The idea that bringing toxic wastes to Western New York for burial is a benefit is preposterous. A column submitted by a spokesman for Chemical Waste Management, touting the economic benefits of having a toxic waste disposal facility here, needs to be challenged.

The Niagara County Legislature passed a resolution on Oct. 6 stating that “. . . the economic development policy of Niagara County considers the siting of additional hazardous waste landfill capacity as contrary and damaging to its goals and objectives.”

It also states that hazardous waste landfill operations are unsustainable, produce no goods, no energy and permanently deplete land from reuse. They also have adverse affects on real estate values and are deterrents to other safe and more sustainable types of economic investment and development. They are adverse to the image the county desires to attract economic investment and development.

The Niagara County Legislature represents the people and interests of the county. The company does not.

The newly proposed redraft of the New York State Hazardous Waste Facility Siting Plan states, “The principal finding of the plan is that, based on present national capacity, there is no need for additional hazardous waste management facilities in New York.” However, the proposed plan states that a permit application might still be considered if such a facility would result in significant economic benefits to New York State, state industry or the community.

That loophole is the one through which Chemical Waste Management seems to be trying to wiggle. We mustn’t let it get away with that. It is clearly in the public interest that no more toxic wastes be brought here.

Children’s cancer rates are higher than expected in the area that includes the nearby schools to CWM. Lake Ontario is already polluted with PCBs. The last thing we need is a larger toxic waste disposal facility. For more information, visit

www.stopdumpingonus.org

, provided by the Sierra Club. Public hearings on the new siting plan will be held at 6 p. m. Nov. 18 in the Niagara Falls Public Library and at 6 p. m. Nov. 19 in the Lewiston Porter High School Auditorium.

Written comments can be sent to John Iannotti, State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste, 625 Broadway, Albany, N. Y. 12233-7250 or e-mailed to

hwsiting@gw.dec.state.ny.us

. Get involved; save our community.

Charles Lamb is a member of the Executive Committee of the Niagara Group of the Sierra Club and vice president of Residents for Responsible Government, an environmental group in the Town of Porter.