DEC and DOH Announce June 14 Community Availability Session About State’s Response to PFAS Contamination in the Town of Petersburgh; Residents Encouraged to Attend and Ask Questions

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) are working to protect public health and environment as part of the comprehensive investigation to address drinking water contamination in the Petersburgh area. DEC and DOH are committed to keeping the community informed of the progress of the remedial investigation. New York State continues to evaluate the potential exposure pathways associated with the Taconic Plastics Superfund site and implement actions to prevent exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

DEC scheduled a community availability session at the Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center on June 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. to update the community about ongoing DEC and DOH efforts. The meeting will provide information about various aspects of the state Superfund investigation, fish sampling, air emissions permitting, and health monitoring programs. Please visit DEC’s website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/108820.html for more information about investigation and cleanup activities in the Petersburgh area.

What: Experts from DEC and DOH will be available for community members to interact with in a one-on-one format. Multiple stations will be set up at the Community Center with representatives available at stations detailing specific areas of interest. Individual stations about various aspects of the cleanup and public health protection efforts will be staffed by experts from DEC and DOH, and to provide opportunities for interested residents and community members to have specific questions answered. Learn more about the Community Availability Session format here: https://youtu.be/5XomDsUkc_k

When: June 14, 2023, from 4 - 7 p.m. Attendees can arrive at any time during the session.

Where: Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center, 71 Main Street, Petersburgh, NY 12138

If members of the public are unable to attend, they are encouraged to send comments and questions related to the project to Barbara Firebaugh at DEC’s Division of Environmental Remediation by email to barbara.firebaugh@dec.ny.gov.

Site-related health questions can be sent to Angela Martin at DOH’s Bureau of Environmental Exposure Investigation by email to BEEI@health.ny.gov.