ACAL News
Recent Documents...
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| 06/21/10 | NYSDEC New Solid Waste Plan Draft | Entitled Beyond Solid Waste - A Sustainable Materials Management Strategy for New York, the NYSDEC has drafted a 480-page plan to reduce solid waste through increases in reuse, recycling and composting in local communities. Further, the plan calls for a reduction in packaging by manufacturers and a reduction in climate and environmental impacts caused by transporting waste and harmful emissions coming from incinerators and landfills.
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| 06/17/10 | New Yorkers for Zero Waste Platform 2010 | Local, regional, state and federal organizations join with NY Zero Waste Alliance, a project of Citizens Environmental Coalition, to support the reduction of waste through increase in reuse, recycling and composting.
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| 10/24/06 | 11 August 2006 DEC Letter | Region 6 Water Engineer Steven Botsford's letter to OHSWA Executive Director Hans Arnold stating OHSWA's environmental responsibility for clean water quality compliance associated with the Ava Landfill site.
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| 06/08/06 | ACAL vs. OHSWA | ACAL filed a lawsuit against OHSWA for polluting the trout spawing stream of Moose Creek for over a year. The ongoing pollution to the creek violates State environmental law and the Clean Water Act.
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| 04/20/06 | Letter to Ava from OHSWA | Lengthy letter from OHSWA Executive Director Hans Arnold to the Ava Town Board regarding a "host community benefit package". The Ava board refuses to negotiate with OHSWA for a 1000+/- acre landfill that is being forced into their rural community.
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| 03/31/06 | DEC response to Ava | DEC Region 6 Director Sandra LeBarron's letter to Town of Ava regarding Ava's request to rescind the March 2006 DEC Consent Order and take "appropriate enforcement action". Ms. LeBarron states the DEC's response must be "somewhat restrained" since ACAL has filed a notice of intent to file a citizen's suit against OHSWA.
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| 03/21/06 | Notice of Intent to Sue | Pursuant to the Clean Water Act, against the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Management Authority (OHSWA) and Rifenberg Construction, Inc. by Adirondack Communtities Advisory League (ACAL)
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| 03/20/06 | Ava Complaint to DEC | The Town of Ava sends a letter to Region 6 DEC requesting their Consent Order be rescinded. The town board and the citizens they represent are genuinely concerned about the environment in Ava. They are extremely distressed that OHSWA and Rifenburg have been given permission by the DEC to allow excessive sediment to enter Moose Creek - "a provision that is contrary to the basic mission of the DEC."
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| 02/13/06 | NYSDEC Consent Order | NYSDEC is giving OHSWA permission to discharge excessive sediment and water into nearby Moose Creek, a federally protected trout spawning stream in Ava, NY.
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| 09/10/05 | DEC Complaint | August 2005
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News Updates...WEEK OF 6 OCTOBER 2006
In last week’s ACAL News, I wrote about the Town of Hoosick saying “NO” to a landfill in their rural Northern Rensselar County township, and how the company behind the landfill, Wastetricity, submitted a formal “host community agreement” in writing, to the town BEFORE the landfill proposal was accepted or declined. I also discussed the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority’s (OHSWA) “Existing Community Compensation” for the Town of Ava.
This week, I would like to focus on what OHSWA calls “Future Community Compensation” for the towns of Ava, Boonvile, Lewis and Village of Boonville.
According to their website, OHSWA’s “Future Community Compensation” subheading is followed by this statement: The Authority has offered to meet with representatives of the Towns of Ava, Boonville, and Lewis, and the Village of Boonville to discuss additional community benefit packages, which to date have been declined by all of the local communities. (I printed this page on Sept. 26, 2006)
The statement is then followed by a list of “components of a community benefits plan”, which I would like to address one at a time. (My comments will be in italics.)
1. Payment per ton to the Town of Ava for waste that will be disposed of in the landfill
To date, no formal written proposal has been submitted to Ava indicating an amount per ton offering. In addition, OHSWA fails to mention that once the permit is sold or leased to another entity, any agreements with the town would become null and void.
2. Purchase new emergency equipment for the West Leyden Fire Department and funding for a Level III EMT
West Leyden is required by law to handle fire and emergency situations at the landfill once it is opened. Purchasing new equipment and training a Level III EMT will ensure OHSWA’s safety on the landfill.
3. Contracts with the Town of Ava for support services for the landfill such as snowplowing and sanding the access road to the landfill
For some reason OHSWA thinks that forcing a landfill into the Town of Ava isn’t enough. Now they suggest increasing Ava’s liability and workload during the already heavily burdened winter months, and call it a “community benefit”.
4. Program for monitoring neighboring residential wells during the operation and post closure monitoring of the landfill
This is NOT a community benefit. OHSWA’s permit requires them to be accountable for anything that goes into the area’s streams and ground water – now or 100 years from now. Period.
5. Property Value Protection Program for property owners in the vicinity of the landfill
Did OHSWA mention this program only includes property located within a short distance from the center of the landfill footprint, which does NOT include most property owners currently residing on Rt. 294, Gleasman Road and East Ava Road?
6. Program for environmental reporting to the local municipality(s)
Once again, OHSWA is responsible for reporting everything that occurs on the Ava Landfill site to all local municipalities that will be affected by its presence. This is not a benefit. It is a responsibility.
And here’s my favorite …
7. Construction of an environmental education center
An environmental education center? For what purpose? To educate Ava residents on the benefits of being forced to host a 1,039-acre landfill for over 60 years?
OHSWA is forcing a landfill into the Town of Ava, and stripping away their power to protect its citizens and township from future land, air and water pollution that will definitely occur as a result of it. OHSWA then posts “community compensation benefits” on their website, stirs up a few Ava residents into thinking the town will be paid big bucks for the garbage that’s dumped there, but refuses, for 13 years, to formally put their so-called “benefits” into writing for the Town Board of Ava to accept or decline.
When carefully examining OHSWA’s “community compensation benefits”, they offer little or nothing to ANY of the area townships that will have to live with this landfill for the next 60 years.
Area residents need to start asking some important questions:
Why has OHSWA failed to put their “community compensation” offer in writing for the Town of Ava?
Why did OHSWA state that ALL townships including Ava, Boonville town and village and Lewis have declined “community compensation package” discussions, when in fact that is not true? Boonville town and village have met with OHSWA on several occasions.
Can you put a price tag on your community? The land of your ancestors, your home, your drinking water, the air you breathe, your personal safety, the safety of your children, and life as you have known it prior to OHSWA forcing itself into Ava?
ACAL continues to work hard to preserve and protect the Northern Oneida, Southern Lewis county region of the Tug Hill Plateau. Just because ACAL couldn’t stop the politically powered landfill from being sited and constructed in the Town of Ava, doesn’t mean it can’t stop OHSWA from polluting our streams and ground water, ensuring they are held accountable for ignoring state and federal environmental laws.
Please support your friends and neighbors of ACAL by attending fund raising events and by making a tax-deductible donation. ACAL accepts donations on the website via PayPal and personal checks can be mailed to: PO Box 202, Boonville, NY 13309. Thank you for your continued support. Together, we will work to preserve and protect rural America!
Jacki Chamberlain, ACAL Communications Chairperson
07/02/10 - Burning household trash is illegal in New York
06/17/10 - New Yorkers for Zero Waste Platform
07/13/09 - ACAL - Alive and well
04/13/08 - ACAL 2008 Update - Part 2
03/18/08 - ACAL Continues Environmental Mission in 2008
11/09/07 - Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust
10/26/07 - A good read - The Adirondack Atlas
10/12/07 - New York State Opening Meeting Law
09/28/07 - ACAL Fall Foliage Auction Oct. 5
09/21/07 - Integrity found in the Town of Ava
09/14/07 - Tug Hill resources have been targeted
08/19/07 - Fair and straighforward journalism?
08/10/07 - A Needed Appreciation for Nature
08/03/07 - New York State Municipal Home Rule Law
07/27/07 - Boonville Village Litter/Debris Local Law
07/19/07 - Black River Landing Subdivision Issues
07/13/07 - WTE vs. Landfills
06/29/07 - Too many impaired waters - Black River Watershed
06/22/07 - Protecting our drinking water starts at home
06/15/07 - ACAL Joins Northern Forest Alliance
06/07/07 - ACAL Holds 200/20 Drawing & Picnic, Annual Meeting
06/07/07 - ACAL AWARDED GRANT
06/01/07 - Be a solution - get involved
05/25/07 - American flags do not belong in landfills
05/24/07 - PRESS RELEASE - ACAL Signs Stolen & Vandalized
05/18/07 - Reality check for the DEC
05/04/07 - All citizens are called to act responsibly
04/27/07 - "An Inconvenient Truth"
04/13/07 - Citizens Deserve the Whole Truth ...
04/06/07 - Great Lakes United & Citizen Resources
03/30/07 - "What is the future of local government?"
03/23/07 - Citizens Expect More From Local Government
03/16/07 - Plastic Grocery Bags Harm Wildlife
03/09/07 - The Precious Gift of Water
03/02/07 - Working Together to Protect the Environment
02/26/07 - Grassroots groups are citizens who care!
02/16/07 - Local Citizens Want Environment Protected
02/09/07 - Open Letter to Boonville Town/Village Officials
02/02/07 - Ava Landfill Story Told in Chicago
01/26/07 - It's time for New Yorkers to reclaim their rights!
01/12/07 - CITIZENS' RIGHTS ARE NOT FOR SALE!
01/05/07 - "DO NOT LITTER" Applies to Everyone
12/15/06 - "March of the Penguins"
12/08/06 - Be "good news" in the community
12/01/06 - Moose Creek Prediction - 12 years ago!
11/22/06 - United Haulers v. OHSWA
11/17/06 - A Citizen's Rights
11/03/06 - EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE
11/01/06 - ACAL statement regarding opening of landfill
10/24/06 - OHSWA Opens Landfill Without Required DEC Permit
10/20/06 - OHSWA required by DEC to have proper permit
10/13/06 - Dr. Bob Johnson Speaks at Public Forum
10/06/06 - OHSWA Fails to Deliver
10/04/06 - PRESS RELEASE - Court Denies OHSWA Motions
09/26/06 - PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
09/21/06 - If OHSWA knew what they were doing ...
09/08/06 - Joint Board Resolution Revisited
08/28/06 - A Special Message
08/11/06 - Who will save the Town of Ava?
07/21/06 - The Emperor isn't wearing any clothes!
06/10/06 - Honoring Flag Day
05/19/06 - Local Residents Demand Protection for Environment
05/12/06 - The Foundation for a Better Life
05/05/06 - ACAL will pursue justice
04/28/06 - "Tug Hill, A Threatened Paradise"
04/21/06 - NYS environmental law contradicts State action
04/13/06 - The Tug Hill Plateau is worth protecting!
03/22/06 - Press Release - OHSWA & Rifenburg Being Sued
02/24/06 - ACAL Finds NYSDEC Consent Out of Order
02/03/06 - ACAL Defends the Truth
01/02/06 - PRESS RELEASE
12/15/05 - ACAL Continues with its Mission
12/01/05 - Tug Hill Heritage
11/23/05 - Boonville Breaks Resolution
11/06/05 - October 2005 OHSWA meeting
10/28/05 - NYS Waste Disposal Policies Not Enforced
10/21/05 - Environmental Conservation Laws
10/12/05 - Response to Village Trustee
09/23/05 - OHSWA Permit Violations
09/16/05 - ACAL Misinformation
09/07/05 - Press Release: DEC Enforcement Action
08/24/05 - ACAL Misinformation
08/05/05 - It's never too late
07/22/05 - Citizens, stand strong - DO NOT NEGOTIATE!
07/15/05 - PRESS RELEASE - Problems on Ava Landfill Site
07/08/05 - The truth must be told
07/07/05 - WBRV Statement #5 - DANGER to our drinking water
07/06/05 - WBRV Statement #4 - Polluting landfills kill
07/05/05 - WBRV STATEMENT #3 - Boonville Poll Not Official
06/29/05 - WBRV Statement #2 - Landfills provide NO benefits
06/27/05 - WBRV Statement #1 -Towns must stick together
06/24/05 - Waste to energy facilities better alternative
06/17/05 - Boonville boards break agreement
06/17/05 - Slope failure sends mud into Moose Creek AGAIN!
06/12/05 - Environmentally safe alternatives to landfills
05/27/05 - Town of Ava will file an appeal
05/22/05 - Dynamite blasting on landfill site?
05/15/05 - Oneida County in Trouble
05/08/05 - FACTS and What You Can Do
05/01/05 - Community Gathers for Prayer Service
04/24/05 - Personal Letter to NYS Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi
04/17/05 - Power of Prayer
04/03/05 - The Waste Authority Must Be Stopped!
03/27/05 - Letter to NYS Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi
03/20/05 - OHSWA Propaganda
03/13/05 - Letter to Griffo - Put Words into Action!
03/06/05 - Get involved in your community
02/27/05 - Assemblyman Townsend Has Concerns Re: OHSWA
02/06/05 - Power of the Press
01/24/05 - Legislator Pam Mandryck Opposes SWA Reappointment
01/02/05 - Weeks of 1/2 - 1/16/05
12/22/04 - Response to letter
12/12/04 - Senator Ray Meier Favors Ava Landfill
11/28/04 - Proud Heritage
11/14/04 - Oneida County chooses - for the people, or not?
11/07/04 - Letters sent to Governor and NYS Senators
10/31/04 - Ava/Boonville future - NO DUMP!
10/28/04 - Letter to Governor Pataki
10/24/04 - Environment Justice All the Way!
10/22/04 - Press Release
10/17/04 - No Civil Rights for Ava Residents
10/10/04 - Article 78 Lawsuit Against DEC Commissioner Crotty
10/03/04 - 400+ Days and Still Fighting!
09/27/04 - Family Home Threatened
09/26/04 - Important Facts to Know About the Ava Landfill
09/19/04 - Letter from Concerned Citizen
09/12/04 - Small Town of Ava Dragged into Court by OHSWA
08/29/04 - Where Do Your Loyalities Lie?
08/22/04 - Beaver Dam Incident Still a Mystery
08/15/04 - Ava-Boonville-Lewis Joint Boards Resolution
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