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10.06.11

Right to Know Sewage Spill Bill

         

Here’s NEWS that really STINKS! 

Sewage Spills do happen—even in Nassau County, one of the wealthiest counties in the nation.  Since 2001 there have been hundreds of violations at our area's sewage treatment plants that dump into our bays and oceans.

AND YOU WERE NEVER TOLD!

Question:  Do you know when you’re swimming or fishing in sewage?
Answer: If your family’s health is at risk, you have a right to know!
See it for yourself:  YouTube videos of illegal sewage discharges emptying into Reynold’s Channel from the Bay Park sewage treatment plant, occurring as recently as September 8, 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnbRzbs39HU.
And still there is no plan for public notification of such a health-threatening event.
If you don’t believe this, call your local Nassau County Legislator. Ask why they are allowing your children’s health to be placed at risk.  Demand that they support the NASSAU COUNTY RIGHT TO KNOW – SPILL BILLthe public notification legislation that has been sitting on Legislator Peter Schmitt’s desk since April 2011.  That’s nearly half a year ago! And nothing yet has been done to protect the tax paying citizens of Nassau County.

                      If you’re mad enough to do something about this,

                      here’s what to do  --------------

Attached are two Right to Know - Spill Bill letters, requiring that Nassau County Legislators advance the Spill Bill and vote in its favor. We urge ALL Nassau County residents to download both letters, fill in the missing information highlighted in green, print the letters and mail them as follows:


STEP 1  The first letter goes to the County Legislator who represents your own legislative district (LD). You can check the name of your legislator online at www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Legis/ . (Click on “Who Is My Legislator?”)

STEP 2  The second letter is already addressed to Legislator Peter J. Schmitt.  He is the Legislature’s Presiding Officer and Majority Leader.  He controls whether the Spill Bill ever gets on the calendar for a vote. Make sure he gets this letter ASAP.
STEP 3 Wait several days and follow up with phone calls to your own legislator,  to Leg. Peter Schmitt: 516-571-6211, and to County Executive Ed Mangano: 516-571-3131.
                       
Tell them to push the Spill Bill to a vote and get it passed!   
This is an election year!  You vote!  Your voice counts!
Thank You!

       

 

                                     Your Name;Address; Phone #(s); Email

                                                                                                              Date ??, 2011

TheHonorable YourLegislator’s Full Name

1550 Franklin Ave.

Mineola, NY11501

Re:The NassauCountyRight to Know of aSpill Bill – Docket No. 138-11
Dear Legislator Your Legislator’s Last Name:
On April 18, 2011, The Nassau County Right toKnow of a Spill Bill, docket no. 138-11, was filedwith the County Clerk; which, to date, still has not been submitted tothe Legislature for its review, discussion, amendment or vote.
I urge you to advance thiscritically important bill that protects the health, safety, welfare andenvironment of the constituency you serve.
Recent events warrant this Bill being enactedimmediately, including:
·       Over 600 NYState permit discharge violations at local sewage treatment plants between 2003and 2011;
·       Theseven violations disclosed in NYSDEC’s consent order, particularly the3,500,000 gallon sewage overflow from the Bay Park sewage treatment plant into East RockawayChannel, on March 30, 2010;
·       Documented BayPark spills exhibited on You Tube during late summer 2010;
·       Two majorsewage spills at Baldwin’s Parsonage Creek in August 2011.
In the event of untreated sewagespills or overflows, I, as a taxpayer and voter, require assurance theCounty will notify me so I may take the necessary precautions to protect thehealth and well being of my family and myself. Enacting the Spill Bill will provide this assurance, now and in the future.
Istrongly urge you to advance and endorse the Spill Bill. Urge Presiding Officer Schmitt to submit the Spill Bill to the Legislature for itsreview and vote; and please vote YES.
Pleaserespond to me in writing on your position and the status of this vitallyimportant issue.
Ithank you for your time and efforts.
                                                                                                         Respectfully requested,
                                                                                                         Sign Your Name
                                                                                                         Print Your Name

                                       YourName; Address; Phone #(s); Email

                                                                                                              Date ??, 2011

TheHonorable Peter J. Schmitt,

PresidingOfficer
1550 Franklin Ave.
Mineola, NY11501
Re:The NassauCountyRight to Know of aSpill Bill – Docket No. 138-11
Dear Legislator Schmitt:
OnApril 18, 2011, The Nassau County Rightto Know of a Spill Bill, docket no. 138-11, was filed with the County Clerk; which, to date, still has not beensubmitted to the Legislature for its review, discussion, amendment or vote.
I urge you to advance thiscritically important bill that protects the health, safety, welfare andenvironment of the constituency you serve.
Recent events warrant this Bill being enactedimmediately, including:
·       Over 600 NYState permit discharge violations at local sewage treatment plants between 2003and 2011;
·       Theseven violations disclosed in NYSDEC’s consent order, particularly the3,500,000 gallon sewage overflow from the Bay Park sewage treatment plant into East RockawayChannel, on March 30, 2010;
·       Documented BayPark spills exhibited on YouTube during late summer 2010;
·       Two majorsewage spills at Baldwin’s Parsonage Creek in August 2011.
In the event of untreated sewagespills or overflows, I, as a taxpayer and voter, require assurance theCounty will notify me so I may take the necessary precautions to protect thehealth and well being of my family and myself. Enacting the Spill Bill will provide this assurance, now and in the future.
Istrongly urge you to submit the SpillBill to the Legislature for its review and vote; and I request that you please vote YES yourself.
Pleaserespond to me in writing on the status of this vitally important issue.
Ithank you for your time and efforts.                      
                                                                                                         Respectfully requested,
                                                                         
                                                                        
                                                                                                         Sign Your Name
                                                                                                         Print Your Name
cc: Edward  Mangano, County Executive