Pollution solutions sought at Wyandanch meeting with EPA, DEC

Close to 50 community members gathered in Wyandanch Wednesday evening to discuss concerns about environmental threats to their families and hopefully hear next steps from EPA officials and New York's equivalent.

Most of those who spoke up at the Wyandanch Senior Nutrition Center event dubbed a "listening session" by organizers, were residents from in and around Wyandanch and North Bellport, two working class communities of predominantly people of color that have railed against pollution generated by nearby industry.

Ghanya Grant, a member of the Wyandanch Rosa Parks Civic Association, said at the meeting that concerns "over industrialization of the community" has caused a number of health issues. Attendees mentioned asthma and cancer as among their chief concerns.

Several members of local indigenous nations, including the Unkechaug Nation, attended.

Grant said some Wyandanch residents live downwind of a waste-to-energy facility, and "while suburban, our area is overrun with industrial parks." She added that "the amount of trucks that pass" the area "is enormous."

The event forum was the second of two hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The first was held in April in Niagara Falls.

Lisa Garcia, the administrator for the EPA's region 2, which includes Long Island and the rest of the state, said Wednesday's gathering was a way "to listen, to work with communities," Two DEC representatives, Adriana Espinoza, the deputy commissioner for equity and justice, and Sean Mahar, the interim commissioner, also attended.

The event also included a resource fair where attendees could get information regarding state and federal environment-related grant funds available.

Mahar pointed to the availability of an additional $200 million in state funds to school districts and bus operators for zero-emission buses through an installment of funding from a $4.2 billion state environmental bond act.

"We know transportation is one of the leading sources of emissions in these communities," Mahar said. Electrifying municipal fleets at local and state levels are a goal currently underway, but one that is "going to take a little more time to realize," he added.

Several residents noted that while this may have been the first time they met face-to-face with representatives of both the EPA and the DEC, they have long raised concerns to both via email and other electronic methods. Many said they would like more solutions discussed and proposed.

"This listening session is nice," said Brookhaven resident Kerim Odekon at the meeting. "But I want an action session."