Niagara County radiological contamination and the state-federal response fight
A regional radiological survey run jointly by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. EPA has found elevated radiation on residential properties in the Town of Niagara, a legacy of Manhattan Project-era waste handling in the area. Homeowners organized as Save Our Backyards Niagara have asked the state to declare the neighborhood a state Superfund site and to help them relocate. The dispute became a governor's-race issue in July and August 2026. Hochul wrote to EPA on July 14 urging it to expedite test results, blaming the "wheels of federal bureaucracy." EPA Region 2 Administrator Mike Martucci first called her delay claim an "outright lie," then wrote back on Aug 10 saying federal work was already accelerated: since July 23, EPA and state teams had visited more than 1,200 properties, obtained access from 756 homeowners, and screened 350, working seven days a week. Blakeman visited the affected streets with Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt on Aug 8 and accused Hochul of failing to "take charge" of a crisis in her own home region. Hochul said on Aug 13 she would not visit because others had "politicize[d] their cries for help" and that she was leaving the work to state experts. Ortt has introduced legislation (S.10672) to move radioactive waste under the state Hazardous Waste Superfund; Hochul aides say EPA is better equipped for radiological cleanups and that the change would require additional specialized DEC staff and slow response. As of Aug 16, 2026, no Superfund designation, relocation assistance, or gubernatorial visit has been announced. Update Aug 17-18, 2026: after declining to visit, Hochul joined DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton's Saturday, Aug 15 phone calls to homeowners on Fox and Chester avenues; resident Kellie Moytka said the governor told her she cares about the affected families and, when pressed on permanent relocation, indicated her office is deferring to EPA. Hochul adviser Ken Lovett said Aug 17 that EPA has offered to voluntarily relocate several families while testing continues. Some residents, including the McKiernan family on 99th Street, received no call and were told by EPA that it will only engage on their property if state DEC requests assistance first. DEC and EPA also reported 856 access forms granted across Niagara and Erie counties, with 340-plus properties cleared as of Aug 15. Still no state Superfund designation, state relocation program, or in-person gubernatorial visit. CONTEXT (backfilled Aug 19, reported Aug 11): the reason no state Superfund can be declared here is statutory — New York's Hazardous Waste Superfund does not cover radiological contamination. Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt (R-Buffalo) introduced S.10672 to classify nuclear and radioactive waste as hazardous waste so the program would reach these sites; he was still seeking an Assembly co-sponsor. Ortt also asked DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton to issue written confirmation to owners whose properties test within acceptable standards. Update Aug 18-19, 2026: the survey is expanding beyond Niagara County. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said Aug 18 that DEC and EPA will ask homeowners in nine Southtowns communities — Aurora, Boston, Brant, Concord, Eden, Evans, Hamburg, Marilla and Orchard Park — for permission to survey their properties, and that Erie County screenings performed so far have come back clean. More Grand Island homes near Veterans Park were also flagged for testing. Public drop-in sessions continue Aug 20 in Niagara Falls and Aug 24 in Lewiston; Save Our Backyards has its own meeting Aug 25. Still no state Superfund designation, state relocation program, or in-person gubernatorial visit. UPDATE Aug 24: DEC/EPA progress report — access agreements grew to nearly 1,030 signed forms; 726 properties screened since Jul 23; 475+ owners notified no further investigation is needed; 30 properties referred to EPA for additional investigation; 4 recommended for voluntary relocation. New NECRA helpline 844-612-8144 launched Aug 24, with a drop-in session that day at Lewiston Library. Still no state Superfund designation, state relocation program, or in-person gubernatorial visit.
The case on each side
Hochul's office says she pushed for the joint DEC-EPA assessment before it became a campaign issue, directed a surge of DEC and State Incident Management Team resources, and formally pressed EPA on July 14 to speed up results. Her aides argue EPA is better equipped than the state for radiological cleanups and that visiting the neighborhood would turn residents' concerns into a political event. EPA says the federal side is already working seven days a week and has screened 350 of more than 1,200 properties visited since July 23.
Affected homeowners and Save Our Backyards Niagara say the governor, who is from the region, has not met with them, has not backed a state Superfund designation, and has not offered relocation help. Blakeman and Ortt argue the state has taken a hands-off posture and are pushing to amend the state superfund law to cover radiological contamination. EPA's regional administrator publicly disputed Hochul's account of federal delays, calling one claim an outright lie.