MINUTES
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Tuesday, October 19, 1999
3:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: M. Kaplowitz. Members: V. Pinto; U. LaMotte.
J. Maisano
STAFF: Steve Bass; Charlotte Ryer - Sec’y.
LEGISLATORS: Kay Carsky.
ALSO PRESENT: J. Carlos Torres, Rob Ebersole (WC/Health Dept.); Brent Archer (Columbia Energy); Gudrun LeLash (FCWC); Catherine Wachs (LWV); Councilwoman Rosalie Menegas (Somers).
Chair Kaplowitz called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m., and reviewed correspondence received from the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board of Westchester County (AFPB), which included the minutes of their first formal organizational meeting. The AFPB is making a budgetary request for immediate funds to begin functioning as an operating Board. The correspondence has been placed on the Board Agenda. Other correspondence included a draft Resolution submitted by Columbia Gas (Broome County Legislature [1998]), urging FERC to review the application for certificate to proceed with the transmission of natural gas, with consideration to the issues and concerns of Broome County residents of the possible use of alternative means. Steve Bass will make copies for all Legislators, and Chair Kaplowitz noted that he is looking for some alternative “Resolve” clause (different than the original denial clause). There was also information delivered to all Legislators from the RIVERKEEPER regarding the Sochurek Property (Cranberry Lake) and Quarry Heights.
Next, the Committee reviewed the proposed Act regarding
the Greenwich Woods Health Care Center and the discharge of sanitary wastewater
in the Blind Brook Sanitary Sewer District, which was signed out of the Public
Works Committee on October 12th.
MINUTES
Legislator Pinto briefly commented on the topic’s discussion of last week (see PW minutes of 10/12). Chair Kaplowitz entertained a motion to sign the Act out of the Environment Committee. Legislator Pinto clarified that this Act is a renewal of a previous agreement. On the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the Act was approved with a vote of 3-0 (Legislator Maisano was out for the vote.)
Chair Kaplowitz invited the visiting guests to introduce themselves. He then introduced Honorable Rosalie Menegas to discuss pollution of MTBE’s. Ms. Menegas mentioned that a Ms. Selma Feinberg brought this issue to her attention when she was informed that there was pollution along Route 100. Ms. Menegas stated she then contacted Carlos Torres at the Department of Health to ask him to investigate the matter. Mr. Torres informed her that he was looking into it, and informed her that there was no cause for concern. Ms. Menegas then informed Honorable Mary Beth Murphy (Supervisor- Somers), of the matter. Ms. Murphy advised Ms. Menegas to request something in writing to verify his findings. The written results were also forwarded to Legislator Kaplowitz.
Mr. Torres explained MTBE’s, noting that it is an additive
which has been put into gasoline to raise the octane rating when lead had been
removed. He also mentioned, it appears that one bad compound had been
substituted for another. Mr. Torres added that the use of MTBE’ have
become a chronic problem throughout the County. The northern area of the
County has had netted problems, especially in areas such as Pound Ridge,
Bedford Village and an isolated case in the Somers area. There is a
triangle in Somers, which includes a restaurant, gas station and an office complex,
where pollutants have been found. IBM has been sampling the area for
pollutants. Chair Kaplowitz inquired as to who performs the tests to find
contaminants. Mr. Torres replied that he conducts the tests. He further
explained
MINUTES
that the triangle was found to contain contaminants, because they are public water supplies, and they are tested on a routine basis. Part of the test resulted in the finding of MTBE’s. MTBE’s travel, at a fast rate, through the ground and ground water to contaminate other areas. Mr. Torres noted that in a newspaper article, Getty Oil is reformulating their gasoline and will be taking out MTBE’s and replace it with Ethenol. Chair Kaplowitz mentioned that after this meeting he would like to prepare a resolution in support of phasing out MTBE’s quicker and more immediately. Ms. Menegas interjected that the obvious concern at (Somers) Town House is that the area is located over the largest aquifer. Mr. Torres was aware of that fact, and the DOH immediately involved the State DEC, who hired contractors to perform ground water monitoring and soil-vapor analysis. Rob Ebersole commented that the fastest way to get rid of MTBE’s is the result of a collective sense of how bad this chemical is - and how dependent the area is on the sub-surface water supplies. It is difficult to stop people from dumping a pint or gallon of gasoline and other harmful chemicals, but an educational approach would be helpful. Mr. Ebersole also mentioned that Mr. Torres is heading up a petroleum storage program. The program will be helpful in insuring that the storage tanks are properly certified, tested and brought up to proper standards. In time, it should reduce the wide-spread problems of leaks from gas stations, potentially thousands of gallons of gasoline, and keep it from seeping into the aquifer. Legislator LaMotte mentioned that in the northern part of the County, where there are large farms and horse farms, people who own tractors often have gas tanks on their property. Her question was, whether the DOH monitors those tanks at all. Mr. Torres replied that tanks 1100-gallons or more must be regulated and monitored.
Chair Kaplowitz asked Mr. Bass to take information from the taped conversation of today, to create a resolution urging all authorities to do away with MTBE’s on both state and federal levels.
MINUTES
Chair Kaplowitz added that it would be a good idea to approach the County Attorney for his opinion, if there is any jurisdiction or rationale how to possibly consider outlawing the use of MTBE’s in Westchester County. He thanked the guests for their participation, and with continued the meeting.
The minutes of September 28th are being held for discussion and minor changes. The minutes of October 12th were reviewed, approved and accepted on the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, with a vote of 3-0. Legislator Maisano abstained from the vote being that he was absent from that meeting.
Next, Legislator Pinto presented the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Sub-committee’s report dated September 29, 1999, and gave a brief review of its contents. A copy of this report can be obtained from the Environment Committee file. Legislator Pinto noted that he is pleased with the efforts of this sub-committee.
Lastly, in regard to the Millennium Pipeline project, Brent Archer suggested that if a better termination point is possible, he would like to continue with this discussion until an agreeable term is met. Legislator Pinto added, that at one time another suggested area was discussed.
With no further business to discuss and on the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
A TAPE OF THE MEETING IS ON FILE.