Buffalo, NY- Erie County Legislature Chairwoman April Baskin sponsored a resolution calling on the formation of a community advisory group to discuss environmental cleanup plans at the former American Axle plant located in the City of Buffalo. The site is currently being remediated under New York State’s Brownfield Cleanup Program, which encourages private-sector cleanups of toxic sites and to promote their redevelopment as a means to revitalize economically blighted communities.

The plant, which sits on East Delavan, has been closed since 2007 and was the site of dangerous chemical spills in the 1990’s. Exposure to these substances has been directly to developing multiple forms of cancer.

“The residents of the Delevan-Grider neighborhood been raising concerns about this site for over 20 years,” noted Erie County Legislature Chair April Baskin. “They must have a seat at the table during the cleanup process, since they will live with the end results. This is a matter of basic fairness.”

Supported by the Clean Air Coalition, Baskin’s resolution calls on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to use a process similar to that of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Superfund Program which involves input from community members in the testing and clean-up process.

“I am hopeful that the DEC will take our comments into consideration and make sure that residents who live in this area are informed of any progress and are also given an opportunity to actively participate in ensuring the environmental safety of their communities. I want to thank all of the activists in my district and especially Rebecca Newberry of the Clean Air Coalition for their continued advocacy on these issues,” stated Legislator Baskin.

An official copy of the unanimous resolution will serve as public comment for the New York State DEC public comment period which is open online through July 31^st. For more information on the Clean Air Coalition’s mission, please visit CACWNY.org.

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