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NEW FRIENDS OF HUDSON WEBSITE IS ON THE WAYMany of the old features no longer work and the infrastructure is more than 10 years old. So we're taking the plunge. This FoH website is under reconstruction. Our new website will feature comments and discussion board capabilities. STAY TUNED Questions? Can't find what you need? Contact Christopher Reed chr@capitol.net or (518) 372-7743 Lafarge Ravena: Two Opportunities for Public CommentFriends of Hudson is urging all concerned tosend comments to the two state agencies that are currently reviewing aspects of Lafarge's cement plant in Ravena NY Public Comment Period on Modernization ends February 22. Public Comment Period on DOH's Phase I study ends February 15. Cement Plant Proposed Modernization NYS DEC is currently reviewing Lafarge's plan to modernize the cement plant in Ravena NY. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the Draft Permit for the modernization have been issued for public comment. All persons or organizations which may be affected by the proposed modernization are invited to attend the hearing and to submit oral or written comments for the DEC to consider in its review of the proposal. This is the primary opportunity for the public to express concerns and comment specifically on the modernization proposal. Date: January 20 Time: 6 PM Location: RCS High School 2025 Route 9W, Ravena Comments may also be submitted in writing at the Hearing or sent by mail, e-mail or fax: Sarah H. Evans Project Manager/Environmental Analyst NYS DEC Region 4 Headquarters 1130 North Westcott Road Schenectady NY 12306 (518) 357-2069 (518) 357-2460 (fax) r4dep@gw.dec.state.ny.us Written comments must be received no later than 4:45 PM on February 22, 2011. An electronic copy of the draft documents is available. Hard copies of the documents are available at several area locations: DEC Region 4 Headqrtrs Coeyman's Town Hall Stuyvesant Town Hall Chatham Town Hall Kinderhook Town Hall Schodack Town Hall New Baltimore Town Hall Kinderhook Memorial Library North Chatham Free Library RCS Community Library Chatham Public Library Valatie Free Library NYS DOH Public Health Assessment Report The report and related information sheets can be accessed here. Comments on the report can be sent via mail, fax or e-mail: Bettsy Prohonic Education and Outreach Unit NYS DOH 547 River Street, Room 316 Troy NY 12180 (518) 402-7539 ceheduc@health.state.ny.us Comments must be received by February 15, 2011. Major Developments This Week Concerning Lafarge’s Ravena PlantTwo State Agencies to Conduct Public Information Meetings at R-C-S HS in RavenaDEC on Lafarge Ravena Proposed Modernization (December 8, 2010) and DOH on Public Health Assessment of Lafarge’s Ravena Plant (December 9, 2010) At these back-to-back meetings the public will finally have an opportunity to learn the specifics about Lafarge's proposed modernization and about a public health assessment. Friends of Hudson urges concerned residents to attend these meetings--the only official opportunities to hear from and ask questions of those responsible for these projects. We are reviewing all related documents and will file comments with both the DEC and DOH. As our legal and technical experts provide us with analysis of specific issues in the proposed modernization we will keep the public informed on our website and via e-mails to our members. Please donate to Friends of Hudson to support our expert review. DEC Public Information Meeting on Proposed Plant Modernization Wednesday, December 8, 2010, 6 PM Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk HS auditorium 2025 Route 9W, Ravena, NY. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued a Notice of Completion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Notice of Complete Application for the proposed modernization of Lafarge’s cement plant at Ravena NY. The DEC will conduct a Public Information Meeting at which “Department staff and Lafarge will present information to the public on the status and contents of the proposed application and DEIS. Following the presentations, the public will have an opportunity to ask questions. The presentations and the question and answer session will not be considered part of the record.” Written comments for the record will be received by the DEC, via mail, e-mail or fax, at any time during the Public Comment Period that extends through February 22, 2011. There will be a Legislative Hearing on January 20, 2011 at which the public will be able to make statements for the record. Additional information will be posted here later this week, following the public meetings. DOH Public Health Assessment of Lafarge’s Ravena Plant NYS Department of Health (DOH) has issued its Draft Phase One Report for the Lafarge Cement Plant in Ravena NY. According to the DOH “this phase one report summarizes what is known about contaminants released from the cement plant over its nearly 50 years of operation and describes how people might have been exposed to contaminants from the plant in the past or might be exposed now. This phase one report also describes previously performed assessments of health risk from contaminants released from the plant and available health outcome data for people living within a five ZIP code area around the plant. The information in this phase one report will be used in completing phase two of the public health assessment. Phase two will assess the likelihood that exposures described in the phase one report might harm community health. Based on conclusions reached during phase two, further study and/or actions to prevent or mitigate health effects might be recommended. ”The public comment period on Phase one extends until February 15, 2011 after which “DOH will develop a final phase one report that will include consideration of public comments. “ Public Meeting Thursday, Decenber 9, 2010, 7 PM Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk HS auditorium 2025 Route 9W, Ravena, NY. “At this meeting, NYS DOH staff members who prepared the phase one report will provide a brief overview of the two phases of the public health assessment for the cement plant, briefly summarize the major findings of phase one, and take comment from attendees about the health assessment process, the phase one report, and plans for phase two of the health assessment.” The report and related information sheets can be accessed at http://www.nyhealth.gov/environmental/investigations/lafarge Comments on the phase one report can be sent to: Bettsy Prohonic Education and Outreach Unit New York State Department of Health 547 River Street, Room 316 Troy, NY 12180 or via FAX: 518-402-7539 or e-mail: ceheduc@health.state.ny.us. 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