RRG launches collaborative public information series

Lewiston Porter Sentinel, February 10, 2007

The northern Niagara citizens environmental group, Residents for Responsible Government Inc., announced this week it is sponsoring the first in a planned series of public information sessions on the Lake Ontario Ordnance Works site in Lewiston and Porter. The series will begin on Saturday, Feb. 17, 11 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, 100 Church St., Youngstown.

According to RRG president Vince Agnello, RRG intends to invite organizations to speak and share their knowledge of the LOOW site, originally a 7,500-acre tract of lands that was seized by the federal government during World War II. Leading off, the initial presentation will be from the Restoration Advisory Board for the LOOW site, an established group of citizens and experts that interface closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and advocate for the public.

The Feb. 17 program will focus on the history of the site, starting in 1942 and progressing through the WW II days of producing munitions and handling and disposing of radioactive materials, up to present time. Most recent news of interest concerning LOOW is an announcement by the U.S. Army Corps that work will soon begin on feasibility studies to designate future land use for the LOOW site, which will also include information on the degree of contamination or clean-up that the community may expect.

Walter Garrow, chairman of the RAB, will be the key presenter at the program. Garrow explained that the RAB has a duty to be a conduit with the citizens, to gather public input and speak on behalf of the residents, and to promote two-way dialogue with the Corps. To further assist the effort, Garrow pointed out, “The RAB has a new CD with the past few years of published history, free to the public, and an expanding Web site: loowrab.org.” A copy of the CD is available by writing the RAB at P.O. Box 181, Youngstown, NY 14174, and the RAB maintains additional archival materials for public use at the Lewiston Public Library.

RRG indicated that planning continues on the series of community briefing programs centering on the LOOW site and its impact on the surrounding area. Future programs in the series will be announced, starting with tentative dates being Saturday, March 3, and Saturday, March 29.

For further information on LOOW and RRG, visit their Web site at rrg-wny.org.