Thursday, February 24, 2005
Your Right To Know? What About Your Right To Breathe?
Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (8th Senate District) has introduced legislation that would provide for public disclosure of information concerning the release of potentially harmful substances into the environment.
Under the guidelines of Senator Fuschillo’s legislation, which is called the “Environmental Community Right To Know Act”, New York State would post information on the Internet concerning the release of hazardous substances into the environment. This information would be accessible and presented in a manner that could be understood by the general public.
In addition, the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) would be required to present an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature on this program. Posting exemptions would occur only if the DEC Commissioner certifies that releasing such information would jeopardize public safety.
“Residents have a right to know what’s happening in their surroundings and be aware of any potential dangers that may exist,” said Senator Fuschillo. “By posting this information on a website for the general public to view,” individuals can have instant access to vital information about the conditions of their environment.”
Comment:
New York State Senator Fuschillo is looking out for the public’s right to know what is poisoning them.
In our ag districts we already know what is being released- hydrogen sulfide, methane, ammonia among other toxins. Still, I guess it would be nice to make it official from the DEC. We sure would love to hear the DEC admit that CAFOs are emitting “potentially harmful substances.” Of course we already have documentation that CAFO emissions are toxic to the human nervous system. Come on up to sniff Flevie’s farm up in Niagara County, Senator.
How about some legislation that places CAFOs in the same category as industry? How about some more money in the budget for Department of Environmental Conservation employees? And how about some Senate oversight on the documented instances of the DEC’s failure to respond to toxic emission complaints from rural citizens?
Notice that the Senator says we have a right to know what is happening in our surroundings - he doesn’t say we have the right to expect the DEC to do anything about it. So far as we can tell, the DEC, the Department of Health and local politicians don’t give a hoot.