Radiation surveys continue

The state Department of Environmental Conservation and Environmental Protection Agency continue to advance fieldwork across areas of interest in Niagara and Erie counties.

On Tuesday, teams visited four properties in areas of interest to speak directly with residents and request permission to conduct screening. Assessment teams will continue throughout the week to focus on the properties that are identified in the areas of interest, weather-permitting. More than 1,230 properties have been visited since July 23, with 739 access forms received.

On Tuesday, joint NYSDEC and EPA teams screened 43 properties and sampled one property. As weather permits, surveying and sampling continued today.

Once an on-site radiological survey is complete, the data is brought back to the NYSDEC, EPA and NYSDOH experts to thoroughly analyze the data and determine if additional assessment is needed.

Preliminary data reviews indicate that the vast majority of properties screened will need no further action. EPA and NYSDEC will contact residents and property owners when screening results and a property-specific technical review are complete to advise when no further action is needed at this time. Notifications will be forwarded on a continuing basis as the data is analyzed. The initial notification will be followed in the coming weeks with a more detailed information packet by mail that will include a formal letter of determination, a copy of the property’s screening map, fact sheet, and frequently asked questions with contact information.

Where additional investigation is needed, EPA and NYSDEC are working directly with property owners and renters to schedule and complete additional assessment activities, which may include additional radiological scans, air sampling, and soil sampling.

Staff also remain in direct contact with four residential properties offering voluntary temporary relocation, providing updates, discussing next steps, and helping connect them with available support.

Residents who have questions about the ongoing radiological assessments are encouraged to call 518-712-8279, a dedicated phone line for the Niagara and Erie County radiological assessment. This phone line will be monitored daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Or, they can email the team at NECRA@dec.ny.gov. Residents can also visit the dedicated webpage, on.ny.gov/NECRA, and sign up for updates by email.

On Monday, NYSDEC, EPA, and NYSDOH teams met with approximately 40 community members at a community drop-in session. The next scheduled drop-in session to learn more about NECRA project is Monday, Aug. 10, 3-7 p.m. at the Town of Niagara’s community center (Veterans Memorial Community Park, 7000 Joe Rotella Way, Niagara Falls).

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