Help Prevent Spreading of Radioactive Frack Fluid on Rockland's Roads
June 1, 2013
Riverkeeper Team
Hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale produces millions of gallons of radioactive waste fluid, which could be sent to Rockland wastewater treatment plants or spread on Rockland roads.
Although the future of high-volume hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) in New York State remains uncertain, drilling in Pennsylvania and Ohio and low-volume hydraulic fracturing activities in upstate New York currently produce waste that contains heavy metals and naturally occurring radioactive materials. These contaminants, including radium-226, are linked to cancer and birth defects and are extremely difficult to remove once they have permeated drinking water supplies. Currently in New York, this fracking fluid can be spread on roads for use as a deicer or dust control agent if special permission is obtained from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Fracking waste spread on roads can run off into school playgrounds, residential properties, and farmland, and can ultimately contaminate rivers, streams, and underground aquifers that feed local drinking water supplies. In addition, drilling operators in Pennsylvania have disposed of some fracking waste fluid by sending it to wastewater treatment plants in New York. DEC’s proposed fracking plan contemplates the receipt of fracking waste at treatment plants as one disposal option should fracking be allowed in New York. Westchester, Putnam, Orange, Ulster, and Suffolk Counties have already passed legislation banning the use of fracking waste on roads and, in Westchester, Putnam, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties, prohibiting its acceptance at wastewater treatment plants.
You can prevent contamination of Rockland’s water, air, and land by urging your County legislator to support the bill that prohibits the acceptance of fracking waste by wastewater treatment plants and bans its use on roads in the County.
On Tuesday, June 4, the Rockland County Legislature will hold a hearing to take public comments on the proposed legislation to ban the sale, application, and disposal of radioactive fracking waste product in the County. Please attend the hearing to express your support for legislation crucial to protecting the health and safety of County residents. Whether you can attend or not, contact the Legislature before Tuesday by phone at 845-638-5100, or by email at legclerk@co.rockland.ny.us, and encourage your legislator to vote for this important legislation.
When: Tuesday, June 4th, 7:00 PM
Where: Allison-Parris County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Road, New City, NY 10956
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