Better solution needed for handling wastewater from STAMP

Editor:

As a resident of Medina, NY, I am writing to express my emphatic opposition to the proposed 9-mile-long sewer pipeline from the STAMP manufacturing site in Alabama along Route 63 into Shelby, that would deposit up to 6 million gallons of treated wastewater into the Oak Orchard Creek.

Further, I stand in agreement with those statements made in opposition at the eminent domain hearing held July 27 in Alabama, NY, by Jennifer Persico, attorney with Lippes Mathias LLP, Michael Dobell, chief executive officer of the Orleans Economic Development Agency, Joe Cardone, the Orleans County district attorney, Scott Logan, a subchief for the Bear Clan of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, Geri Hens of Niagara County, a beekeeper, Dr. Kirk A. Scirto, family medicine specialist at Tonawanda Family Care Center, and others who expressed their informed concerns on issues regarding the environment, ecosystem, tourism, economic development in Orleans County, health and the legality of the process.

I am not generally opposed to STAMP. The possibility of various economic benefits related to its operation could prove to be very positive for the Medina area and its citizens. That said, I completely agree with the statement made by Michael Dobell, chief executive officer of the Orleans Economic Development Agency:

“We are not opposed to the overall STAMP project as it exists in Genesee County. However, as representatives working on behalf of the residents and business owners in Orleans County, our mission is to foster economic development within Orleans County, and it would be inconsistent with that mission to support a project that would compromise local infrastructure, harm the county’s recreational waterways and is detrimental to economic development in Orleans County.”

I urge US Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, US Representative Claudia Tenney, NYS Senator Robert Ortt, NYS Assemblyman Stephen Hawley to employ the full weight of their offices in opposition to this project as currently presented, and work to find a better solution that puts people, communities and the environment above business at any cost.

Additionally, I would urge all others who desire to protect the quality and integrity of our communities, environment, ecosystem, tourism, economic development and health, along with a transparent and responsive legal process vis-à-vis this project to immediately contact those listed above and express your concerns.

Christopher M. Busch

Medina