News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

For more information contact: Maureen Wren, 518-402-8000

DEC Releases Revised Draft Hazardous Waste Facility Siting Plan

Hearings Will Be Held To Obtain Public Input

ALBANY, NY (07/28/2008; 1451)(readMedia)-- A significantly amended version of the proposed New York State Hazardous Waste Facility Siting Plan is being made available for public review, Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. Both the draft GEIS and Siting Plan are available on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/9054.html .

The Siting Plan is intended to help guide state agencies, authorities and other entities, to make decisions regarding the management and disposal of hazardous waste, so as to avoid potentially adverse impacts to air, land, water or public health.

DEC has also issued a draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for public review. The GEIS evaluates and addresses any potential impacts the draft plan may have on the environment. However, it does not replace the need for a separate and distinct site-specific EIS for any hazardous waste management facility that is proposed to be sited or expanded in New York State in the future.

The draft Siting Plan and GEIS released today have been substantially changed from previous versions to reflect public comments. The revised plan also includes updated data on in-state and out-of-state hazardous waste generation and management, as well as in-state treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. Before the plan and GEIS are finalized and in accordance with statutory requirements, DEC will be holding two rounds of public hearings across the state, with at least two in each DEC region. Following each of the rounds, DEC staff will review and respond to the issues raised in the public comment period and revise the draft plan and GEIS where warranted.

Locations and dates for the first round of hearings will be announced soon. All persons, organizations, corporations or government agencies, etc., which may be affected by the proposed Siting Plan are invited to attend and submit either written or oral statements.

Written comments will also be accepted if received by the close of business on November 26, 2008. Comments can be sent to John Iannotti, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Solid and Hazardous Materials, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-7250. They can also be faxed to (518) 402-9024 or e-mailed to HWSiting@gw.dec.state.ny.us .

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