Schumer Urges Feds to Hold Public Hearing on C.W.M. Chemical Services Application to Expand Northeast's Only Hazardous Waste Dump

SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON C.W.M CHEMICAL SERVICES APPLICATION TO EXPAND NORTHEAST'S ONLY HAZARDOUS WASTE DUMP

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to hold a public hearing on the C.W.M. Chemical Services application which seeks authorization to fill in federal wetlands to build and upgrade three hazardous waste disposal facilities on the site. Last month, Schumer successfully requested that the Army Corps of Engineers extended the comment period, which is set to end today.

"It is very important for this community to be heard," Schumer said. "On decisions this important, it is essential that the permitting process be transparent, and that it maximizes public participation. Holding a public hearing will allow the community an opportunity to comment while learning more about this process. These residents have long-lived with the burdens of past environmental mistakes made by the federal government, and deserve a deliberative and thorough process for the C.W.M. project"

The C.W.M. site, the only active hazardous waste facility in the Northeast, is located in an area which has contamination from years of Department of Defense weapons manufacturing and waste disposal. "The planned construction of a new landfill is a complex and significant proposal that concerns residents, local officials and state representatives, and all concerned parties should have the maximum opportunity to present the pertinent facts to the Army Corps before it makes a determination on this permit application. A prompt public hearing is the best way to make that happen," said Senator Schumer.

In a personal letter late yesterday to Lieutenant Colonel Timothy B. Touchette of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Schumer wrote: "I am aware that the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) only holds public hearings they are the only method available for gathering facts about a permit application, and not to test public support or opposition. However, due to the complexity of this application, I request USACE hold a public hearing to gather facts from the public about the proposed facility. USACE can also use this hearing to educate the public and surrounding community about this process."

http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/press_releases/2006/PR186.CWM%20Chem%20Services%20Hearing.052506.html