Grand Island, N.Y. (WBEN) - Officials with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) were in Grand Island on Monday to seek further permission to access properties in the town they wish to do some ground testing for radioactive contamination, similar to the work currently ongoing in the Town of Niagara in Niagara County.
While it is not quite known what sites are exactly the focus of testing, the DEC did confirm during Monday's Town Board meeting that Veterans Park along Bedell Road is among the identified locations with the help of an aerial survey.
The Town Board ended up passing the resolution unanimously that will allow DEC and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials to conduct ground testing in the town. Officials are also working to get permission from a number of private landowners for testing as well.
The fact that DEC and EPA officials are now looking at radioactive testing in Grand Island has a number of residents in the town concerned.
"I'm a parent, and a lot of us parents have children who play soccer, baseball, softball all at Veterans Park. We live here in the spring, summer, and fall, so it's upsetting," said Kathleen with WBEN. "Also they have camps. Children in Grand Island are with big groups in camps in Veterans Park all day long, all week long, all summer."
"I'm very concerned, I would like some results," added Stephanie with WBEN. "I want the testing done, I want to know what's going on. My kids play here, so it's important."
While residents are glad, to some degree, that something's being done about it, it's still unsettling for some residents knowing that what's taking place in Niagara is now happening on Grand Island.
"I hope the government makes the right decisions and doesn't try to hide any of the facts. And whatever is found, I hope it can be eradicated," Kathleen added.
For some residents like Alicia, she's not entirely surprised that DEC officials are now looking to Grand Island for similar testing to what's ongoing in Niagara County.
"Living in this area, I think we've all known about Love Canal and things like that. So I think it's not out of the question that we're going to find things in other areas. It's not just like it's only going to be contained to that one spot," Alicia said with WBEN. "I guess I look at it like I'm glad that they do want to look into it, so if there are contaminated sites, we can find out and get them cleaned up."
In a way, Alicia is relieved to know officials at the state and federal level are looking out for the residents of Grand Island this way.
"I mean, there's not a lot you can do if you don't have data, so I think testing makes a lot of sense. And if they find out it's nothing, then that's good news too," she said.
Meanwhile, residents like Keith don't share many concerns about the testing being done, especially knowing the work DEC officials have done in the past.
"I trust the DEC, I've worked with them personally before. And if they feel there's a need to test, they have to," Keith said with WBEN. "It's already in the ground, it's got to be taken care of if they find it. I think it's a good idea.
For any residents that may be concerned about officials conducting such tests on their property, Keith says there should be nothing to worry about.
"Every time I've worked with them and even when I've been to some meetings with them, they work very professional, they've got a really good, competent staff and I have a lot of faith in them," he said. "I don't know if they think something's there, it's better to test and know than to ignore it. So I think it's a right move."
One of the properties identified by state officials was Veterans Park along Bedell Road
One of the properties identified by state officials was Veterans Park along Bedell Road
