FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

November 16, 2000 Chris Ballantyne, Sierra Club, (518) 587-9166

Ned Sullivan, Scenic Hudson, (845) 473-4440 xt. 224

Jay Burgess, Scenic Hudson (845) 473-4440 xt. 222

Jeff Jones, Environmental Advocates, (518) 462-5526 xt. 233

Groups Praise Governor, DEC Commissioner for Hudson River Cleanup Stance

ALBANY, N.Y. - Three New York state environmental groups today praised Gov. George E. Pataki and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner John P. Cahill for writing a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supporting active remediation of Hudson River PCBs.

The letter stated that PCBs in the Hudson are a "significant threat" to the environment, posing "unacceptable risks" to human health. The letter also indicated that the EPA's preferred remedial alternative "would likely achieve significant reductions in the risks associated with the site."

Signed by Commissioner Cahill, the letter is based on a review of the EPA’s feasibility study for dealing with Hudson River contamination, due to be released to the public in December.

Gov. Pataki’s and Commissioner Cahill's courageous position is a watershed moment in the 23-year battle to rid the Hudson of the toxic threat posed by General Electric's historic PCB discharge,” said Scenic Hudson Executive Director Ned Sullivan. “While GE has bombarded the public with misinformation about the river’s condition and the feasibility of an effective PCB cleanup, the Pataki Administration's position is based on sound science and accurate knowledge of state-of-the-art remediation technology."

"We commend Gov. Pataki for his commitment to public health and supporting a Hudson River cleanup," said Chris Ballantyne, northeast regional director of the Sierra Club. "We fully expect the Governor to work with the next administration in Washington to secure the restoration of the Hudson for our families and our future."

Environmental Advocates' Solid Waste Project Director David Higby, a longtime resident of Washington County, where GE's PCBs were discharged, said, “Given the health risks posed by PCBs and the economic damage this pollution has caused the region, upriver residents are grateful that the Pataki Administration shares our concerns." Higby noted the letter's recognition that the contamination has gone beyond the banks of the river and that any cleanup plan can and should avoid local landfilling of toxins.

"Combined with his previously stated commitment to the polluter pays principle, this shows us that Governor Pataki grasps the complexities of the situation," added Higby.

The state's position is consistent with recent research findings on the effectiveness of dredging cleanups in New York State and nationwide. Earlier this month, Scenic Hudson issued a report documenting 89 river sediment cleanups across the country. An overwhelming number of the projects - including both completed and ongoing cleanups - utilized dredging to effectively reduce PCB levels in sediments. Subsequent to the cleanups, PCB concentrations in fish also declined substantially.

Further supporting the state’s backing of remediation are results of an opinion survey issued today by Scenic Hudson. The survey, done by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, found overwhelming popular support for a PCB cleanup in the Hudson. A total of 84 percent of Hudson Valley residents – from Hudson Falls to New York City – indicated that the EPA should have Hudson River PCBs cleaned up.

“The science is clear that the river’s condition is unacceptable,” said Scenic Hudson Environmental Director Cara Lee. “Dredging is a proven technology that achieves the outcome everyone wants – cleaner rivers and safer fish. The people of the Hudson River have spoken, and the DEC has now issued its important decision supporting active remediation. It is time for GE to wake up to the reality that we want our river back."

The Sierra Club, founded in 1892 and including over 600,000 members, is the nation's oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization. Sierra Club's mission is to explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Scenic Hudson is a 37 year-old nonprofit environmental organization and separately incorporated land trust dedicated to protecting and enhancing the scenic, natural, historic, agricultural, and recreational treasures of the Hudson River and its Valley. To date, we have protected more than 15,500 acres of land in nine counties and created or enhanced 24 parks and preserves for public enjoyment. Albany-based Environmental Advocates is a statewide environmental group working on a wide range of issues to protect New York's public health and natural resources.

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