Some Camillus residents are mobilizing against the plans to clean Onondaga Lake. They say they want the lake to be cleaned but the residents all live in the area where the Department of Environmental Conservation wants to put the toxic sediment removed from the lake.
In 2012, the DEC plans to dredge the lake and put the toxic sediment taken out in Wastebed 13. But people who live in the area say not so fast.
Camillus resident Tom Gdula said, "All that's really happening is moving the mess from one part of the area to another. So it's not treating it. It's not taking it away."
Some suggest the sediment be taken outside the area.
Camillus Town Councilor Mark Kolinski said, "I would propose they look at another solution to somehow take this to Buffalo which is a qualified place for burning or storing toxic chemicals."
Residents say they want to see the lake cleaned up but they think the DEC's plan will be harmful to the people and nature.
"There is certainly a huge risk to public health. There's an odor which all of us are well aware of with the lake in itself. This would be a concentration of that," said Gdula.
In response, Ken Lynch with the DEC said: "Concerns regarding odors, air emissions, monitoring and public health and safety are all being addressed in the design of this project. We are committed to ongoing dialog with the community to ensure human health and the environment is protected during the remediation of Onondaga lake."
But some residents worry human health and the environment won't be protected if the sediment ends up in their back yard.
"I have not talked to one person who wants to store the toxic chemicals in Wastebed 13," said Kolinski.
They say they will continue fighting to make sure that doesn't happen.
Another public meeting will be held on February 4.
For more information on the Onondaga Lake Cleanup:
http://www.onondaga-lake-initiatives.com/
http://www.onlakepartners.org/
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8668.html
