Live Updates-Press Releases

For Immediate Release:
May 17, 2012

For more information, please contact:
Ashley Sulock
Director of Marketing & Communications
Berkshire Chamber of Commerce
(413) 499-4000, extension 115
asulock@berkshirechamber.com

PITTSFIELD, MA – Over the past several months, the EPA and the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut have been working cooperatively to discuss potential approaches to clean up the Rest of River portion of the Housatonic River. These discussions have focused, in part, on the need to address the risks from polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to humans, fish, wildlife and other organisms while avoiding, mitigating or minimizing the impacts of the clean up on the unique ecological character of the Housatonic River.

The Berkshire Chamber has been notified that the EPA and the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut have hearings scheduled next week to discuss next steps for the potential clean up of the Housatonic River in western Massachusetts and Connecticut. The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has maintained a consistent position on this important issue.

The mission of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce is to lead and advance economic development and support civic and social welfare of Berkshire County through the advocacy and support of our members and the Berkshire community. The Chamber recognizes that the method(s) of remediation of the "Rest of River" will have an impact on the region, including the Chamber's mission of supporting economic development, civic welfare and social welfare, and, as such, has carefully evaluated the various implications of remediation. The Berkshire Chamber believes that meeting EPA Human Health Standards supports civic and social welfare and a full dredging methodology in the manner employed during Phase I area of Pittsfield does not support economic development.

To advance economic development and support civic and social welfare, the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce supports remediation methodologies for the "Rest of River" that meet EPA Human Health Standards while not employing a full dredging methodology.

Friday, the EPA and the states will release a document called the “Status Report of Preliminary Discussions of Potential Remediation Approaches to the GE-Housatonic River Site “Rest of River” PCB Contamination.” The Chamber looks forward to the release of the report and remains confident that the EPA and states have identified potential remedial approaches for the Rest of River that reflect the Chamber's position.

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