Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Southtowns is now on the list of EPA and DEC testing sites for radiation. Two Erie County legislators say the county has one important task.
"I was a little surprised to hear Marilla was on the list," said legislator Frank Todaro. "You think farm town, very rural, and so I immediately did call the supervisor, Earl Gingrich, and he explained to me that a couple months ago the DEC was doing some flyovers, and that's how they are finding out these areas where there's hot spots."
Todaro says Marilla is also a hot spot for radon, and radon triggers these tests.
He encourages anyone who sees a DEC team to be curious.
"Ask questions. We'll make sure that Gingrich is also communicating to his residents. I will do it the same. Whatever we find out, we'll make sure everyone knows exactly what's going on. As soon as we find out, we'll make sure that that transparency is occurring," Todaro said.
Erie County Legislator Lindsay Lorigo instructs residents in her district to not panic.
"I would be really clear to residents that just because the testing is happening, it doesn't mean that it's a contaminated area. It just means that there was an anomaly on a survey that was conducted a few years ago that requires further investigation," Lorigo explained.
She also has had questions from her constituents.
"Does this mean that they're going to force their way onto my property? And the answer to that right now is no. The answer is this is just further investigation by those federal and state agencies, and the county should continue to keep residents informed," Lorigo said.
Lorigo says the DEC and EPA think that there could actually be some waste that was from the Manhattan Project that could have been put under roadways during reconstruction.
Todaro believes transparency is needed.
"I think Erie County should just stay in the know, and communicate with the DEC and let them do their job, and then Erie County, from that point, can assert themselves and make sure that the people are being taken care of," he said.
Other towns include Hamburg, Colden, Evans and Eden.
"Whatever we find out, we'll make sure everyone knows exactly what's going on" - Frank Todaro
"Whatever we find out, we'll make sure everyone knows exactly what's going on" - Frank Todaro
