Thank you, Assemblyman Alfano

Since March 2007, we have been contacted by many distressed citizens in New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Mineola, Carle Place, Westbury and Garden City about the proposals set forth in the MTA’s “LIRR Mainline Corridor Improvement Project.” We believe that one of the major goals this project, coupled with the LI Truck-Rail Intermodal Facility Project in Suffolk County, is to increase the railroad’s capacity for transporting more freight along mainline corridor. This belief, in fact, has been confirmed by many business organizations such as the Long Island Association, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, and the Long Island Mid Suffolk Business Action. An increase in freight rail traffic, which includes the transport of all kinds of materials, including hazardous materials, results in permanent undesirable effects – effects which can potentially threaten the quality of life, safety and security of all citizens who live, and go to school, and work or just travel through our neighborhoods. (picture on the right: Assemblyman Alfano and NYS Senator Hannon, co-sponsors of the new railway security bill with NHP Fire Chief John Davello)

As a matter of fact, on November 30th, Save Our Village posted an alert to residents about Brookhaven National Lab and its plan to transport radioactive soil along the mainline. We learned that this radioactive cargo must be disposed of at a special containment facility in Utah. Inherent in that message was the implication that there was some kind of health risk associated with this radioactive soil which prompted its removal from Brookhaven Lab.

According the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Any activity that produces or uses radioactive materials generates radioactive waste. Various processes in industry, defense, medicine, and scientific research produce byproducts that include radioactive waste. Radioactive waste can be in gas, liquid or solid form, and its level of radioactivity can vary. The waste can remain radioactive for a few hours or several months or even hundreds of thousands of years. Because it can be so hazardous and can remain radioactive for so long, proper disposal is essential to protect the health and safety of the public and the quality of the environment including air, soil, and water supplies. Radioactive waste disposal practices have changed substantially over the last twenty years. Evolving environmental protection considerations have provided the impetus to improve disposal technologies. Designs for new disposal methods must meet environmental protection and pollution prevention standards which are much stricter than were foreseen at the beginning of the atomic age.” (picture on the left: Robert Femminella, President, SOV)

Needless to say, when we shared this documented research from the US EPA with our supporters, they were outraged, especially when they learned that their local government representatives were left uniformed of this serious operation, and thus, denied access to information regarding the appropriate disposal of this cargo – critical information that would be needed by first responders, if by chance there was an unfortunate accident on the rails. Not only did this place our policemen, firemen, and other emergency personnel at serious risk, but it also jeopardized their ability to protect so many residents who live along the mainline. (Picture on the right: Mayor D. Petruccio, New Hyde Park Village)

As representatives of the collective voice of so many citizens who live in communities along the mainline, Save Our Village wishes to positively recognize Assemblyman Alfano's acknowledgment of our concerns by sponsoring this crucial legislation. Demanding that companies inform local municipalities about the transport of hazardous materials will ensure that the necessary and proper precautions are taken to protect our neighborhoods.