Thursday, October 24, 2019

application 7-0346-00218/00001 SMCC LIB Recycling Facility

Joseph M Dlugolenski
NYSDEC Region 7 Cortland Sub-Office
1285 Fisher Ave
Cortland, NY 13045
(607)753-3095
DEP.R7@dec.ny.gov

Dear Mr. Dlugolenski,

I am a member of WBESC, an environmental group based in Endicott. 

As you know, Endicott has been treated as a dumping ground by industrial actors, and by NYSDEC for many years. 

Endicott has been shown as a cancer cluster by NIOSH/CDC. Many people here are sick and dying. 

Endicott is an Environmental Justice Community, with many poor people living here struggling to just survive. 

Any additional load to our water quality or air quality is if grave concern to the people who live here. 

As usual, NYSDEC has not made copies of relevant documents relating to the permit available electronically via the Internet where people can get access to them.

Supposedly they are at the library, however,

1: I just called the library and they CANNOT CONFIRM the documents are even there.

2: Paper copies cannot be searched for keywords, or copy/pasted, etc. 

3: Electronic copies have the potential to reach many more people, and are more protective of the environment, since no trees are killed. 

Since the charter of the NYSDEC is to protect the environment, the NYSDEC should take the approach which is most environmentally friendly. 

I can see in the ENB, the end of the comment period is Nov 8. 


So far, the applicant has been uncooperative in producing the application and other relevant documentation. 

Give all of these, I am asking the following from NYSDEC: 

1: EXTEND the public comment period 90 days

2: We DEMAND that NYSDEC stop treating this community as a Third World dumping ground, and grant us a public hearing which occurs at least 2 weeks prior to the end of the comment period.

3: NYSDEC should make electronic copies of the application, inc. all attachments, exhibits, correspondence, and replies, and all related documents available for download AT LEAST 2 weeks prior to the public hearing. 

Thank you,
William Huston
PO Box 22
Endicott NY 13761