Monday, July 14, 2008

FMC IS A LOVE CANAL OF TODAY

Julie Rizzo sent us the following message....

United Neighbors Interested in Tommorrow's Environment (UNITE) has been invited to speak at the following reception regarding the contamination at the FMC site in Middleport. The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) has determined this site to be one of four sites in WNY named "Love Canals of Today".

It is our feeling that because of the proximity of the site to our school district's middle and high school, all district residents should be kept informed as to what is happening at this site. Many residents do not know of FMC's application to the DEC for a permanent CAMU (Corrective Action Management Unit) - landfill. If it is approved, all the contaminated dirt required to be removed by FMC will be stored at this site which is approximately 100 FEET uphill and up wind of the school track. This is the same track that was remediated years ago by FMC because of the contamination caused by wind and water flow carrying chemicals onto the field.

Please help us spread the word, so that residents outside the village of Middleport can be well informed. Thank you for your help in this endeavor.

Julie Rizzo


Love Canal 30th Anniversary Reception & Program
Friday, August 1, 2008 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
VFW Post 917 - La Salle Griffon Post
2435 Seneca Ave, Niagara Falls, NY 14305

Suggested Donation: $30 ($1 for each year of our journey)

Speakers: Lois Gibbs, CHEJ Executive Director, other Love Canal survivors, and Western NY community leaders fighting the "Love Canals of Today" including Bethlehem steel workers exposed to radioactive contamination, CWM hazardous waste landfill in Lewiston/Porter, FMC pesticide contamination in Middleport, and W. Valley nuclear waste site.

To RSVP or for information on sponsorship opportunities contact Mike Schade at 212-964-3680 or mike@chej.org.

Love Canal marked the beginning of the environmental health movement in Western NY and across the country. 30 years ago on August 2, 1978, the NYS Department of Health declared a State of Emergency at Love Canal, ordered the 99th Street School be closed and a clean up plan be undertaken immediately. It recommended that pregnant women and children under two who lived in the area surrounding the Love Canal landfill should move. Further relocations followed in response to this legendary grassroots community struggle.

The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ), Citizens' Environmental Coalition, and the Love Canal Medical Fund invite you to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Love Canal as we continue the journey to prevent harm to our families from toxic chemicals in our homes, schools, and communities in WNY and across the country.