TRRAAC posting critical of Lancaster Newspapers

The Lancaster New Era published a photo of trees being cut down at the former municipal dump on Feb 26, 2009 under the headline "Work starts on rail yard move: Excavation under way for $46M project fought by some Hills, Barrcrest residents."

Many homeowners in the nearby residential neighborhoods have serious concerns, as shown In the following newsletter posted today on TRRAAC.com, website of The Rail Road Action and Advisory Committee. The letter reads:

"With no prior notice (other than a newsletter in December and meetings with governmental officials the second week of January), the heavy equipment has arrived at the dump. Indeed tree clearing has begun on the site. As in past articles, the newspaper glossed over any potentially negative aspects related to the project even after being handed, during reporter initiated interviews, direct and clear evidence of project issues worthy of further investigation. But what is most telling and the most troubling is the complete absence of any mention of the potentially friable asbestos that could be exposed on the surface of the site as trees are uprooted. The Health and Safety Plan posted on F&M's web site does not mention protection of the workers doing tree cutting and removal. The newspaper shows a complete lack of concern for protecting the public interest by not reporting any aspects of this issue.

"At the November 13th public meeting held by Manheim on the dump remediation, at which Lancaster Newspapers was in attendance, management of asbestos containing materials was a significant issue. TRRAAC was represented by an environmental engineer who inspected samples of asbestos backed vinyl flooring from the site and was of the opinion, that left in its present state, undisturbed, that this material could remain benign. However, remediation of the dump, and even the preparation for the remediation, would require the use of heavy construction equipment. The use of such equipment could turn this benign material into a friable and potentially air-borne health issue. F&M, thru their hired engineering firm ARM, repeatedly stated that they were going to be following all required procedures and the work will be safe. They stated they would have personnel monitoring the perimeter of the site as the work was conducted. Was there monitoring during tree cutting and removal? Who is ensuring the promised monitoring is actually occurring?

"The DEP representative at the November meeting, Kathy Horvath, also said they would be inspecting the site as the work progressed. But when pressed on details she admitted this may be at best one inspection per week.

"The representative from Lancaster General said nothing.

" .. . . The article mentions nothing about asbestos, about current monitoring during the tree removal phase, about future monitoring for any of the next phases. The photo reveals no monitoring personnel or devices in sight. The weather conditions during this photo of the tree removal are cold and dry. The type of condition that is conducive to material becoming brittle and easily broken up. Upon close inspection of the operator of the piece of heavy equipment that is running back and forth over the ground, the operator appears to be wearing no significant protective gear. Was this person told of the potential hazard he is working on by the project partners, specifically the Lancaster General ?

"Our public health is to be protected by possibly one inspection per week from the agency that stated on the record it was 'overwhelmed' by six public comments on the proposed cleanup plan. Our public health is to be protected by F&M who stands to gain the most from this unnecessary activity, part of an idea that was conceived by the college’s administration as a way to beautify the college's campus by removing the rail yard out of their backyard. Our public health is to be protected by the hospital that spends perhaps millions promoting their 'Breath Right' campaign, yet sits silently at the table when a potentially serious air-borne asbestos health risk is being discussed. Our public health is to be protected by a newspaper that refuses to report anything about the issue. Hmmm….

"TRRAAC requested Manheim officials request the site officials to notify them when they observe asbestos containing materials and provide daily logs of site activities. The project partners told the township they will provide weekly monitoring reports and post them on its web site. We will hold them to that promise and continue to insist on full disclosure and transparency of all aspects of this project."