Backfill: Senate Minority Leader Ortt files S.10672 to bring radiological contamination under the state Superfund, and asks DEC for written "clean bill of health" letters

Reported Aug 11. New York's Hazardous Waste Superfund program does not currently cover radiological contamination, so no Superfund can be declared for the Niagara and Erie County hot spots. Sen. Rob Ortt (R-Buffalo), the Senate minority leader, introduced S.10672 to classify nuclear and radioactive waste as hazardous waste so affected sites qualify; he was still seeking an Assembly co-sponsor. Ortt separately wrote DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton asking that owners of properties that test within acceptable standards receive written confirmation. As of the Aug 9 weekend, DEC and EPA reported 1,240-plus properties visited since Jul 23 and 797 access forms received, with four residential properties offered voluntary temporary relocation.