#EnviroJusticeNow!

“I was so happy to see that officials in Washington have acknowledged our air quality problems, and for the opportunity to start a conversation about what my neighbors and I need to breathe” said Tangia Delk, a west side resident and Clean Air member.

“We welcome the resources from Washington to help us on tackle the West Side’s asthma epidemic, but environmental justice requires that impacted residents must be in the drivers seat.  West Side residents and Clean Air members have been talking about solutions for years and we want an open an honest conversation led by affected residents on how to combat the poor air quality in the neighborhood” says Natasha Soto.

“We need a comprehensive plan for the Peace Bridge. We have the solutions to our air quality problems and we want the chance to see them implemented”, said Clean Air member Nicole Roberts who lives behind the Peace Bridge Plaza.

Members believe strongly that expanding the truck plaza further into this environmental justice neighborhood and continuing to build out trucking infrastructure will exacerbate the asthma crisis on the west side. This is a long-term fight that the Coalition is committed to. However, the community has several common-sense solutions that could be funded by the City of Buffalo, New York State, and the Federal Government today that would help make the west side a healthier neighborhood.

Common-Sense Solutions to the Air Quality Problems on the West Side

  Developed by the members of Clean Air: Organizing for Health and Justice who live, work and play on the lower west side of Buffalo.

The members believe strongly that expanding a truck plaza further into this environmental justice neighborhood and continuing to build trucking infrastructure will exacerbate the asthma crisis on the west side. This is a long-term fight that the Coalition is committed to. However, the community has several common-sense solutions that could be funded by the City of Buffalo, New York State, and the Federal Government today that would help make the west side a healthier neighborhood. Our public officials should:

1. Monitor for the chemicals we are most concerned about, in the places we are most concerned about. Extend the air monitoring project to the summer months, add more monitors, test for ultrafine particulates and let us have some control over the study design.
2. Invest in green buffers in high-traffic locations. Fund a pilot project for a green wall between us and high-traffic locations to buffer us from noise, diesel fumes and bright lights. We’d like to see the pilot take place in a high-traffic area in our neighborhood like the ramp off Virginia Street or the truck ramp that borders Front Park. This has been done in California very successfully.
3. Enforce anti-idling laws. The NYS DEC should make our neighborhood a priority and assign officers to spend more time in our neighborhood to prevent idling on side streets. The Peace Bridge Authority should increase enforcement on the plaza.
4. Plant trees. Work with us to identify the best locations and then fund tree plantings that are more than decorative and act as buffers.
5. Hire more customs agents.  Senator Schumer noted just a few months ago this wasn’t an infrastructure problem; this is a staffing problem.
6. Fund health clinics and asthma screenings. We don’t have enough doctors in our neighborhood. Invest in our health clinics and health care providers.
7. Fund air filtration systems for our community centers, churches and schools.
8. Treat us as equals. Stop talking about us and around us. Invite us to the table to talk about solutions, and make sure you all show up at the table. We mean all of you: Fed. Highway, NYS DOT, the PBA, the DEC, and our local elected officials like Councilman Rivera and Pridgen, Congressman Higgins, Assemblyman Ryan, and Senators Grisanti and Kennedy.
9. Make public meetings PUBLIC. We are proud of our neighborhood’s racial and linguistic diversity. Hold meetings in the languages we speak, and work with us to develop meetings that facilitate meaningful community input.
10. Invest in our neighborhoods ‘streets. Our streets and sidewalks are in bad shape from the 18-wheelers that run through our neighborhood daily. This makes walking to church and the grocery store dangerous for the many seniors who live in our community. And it makes it less likely our young people will play outside and receive the kind of exercise we need to be healthy. We need our roads paved, curbs fixed and better lighting in our neighborhood.
11. 

Clean Air is extremely concerned about the explosion today at the Tonawanda Coke Plant in the Town of Tonawanda. We understand the company stated this was a minor explosion and a small fire but past self reporting from the company has been inaccurate and has put workers and residents at risk.

Great news!

We did it! After numerous letters from residents and organizations living and working on the West Side, the Dept. of Transportation has extended the comment period for the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) until January 28^th!

This gives us all a little more time to tell the DOT how we feel about the NY Gateway Project, and what improvements we want made. Don’t know where to start? Then join us for a workshop on how to write a comment letter, what alternatives can be included, and the different types of mitigation we can demand from the DOT and Federal Highway.

Join us because the West Side is your neighborhood and the DOT should not get to tell you how it should look or feel like.

What: Comment Writing Workshop

When: Thursday, January 23^rd at 5:30 PM

Where: Niagara Branch Library (280 Porter Avenue)

Call us if you need a ride! 716.852.3813.

! Noticia buena!

! Los hicimos! Residentes y organizaciones que viven y trabajan en el West Side mandaron muchas cartas para que el Depto. De Transportaciones extendieran el ultimo día que están aceptando comentarios para el Borrador de Declaración de Impacto Ambiental ¡y ganamos!

El último día para someter comentarios es el 28º de enero dándonos más tiempo para someter comentarios al proyecto NY Gateway. ¿No sabes cómo empezar? Bueno, vamos a tener un taller ensenado como escribir comentarios, que alternativas podemos pedir, y que tipos de mitigación necesitamos.

Adjúntate con nosotros porque el West Side es tu vecindario y el DOT no tiene el derecho diciéndote como deber ser.

Que: Taller para aprender a Someter Comentarios Federales

Cuando: jueves, 23 de enero a las 5:30 PM

Adonde: Biblioteca Niagara (280 Avenida Porter)

Llamen si necesitas que te recojan.

Clean Air: Organizing for Health and Justice was  founded by residents in Tonawanda, NY who suspected that their health problems were linked to the 53 industrial plants in their neighborhood. Residents conducted their own research,  joined together with their neighbors to build the power of their community, and forced enforcement agencies and decision makers to take action.

Since then our work has grown. Our fight has expanded to work not only to reduce toxics in the Tonwandas, but also to address the asthma epidemic on Buffalo’s west side. Fighting for justice can be difficult, overwhelming, and never ending. This is why remembering and celebrating community wins is not only meaningful, but necessary.

“If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

On January 15th, Clean Air members will share their stories of hope and how their experience fighting for justice led them to become agents for change. We hope you join us!

Wednesday, January 15th * 7pm

St. Timothys Church

1453 Staley Rd, Grand Island, NY 14072

The Government plans on spending $28.5 Million on the West Side.

Want to know where trucks are being rerouted in your neighborhood?

Want to know how the project will impact your health?

• About the laws the Department of Transportation must follow, and the social movement that fought for them
• What the Department of Transportation is proposing to spend $28.5 Million on
  

Rides to and from the meeting are being provided! Call us at 716-852-3813 if you need a ride. Snacks will be served, and kids are welcome.

TONAWANDA, NY – The New York State Department of Health will present the final results of their Tonawanda cancer study on Wednesday, November 6^th at the Sheridan Parkside Community Center (169 Sheridan Parkside Dr.) in Tonawanda & on Thursday, November 7^th at St. Timothy’s Church (1453 Staley Rd.) in Grand Island.

NYS DOH found that lung cancer, bladder cancer, and total cancers were elevated among both males and females; esophageal cancer was elevated among males and uterine cancer was elevated among females. In sub-areas, oral cavity was elevated among males, and leukemia among females. Pre-term births and heart defects were also elevated.

In their final report, the DOH included the recommendation to conduct future bio-monitoring of Tonawanda residents, including the taking of blood and urine samples to assess toxic exposure.

Tonawanda residents are requesting that any further health research must lead to change in public policy and regulation.

Tonawanda, NY has the highest concentration of air regulated facilities in the State. The community is extremely concerned about the high levels of different air pollutants from over 53 industrial plans in the neighborhood. According to the DEC, the annual average concentration for six air toxics (1,3-butadiene, acetaldehyde, acrolein, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, and formaldehyde), each exceed the health-based annual guideline concentrations.

Residents are calling on the Department of Health to take an active role to brief policy makers and asking the Department of Health to form a working group with the Department of Environmental Conservation focused on reducing toxic exposures.

“I think the State is hoping that cancer in Tonawanda is just going to go away,” said Durward Carter, Tonawanda resident, “It’s not going to. Cancer is linked to the pollution in our air. We need action.”

Both presentations will start at 7pm.

Amigone Funeral Home Inc. moved to dismiss a suit filed by the New York State Attorney Generals office, calling neighbors’ concerns– many who are elderly- frivolous. The crematory, which has a long history of generating offensive odors, soot and excessive noise, has been the source of persistent community complaints for decades.

“Even after reading sworn affidavits from 43 residents, Town of Tonawanda Board members, and reports from the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Amigones still don’t believe that their crematory causes a nuisance,” said Carol Fritsch, who lives close to the crematory. “I’m shocked.”

“It was a terrible smell, a stench.” States resident and veteran Norman Dehn in his affidavit, “Most of the time I smelled the odors in the evening.”

“The Crematory created problems for me.” Stated 97 year old resident Mary Calleri in her affidavit, “It made me more isolated because the odors forced me indoors. This happened too many times.”

Tonawanda residents are encouraged by the Attorney General’s suit especially in light of the Amigone’s recent statements indicating their intent to reopen. On August 12th, the Amigones along with their attorney and public relations consultant, met with 6 residents to discuss their intent to reopen. The family sent a letter to neighboring residents a few weeks later, indicating they intended to restart the crematory on the parcel next store to their current location.

“I felt abused when I was notified he wanted to reopen,” said neighbor Mary Ann Dickerson, “I don’t understand why a family business would operate this way, after knowing we’ve had to live with the smoke and smell coming from his operation.”

According to the suit, the Attorney General seeks injunctive relief against the Amigones to protect the public welfare and the environment. In his October 2^nd press release Attorney General Schneiderman stated, “The Amigone crematory has cast a shadow of this Tonawanda community for too long. The crematory’s offensive nuisance emissions have long plagued residents, interfering with such basic pleasure as opening windows and enjoying backyards. This lawsuit will reassure this community that the Amigone crematory will never again pollute their air and disrupt their lives.”

Clean Air has been active in the fight to stop the crematory from operating next to homes, working closely with home owners in the densely populated community adjacent to Amigone’s Tonawanda location.

Motions will be heard by Judge Henry Nowak on November 6^th at 9:30am in Erie County Supreme Court (25 Delaware Ave. Buffalo) Part 25.  Residents will be available for comment.

On March 28th, twelve jurors found Tonawanda Coke and its environmental control manager Mark Kamholz guilty on violating the Clean Air Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

While we wait on a new sentencing date, the Department of Justice released a Government Sentencing Memorandum which makes recommendations for Tonawanda Coke to be sentenced as follows:

The Department of Justice also recommended 4 projects the community identified through Participatory Budgeting this past spring; including the Industrial Pollution Prevention Project; Citizen Science Lending Library; Worker and Community Toxics Education Project and the Riverside Tree Planting.

The sentencing of Tonawanda Coke is up to Judge William Skretny.

While there is no date on the calendar for sentencing, a hearing is scheduled for October 22, 2013 at 1:00PM before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William Skretny in the Federal Courthouse at 2 Niagara Square (9th floor), Buffalo, NY.

Stay tuned for updates as this case continues.

A copy of the full memorandum is available HERE. 

This coming weekend organizer Natasha Soto is traveling to Pittsburgh to present on two panels at Power Shift 2013,  a national conference for young organizers in the climate movement.

Power Shift 2013 will bring together leaders from the climate movement and beyond. The conference features keynote speeches from leaders from across the progressive movement, in-depth training and workshops on organizing.

Natasha will be presenting along with Jacqui Patterson (NAACP), LaTasha Mayes (New Voices Pittsburgh), Siwatu- Salama Ra  (EMEAC) and Sachie Hopkins Hayakawa (Swarthmore Mountain Justice) on the panel “Environmental Justice 101”. The panel will discuss the definitions of environmental justice, examine EJ principles, and exchange views on how to create spaces that dismantle systemic oppression.

In addition to EJ 101, Natasha will join  Julian Mocine-McQueen (Green For All), Elizabeth Reynoso (City Of Newark) and Tanya Field (The BLK Projek) on the panel “Green Economy and Careers: Building the Green Economy”,  to share experiences on how to prepare for careers that have impact on the new economy.

Power Shift began in  November 2007, when the Energy Action Coalition convened the first national youth climate summit in Washington DC. More than 6,000 young people from all 50 states gathered at the University of Maryland for a weekend of training and action. Since then the conference has grown and is coordinated by a coalition of 30 youth-led social and environmental justice organizations focused at taking on the climate crisis. This year in Pittsburgh organizers are expecting over 10,000 young leaders to attend.

Organizer Natasha Soto was featured on the October 3rd cover of ARTVOICE, highlighting our Participatory Budgeting campaign in Tonawanda & our work in neighborhoods bordering the Peace Bridge Plaza on Buffalo’s West Side.

Reporter Sarah Bishop interviews Natasha about her work using Participatory Budgeting as a way to change the decision making process and bring control to people who live in impacted neighborhoods.

Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget

A little from the interview… 

Soto: Don’t do for people what they can do for themselves. People who live in these neighborhoods have the answers, they are just never allowed to utilize them. They are continuously taken out of the decision-making process and people do things for them in “their best interest” without regard to them and without asking them what they would like in the first place. Participatory budgeting is a way for people in the neighborhood to have a say-so. Read the full interview here.

More Change Agents…

WATCH: Members Tangia Delk and Will Yelder joined Natasha on ARTVOICE TV to talk about why Participatory Budgeting matters.

During this interview Tangia and Will talked about their experience traveling to Chicago to attend the Second International Conference on Participatory Budgeting this past May.

“I think Participatory Budgeting is a thing to implement in the City of Buffalo, where I live.” said Tangia Delk, “There are a lot things in our community that only we see. Outside people don’t see because they just come through – back and forth to work- we live there.”