Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:52:21 -0600 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/ en-us http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/images/logo.gif http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/ feedback@middleport-future.com http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article59.html RFI Volume 5 is now available in the Document Repository. This volume covers the investigation of Jeddo Creek Tributary 1 from Francis St. to the Pearson and Stone Roads in the Town of Hartland. You can go directly to the download section by clicking here. Look for the Volume 5 references. Volumes 1, 2 and 4 are also in this section. Volume 1 has background and history of the entire area, Volume 2 covers the investigation of the Air Deposition Area and Volume 4 has the investigation of Culvert 105. Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:52:21 -0600 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article57.html The notes from the CIG's December 4, 2008 CIG meeting are now available. They can also be downloaded using the link below. Sat, 13 Dec 2008 10:56:08 -0600 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article56.html The notes from the CIG's November 13, 2008 CIG meeting are now available. They can also be downloaded using the link below. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:03:18 -0600 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article55.html The Middleport Community Input Group's web site has instituted a semi-automated registration procedure. Click on the EZ Sign Up link in the Main Menu or below. A form will appear with the entry fields for the required information to send to the CIG. Within 24 hours, you will receive an E-mail with your logon name and requested password. Please keep in mind all information will be kept in strict confidence. Nick names and initials are typically used for logon names not full names. Once registered, you will be able to logon and leave comments and vote in polls. The MCIG regrets requiring registration. An open web site was used for several months but spammers and hackers were defeating the purpose and intent of the site. Go to EZ sign up Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:25:00 -0600 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article53.html The Middleport Community Input Group has been given maps generated by the agencies showing the arsenic soil contamination levels for the air deposition area of the village. These maps do not show levels for the areas north of the canal. The agency maps have been drawn showing the averages for each residential property or, in the case of agricultural fields, the average for a 100 by 100 foot square. The first map shows the mean (average) for each property or square of surface soil samples. Typically surface soil sampling is taken from the top 3 inches. The second map shows the highest mean for either just surface or surface and subsurface (up to a foot deep) combined with outliers removed. Outliers are readings either so low or so high they don't make sense when compared to surrounding sampled areas. The location of these outliers are shown by dots on the map which are defined in the legend of the map. The third map is the same as the second only the outliers have not been removed for the calculation. The best map to look at is probably the one showing mean averages with outliers removed. These maps are different than those generated by FMC which were included in the RCRA Facilities Investigation report, Volume II. The FMC maps were generated by feeding sampling results to a computer program which then drew the contamination levels. As is known for computer programs, the output is only as good as the input and the programing. The agency maps only used mathematics to determine a mean or average and do not show possible variances with in a property but draw each property or square one color. The FMC maps show how the levels of contamination may vary from one section of a property to another. The agencies' maps are now in the document repository of this web site Click here to download them. To download the maps from the RFI Volume II FMC generated, click here. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:42:48 -0600 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article51.html The notes from the CIG's October 23, 2008 CIG meeting are now available. They can also be downloaded using the link below. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:14:11 -0600 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article50.html This is an article which appeared in the publication Environmental Health Perspectives described the problems of the increasing demand for housing and the concerns of converting former agricultural land to residential developments, some which were once orchards. These orchard areas were treated with pesticides and other chemicals during there productive lifetimes. Now these former orchards are contaminated with arsenic and other chemicals. The article goes through the history of chemical usage, how these chemicals entered the surrounding soil and how dangerous it is today. What can and should be done with these areas is reviewed. In particular, the Barber Orchard private residential community development, a 500 acre subdivision near Waynesville, North Carolina, is described and how the arsenic contamination was handled. To download the article in PDF format from the publication's web site click here. To view the article in your web browser click here. To go to the Environmental Health Perspectives home page click here. Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:27:58 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article49.html On October 28, 2008, Dr. Terri Bowers gave a presentation at the Junior High School on "Arsenic in the Environment". Dr. Bowers discussed how arsenic is a naturally occurring element in our environment, where it typically is found and how people are exposed to it. Some detail was given on the studies performed in New York State and in particular Middleport. To view the slides of Dr. Bowers' presentation click here. For information about Dr. Bowers, click on the Read Full Article link below Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:16:52 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article47.html RFI Volume 4 is now available in the Document Repository. This volume covers the investigation of Culvert 105 from the inlet on the Coe Property near the railroad tracks to the sewage treatment plant at the north end of North Hartland Street. This Culvert is part an old storm drainage system which is underground south of the canal but an open ditch for part of its run north of the canal. It runs behind the properties on the east side of N. Hartland Street north of Sleeper St. Early remedial actions last year cleaned up contamination and buried the open sections using culvert pipe between the canal at Margret Droman Park and Sleeper St. You can go directly to the download section by clicking here. Look for the Volume 4 references. Volumes 1 and 2 are also in this section. Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:17:21 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article46.html These questions were submitted to the CIG through the "Leave a Comment" section of this web site Why would FMC endanger all residents with the remediation of the soil by digging it, hauling it to a CAMU, and then testing it? If it is tested positive then it has to be removed again. How is it tested? Per what measurement per load is it tested before more is dumped onto it? If CAMU is filled, why is there not a plan in place prior to remediation for another site instead of waiting until it is near full to find an alternative site? To be able to get another site it must be approved through several sessions by the NYSDEC, correct? Then this would alternately stop remediation and open ground with contaminates at the remedial site, correct? With out a liner doesn't contaminates run off and run through the soils of the surrounding areas. Isn't this why the remediation is taking place now because of run off from FMC that contaminated the soil in and around Middleport? Your response to protecting the residents in the area by stating, "Due to the levels and nature of the contaminated soil that would be placed in the CAMU, there will be "little prospect of any migration" from the CAMU. Moreover, FMC has an active groundwater control system in place to deal with any migration." Does it deal with migration or does it only detect migration? Please explain. Thank you Click on the "Read Full Article" link below to read FMC's answers. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:20:39 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article45.html The notes from the CIG's September 11, 2008 CIG meeting are now available. They can also be downloaded using the link below. Wed, 24 Sep 2008 07:42:04 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article43.html The notes from the CIG's August 27, 2008 CIG meeting are now available. They can also be downloaded using the link below. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:31:01 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article42.html Dr. Watts presentation "A Citizen's Role in the CMS and Risk Assessment" is now available on DVD. Beginning Monday, September 8, you can get a free copy at the Middleport Village Hall on Main St., the Middleport Free Library on Vernon St., the Middleport Family Health Center on Rochester Rd or by sending a request to feedback@middleport-future.com. The DVD can be played on a regular DVD player connected to your TV or on your computer equipped with a DVD drive, not a CD drive, and with a player installed. Dr. Daniel Watts is professor of chemistry and director of the Material Characterization Laboratory at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He provides technical expertise to the Middleport Remediation Advisory Group (MRAG) and the Middleport Community Input Group concerning the environmental remediation activities in Middleport being undertaken by FMC Corp. During a workshop, which was held at the Middleport Scout House on August 12, Dr. Watts informed residents of their rights and responsibilities in terms of providing feedback and suggestions to the Agencies and FMC regarding the plans outlined in the Corrective Measures Study (CMS). He also provided additional information on the CMS process and identified the periods throughout the process when public input is sought. In addition, Dr. Watts discussed the citizen's role in the determination of risk assessment in Middleport. Risk assessment is the process of identifying and documenting actual and perceived risks to human health or the environment and allow further evaluation and appropriate remediation responses. If you prefer to review the slides Dr. Watts showed during his presentation, they are available in our document repository. Find them in the Meeting Presentations section or by clicking here. Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:23:02 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article40.html Beginning September 1st Since this web site was redesigned earlier this year it has been open to anyone, registered or not, to leave comments and vote in polls. This has allowed hackers and spammers to interfere with what we are trying to do with the site. It is important to note that this site will always be available to readers to see our news, read and download documents and to learn what the CIG is about. You do NOT need to be registered to read news stories or polls on the site or download items. These things will always be visible. As discussed and agreed to at the August CIG meeting, beginning September 1, the web site will require anyone who wants to leave a comment or vote in polls to be registered and logged in. In the past these functions could be done as an unregistered, anonymous user. You can still leave comments anonymously or with another name by over typing your registered name when it is displayed in the leave a comment form. Polls do not show names or addresses of those who have voted. Again, this will NOT affect the ability for unregistered users to read stories, look at comments or polls and download files. Any registered user who has problems loging in or doesn't remember their name and password should contact the CIG at feedback@middleport-future.com. Anyone wishing to be registered should also contact the CIG at the same E-mail address. We need your name, address and the name you wish to use for your ID on the site. All information will be kept confidential. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:39:40 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article39.html The text and diagrams illustrating the arsenic levels from RFI Volume 2 are now available in the RFI Volumes section of the Document Repository. This volume is for the air deposition area of Middleport which is that area south of the Erie Canal to both sides of Route 31 (Rochester Rd.) and both sides of Main St. east to the Niagara/Orleans County line. Click here to go to that section of the repository. The volume is in two section: 1) text and diagrams showing the area of concern for this volume, 2) diagrams showing the arsenic contamination at 3, 6, 9 and 12 inches in depth. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:11:12 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article37.html From the DOH, EPA and DEC: In a recent letter to the village, an EPA representative included some general recommendations which the Agencies may provide to an individual homeowner on ways to limit exposure and risk to arsenic. Avoiding consumption of homegrown vegetables was one general recommendation. This was not intended to be interpreted as a general recommendation to avoid gardening or consumption of homegrown produce in the Village of Middleport. Additionally, this was not intended to be a general recommendation that would be provided to all property owners who declined remediation of their property. As the EPA has said in the past, each property is specific and therefore, any recommendations that the Agencies may make to a property owner will likely be specific for their particular soil arsenic concentrations, location of elevated soil arsenic, property use etc. Not all vegetables take up significant amounts of arsenic from soil. Additionally, for those crops that are more likely to uptake arsenic (leafy vegetables and root crops), the amount of potential arsenic uptake is dependent on many factors, such as soil acidity, organic matter, arsenic type etc. In many cases, the likely potential exposure route associated with gardening in arsenic contaminated soil is the ingestion of soil arsenic that may be present on homegrown produce (e.g. dirt on leaves, roots etc.) that has not been thoroughly washed before consumption. By taking a few simple and practical actions, people can reduce their potential exposure to soil arsenic. Thoroughly washing vegetables and other garden produce before eating, and peeling or skinning root crops, are practical ways to reduce exposure. These and other practical actions are provided in the NYSDOH Arsenic Fact Sheet. Click on the Read Further link below to see the fact sheet. Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:39:31 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article35.html A study to determine how well certain plants can take up arsenic from soil is being conducted in Middleport. This study may show the feasibility of using phytoremediation in Middleport to clean up arsenic contaminated soils in yards where the owner desires to save parts or all of their current landscape. Factors such as which plants perform best, how deep can the plants reduce contamination and their efficiency will be determined. Click on the Read Full Article link below to read the article. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:56:23 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article32.html Did You Know...... According to Paul James of HGTV's Gardening by the Yard, the majority of synthetic pre and post emerging herbicides for controlling weeds in lawns contain the chemicals 24D, 245T and arsenic. Certain brands of potting soil and plant food contain arsenic, some in levels that if they were in your yard would make it a remediation target by the agencies. Examples: Source: Washington State Dept. of Agriculture: http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/Fertilizers/ProductDatabase.htm Schultz Professional Potting Soil Plus/ African Violets & Blooming Plants 0.08-0.14-0.09                           128 PPM of arsenic Scotts All-Purpose Plant Food 18-13-13                                                                                                   50.9 PPM Schultz Professional Potting Soil Plus 0.08-0.12-0.08                                                                                 34.55 PPM Schultz Multicote Time Release Outdoor Plant Food 17-17-17                                                                   28.2 PPM Schultz Enriched Garden Soil for Flowers & Vegetables 0.5-.10-.05                                                           25.57 PPM And yet the agencies allow these products to be on the open market and on store shelves. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:21:48 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article31.html The notes from the CIG's July 8, 2008 meeting are now available online. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:09:36 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article30.html At the July CIG meeting, a number of handouts were made available to the attendees They are listed below with the links to get to them. 1. The FMC fact sheet describing the new Home Value Assurance Program which replaces the Property Price Protection Plan for homes put up for sale. This plan will go into affect January 2009. The Property Price Protection Plan runs through June 2009. Click here to download. 2. Comparison sheet for the Property Price Protection Plan and the new Home Value Assurance Program. Click here to download. 3. The FMC "Keeping You Posted' update. Click here to download. 4. The DEC internet source for a Buffalo News article concerning what they called "Nasty Sites" in Niagara County. The report claimed FMC was such a site and they had off site ground water contamination. Also the article stated the plant was used for disposal of pesticides without mention of pesticide manufacturing. The reporter used only the negative parts of the DEC information. The DEC admits they need to better keep such internet pages of information more up to date. Click here to download. 5. A DOH Biological Monitoring Study done in 1987 using Roy-Hart school students using hair and urine samples to detect levels of arsenic and lead. The results were then compared with results of tests using students from a school in Greenbush, NY, near Albany. The results showed no statistical differences. The agencies have stated one reason they did not recognize the Exponent study which tested Middleport residents for arsenic was hair samples were not used and they felt those samples would be more accurate. Hair samples were used in this DOH study. Click here to download. 6. A DOH Incidence of Cancer study done in 1987 in Middleport comparing expected cancer cases with actual occurrences. Seventeen of the most common cancer types for men and women were studied. No statistical increase in cancer cases over expected were found in this study. Click here to Download. Keep in mind the two above studies were done before any remediation of residential property or the school football field was done. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:02:54 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article29.html The notes from the CIG's June 18, 2008 meeting with the Agencies are now available. They are 14 pages long and can also be downloaded using the link below. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:01:08 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article27.html The agency's answers to the questions members of the CIG have been asking has been posted in the document repository in the Agency/CIG Communications section. These answers will be discussed at the June 18 CIG meeting. Members of the EPA, DEC, and DOH will be in attendance. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:11:37 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article26.html The work plan for the Phytoremediation Pilot Study is now available for downloading in the document repository on this site. The Pilot Study work plan is in two parts: the text and the figures at the end of the document. Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:34:35 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article25.html The RFI document for the facilities investigation of Middleport and surrounding areas has been divided into 10 volumes. The division of the area for the various volumes are shown on two maps which have been added to the document repository or can be viewed by clicking here. Each area or volume is color coded on the first map except those for Volumes 6 and 7 which are north of Person Rd consisting of Jeddo and Johnson Creeks. They are shown on the second map. Volume 1 is the history of the area and includes aerial photos as far back as 1931 and Sampson maps showing the village layout of buildings and their usage as far back as the 19th century. Volume 1 is in 2 files and posted in the document repository in the RCRA Document Library. The CIG has asked FMC to treat Volume 4, Culvert 105 and its flood zone, with high priority and Volumes 5 and 6, the tributary of Jeddo creek both north and south of Pearson Rd, with medium priority. Volume 2, the air deposition area in the village has been completed and submitted to the agencies for approval. That file is also large and is not in the repository yet. Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:16:29 -0500 http://www.middleport-future.com/cig/Article24.html The June meeting of the Community Input Group will be different than our usual meeting. Instead of one part with updates from FMC and the agencies and the second part a discussion between CIG members only, June's meeting will be devoted to a question and answer session with the agencies. The questions have been submitted to the EPA, DEC and DOH. They include many which have been asked by Middleport citizens over the years. The meeting will begin at 5:30 PM at the Masonic Hall and end around 7:30. The usual lite meal will be available. All citizens are welcome to attend. To review the questions, click on the "Read Full Article" link below. It is expected the agencies will send their answers in advance so they can be reviewed prior to the meeting. When received, they will be posted on the site as well. Thu, 29 May 2008 07:34:31 -0500