Town of Niagara, N.Y. (WBEN) - Four months after letters went out to 120 homeowners in the Town of Niagara alerting them of high levels of radiation in their neighborhood, the EPA has agreed to relocate four families. Those residents aren't happy with how the process played out, though.
During a call with EPA and Hochul Administration officials Saturday, July 18th, homeowners Lexi Hawk and Trevor Bradley, Carolyn and John Johnson, Jacquelyn and Jeremy Linkowski & Kellie and Mike Motyka were told they would be relocated that same day.
The decision was made after test results found high levels of radioactive contamination in their home and yards. Geiger counter readings measured as high as 900,000 counts per second in Lexi Hawk and Trevor Bradley's backyard. The couple also has a 3-year-old daughter. The homeowners say the EPA waited more than 17 days to inform the family of the test results.
In a timeline of events sent to WBEN, the homeowners state they were told representatives from the Trump or Hochul administration would contact them about relocation plans. The EPA then apparently backtracked on its offer to find them new housing the day of the meeting, asking if the families could find a place for at least a week "because we do not have a place for you." According to the homeowners, the Motykas were told the EPA would not pay for moving costs.
Around 7pm Saturday, the homeowners called the EPA and Senator Schumer's office saying they needed clean and safe housing 30 minutes from their homes so they can go to work and bring their pets.
Around 8:15pm Saturday, an EPA staffer informed the families that the agency was looking for a home for the families "over the next day and into tomorrow" and would be in touch again, saying "I can't make any promises that we will have them for you tomorrow (Sunday)."
As of Monday morning it still is not known whether temporary housing has been found for the residents.
"Through this month's long process, the homeowners reported there has been inadequate staff doing the screening - only 1 DEC and 1 EPA staff person - and there has been no program, policy or staff at the state or federal agencies that provide an effective and timely response to the daily unfolding of high levels of radioactive pollution including relocation, wrap around support, medical assistance and mental health counseling," the families said in a statement Sunday afternoon.
"It is critical that Governor Hochul and the Trump Administration establish emergency and State Superfund teams and a robust environmental investigation to test far more homes."
The homeowners say they do not blame the EPA and DEC staff "who had no control over these high-level decisions" and said it is "way past time for Governor Hochul and the EPA Regional Administrator to do a much better job than has been seen in recent weeks."
