Electric Co. plant on State Street. This is all that GE, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the village of Brockport seem to agree on. (July 6, 2003) Brockport Post
Democrat & Chronicle: State, federal agencies study Kleen Brite sites — BROCKPORT — Two environmental agencies are examining toxicity levels at two former Kleen Brite Laboratories facilities here. The state Department of Environmental Conservation and the federal Environmental Protection Agency are conducting site assessments for potentially toxic materials. The agencies are seeking to determine the types of waste and chemicals left at the 200 State St. and 100 Fair St. sites. (June 23, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Springtime fields of brown - As the legislative season in Albany winds down, the Rochester Business Alliance is making a last-ditch plea for progress on "brownfields" legislation. Brownfields are abandoned, more-or-less contaminated industrial and commercial sites, a commonplace of Rust Belt cities. The sites may not be immediately lethal, but they still must be cleaned up before any redevelopment can proceed. Rochester is home to many brownfields, in locations as different as old factory grounds in the city's northwest quadrant and odd pockets of the lower Genesee River gorge. (June 18, 2003) City Newspaper
Spitzer Backs Assembly Superfund/Brownfields Legislation Attorney General Eliot Spitzer expressed support for a comprehensive new legislative proposal that would clean up the state's toxic sites. Recently introduced by Assemblymember Thomas DiNapoli, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation, the bill would replenish the bankrupt state Superfund and establish a new brownfields site cleanup program. "Every corner of New York is saddled with toxic waste sites that must be cleaned up thoroughly and quickly," said Attorney General Spitzer. "The longer we wait, the more environmental damage will be done. It is imperative that the state Legislature take immediate action and Assemblymember DiNapoli's legislation is the most comprehensive and responsible approach to this pressing problem." Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
Democrat & Chronicle: NY 'brownfield' bill offers incentives for cleanup (March 19, 2003) — ALBANY — Environmentalists were divided Tuesday over a proposal that would provide financial incentives for cleaning up abandoned industrial sites and exempt property owners, in most cases, from liability. Currently, owners of sites known as brownfields are liable for cleaning up contamination on their property as well as waste that dissipates outside. Tens of thousands of brownfields ranging from abandoned gas stations to old industrial sites are scattered across the state. Most are in inner cities. (March 19, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Web site offers environmental data — Wondering whether you live near a toxic-waste dump or polluting factory? The Citizens Environmental Coalition has unveiled www.ecothreatny.org, a Web site with maps showing the locations of everything from Superfund toxic waste sites to oil spills to fish consumption advisories. (February 21, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Brockport residents settle lawsuit with 3M - Some Brockport residents have reached a settlement with 3M. The lawsuit claimed that the 3M Corporation dumped toxic chemicals in the village Brockport. (January 6, 2003) MSNBC Local News
Democrat & Chronicle: 3M settles part of Brockport contamination lawsuit 232 residents to be paid for property-value losses — BROCKPORT — The first phase of a lawsuit involving a Brockport toxic waste site was settled this week. Attorneys say 232 people will be compensated for a decline in property values brought on by pollution from 3M Co. An additional 30 people, all children, will retain their “future rights” to sue in case medical problems arise, said the lead attorney on the case, Stephen G. Schwarz of Faraci & Lange LLP in Rochester. (January 4, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
A look at Brockport in '02 The past year saw Brockport's biggest news as the contamination clean-up on sites formerly occupied by the General Electric and 3M companies. (January 1, 2003) Brockport Post

2002

WXXI: EPA to Decontaminate Holley Homes (2002-12-12) HOLLEY, NY (2002-12-12) Many residents in Holley are still displaced from their homes, almost a year after the relase of cholor-fluoro-phenol from the Diaz Chemical Corporation. Wednesday night, concerned residents in the town met with officials with the Department of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Environmental Conservation. (December 12, 2002) Public NewsRoom
Democrat & Chronicle: DEC extends environmental study of Greece plant — The state Department of Environmental Conservation plans on doing a long-range study of possible contamination at a former shipbuilding and Air Force plant off Dewey Avenue near Round Pond in Greece. The DEC interviewed former employees and inspected the site of the former Air Force Plant 51 facility, 4800 Dewey Ave., over the last year to study the level of contamination at the site. Through these investigations, the DEC has identified areas in need of further study to determine whether surface contamination leaked into the soil and ground water. (December 12, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Diaz spill report leaves homeowners dissatisfied — HOLLEY — Richard Catlin doesn’t believe sealant paint will keep possible residue from a Jan. 5 chemical spill from leaching out of his home’s insulation and back into the air his family breathes. “Knowing it’s there (in the walls) isn’t the same as knowing it’s gone,” Catlin said Wednesday during an information meeting at Holley High School for residents who have been displaced from their homes since a Jan. 5 chemical spill at Diaz Chemical Corp. on Jackson Street. (December 12, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle
WXXI: DEC Begins Cleanup Study on Former Greece Shipyard (2002-12-09) ROCHESTER, NY (2002-12-09) New York's Department of Environmental Conservation is launching a long-term study of the former Odenbach Shipyard in the Town of Greece, with an eye towards eventually cleaning up the site. Any such cleanup will be a long job. The state plans to begin testing soil and water around the Odenbach site this month, with the final cleanup plans expected to take until 2015. (December 10, 2002) Public NewsRoom
Democrat & Chronicle: Diaz neighbors still displaced Government agencies plan report on cleanup in progress — Eleven months ago, on the morning of Jan. 6, Patricia Dann fled from her South Main Street home in Holley, Orleans County. She and her husband and son left with just the clothes on their backs. (December 4, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Charlotte cleanup nears end But city still has concerns over consequences of CSX spill — Cleanup is largely finished at the year-old site of a train derailment in Charlotte, where 40,000 gallons of industrial solvents spilled a few feet from the Genesee River. During the Dec. 23, 2001, incident, a runaway 27-car train owned by CSX Transportation toppled over on River Street. The wreck leveled a house, ripped through nearby boats and created an immense fireball. Only one person -- the engineer who jumped off the speeding train -- was injured. (December 2, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Court gives Diaz more time (— BUFFALO — A federal judge on Thursday gave an Orleans County chemical company more time to amend a countersuit it filed against 173 Holley residents who are suing over a January spill. November 22, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Brockport cleanup nears end Neighbors to polluted stream will soon have restored yards — BROCKPORT — Thanksgiving comes early this year to the Worboys household on East Avenue. (November 16, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Ontario County landfill chief quits — CANANDAIGUA — Longtime Ontario County landfill director Kevin Spillane has resigned in the wake of an ongoing criminal investigation that was initiated earlier this fall at the county landfill in Flint. “Kevin has resigned his post effective the end of the year,” Donald Leysath, chairman of the county Board of Supervisors’ Solid Waste Committee, said on Thursday. (November 01, 02) Democrat and Chronicle
Seneca County plans hazardous waste collection Seneca County residents have until Wednesday to register with the county Environmental Health Department for disposal of certain waste items that can't be included in the weekly pickups. (October 20, 2002) Finger Lakes Times
Democrat & Chronicle: State seeks release of Diaz financial records (October 10, 2002) — ALBION — Attorneys from the state Attorney General’s Office argued in Orleans County Court on Monday for the release of a Holley chemical company’s financial records. The office is seeking records from Diaz Chemical Corp. because the company said in May that it could not pay living expenses for families displaced by a January chemical spill, said Marc Violette, a spokesman for the attorney general. Democrat and Chronicle
WXXI: Pataki Announces Brownfield Grants (2002-10-04) ROCHESTER, NEW YORK (2002-10-04) Governor George Pataki announced that five area companies will split over one million dollars to revitalize local brownfield sites. --(October 4, 2002) Public NewsRoom
Holley Residents File Lawsuits Holley, NY - Two lawsuits have been filed by Holley residents in the wake of the Diaz chemical spill earlier this year. (October 1, 2002) WOKR13.TV
Democrat & Chronicle: Brockport soil cleanup begins (September 25, 2002) — BROCKPORT — Just before noon Tuesday, contractors in a Lyman Street back yard began digging up contaminated soil, removing three truckloads in the first three hours. The work was the start of a hazardous waste excavation that will dig up or flush out about a mile of creek and connected storm sewer through or under a half-dozen residential streets to East Avenue. (September 25, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: CSX cleanup nearly finished 19,000 tons of contaminated soil removed from spill site (September 10, 2002) — After five months of excavation work, the cleanup of a chemical train derailment site in Charlotte is close to completion. Democrat and Chronicle
Democrat & Chronicle: Cleanup of Brockport creek begins BROCKPORT — Contractors this week are taking the first big step in cleaning up an exposed creek bed -- contaminated for decades with industrial chemicals -- that runs through a village neighborhood. Last week, crews built a temporary access road next to 56 Lyman St. It required 300 tons of gravel and stretches about 150 yards from the street to the canal. (September 6, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle
WXXI: Brockport Contamination Lawsuit Continues (2002-09-02) A Judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Brockport family against Black and Decker and General Electric. (September 3, 2002) Public NewsRoom
STUDY FINDS WIDESPREAD PESTICIDE USE IN THE HOMES, SCHOOLS AND PARKS OF LOW-INCOME URBAN CHILDREN Spitzer Announces Agreements with Retailers to Remove Illegal Pesticides from Shelves Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today released a first of its kind report that reveals widespread use of pesticides in public housing developments, schools and parks, despite the availability of less toxic methods of effective pest control. Unlike other studies, the report examines the cumulative impacts of pesticides on urban children. The report identifies a clear need for improved pest management practices that do not heavily rely on using toxic pesticides. (August 20, 2002) Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
Democrat & Chronicle: Spitzer: Unneeded use of toxins threaten city kids — ALBANY — City children are unnecessarily being exposed to widespread and hazardous pesticides at public housing, schools and parks, according to a report from state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer released Tuesday. As part of the study, Spitzer also settled cases against 12 of 73 stores surveyed where his investigators found unregistered pesticides being sold. (August 20, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle
CSX And City Have Different Views On Derailment Clean Up Rochester, NY - At a meeting in Charlotte on Monday night, a CSX spokesperson told the group that he's hopeful the clean-up work from December's train derailment will be done by the end of the year. (August 6, 2002) WOKR13.TV
Charlotte Residents Will Be Updated On Cleanup Efforts Rochester, NY - People who live in the Charlotte area of Rochester will be updated Monday on efforts to clean up December's train derailment which spilled chemicals into the soil and water. (August 5, 2002) WOKR13.TV
Democrat & Chronicle: Brockport cleanup plan gets green light — BROCKPORT — Corporate plans to clean up industrial contamination in a creek tributary are apparently acceptable to state environmental officials. "We're essentially satisfied with the plans," said Frank Ricotta, regional engineer in charge of cleanup operations for the state Department of Environmental Conservation. (August 4, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle:
Charlotte Businesses Languish While CSX Cleanup Continues Rochester, NY - The latest estimate from City of Rochester officials is that it might be next spring before last December's train derailment in Charlotte is cleaned up. (August 1, 2002) WOKR13.TV
Democrat & Chronicle: Brockport cleanup poised to start — BROCKPORT — Residents of this canalside village will get a final chance Thursday night to review cleanup plans for a creek contaminated decades ago by industries long gone. Beginning as early as Aug. 12, contractors hired by General Electric Co. and 3M Co. will begin scouring out about 3,000 feet of storm sewer. They'll also dig up linked portions of Brockport Tributary No. 3. (August 1, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle:
Democrat & Chronicle: Route 204 open Wednesday morning after chemical spill — Route 204 between Interstate 490 and Chili Avenue in Gates reopened overnight after officials cleared wreckage from an overturned tractor-trailer which spilled chemicals at the start of the Tuesday afternoon rush hour. (July 31, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle:
PCB Contamination Clean-up Begins In Brockport Brockport, NY - GE has begun cleanup on an old manufacturing site in Brockport where tests have shown PCB contamination. On the southern end of the old GE/Black and Decker property, earth one to three feet is being scraped and removed. The DEC calls the area a "hot spot"- -a place where the concentration of PCBs is high enough to be a potential health hazard. (July 20, 2002) WOKR13.TV
Democrat & Chronicle: Tainted dirt removal at Charlote will take longer — After 10 weeks of digging at a chemical spill site along River Street in Charlotte, contractors have moved more than 13 tons of soil. The largest part of the dig -- prompted by a Dec. 23 train derailment -- will take longer than expected. Some of the holes are twice as deep as originally planned, said John P. Casellini. (July 2, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: State formulates a plan for Chili dump cleanup — State investigators have determined how to clean up the abandoned Golden Road hazardous waste dump. They now want public input before finalizing plans. The state departments of Environmental Conservation and of Health will conduct a public information meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Pearce Memorial Church, 4322 Buffalo Road, North Chili. (06/18/02) DemocratandChronicle.com
Hazardous sites await funding The state Superfund ran out of money for environmental cleanup in March 2001. The former Macedon landfill and a former quarry and landfill in Victor are among the six sites in Ontario, Wayne and Yates counties that would be eligible for cleanup funds under a bill proposed by Gov. George Pataki. (06/18/02) Daily Messenger
Project to extend landfill life to 2027 Ontario County lawmakers approved last week measures that will extend the life of the landfill, where a gas-to-electricity plant is in the works. (June 6, 2002) Daily Messenger
Democrat & Chronicle: Residents displaced by Diaz chemical leak to have rent paid by EPA Agency will help move eight Holley families into apartments — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will pay for residents displaced by a January chemical spill to move into apartments while the agency determines whether it's safe for them to return to their Holley homes. (June 6, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
911 Tapes May Prove Diaz Incident Was Explosive Brockport, NY - Residents of Holley affected by the Diaz Chemical plant leak are hoping 911 tapes will be the proof they need to receive extra financial support. The Environmental Protection Agency is currently conducting tests on soil and at homes and schools in Holley for traces of a rare chemical that escaped from the plant in January. (June 5, 2002) WOKR13.TV
Diaz Chemical & the 911 Tapes Five months after the Diaz plant leaked a substance into nearby neighborhoods, we get a better understanding of how those closest to the Diaz incident responded. R News obtained copies of the Orleans County 911 transcript from January 5, and the 911 tapes from plaintiff's attorney Linda Shaw. (June 5, 2002) RNews: News Front - Rochester, NY's Only 24 Hour News
N.Y. sharing space with toxic waste - Local/Regional - theithacajournal.com - The Ithaca Journal Tompkins County contains six state Superfund toxic waste sites, and 27.7 percent of the county's 96,501 residents live within a mile of one of them, according to data released on Tuesday by the New York Public Interest Research Group. State Department of Environmental Conservation data compiled by the group on its Web site include two sites in the City of Ithaca, three in the Town of Lansing and one in the Village of Groton. The contamination at the sites -- at varying stages of cleanup --ranges from coal-tar and low-level radioactive waste to a dry-cleaning solvent. (June 5, 2002) theithacajournal.com - News and Information from Ithaca and Tompkins County, New York - The Ithaca Journal
Democrat & Chronicle: Group: 4.4 million NYers live near toxic sites — ALBANY -- More than 4.4 million New Yorkers live within one mile of one or more Superfund toxic waste sites, a group's analysis released Tuesday shows. The New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) said Nassau County (619,817), Queens (471,408), Brooklyn (471,408), Erie County (324,905) and Suffolk County (286,866) had the largest numbers of people living near chemical waste sites while Schenectady County near Albany had the largest percentage of its residents, 50.8 percent, within a mile of waste sites. (June 5, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Hazardous spill restricts Thruway — The Pembroke exit of the state Thruway was closed for about six hours Monday after a truck overturned and spilled hazardous materials. (June 4, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Derailment Cleanup On Track? Rochester, NY - A meeting was held Monday night to discuss the cleanup progress at the site of a train derailment in Charlotte more than five months ago. Some city leaders have concerns over what they feel is an unrealistic view of CSX of problems at the spill site. One neighbor said she is pleased with the progress, however (June 4, 2002) WOKR13.TV
One Fourth of New Yorkers Live Near a Toxic Site ALBANY, NY (2002-06-04) A report from the New York Public Interest Research Group says just over in three Monroe County residents lives within a mile of a Superfund toxic waste site. That's worse than the statewide average, which NYPIRG says is nearly one out of four New Yorkers. (June 4, 2002) Public NewsRoom
Democrat & Chronicle: Diaz spill sampling completed HOLLEY -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has completed air testing in and around homes near a chemical spill, but it will be at least a month before the neighborhood can be declared safe or not, federal officials said Tuesday. The EPA last week conducted three days of tests at 22 homes and a day-care facility in this Orleans County village. Air samples will be analyzed to determine whether additional testing or cleanup is needed. (May 29, 220) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Agencies invite input on Brockport cleanup Public comment sought on off-site work at polluted ex-industrial sites — Brockport-area residents will have an opportunity Wednesday to comment on proposed off-site cleanup plans for contamination linked to two former industrial sites. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Seymour Public Library, 161 East Ave. (May 28, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
The EPA Comes To Holley Holley, NY - The Environmental Protection Agency arrived in Holley Tuesday morning to test and assess the conditions of several homes affected by the January's accidental chemical leak from the Diaz plant. (May 22, 2002) WOKR13.TV
Democrat & Chronicle: EPA starts tests of homes in Diaz spill today — The Environmental Protection Agency is to begin air-quality tests on homes near the Diaz Chemical plant Tuesday. EPA spokesman Rich Cahill said Monday that the tests would attempt to determine any lingering impact of a chemical release on homes surrounding the plant. (May 21, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
E.P.A. paying hotel bills The Environmental Protection Agency is now paying the hotel bills for people in Holley whose homes are not safe. Some Holley residents have been displaced since January after a chemical release at the Diaz Chemical plant. (May 18, 2002) MSNBC Local News
Democrat & Chronicle: Bromine leak sparks haz-mat alert at Kodak Park (May 9, 2002) — Emergency crews at Kodak Park responded to a leaking drum of bromine in a containment area of a building within the sprawling industrial campus Thursday morning. Bromine is highly toxic if inhaled, ingested or comes in contact with the skin. (May 9, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Families still wait for answers after Diaz chemical scare — HOLLEY -- Four months after a plant explosion sprayed a mysterious, foul-smelling chemical into the air, 19 village residents remain in a hotel, fearing that their houses and everything in them are permanently contaminated. (May 6, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Cleanup continues in Charlotte - Cleanup of the CSX train crash site in Charlotte has kicked into high gear. Large dump trucks are now taking the tainted dirt to the county landfill. (April 30, 2002) 10NBC / WHEC TV-10
State wants to spend millions to clean up chemical site in Brighton - The State of New York wants to spend more than $3 million dollars to clean up a Brighton chemical site. But there`s one problem: The state`s superfund program for cleaning up toxic waste sites is out of money. The contaminated area is the former Scobell Chemical Company in the old can of worms. The company operated there from the 1920`s until the mid 1980`s. (April 25, 2002) MSNBC Local News
More Holley residents test positive for chemical Months after a chemical spill in Holley, more residents test positive for the chemical in their system. (April 2, 2002) MSNBC Local News
Kodak Park Containment Meeting Held Rochester, NY - A public information meeting was held Thursday night to discuss how to clean up contamination around a portion of Kodak Park. The area, in the northeastern section of Kodak Park by Lake Avenue and the Genesee Gorge, was contaminated years ago from old operations and spills. (April 19, 2002) iKnowRochester.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Brockport cleanup about ready to roll — The state Department of Environmental Conservation this week received a final cleanup plan from General Electric Co. for a contaminated creek and storm sewer that winds through a village neighborhood. Last month, the company -- along with Black & Decker -- turned in a cleanup plan for a related site at 200 State St. "This is close to the last step," said Frank Ricotta, the DEC's regional engineer in charge of cleanup actions. (April 19, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: 2,000 cubic yards of soil dug up from Charlotte spill site — By Monday, the first contaminated soil from a train derailment site on River Street will be trucked to landfills outside Rochester. An estimated 2,000 cubic yards of soil has already been dug up from the spill area, after only five days of digging, CSX Transportation spokesman Bob Sullivan said Friday. The soil ready to be trucked off-site represents about 20 percent of the 15,000 tons workers will excavate to finish the job, he said. (April 19, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Kodak cleanup focus of session tonight — The state Department of Environmental Conservation will hold a ``public availability session'' Thursday night, outlining a final plan to clean up or contain contaminated ground water near Kodak Park. The session, required by law, is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Kate Gleason Auditorium at the Rochester Public Library, 115 South Ave. (April 18, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Firefighters union writes up CSX crash complaints The Rochester firefighters union has prepared a multipage report outlining its criticism of the chief's handling of a train derailment in Charlotte. Union President Joe Montesano said the report, which exceeds 80 pages, has been mailed to each of the City Council members, Chief Floyd Madison, city administrators, Mayor William A. Johnson Jr. and area media. Montesano said the report -- which reiterates in detail many of the claims the union has made in recent months -- is intended to dispute Madison's version of how the Dec. 23 train derailment was handled. (April 17, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Fuel leaks into Conesus Lake — LIVONIA -- Diesel fuel leaked into Conesus Lake on Sunday night after a spill from a tractor trailer, the Livingston County Sheriff's Department said. About 30 gallons of fuel spilled on Camp Run Drive at about 8:45 p.m. from a parked truck's gas tank, police said. Lakeville Fire Department and the Livingston County Haz-Mat Response Unit responded to the spill. (April 15, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: CSX cleanup in Charlotte begins — CSX Transportation Monday began the cleanup of soil contaminated by a Dec. 23 train derailment on River Street in Charlotte. The accident toppled 27 rail cars and led to a raging chemical fire and spillage of thousands of gallons of acetone and methylene chloride. (April 15, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
G.E. Offers an Active Role in the Hudson PCB Cleanup The General Electric Company, which spent millions of dollars arguing that dredging the Hudson River to remove its industrial pollution would be environmentally disastrous, has quietly signaled that it may now be ready to participate in the cleanup — and in fact may take on much of the work itself. (April 10, 2002) The New York Times on the Web
EPA CHOOSES FORT EDWARD AS HOME FOR NEW HUDSON RIVER FIELD OFFICE Office Will Serve as Base For Upper Hudson Community Involvement Activities (#02021) New York, New York Reinforcing its commitment to local public involvement, EPA today announced that it will be locating its Hudson River PCBs site field office in the Village of Hudson Falls, Town of Fort Edward, New York. "The placement of our field office in an upriver community demonstrates EPA's commitment to a rigorous and meaningful community involvement program for the Hudson River cleanup," said EPA Regional Administrator Jane M. Kenny. "Our door will be open to the residents of the upper Hudson who are most affected by EPA's cleanup plans and to everyone with interest in this historic cleanup." Additional field office contact information will be announced as soon as it is available. It will be available on EPA's Web site at www.epa.gov/hudson and to Internet users of EPA's Hudson River Listserver an electronic news service established to provide interested parties with important information on the Hudson River cleanup. People who are interested in subscribing to this free service can sign up by going to the Hudson River Web site and clicking on Listserver. www.epa.gov/hudson
Diaz Gets Mixed Messages Holley, NY - Diaz Chemical Corporation got some good news and some not-as-good news on Friday regarding January's chemical leak in Holley. (April 7, 2002) iKnowRochester.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Firm to oversee CSX cleanup — The city of Rochester has hired an outside firm to oversee cleanup of the area in Charlotte that was contaminated after a December train derailment and chemical spill. LaBella Associates, a Rochester engineering group, will work alongside CSX Transportation. Twenty-seven CSX cars derailed Dec. 23, spilling about 14,100 gallons of acetone and 16,000 gallons of methylene chloride. (April 7, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Brockport hears plans for cleanup About 50 Brockport residents on Thursday night learned the latest plans to eliminate pollutants that since 1999 have prompted four lawsuits. But technical details were often drowned out by sharply worded concerns over health risks and long-term monitoring. At the Seymour Library, state environmental regulators and industry experts presented cleanup plans for two contaminated former industrial sites on State Street. (April 5, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: DEC presents cleanup plans for pollution in Brockport — BROCKPORT -- The public will get a glimpse tonight of long-awaited cleanup plans for two contaminated industrial sites south of the Erie Canal. By the end of this year, General Electric Co. and Black & Decker will remove soil and storm sewer sediments contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, at 200 State St., now the JMT Properties Inc. facility. (April 4, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Village cleanup plans go to state — State regulators this week received cleanup plans for one-time industrial sites on State Street in Brockport. The former General Electric/Black & Decker site, at 200 State St., is contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls. The former 3M/Dynacolor site, part of it at 180 State St., is contaminated with cyanide compounds. (March 29, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Fire chief faults report on CSX crash and spill — Rochester Fire Chief Floyd Madison questioned some parts of a state report that criticized his department's handling of a train derailment, but he said Thursday that some aspects of the response were not handled well. (March 29, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Buffalo News - Praxair cleanup raises specter of deadly toxins The remnants of a secret government project were still visible at the Linde Air Plant in the Town of Tonawanda when Tony Cioppi and John Lauer worked at the facility in the 1950s. (March 22, 2002) The Buffalo News
Democrat & Chronicle: Holley residents lash at Diaz — Village of Holley residents blasted Diaz Chemical Corp. at a public meeting Wednesday night, warning that the company cannot be trusted to clean ground water contamination at its plant. (March 21, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Activists Want Answers Environmental activists across New York...including here in Rochester....are demanding more answers from state and federal health agencies when it comes to explaining cancer linked to industry. (March 20, 2002) RNews: News Front - Rochester, NY's Only 24 Hour News
Democrat & Chronicle: Greece shipbuilding site contaminated, says DEC — From 1941 to 1945, a complex of seven buildings near Round Pond in Greece helped win World War II. Workers at the site churned out 60-ton floating cranes, landing barges and -- once every 12 days -- an ocean-going oil tanker. Air Force Plant 51, known during the war as the Odenbach shipbuilding plant, employed 1,500 workers. Today, state investigators would love to talk to a few. The 33-acre site on Dewey Avenue is contaminated with chemicals in amounts that are potentially very large, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. (March 19, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Judge orders new Diaz tests An Orleans County judge on Friday ordered Diaz Chemical Corp. to conduct new tests to determine whether it is safe for residents to return home after a January chemical spill. Judge James Punch also upheld an order, filed last week by the state Attorney General's Office, requiring Diaz to continue to pay for hotel rooms and expenses for about a dozen families that left after the Jan. 5 spill. (March 16, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Kodak to present final cleanup plan — Eastman Kodak Co.'s proposed final cleanup plan for the area around its controversial hazardous waste incinerator will be aired tonight. Building 218, one of the few chemical waste incinerators in the state and the target of much activist concern, is located in the northeastern section of Kodak Park, about 100 yards from Lancaster Street in Rochester. (March 14, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: CSX to work on spill site — The city signed an access agreement late Monday that allows CSX Transportation to begin cleaning up a chemical spill in Charlotte. (March 12, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: GE sets goal for Brockport cleanup — Residents living near a contaminated stream in Brockport got a ray of hope in the mail this weekend: a letter from General Electric Corp. that says a cleanup this year is the company's goal. (March 12, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Cleanup project on schedule — By the end of this summer, a former contractor's site in eastern Rochester -- an eyesore since the 1950s -- will be scraped clean of contaminated soil, construction debris, leaking tanks and rickety sheds. (March 12, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Attorney General's Office Orders Diaz To Pay For Hotel Rooms Rochester, NY - The Attorney General's office has ordered Diaz chemical to continue to pay for hotel rooms for five Holley families who left their homes in January to avoid the smell from a chemical leak. (March 10, 2002) iKnowRochester.com
Democrat & Chronicle: APCO cleanup to be discussed A neighborhood group and the city of Rochester will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Winton Road Branch Library, 611 N. Winton Road, to air questions and concerns about cleaning up the former APCO General Contractor site in northeast Rochester. The project manager for the city, Mark Gregor, can be reached at (585) 428-5978 or by e-mail at mgregor@ci.rochester.lib.ny.us. (March 10, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Monroe to update data on Brockport pollution — The Monroe County Health Department plans to issue a newsletter this month with updated information on two inactive hazardous waste sites linked to pollution in the village. It is scheduled to be mailed the week of Monday, March 18, to about 800 people, most of them current and former village residents as well as government officials and other interested parties, said Karen Paris Tuori, a Health Department planner. (March 10, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: 5 Holley families lose aid; Diaz declares homes safe After tonight, five families who fled Holley, Orleans County, because of a Jan. 5 chemical spill will stop getting free room and board at area motels. Diaz Chemical Corp., a presence on Jackson Street in Holley since 1975, hand-delivered letters Saturday giving the families two days' notice. (Sunday, March 3, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Mayor slams CSX's handling of wreck cleanup — Mayor William Johnson Jr. on Friday sharply criticized the cleanup efforts of CSX Corp. at the site of a December train derailment in Charlotte. "We are not going to take it anymore," Johnson said at a news conference in Rochester. "They have to get on with the cleanup and do it now." (March 1, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Democrat & Chronicle: Cleanup of Brockport site nears — The cleanup of a long-polluted creek, which meanders through a Brockport neighborhood, may finally happen this year, state regulators say. (February 24, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
PoughkeepsieJournal.com - Bush wants GE lawsuit tossed Toxic waste cleanup law challenged WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration asked a federal judge Tuesday to dismiss a lawsuit by General Electric Co. and uphold the Superfund toxic waste cleanup law. The case is being watched closely in the Hudson Valley, where the Environmental Protection Agency recently signed a plan to remove 150,000 pounds of PCBs from the Hudson River. GE is responsible for the cost of the cleanup(February 20, 2002) Poughkeepsie Journal Home Page
Democrat & Chronicle: Diaz asks to test houses after spill— Diaz Chemical Corp. is asking some residents displaced by a chemical spill last month to allow inspectors to test their homes this week to help ensure that it's safe for them to return (Tuesday, February 19, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Damage to river wildlife from PCBs under study General Electric faces a wildlife damages claim for alleged harm by toxic PCBs to Hudson River wildlife that could cost millions on top of the $460 million cleanup just made final last week by government officials.
"This is very, very important because the cleanup decision doesn't address the effects the PCBs have had on the ecology of the river. It just says there are PCBs in the river and GE has to take them out," said Manna Jo Greene, environmental director of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. "The damages claim could cost more than the cleanup, maybe one or two billion." (February 6, 2002) Welcome to Record Online
Diaz chemical spill causes weeks of stress in Holley A month after a spill at the Diaz Chemical Corp. plant spewed chemicals onto homes and cars, Dann and about 15 neighbors in the Jackson Street area of the village of Holley are still living in hotels and waiting for answers on whether it's safe to return home. (February 6, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Tests find traces of chemicals in Holley Whether to return home left to displaced residents to decide HOLLEY -- Small amounts of chemicals were found at houses near a spill at a pharmaceutical plant last month, but it's up to residents to decide whether it's safe to return, according to test results released Thursday by the state Department of Health. (Friday, February 1, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Concerns about Ontario landfill aired SENECA - Although an informational meeting last night focused on the future of Ontario County's landfill, many residents expressed current concerns over the facility. About 50 people filled the town hall for the two-hour plus meeting to review a draft master plan of the facility. The landfill currently encompasses about 380 acres and the county is in negotiations to purchase an additional eight acres at the south end of the site. (Wednesday, January 23, 2002) Finger Lakes Times
Victims of leak gird for battle Holley residents organize, prepare lawsuit against Diaz Chemical Corp.-- Holley residents affected by a Jan. 5 chemical leak shared stories of frustration Tuesday night and encouraged each other to hang tough in their new legal battle against Diaz Chemical Corp. (Wednesday, January 23, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
Group hires lawyer after chemical leak HOLLEY - About 20 Holley families who were displaced from their homes by a chemical leak at Diaz Chemical Corp. on Jan. 6 have now hired the law firm that represented residents of the infamous Love Canal. (Tuesday, January 22, 2002) -DemocratandChronicle.com
Public input sought about landfill future Town residents and the public have been invited to offer their ideas for the future of the Ontario County landfill. SENECA - At a 5:30 p.m. meeting Monday at town hall, a 15- to 20-year master plan for the facility will be reviewed.
"This is an opportunity for residents to define what the county and town will do with the landfill," said Kevin Spillane, director of the county's Recycling and Landfill Management facility on Routes 5&20. He added that this is the first long-term view of the facility, which opened in the mid-1970s (Friday, January 18, 2002) Finger Lakes Times
DEC Investigates Holley Chemical Leak Holley, NY - The Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating whether proper procedures were followed after approximately 75 gallons of a chemical used in the production of pharmaceuticals leaked from the Diaz chemical plant in Holley on Saturday night. (Thursday, January 17, 2002) iKnowRochester.com
After Meeting With Diaz, Holley Residents Still Not Satisfied Holley, NY - Hundreds of Holley residents met with officials from Diaz Chemical Wednesday night to have their questions answered about the chemical spill that occurred in the town nearly two weeks ago. However, those who attended the meeting say they didn't have their main questions answered yet: What exactly is the chemical that was released, and is it harmful? (Thursday, January 17, 2002) iKnowRochester.com
Holley Cleanup Revives Chemical Smell Holley, NY - Over the weekend, residents of Holley complained of a strong chemical odor similar to that of last week's chemical leak. The company said it wasn't a new leak, but a side effect of cleanup efforts as crews powerwashed residue off four houses. (Tuesday, January 15, 2002) iKnowRochester.com

2001

EPA to give more access Criticized from all sides, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will change the way it communicates with the public before it makes any more decisions about dredging PCBs from the Hudson River. (Thursday, December 6, 2001) Poughkeepsie Journal.com
Two playgrounds condemned - Fearing harm to children, the Pittsford Central School District will soon tear down arsenic-treated playground equipment at two elementary schools. (Wednesday, November 28, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Gas leak causes unexpected spending Village officials expect to pay $100,000 to remove contaminated soil under the public works garage. The soil under the East Rochester public works garage has possibly been contaminated for at least 15 years, and the village is being forced to spend $100,000 to clean up the area. Tuesday, November 27, 2001) East Rochester Post
Contamination Concerns Near Old Air Force Manufacturing Base Rochester, NY - During World War II the town of Greece played an important part. It was home to an air force manufacturing base. It is a warehouse now, but at the time ships, B-52 bulkheads and surface to air missile-handling equipment was built there. (Saturday, November 3, 2001) iKnowRochester.com
Final razing set in Brockport BROCKPORT-- The former home of Kathy and Michael Snyder and their two children is scheduled to be demolished today. (Wednesday, October 31, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
3M Begins Razing Contaminated Neighborhood Rochester, NY - Demolition began Monday on five homes in a Brockport neighborhood believed to be contaminated with toxic waste. By Monday night, two vacant homes have been torn down. The homes were sold to the 3M company as part of a legal settlement earlier in the year. (Tuesday, October 30, 2001) iKnowRochester.com
5 Brockport homes to be razed 3M will tear down contaminated houses as part of village settlement BROCKPORT -- Five Oxford Street houses will be demolished this week because of industrial contamination in the village. (Sunday, October 28, 2001) - -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
D-E-C Back In Brockport Rochester, NY - The Department Of Environmental Conservation is taking a closer look at suspected chemical contamination in Brockport. Samples of the ground four feet down are being collected along tributary three of Brockport Creek. The creek has shown traces of PCB contamination relating to an old chemical plant run my 3M. (Tuesday, October 23, 2001) iKnowRochester.com
Village of Brockport, 3M reach agreement to tear down five homes The Village of Brockport has reached a formal agreement with 3M to tear down five contaminated homes near the company's former plant. (Wednesday, October 16, 2001) WHEC
Village to crack down on illegal trash dumping Officials say the problem is significantly increasing trash pickup and disposal costs. Village officials say that non-residents who dump their trash in village bins, dumpsters, and curbside receptacles are costing taxpayers thousands of dollars, and vow to crack down on the problem. (Tuesday, September 25, 2001) Perinton/Fairport Post
Blood tests offered in Brockport Families adjacent to polluted creeks can be screened for PCBs - In an unusual step, state health officials are offering free blood tests to Brockport residents who live along a creek contaminated by polychlorinated bi-phenyls, or PCBs, a toxic family of now-banned chlorinated compounds. -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
EPA Backs Brownfield Pilot Projects With $2 Million WASHINGTON, August 27, 2001 - Funding for up to 10 pilot projects aims to not only clean up and redevelop brownfield sites but train residents in those communities at the same time, preparing them for future employment in the environmental field. Each selected pilot will receive up to $200,000 over two years. The deadline for submitting proposals for the pilots is October 19. For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields -- (Monday, August 28, 2001) Yahoo News
Groups urge EPA to study PCB-burning project Contaminated sediment in Wisconsin was burned, turned into a potentially reusable substance FORT EDWARD -- A ceramic-lined furnace in Wisconsin could hold the solution to a troublesome aspect of the federal government's proposal to dredge PCB-tainted sediments from the Hudson River: what to do with the contaminated silt. (Wednesday, August 15, 2001) Times Union
Brockport Homes In privately held meetings today, officials from 3M, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the village discussed whether to demolish five homes on Oxford Street. (Friday, August 3, 2001) (WROC)
Whitman to Issue Order to Dredge Hudson for PCB's The E.P.A. administrator, Christie Whitman, has agreed to a plan requiring G.E. to spend more than $500 million to clean up the river's bottom. (Wednesday, August 1, 2001) The New York Times
Brockport cleanup to begin soon After a two-month delay, the General Electric Co. will go on line soon with its Lyman Street air stripper in Brockport. The machine will pump up contaminated ground water fanning southward from an industrial site at 200 State St., treat it and pump it back into the Brockport sewer system. (Wednesday, August 1, 2001) - -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Xerox Settles with EPA on Charges it Failed to Monitor Equipment for Air Emissions Will Pay $74,000 and Certify it is Now in Compliance (Monday, July 30, 2001) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency -- Region 2
RG&E reports emissions down at Russell Stations Although toxic chemical reduced at coal-burning plant, environmentalists seek more improvement. Rochester Gas and Electric Corp. said that last year's emission levels from their coal-burning power plant in Greece were down six percent from 1999. Greece Post
Concerns raised over local pesticide spraying The New York Power Authority wants permission to spray in Chili, Henrietta, Perinton, and Pittsford. The authority wants to spray weed killer in nine wetlands in Monroe County, so that their crews can have better access to power lines there. (Monday, July 30, 2001) WHEC
More testing underway in Brockport - 3M began running tests Monday on the west side of Oxford Street. The company is taking soil samples to test for chemical contamination (Monday, July 30, 2001) WHEC
Company accused of polluting Brockport neighborhood expanding testing area - For the first time 3M will begin running tests next week at homes on the west side of Oxford Street. The company already bought out five houses on the east side of the street. ( July 27, 2001) WHEC
Pataki pushes Hudson cleanup Last-minute call to EPA chief by governor comes amid talk of compromise plan for dredging PCBs from 6-mile stretch of river With a decision on dredging the Hudson River imminent and talk of a compromise plan, Gov. George E. Pataki for the first time contacted EPA Administrator Christie Whitman to push for a cleanup, officials said Wednesday. (Thursday, July 26, 2001) Times Union
Pataki lobbies EPA's chief Urges cleanup of PCBs in Hudson River ALBANY - Gov. George Pataki has personally urged EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman to approve a "comprehensive" cleanup of PCBs in the Hudson River, a spokesman said Wednesday. Whitman, who is nearing a final decision on the issue, is reportedly considering a greatly scaled-back version of the dredging plan recommended by the EPA staff in New York. (Thursday, July 26, 2001) Daily Gazette
Tanker Truck Spills Fuel Gates, NY - A tanker truck spilled 300 gallons of diesel fuel last night along route I-390, in the northbound lane near Lexington Avenue in Gates. (Tuesday, July 24, 2001) iKnowRochester.com
Whitman nears call on PCBs EPA chief says she wants to clean the Hudson and might back a compromise calling for limited removal of chemicals WASHINGTON -- Environmental Protection Agency chief Christie Whitman said Thursday she wants PCBs "cleaned up'' from the upper Hudson River and indicated she is willing to forge a compromise that could include a limited removal of the toxic chemicals from the riverbed. (Saturday, July 21, 2001) Times Union
Famed pollution fighter tours Brockport Erin Brockovich-Ellis, the Los Angeles-area legal investigator played by Julia Roberts in an award-winning movie, brought a touch of Hollywood to the quiet village of Brockport yesterday. (Friday, July 20, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Brockovich In Brockport Today Brockport, NY - Erin Brockovich, the paralegal who inspired a movie, will be in Brockport today, to take a first-hand look at some toxic waste sites. (Thursday, July 19, 2001) iKnowRochester.com
Brockovich will visit Brockport toxic sites tomorrow Brockport will meet Brockovich tomorrow as the legal investigator who inspired the film Erin Brockovich tours two controversial toxic waste sites. (Wednesday, July 18, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Fuel spill closes Thruway: The New York state Thruway was shut down near Syracuse Wednesday after a tractor-trailer carrying 10,000 gallons of highly flammable jet fuel overturned. (Wednesday, July 18, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Search for PCBs yields 3 new Superfund sites Albany -- DEC investigation finds these areas tainted by Hudson River sediments disposed of by state DOT A two-year search for PCBs in roads, picnic areas, diners and residences in the Upper Hudson River Valley has uncovered three additional state Superfund sites and more than a dozen areas where contamination levels warrant further research, according to two state reports released Wednesday. (July 12, 2001) Times Union
Crotty Testifies on Brownfields Before Congressional Committee Cites Success of State Program and Calls for Federal Liability Reforms New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today spoke at a hearing of the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, and called for passage of federal legislation to expand and improve efforts to clean up and redevelop brownfields.-- NYS DEC
Brownfield Debate Still Looms Bill on polluted sites leaves much unanswered, critics say Albany-After the Democrat-controlled state Assembly last week passed its plan to encourage the redevelopment of abandoned, polluted industrial properties known as brownfields, the bill's supporters hailed it as a major advance in the stalemated negotiations over one of the most important environmental issues facing New York. (Tuesday, July 3, 2001) Newsday.com
Brockport suit adds plaintiffs Contamination complaint against 3M, GE, Black & Decker totals 428 Erin Brockovich wants to visit Brockport contamination sites during a scheduled visit July 19. BROCKPORT -- More than 50 plaintiffs were added yesterday to a $500 million lawsuit against three companies over industrial contamination in the village. (Saturday, June 30, 2001) - DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Kodak, RG&E cut pollution Reductions in air, water, land emissions were 5-6% last year -- Two of Rochester's signature companies -- Eastman Kodak and Rochester Gas and Electric -- this week reported their pollution figures for the year 2000. (Friday, June 29, 2001) - DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Landfill cleanup decision available SENECA FALLS - The state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a finalized record of decision for the cleanup of contaminated bedrock aquifer at the Tantalo Landfill Site. (Tuesday, June 19, 2001) Finger Lakes Times
3M, GE asked for fast cleanup Maziarz unhappy with efforts in Brockport -- In a sharply worded letter to 3M Co. last week, a Rochester-area state senator asked the Minnesota company to speed cleanup of its contaminated former industrial site on Spring Street. (Saturday, June 16, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
EPA eyeing sites for PCB plants STILLWATER -- Elected officials from along the Hudson River fear the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will soon visit their communities looking for sites to process PCB-contaminated mud. The Saratogian June 12, 2001
Delays possible for site cleanups State Department of Environmental Conservation Project Manager Michael MacCabe pauses after taking some photographs in a former plating facility in Wappingers Falls. Cleanup of sites like this may be delayed by failure to pass a state budget. Gov. George Pataki's announcement Thursday that there may be no state budget irked environmentalists who say a failure to act would severely hinder efforts to clean up contaminated sites around the state. (Friday, June 1, 2001) Poughkeepsie Journal.
Dump site owner must clean up Company given 60 days to remove construction debris -- Rochester will give the owner of a dump site near High Falls 60 days to clear out tons of construction debris. (Thursday, May 10, 2001) --DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
4 WNY industries among top 10 state polluters Four of the top 10 industries that released the most toxic chemicals into the environment in the state in 1999 were in Western New York, according to an annual federal report ( April 14, 2001) Buffalo News.com
GE takes steps toward cleaning Brockport water - One of two companies blamed by the DEC for dumping toxic chemicals in Brockport is now installing a water treatment facility. GE took a step on Tuesday towards cleaning up what it left behind. WHEC
Installation of pump in Brockport set to start - A big truck will rumble down Lyman Street today and deliver on a promise. At 98 Lyman, where once stood a house and a barn, the truck will hoist into place a 12-by-24-foot precast concrete building. It will enclose equipment to pump and treat tainted groundwater underlying the village street. (April 10, 2001) --DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Health fears simmer There is no official list of illnesses in polluted area, but surveys hint at problem (April 9, 2001) --DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Pollution can also hit house values (April 9, 2001) --DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Monoco Oil pleads guilty April 6 - An oil company in Pittsford is taking some responsibility for environmental damage. Monoco oil pleaded guilty on Friday to a felony charge of endangering public safety. (Friday, April 6, 2001) 10NBC/WHEC TV-10
DEC: Mammals, Soil Near Hudson River Have Elevated PCB Levels Preliminary Findings Indicate River PCBs May Be Affecting Wildlife. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today announced that findings from preliminary studies of the Upper Hudson River Valley show elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in flood plain soils and mammals that live near the river. -- Department of Environmental Conservation
500M suit is filed in Brockport Law firms in California and Rochester joined yesterday to file a $500 million lawsuit against three prominent U.S. corporations accused of polluting Brockport for decades. ( March 31, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
RETAILERS ASKED TO REMOVE PESTICIDE FROM SHELVES Attorneys General Say "Why Wait" to Halt Sales of Toxic Product A coalition of state Attorneys General today called on major national retailers to immediately pull the highly toxic and widely-used pesticide Diazinon from their shelves, rather than slowly phasing out the product as called for by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. (Friday, March 30, 2001) Office of the NYS Attorney General.
Brockport lawsuit seeks $500 million Update: Law firms in California and Rochester teamed up Friday to file a $500 million lawsuit against three industries accused of polluting a Brockport village for decades. (Friday, March 30, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
3M Releases Report On Brockport Contamination Brockport, NY - 3M released a report on Tuesday related to possible ground and water contamination in Brockport. 3M is accused of causing the contamination from its former Dynacolor plant. (Wednesday, March 28, 2001) IKnowRochester.com
Cyanide risk in Brockport called low-- Residents of Oxford Street in Brockport, who sold their homes this month to Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., face more risk from cyanide in fruit juice and lima beans than from cyanide found in backyard soils, according to a report released this week. (Wednesday, March 28, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
More reports being released concerning Brockport contamination Officials from 3M will release their latest findings concerning the toxic dumping troubles in Brockport. (Tuesday, March 27, 2001) WHEC
Village cleanup plan emerges The work in Brockport could begin as early as this summer By May 4 or earlier, General Electric Co. and Black & Decker will turn over to state authorities two plans for cleaning up Brockport storm sewers and a creek contaminated with decades' worth of industrial chemicals. ( March 23, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
3M speaks out about contaminated Brockport site March 21 - Representatives from 3M were in town Wednesday speaking out while residents continue to mount their legal battle. Residents in the area are very concerned about contaminants found in some yards and a creek. The state DEC blames two companies for the contamination, 3M and General Electric. (March 22, 2001) WHEC
3M Response In fact, company leaders say the former 3M/DynaColor plant never even used or produced PCB’s. The company also says cyanide found in soil is reported below a level for health risks.(March 22, 2001) (WROC)
3M To Buy Brockport Homes There are reports some Brockport families have agreed to sell their homes located near a former 3M plant to the company. (March 12, 2001) FOXRochester.
'Erin Brockovich' firm to file suit in Brockport case -- The California law firm made famous by the film Erin Brockovich announced yesterday that it will file an environmental lawsuit on behalf of more than 100 families in Brockport. (Thursday, March 8, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
'Erin Brockovich' Firm To File Suit For Brockport Residents State Finds Contaminants In Brockport 'Brockovich' Lawyer To Investigate Possible Brockport Pollution Brockport, NY - The California law firm made famous in the movie 'Erin Brockovich' plans to file an environmental lawsuit on behalf of more than 100 families in Brockport. (Thursday, March 8, 2001) RochesterToday News
Contaminated This round of tests extended to the north side of the Erie Canal...and showed what residents say they've known along...that their soil and water is contaminated. Neighbors say they're tired of the testing and want the clean up to begin. (March 7th) (WROC)
State Finds Contaminants In Brockport The state DEC found high levels of PCBs in this Brockport creek. Brockport, NY - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has released the results of soil and sediment testing at the former 3M plant in Brockport. There is evidence of contamination, but more study will be done. (March 7th) RochesterToday News
Suit over asphalt plant settled (March 6, 2001) -- The owners of a defunct Pittsford asphalt plant will pay $305,000 in fines and penalties, clean an on-site oil spill and establish a $20,000 scholarship honoring a local activist under the terms of a settlement reached last week with the state Attorney General's Office. (March 6, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
ASPHALT PLANT SETTLEMENT CALLED MODEL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN-UP
Monroe County Firm to Pay Fines, Fund Improvements and Scholarship Program Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Gavin J. Donohue today announced that they have reached a settlement with an asphalt plant identified as the source of acute air pollution in the Monroe County community of Pittsford. (March 6, 2001) Office of the NYS Attorney General.
Brockport family sues GE, others (Friday, March 2, 2001) -- A Brockport man is suing General Electric Co. and some other companies in federal court, claiming that his property was damaged by industrial pollution. (March 2,2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Brockport Pollution Testing Environmental concerns in Brockport have prompted more testing. Companies that once had factories there are working with the Department of Environmental Conservation to find the source of pollution in the area's groundwater and streams. (February 26, 2001) RNews.com
DEC to clean up Trimmer Road Landfill An old landfill is a potential threat to the groundwater in northwest Monroe County. Citizens of the town of Parma pressed elected officials to take care of the problem. Now, the Department of Environmental Conservation will do something about it. (February 26, 2001) 10NBC/WHEC TV-10
Plans Underway To Clean Up Parma Landfill Rochester, NY - Twenty-seven years after the closing of the Trimmer Road Landfill in Parma, there is a plan to clean it up. The State DEC held a meeting last night to discuss the plan. It includes topping the site with soil, planting trees around the site and watching to see if the remedy is working. After a year of study, the state found that the landfill does not pose a threat to people nearby, but should be cleaned up. (February 26, 2001) RochesterToday News
Pollutants plague DPW garage The village and the state DEC will clean up petroleum contaminants.
The village and the state Department of Environmental Conservation are working to clean up petroleum pollutants in the ground near the Department of Public Works garage. (February 22, 2001) East Rochester Post.
New vehicle specializes in cleaning spills -- Suppose there's a serious hazardous spill involving a tanker-truck in Monroe County. HazMat 8 -- the county's new hazardous materials response vehicle -- can begin sizing up the dangers before even arriving on the accident scene. (February 22, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
Brockovich' lawyer considers Brockport case Investigators will be doing some testing in potentially contaminated areas over the next few weeks. (February 20, 2001) Brockport Post
Brockport contamination site getting more attention A contamination problem in Brockport is getting even more attention. Congressman John LaFalce is planning to meet with residents in the affected area on Thursday. Last week we learned the powerhouse legal team of Ed Masry and Erin Brockovich are looking into the case. (February 14, 2001) 10NBC/WHEC TV-10
Brockovich Lawyer To Investigate Possible Brockport Pollution Brockport, NY - Ed Masry, the lawyer depicted in the movie Erin Brockovich, was in Brockport Saturday. He is investigating possible soil and water contamination from the former 3M Dynacolor plant in the 1960s and 1970s.
DEC probe continues A former Manchester gas station may be the site of contamination. (January 2, 2001) Daily Messenger
Survey Results On Waste Sites in Brockport Mailed To Residents PDF Link: Brockport Waste Study.pdf -- News Releases from Jack Doyle, Monroe County Executive.

2000

Former hazardous site declared safe The state will remove the former Sigismondi landfill from its list of hazardous waste sites. The state Department of Environmental Conservation has completed its investigation of a Linden Avenue hazardous waste site, concluding the site no longer poses a health risk. During a public information meeting Tuesday, DEC officials said they will remove the former Sigismondi landfill site at 870-882 Linden Ave. from the agency's list of Class 2 inactive hazardous waste disposal sites. The property is located in Pittsford. (December 22, 2000) East Rochester Post.
State orders more testing at contaminated site Additional tests are needed at the former GE/Black & Decker site before cleanup begins. State tests show that contamination at two former industrial sites in Brockport is more severe and more widespread than state officials had anticipated. (December 20, 2000) Brockport Post.
Brownfields: Broome's catch-22 Cleanup costs chase developers to greener pastures Imagine 100 acres of crumbling asphalt, vacant factories and ground tinged with chemicals. If you live in Broome County, it's a wasteland in your hometown, and nobody can seem to do much about it. (December 17, 2000) Press& Sun Bulletin.
Superfund cleanups' shortfalls highlighted SCHENECTADY - About 20 local environmentalists gathered at a contaminated neighborhood property to bring attention to impending shortfalls in a state program aimed at cleaning up toxic landfills and waste sites. (December 10, 2000) DailyGazette.com
State's own cleanup record poor Report finds serious violations rising in agencies' own back yards ALBANY, N.Y. (December 10, 2000) -- State agencies have failed to correct many of their own serious environmental problems, including raw sewage being discharged at a Livingston County prison, according to a new Department of Environmental Conservation report. (December 10, 2000) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
More Contaminants Found More concerns for residents living along the contaminated Brockport Creek. New tests show the problem is greater than first thought. (December 5, 2000) RNews.
Environmentalists protest Superfund expiration Albany-- Groups say lack of extension jeopardizes sites slated for cleanup (November 28, 2000) Times Union. Here's a quote from the article: "The expiration of New York's Superfund is the most critical issue facing the Legislature, state environmental officials said Monday."
Cleanup progressing at warehouse -- State contractors finished another phase of cleanup work last week at a contaminated vacant warehouse in southeast Rochester. (November 18, 2000) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
RG&E plans cleanup of contaminated site A tar-like substance was found at the site last spring.
Rochester Gas and Electric Corp. is currently making preparations to cleanup a tar-like substance found on property the company owns at the corner of Erie and Perry streets in Brockport. (November 8, 2000) Brockport Post.
Brockport Clean Up Workers returned to the site of a former plant to remove toxic soil from three sites. Neighbors say the company has dumped cyanide in the ground for decades. But they’re not satisfied with clean up efforts. Neighbors say 3M will leave much of the mess behind. (November 2, 2000) (WROC)
Empty factories loom over Lyell Ave.. In July, the Legal Department obtained a court order to gain entry to the privately owned buildings for the purpose of conducting an environmental investigation. That preliminary investigation -- just completed -- revealed that all five parcels have asbestos and there may be petroleum in the groundwater. About 10 to 20 drums of hazardous waste were also found. (October 30, 2000) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
3M to cleanup contaminated soil next week A 75 feet by 100 feet patch of blue soil will be removed from the former 3M/Dynacolor site. A small piece of one of Brockport's hazardous waste sites is slated to be cleaned up (October 21, 2000) RochesterToday
Concerns Over Tainted Creek Residents living near the contaminated Brockport Creek got their first public chance to speak out about their concerns. (September 28, 2000) RNews.com
Owners of a 129-acre parcel say contaminants have seeped from the landfill to their property. MACEDON - The Town Board has hired the law firm of Boylan, Brown, Code, Vigdor and Wilson to defend Macedon in a $6.5 million suit filed by Macedon Land Development Corp. (September 20, 2000) Canandaigua.com
Creek Concerns Continue Concerns over the contaminated Brockport Creek could soon be addressed. For the first time, health and environmental officials are planning to meet with the public. (September 18, 2000) RNews.
State threatens Pittsford plant Monoco allegedly balks at cleanup; might face $5.2 million in penalties PITTSFORD -- -- The state Attorney General's Office is again zeroing in on the closed Monoco Oil plant -- this time demanding that owners clean up a March 1999 oil spill and pay $5.2 million in penalties. (September 14, 2000) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
State AG targets Monoco again Monoco Oil in Pittsford is again being targeted by the state Attorney General's Office -- this time for failing to clean up its site after the company shut down in March. ( September 13, 2000) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
STATE SEEKS CLEANUP AT MONROE COUNTY ASPHALT PLANT $5.2 Million in Civil Penalties Sought Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner John Cahill today announced they are seeking a court order compelling the owners of a Monroe County asphalt plant to clean up environmental damage and pay $5.2 million in civil penalties. -- ( September 13, 2000) Press Releases from the Office of the NYS Attorney General.
State studies Chili dump The study the state Department of Environmental Conservation is conducting on the Golden Road disposal site in Chili will determine how best to clean up the area while minimizing the impact on human health and the environment. The study will conclude this fall. (August 16, 2000) Gates-Chili Post.
State sues ex-plant owners over Coxsackie cleanup THE STATE Attorney's General's Office has filed a $7 million lawsuit against the former owner of Coxsackie's American Valve Manufacturing Corp. to recoup cleanup costs for the toxic waste site. (July 18, 2000) DailyFreeman.com
Waterloo site to be studied WATERLOO - A site where combustible gas was stored 100 years ago will be studied this summer to determine if contamination at the site could impact human health or the environment.-July 11, 2000 Finger Lakes Times
Black Creek Cleanup On Hold Heavy rains and muddy conditions have put a Black Creek cleanup effort on hold. (June 14, 2000) RochesterToday
Residents clean up hazardous materials This weekend was a chance to get rid of those leftover cans of paint in the basement. -6/10/00--TOP NEWS From WHEC, and MSNBC
EPA MAKES MODIFIED CLEANUP FINAL FOR CONTAMINATED MATERIALS IN TWO
LAGOONS AT THE GENERAL MOTORS SUPERFUND SITE IN MASSENA, NEW YORK 6/07/00-- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—Region 2, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands,290 Broadway - New York, New York 10007-1866,www.epa.gov/region2
DEC investigates area landfill The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the department of health are investigating an area landfill. -6/06/00--TOP NEWS From WHEC, and MSNBC
COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS CALL ON LEGISLATURE TO PASS BROWNFIELDS REFORM LAW A broad coalition of community-based organizations from around the State today joined a bi-partisan group of Legislators to call for the enactment of a comprehensive Brownfields law before the Legislature adjourns in June. The organizations are part of the Brownfields Coalition, a unique and diverse group of over 70 organizations, representing community leaders, environmentalists, environmental justice advocates and businesses.--Environmental Advocates
Waste site to be cleaned up Soon, a large section of the city containing hazardous waste will be cleaned up. -5/27/00--TOP NEWS From WHEC, and MSNBC
Last Of Love Canal Comes Down (Niagara Falls, NY) -- The last visible reminder of the environmental nightmare at Love Canal has started to come down, as crews have begun demolition of the 93rd Street School in Niagara Falls.--4/03/00 AOL.com Rochester
Toxic waste concerns in city neighborhood It’s on Woodstock Road, the site of the former APCO General Contractors.-4/19/00--TOP NEWS From WHEC, and MSNBC
Environmental Groups: NY Superfund Faces Shortfall NEW YORK - New York State's Superfund toxic dump program faces a $55 million shortfall this year, a coalition of environmental groups have charged, adding that 790 communities live next to leaking dumps. (Reuters)
State's toxic waste fund may run out of money New York's ability to clean up nearly 800 toxic waste sites is endangered by a looming money gap in the state Superfund program, a coalition of environmentalists said yesterday. (April 27, 2000) --DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE

City Dump Site In Greece
- Contaminated dirt to be removed from Greece neighborhood There was a meeting Wednesday night for concerned residents of the Autumn Heights neighborhood in Greece. Rochester city officials say contaminated dirt that was dumped in the Greece neighborhood should be cleaned up by November. A city-hired contractor dumped the dirt in the Autumn Heights neighborhood sometime last year. (September 4, 2003) MSNBC Local News
- Democrat & Chronicle: City to develop plan for Greece cleanup — The city of Rochester will develop a formal plan in the next two weeks to clean up solid waste from a Greece neighborhood. City officials agreed Tuesday to deliver a plan to Greece by Aug. 13 that would detail how 4,600 cubic yards of solid waste from the Port of Rochester will be removed from near Kirk Road, said Greece Supervisor John Auberger. A city contractor was supposed to deliver the waste to a landfill last April. (July 31, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
- Democrat & Chronicle: Dispute erupts over dump — A dispute between Greece’s supervisor and Rochester Mayor William A. Johnson Jr. presents a window into how the election season might look in the coming months. Supervisor John Auberger on Tuesday accused Johnson of covering up an unauthorized city dump site in Greece because of how it might affect Johnson’s image during his Democratic campaign for Monroe County executive. (July 23, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Tanker Crash site:
- Broken pipe leads to gasoline spill ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) - Fuel that leaked several months ago from an underground gasoline pipe has contaminated the basements of nearby homes and seeped into the Erie Canal. The spill was detected March 2 at Buckeye Terminals, near Interstate 390. Company officials said a pipe that runs between a gasoline storage tank and the terminal where trucks are fueled, broke and pumped thousands of gallons of gas into the ground, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported in Friday editions. (June 22, 2003) MSNBC Local News
- No charges to be filed in deadly tanker crash No criminal charges will be filed in the deadly tanker truck explosion from last month. (June 1, 2003) MSNBC Local News
- Investigation continues into tanker fire Families forced out of their homes by a tanker explosion are starting to move back in. Still three weeks after this deadly accident on West Ridge Road in the city, police have yet to finish their investigation. (May 25, 2003) MSNBC Local News
- Concerns About Tanker Spill - The over turned tanker, that crashed near Kodak Park spilled gasoline nearly an entire city block. Both county and state environmental departments are accessing the impact caused by thousands of gallons of gasoline flowing onto West Ridge Road. There were concerns the fuel from the tanker could have damaged the environment or caused a health problem. (May 1, 2003) R News: Your NewsChannel
- Crews Removing Contaminated Soil From Tanker Accident Site Rochester, NY - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will continue the removal of contaminated soil on Thursday from the site of the tanker accident on West Ridge Road in Rochester. Crews are removing the gasoline-contaminated soil from the scene and testing it, then hauling it off to a dump. More than six inches of topsoil was removed on Wednesday. (May 1, 2003) WOKR-TV 13 ROCHESTER || NEWS
- Inexperience, Half-Full Tank Might Have Factored In Accident - Rochester, NY - The driver of the tanker involved in Tuesday's accident received his commercial license to haul hazardous materials only seven months ago. Authorities are investigating whether inexperience played a role. They're also looking at the safety record for the company he works for which is well above average. (May 1, 2003) WOKR-TV 13 ROCHESTER || NEWS
- Democrat & Chronicle: Cleanup of soil begins after truck blast The environmental cleanup at the site of a deadly tanker truck accident is under way today. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is supervising the removal of soil contaminated by thousands of gallons of spilled gasoline that did not burn off in the explosion -- a fiery blast that killed one and injured 11. (April 30, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
- Democrat & Chronicle: Soil contamination at crash site is the top environmental concern — When city Councilman Robert J. Stevenson visited the blackened scene of the massive gasoline fireball Tuesday morning, he noticed something missing. “A beautiful Norway spruce that was 40 feet high,” said Stevenson, whose Northwest District includes the scorched neighborhood. “Today, it’s a stick.” (April 30, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
- Democrat & Chronicle: Tanker site mop-up begins — The environmental cleanup at the site of a deadly tanker truck accident got under way Wednesday. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is supervising the removal of soil contaminated by thousands of gallons of spilled gasoline that did not burn off in the explosion that killed one person and injured 11 others. (May 1, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
Dias in Holly

CSX Train Crash in December of 2001

Democrat & Chronicle: 3 lawsuits seek faster CSX cleanup — Three Charlotte businesses have sued CSX Transportation Inc., alleging that the rail company is moving too slowly to clean up contamination left after the fiery train derailment in December 2001. (December 31, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle

Democrat & Chronicle: Schumer: Pace of CSX cleanup hampers riverfront projects — CSX Transportation needs to quit dillydallying and fully clean up a chemical spill in Charlotte, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said Monday. The delay, especially in cleaning up the Genesee River, is hampering a city project along the waterway and potentially puts taxpayers on the hook for the December 2001 train accident, he said. Schumer wrote a letter Monday to CSX Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Ward expressing his displeasure. (April 1, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle

Democrat & Chronicle: CSX will not face charges in crash — The state Attorney General’s Office has decided not to pursue criminal charges against CSX Transportation for a fiery train derailment in Charlotte about a year ago. “There was not enough hard evidence there to support criminal charges against the company,” attorney general spokesman Marc Violette said Monday. (January 28, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle

City still at odds with CSX one year after train derailment - For people in Charlotte, many of them clearly remember December 23, 2001 when a CSX train carrying coal and chemicals from Kodak derailed. The crash caused a huge fire and contaminated soil in the area. One year later the city is still at odds with the company about cleaning up the mess it left behind. (December 27, 2002) MSNBC Local News

Democrat & Chronicle: Questions linger a year after CSX crash Charlotte cleanup '90 percent done,' but not questions about long term affects (December 23, 2002) Democrat and Chronicle

Website Name

RochesterEnvironment.com