By John McNamara
The Brookhaven Landfill Action And Remediation Group (BLARG) has been meeting for the past six years to advocate for the closing of the Brookhaven Landfill. This landfill is located in an environmental justice community (North Bellport) that has suffered from its effects since 1972: high rates of asthma and lower life expectancy.
A recent concern has been the two plumes (of contamination in the aquifer) that can be traced to the landfill. The DEC has requested that the town come up with a remediation plan and hold a meeting with the community to discuss corrective actions because of the high levels of PFAS, PFOS, and other contaminants. The original meeting was postponed by the town to give them more time to come up with a plan and is now rescheduled for some time in March.
BLARG held a rally/press conference on Thursday, February 26th at the town hall to express our concerns about the plumes and to speak about the harm that has been caused by the landfill. We are requesting reparations from the town for the negative impacts on community members. Also several lawsuits have been filed by students and teachers from a local elementary school that is located near the landfill, as there have been several cases of cancer in people who have attended or taught at the school.
An information session on the response of the Town of Brookhaven to the plume at the landfill will be held at the Town of Brookhaven Town Hall Auditorium on late March.
For more information, contact Monique Fitzgerald at landfillaction631@gmail.com or John McNamara at johnmcnamara560@gmail.com.
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