Richard Yager from USGS makes his presentation to the public during the forum. (Photo/ Josh Williams)
GENESEO — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) conducted a public forum to update the community on the current status of the AkzoNobel Desalination Plant shutdown at SUNY Geneseo Wednesday night.
Ray Yacuzzo, Special Assistant for the DEC Region 8, makes his presentation to the public during the forum. (Photo/ Josh Williams)
In front of a packed audience which included elected officials, New York State Attorney General Representatives, legal representatives of the Insurer Zurich, and concerned citizens the DEC attempted to establish to the community that there was no need for the continued operation for the desalination plant.
“We are here tonight to inform the public on the current status of geological conditions on the mine and answer questions from the community relating to that.” said Michael Bopp, DEC Public Affairs representative.
Tim Hoffman (L) from the New York State Attorney General’s Office that has worked on the AkzoNobel Salt mine collapse since 1994, and is currently involved in the negotiations on the settlement, was in attendance during the forum. (Photo/ Josh Williams)
The DEC agenda for the evening was that after presentations from Sam Gowan, Geologist from Alpha Geoscience, Richard Yager, United States Geological Survey, and Ray Yacuzzo, DEC Region 8 Special Assistant, written questions would be submitted by the public to the panel then a team of lawyers reviewed them and then they were answered by the panel. However, that plan hit the paper shredder when the community question portion opened up as enraged community members, still distrusting of officials after the AkzoNobel Salt Mine, voiced numerous concerns.
Michael Bopp from the New York State Department of Conservation Public of Affairs office was the moderator of the event. (Photo/ Josh Williams)
During the questions from the audience the DEC publicly confirmed that 100,000 gallons of frack fluid was treated at the plant facility. They stated that they did not know if the plant was successful in treating the fluid but that the water discharged after the test was clean of any elements relating to the frack fluid. When questioned as to whether the salt the residents put in their water softener and on the roads was tested for elements from treating the frack fluid that did not know.
They also stated that the water aquifers running above and below the salt mine collapse were not in jeopardy of further contamination and that it would be approximately 2,000 years before it filled up with brine.
No actual numbers were disclosed on the amount of the potentials settlement or future plans for the site.
Sam Gowan from Alpha Geoscience during his presentation. (Photo/ Josh Williams)
You can watch the entire forum and the handling of the questions by going to Sun TV, and selecting the News Channel.