More information along with documentation at: http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/219972/1/Watchtowere28099s-Dumping-Grounds
Marvin Shilmer
Chemicals buried at WT Farms (WT ruining the earth)
by doinmypart 79 Replies latest jw friends
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JunkYardDog
BTT
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designs
Has anyone called the Wt. headquarters and asked for a response to the news article.
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rebel8
I am going to post this info here for posterity. [source: NYSDEC] There are 3 sites.
Before I do that, please note they all have a Classification A. Definition:
Classification Code: A
The classification assigned to a non-registry site in any remedial program where work is underway and not yet complete (i. e., Brownfield Cleanup Program, Environmental Restoration Program, and Voluntary Cleanup Program sites). This may be used for Manufactured Gas Plant sites or those being remediated under an EPA Cooperative Agreement.
Administrative Information on Site A
Site Name: Sawmill Place Remediation Area A SRA-A
Site Code: C356042
Program: Brownfield Cleanup Program
EPA ID Number:
Location DEC Region: 3
Address: 10 Sawmill Place
City: Wallkill Zip: 12589
County: ULSTER
Latitude: 41.648361111
Longitude: -74.241388889
Site Type: DUMP
Estimated Size: 2.060 Acres
Site Owner(s) and Operator(s)
Current Owner Name: Watchtower Bible And Tract Society Of New York, Inc.
Current Owner(s) Address: 25 Columbia Heights Brooklyn ,NY, 11201-2483
Site Document Repository
Name: NYSDEC Region 3
Address: 21 South Putt Corners Rd New Paltz , NY 12564
Name: Wallkill Public Library
Address: 7 Bona Ventura Avenue Wallkill , NY 12589
Site Description
This is aBrownfield Cleanup Program ( BCP ) site, referred to as Sawmill Place Remediation Area A (SRA-A). The site is located at 10 Sawmill Place , Town of Shawangunk , Ulster County. This site is 2.06 acres in size, and is situated within a 1,141 acre tax parcel owned by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. ("Watchtower"). There are two other BCP sites, SRA-B and SRA-C, within this tax parcel (see Site Nos. C356043 and C356044) for further information. Currently the 2.06 acre property is vacant. The site is currently zoned R-Ag 4, Residential-Agricultural use. During the 1960s and 1970s, Watchtower printing operations are reported to have involved on-site disposal of wastes, drums and construction/demolition debris. Prior to 1960s, uses included farmland and orchards. Depth to groundwater is 6 to 14 feet below the ground surface, and the groundwater flow is to the southwest. Soils are mostly brown and grey silty clay intermixed with gravel and construction/demolition debris (e.g., bricks, scrap metal). The Shawangunk Kill is approximately 3,400 feet to the southeast. Two private reservoirs and one catchment basin are located 1,800 feet to the southwest, and serve as Watchtower?s drinking water source. The Brownfield Cleanup Program application was approved by the Department of Environmental Conservation on 01/11/2011 , and on 1/28/11 the Department executed the Brownfield Cleanup Agreement.
Contaminants of Concern (Including Materials Disposed)
Type of Waste
Quantity of Waste
BENZENE
UNKNOWN
CHROMIUM
UNKNOWN
NAPHTHALENE
UNKNOWN
PCB-AROCLOR 1248
UNKNOWN
PCB-AROCLOR 1260
UNKNOWN
XYLENE (MIXED)
UNKNOWN
Site Environmental Assessment
Based on past investigations, the primary contaminants of concern in area SRA-A include metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soil. VOCs and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are of concern in groundwater. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in soil, but not groundwater. Concentrations of chromium in soil averaged 20 parts per million (ppm) and exceeded the soil cleanup objective (SCO) for unrestricted use (1 ppm). The VOCs 2-Butanone (Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)) and Acetone were found slightly above the SCO for an unrestricted use, but neither exceeded commercial use. No SVOCs were detected above unrestricted use SCO. Groundwater had slight exceedances for the VOCs and SVOCs: 1,2,4 ? Trimethlybenzene, 1,3,5 ? Trimethlybenzene, Benzene, Ethylbenzene, m,p-Xylene, n-Propylbenzene, Acenapthene, Acenapthylene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene, but Naphthalene had the highest concentration of 1,390 parts per billion (ppb). PCBs were detected at concentrations of 0.117 ppm and 0.324 ppm, both at 12 feet below ground surface, and both exceeding unrestricted SCO (0.1 ppm). Information submitted with the BCP application regarding the environmental condition at the site has been reviewed and will be revised during the remedial investigation as additional information becomes available.
Site Health Assessment
Information submitted with the BCP application regarding the conditions at the site are currently under review and will be revised as additional information becomes available.
Administrative Information on Site B
Site Name: Sawmill Place Remediation Area B SRA-B
Site Code: C356043
Program: Brownfield Cleanup Program
EPA ID Number:
Location
DEC Region: 3
Address: 10 Sawmill Place
City: Wallkill Zip: 12589
County: ULSTER
Latitude: 41.647472222
Longitude: -74.241777778
Site Type:
Estimated Size: 1.940 Acres
Site Owner(s) and Operator(s)
Current Owner Name: Watchtower Bible And Tract Society Of New York, Inc.
Current Owner(s) Address: 25 Columbia Heights Brooklyn ,NY, 11201-2483
Site Document Repository
Name: Wallkill Public Library
Address: 7 Bona Ventura Avenue Wallkill , NY 12589
Site Description
This is a Brownfield Cleanup Program ( BCP ) site, referred to as Sawmill Place Remediation Area B (SRA-B). The site is located at 10 Sawmill Place , Town of Shawangunk , Ulster County. This site is 1.94 acres in size, and is situated within a 1,141 acre tax parcel owned by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. ("Watchtower"). There are two other BCP sites, SRA-A and SRA-C, within this tax parcel (see Site Nos. C356042 and C356044) for further information. Currently the 1.94 acre site is vacant. The site is currently zoned R-Ag 4, for Residential-Agricultural use. During the 1960s and 1970s, Watchtower printing operations are reported to have involved on-site disposal of wastes, drums and construction/demolition debris. Prior to 1960s, uses included farmland and orchards. Depth to groundwater is 5 to 14 feet below the ground surface, and the groundwater flow is to the southwest. Soils are mostly brown and gray silty clay intermixed with gravel and construction/demolition debris (e.g., bricks, scrap metal). The Shawangunk Kill is approximately 2,600 feet to the southeast. Two private reservoirs and one catchment basin are located 1,600 feet to the southwest, and serve as Watchtower?s drinking water source. The Brownfield Cleanup Program application was approved by the Department of Environmental Conservation on 01/11/2011 and on 1/28/11 the Department executed the Brownfield Cleanup Agreement.
Contaminants of Concern (Including Materials Disposed)
Type of Waste
Quantity of Waste
CHROMIUM
UNKNOWN
TRICHLOROMONOFLUOROMETHANE
UNKNOWN
XYLENE (MIXED)
UNKNOWN
Site Environmental Assessment
Based on past investigations, the primary contaminants of concern in area SRA-B include metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soil and groundwater. Concentrations of chromium in soil within Area SRA-B exceeded the soil cleanup objective (SCO) for unrestricted use (1 part per million (ppm)) with the highest concentration at 308 ppm. Two VOCs, m,p-xylene and acetone, were found above the SCO for an unrestricted use, but no VOCs exceeded commercial use SCOs. No semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) were detected above unrestricted or commercial use SCOs. Groundwater was shown to have exceedances for the VOCs m,p?xylene and trichloroflouromethane (Freon 11). No SVOCs exceeded groundwater standards. Aluminum, chromium, iron, and manganese exceeded standards for metals in groundwater. Information submitted with the BCP application regarding the environmental condition at the site has been reviewed and will be revised during the remedial investigation as additional information becomes available.
Site Health Assessment
Information submitted with the BCP application regarding the conditions at the site are currently under review and will be revised as additional information becomes available.
Administrative Information on Site C
Site Name: Sawmill Place Remediation Area C SRA-C
Site Code: C356044
Program: Brownfield Cleanup Program
EPA ID Number:
Location
DEC Region: 3
Address: 10 Sawmill Place
City: Wallkill Zip: 12589
County: ULSTER
Latitude: 41.647611111
Longitude: -74.236916667
Site Type:
Estimated Size: 2.840 Acres
Site Owner(s) and Operator(s)
Current Owner Name: Watchtower Bible And Tract Society Of New York, Inc.
Current Owner(s) Address: 25 Columbia Heights Brooklyn ,NY, 11201-2483
Site Document Repository
Name: Wallkill Public Library
Address: 7 Bona Ventura Avenue Wallkill , NY 12589
Site Description
This is a Brownfield Cleanup Program ( BCP ) site, referred to as Sawmill Place Remediation Area C (SRA-C). The site is located at 10 Sawmill Place , Town of Shawangunk , Ulster County. This site is 2.84 acres in size, and is situated within a 1,141 acre tax parcel owned by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. ("Watchtower"). There are two other BCP sites, SRA-A and SRA-B, within this tax parcel (see Site Nos. C356042 and C356043) for further information. Currently the 2.84 property is vacant. The site is currently zoned R-Ag 4, Residential-Agricultural use. During the 1960s and 1970s, Watchtower printing operations are reported to have involved on-site disposal of wastes, drums and construction/demolition debris. Prior to 1960s, uses included farmland and orchards. Depth to groundwater was 4 to 9 feet below ground surface, and the groundwater flow is to the northwest. There is an intermittent stream to the north. Soils are mostly brown and gray silty clay intermixed with gravel and construction/demolition debris (e.g., bricks, scrap metal). The Shawangunk Kill is approximately 2,000 feet to the southeast. Two private reservoirs and one catchment basin are located 3,000 feet to the southwest, and serve as Watchtower?s drinking water source. The Brownfield Cleanup Program application was approved by the Department of Environmental Conservation on 01/11/2011 and on 1/28/11 the Department executed the Brownfield Cleanup Agreement.
Contaminants of Concern (Including Materials Disposed)
Type of Waste
Quantity of Waste
1,2,4-TRIMETHYLBENZENE
UNKNOWN
CHROMIUM
UNKNOWN
NAPHTHALENE
UNKNOWN
PCB-AROCLOR 1254
UNKNOWN
TOLUENE
UNKNOWN
XYLENE (MIXED)
UNKNOWN
Site Environmental Assessment
Based upon past investigations, the primary contaminants of concern in area SRA-C include metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soil and groundwater. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in soil, but not groundwater. Concentrations of cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, selenium, zinc, and copper within Area SRA-C exceeded the soil cleanup objectives (SCO) for unrestricted use. Concentrations of copper exceeded the restricted commercial SCO. PCBs were detected at concentrations of 0.114 parts per million (ppm) and 1.74 ppm, both 10-15 feet below ground surface, with one sample exceeding the unrestricted SCO (0.1 ppm) and the other exceeding the commercial use SCO (1.0 ppm). VOCs included 1,2,4?trimethlybenzene, 2-butanone (methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)), m,p?xylene, n-propylbenzene, o-xylene, and toluene were found above the SCO for unrestricted use. Only one soil sample had semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) above the unrestricted use SCO. Compounds included: benzo(a)anthracene; benzo(a)pyrene; benzo(b)fluoranthene; and chyrsene. Groundwater SCG exceedances included 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, 4-methyl-2-pentanone (MIBK), benzene, chloroethane, 1,4 dioxane, dichlorodifluoromethane (Freon 12), ethyl benzene, isopropylbenzene, m,p-xylene, methylene chloride, naphthalene, n-butylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, o-xylene, sec-butylbenzene, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, trichlorofluoromethane (Freon 11), and vinyl chloride. SVOCs including acenaphthene and naphthalene exceeded groundwater standards. Aluminum, antimony, lead, iron, sodium, thallium, magnesium and manganese exceeded standards for metals in groundwater. Information submitted with the BCP application regarding the environmental condition at the site has been reviewed and will be revised during the remedial investigation as additional information becomes available.
Site Health Assessment
Information submitted with the BCP application regarding the conditions at the site are currently under review and will be revised as additional information becomes available.
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rebel8
As a citizen of NYS, I am considering submitting a Freedom of Information Law request for information about who is funding the cleanup.
If you have any unanswered questions (i.e., you determined the info was not available after searching), please post them here ASAP--I may include them in my request to the state.
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donuthole
@rebel8
As I mentioned earlier I'm wondering if any applications have been made for Federal or State grant money through the EPA Brownsfield Program. I would also be interested if anyone at the Watchtower or State has developed a remediation plan.
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rebel8
Sounds good.
I'm going to wait a few days and see if anyone else comes up with questions to be asked.
I am assuming they haven't come up with a remediation plan because they all say, " Information submitted with the BCP application regarding the environmental condition at the site has been reviewed and will be revised during the remedial investigation as additional information becomes available."
ETA: Awardees lists are online on epa.gov and wts is not among them since the date of their application to NYSDEC. It appears at this point we have no outstanding questions for a FOIL.
Bold is stuck ON! lol
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wallsofjericho
*** w70 10/15 p. 618 par. 5 Saving the Human Race—in the Kingdom Way ***
Man’s devices are not just those nuclear and other weapons of modern warfare that are capable of mass killing at high rates of speed. Man’s devices include also his peacetime ways of ruining the earth, namely, by his arranging for man’s living quarters, his making foodstuffs available for human life, his distributing those food supplies, his disposing of the waste products of big industries, his exploiting of the earth’s natural resources, his spoiling of the natural environment of mankind*** w71 9/15 p. 561 par. 10 Set Apart from the World ***
For fifty years and more, through the Watchtower magazine, Jehovah’s witnesses have consistently warned of the dangers inherent in the materialistic society. Science and technology boast of material progress, but for half a century they have in fact been ruining the earth. (Rev. 11:18) Self-seeking materialists have played havoc with the productive land, polluting air and soil, river and sea, and decimating the living resources of the earth. In some countries the few rich are very, very rich, and the many poor are very, very poor. With populations exploding all over the earth, many nations now stand at the brink of starvation, and disaster is predicted by experts for the mid-1970’s. Rather than fit in with political promises of a bright, materialistic tomorrow, this devastation on earth fits Jehovah’s prophecies on mankind’s waywardness in the “last days.” (Mark 13:8; 2 Tim. 3:1, 2; Rev. 6:5-8) Who have been making known the truth about materialism—the world’s propagandists or Jehovah’s witnesses?*** w69 3/1 p. 136 Earth Becomes a Paradise ***
Then the whole earth will radiate happiness. It will be as if its meadows and mountains, its trees and flowers, its rivers and seas, are all rejoicing at Jehovah’s righteous rule. (Ps. 96:11-13; 98:7-9) The fresh air will no longer suffer contamination. Every river and stream will sparkle with fresh, pure water. There will be no more ruining of the land.*** g80 11/22 p. 14 Those Frightening Chemical Wastes—Is There an Answer? ***
Those Frightening Chemical Wastes—Is There an Answer?
EVERY minute 152,700 pounds (69,260 kg) of deadly chemical wastes are produced by American industries alone. Less than one tenth is properly disposed of. So the chance that some of this flood of poison will enter your life is very real.
What Hinders Proper Disposal?
GREED. Safer methods are costly. Many companies use cheap illegal dumping instead. While it may cost from $20 to $155 (U.S.) a drum to dispose of waste properly, illegal dumpers, in some areas, reportedly do it for $1.50.
ECONOMIC SYSTEM. For some companies to dispose of their chemical wastes properly would mean raising prices, or even financial ruin. Millions of jobs could be lost. The economic system would be ruined. So governments and some of the working masses are reluctant to protest too strongly against waste pollution. -
tresdecu
The more I read about this, the more excited I become!! I really hope this doesn't fizzle out. With all the hypocritic words of condemnation printed in the past, this has the makings of a scathing 60 minutes segment. Please oh Please
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stuckinamovement
BTT. Marvin has interesting information at his blog. http://marvinshilmer.blogspot.com/2011/12/whistleblower-watchtowers-dump.html