Schumer Urges Feds Extended Deadline on C.W.M. Chemical Services Application and Hold Public Hearing

SCHUMER URGES FEDS EXTEND DEADLINE ON C.W.M CHEMICAL SERVICES APPLICATION AND HOLD PUBLIC HEARING

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to extend the deadline on the C.W.M. Chemical Services application which seeks authorization to fill in federal wetlands to build and upgrade three facilities on the site. Schumer also requested that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hold a public hearing during this extended comment period.

"It is very important for this community to have more time to comment," Schumer said. "On decisions this important, it is essential that the permitting process be transparent, and that it maximizes public participation. Extending the deadline and holding a public hearing will not only allow the community more time to submit comments, it would be a good chance to educate them about this process."

The C.W.M. site, the only active hazardous waste facility in the Northeast, is located in an area which has contamination from years of Department of Defense weapons manufacturing and waste disposal. The planned construction of a new landfill is a complex and significant proposal that concerns residents, local officials and state representatives. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers guidelines says that a lack of response means there is no objection to the work as proposed, however, the community may not be familiar with the process nor be aware of these guidelines.

In a personal letter late yesterday to Scott L. Schlueter of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Schumer wrote: "The residents have long-lived with the burdens of past environmental mistakes made by the federal government, and deserve a deliberative and thorough process for the C.W.M. project. Again, I urge you to extend the comment period for this project, and schedule a public hearing in the upcoming months."

http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/press_releases/2006/PR130.CWM.042606.html