PAVE PAWS draft EIS draws two comments

July 16, 2008 6:00 AM

BOURNE — One critical comment and another in support, that’s all a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on PAVE PAWS generated at a public hearing last night.

Bernard Young, whose daughter died from Ewing’s sarcoma in January, said the results of health studies summarized by the Air Force report are flawed. Specifically, he said, data collected does not properly report peak emissions from the radar station. He called the conclusions of the impact statement disappointing.

Wayne Sellin, who served on the PAVE PAWS steering group, said the measurement standards used were “superb.”

Last December, a state Department of Public Health study concluded it was unlikely that PAVE PAWS was the main cause of 14 local cases of Ewing’s sarcoma since 1982. Ewing’s sarcoma is a rare bone cancer.

PAVE PAWS, on the Massachusetts Military Reservation near Sagamore, scans the eastern skies for missiles, satellites and space debris.

Written comments on the environmental impact statement will be accepted through Aug. 4. They should be addressed to: HQ AFSPC/A4/7PP, Attn: Lynne Neuman, 150 Vandenberg St., Suite 1105, Peterson AFB, CO 80914-2370.

— GEORGE BRENNAN

News for Release: Thursday, July 17, 2008

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

EPA Releases Report on Climate Change and Health

Contact: Roxanne Smith, (202) 564-4355 / smith.roxanne@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. – July 17, 2008) The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency has released a report that discusses the potential impacts of
climate change on human health, human welfare, and communities in the
U.S. The report, entitled “Analyses of the Effects of Global Change on
Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems,” also identifies adaptation
strategies to help respond to the challenges of a changing climate and
identifies near- and long-term research goals for addressing data and
knowledge gaps.

The report discusses the challenges and potential effects of climate
change, including unusual or unexpected weather, and how some
individuals and communities may be disproportionately affected by
climate change, including the elderly, the poor, children, and people
with chronic medical conditions. However, the U.S. has well-developed
public health infrastructures and environmental programs that protect
our air and water, which can help minimize the impacts.

The Global Change Research Program in EPA’s Office of Research and
Development led the development of this report. It is one of 21
synthesis and assessment products commissioned by the U.S. Climate
Change Science Program.

The peer-reviewed report is the most up-to-date synthesis and assessment
of scientific literature on the impact of global change on human health,
welfare and settlements in the United States. It was developed following
the guidelines developed by the CCSP.

The CCSP was established in 2002 to provide the Nation with
science-based knowledge to manage the risks and opportunities of change
in the climate and related environmental systems. The program is
responsible for coordinating and integrating the research of 13 federal
agencies on climate and global change.

Information on Analyses of the Effects of Global Change on Human Health
and Welfare and Human Systems:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=197244

The Office of Research and Development’s Global Change Research Program:
http://www.epa.gov/ord/npd/globalresearch-intro.htm

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP):
http://www.climatescience.gov/

July 18, 2008

Hopewell residents meet to discuss Superfund site progress

Hundreds of residents packed a meeting Thursday night in which the EPA discussed the ongoing plans for the Hopewell Precision Superfund site.

Debra Hall is a resident and active proponent of installing a system to bring water from the Little Switzerland area to the homes in the affected area, rather than make those residents rely on contaminated well water.

Affected areas are near Ryan Drive, Creamery Road, Clove Branch Road and Old Farm Road.

She said she’s satisfied with the way the EPA has been handling the situation.

“The EPA’s been very good,” she said Friday morning. “I even got up and said that at the meeting.”

Hopewell Junction residents have been plagued by trichloroethylene, or TCE, a chemical the Hopewell Precision plant dumped into the ground during the 1970s.

Some people who were exposed to TCE have been diagnosed with cancer, kidney and liver damage and other illnesses.