奇異電器(General Electric)過去在麻州生產如變壓器與電容等電器用品，因而造成工廠南邊胡薩托尼克河（Housatonic River）被多氯聯苯（PCB）污染，奇異公司為此提出了清理計畫，而美國環保署對此提出了超過150項改進建議。
在給奇異公司的建議中，環保署詳列該公司清理計畫（Corrective Measures Study）的缺失，特別是在清理過程中對河川生態系及景觀上的影響。
奇異公司現在必須在90天內對環保署提出的問題做出進一步說明。在審查改進計畫後，環保署將會為最終的清理計畫提出自己的方案。
環保署新英格蘭辦公室主任法尼（Robert Varney）說：「清理胡薩托尼克河在Pittsfield以南河段的污染，將是這世代新英格蘭居民面臨的最大環境問題之一。」
在審查那超過700頁的清理計畫的過程中，環保署收到了數以百計，來自本地居民及相關團體，包括麻州與康州的政府機關的建議。
法尼也表示，河床中污染沈積物將移除，但在奇異公司提出的報告中沒有對污染沈積物的處理設備以及掩埋做出適當說明，也沒有評量利用鐵路作異地處理（off-site disposal）的可行性。
這清理計畫包含胡薩托尼克河在Pittsfield以南的河段，以及東西兩側匯入的支流，一直到康州的德比水壩。
當清理工作從Pittsfield市區溝渠段，進入蜿蜒於鄉村地區的下游，環保署認為清理計畫必須要避免影響當地動植物與生態區，並盡可能將河川水域恢復原貌。
環保署在計畫執行中將繼續辦理對外推廣計畫，讓當地居民持續積極參與河川清理的過程，並關注最新科技的發展。
請按此參看美國環保署對奇異公司清理計畫的超過150項的改進建議。
General Electric's cleanup proposal for PCB contamination of the Housatonic River south of Pittsfield, Massachusetts raises more than 150 concerns, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The river sediment is polluted with polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, south of the GE property where the company formerly manufactured electrical equipment such as transformers and capacitors.
In comments sent to GE in a letter Tuesday, the federal agency details issues that are inadequately addressed in the company's Corrective Measures Study, especially regarding impacts on the river ecosystem during cleanup work, and impacts on aesthetic enjoyment of the area by local residents.
GE must now address the concerns raised by the agency and submit additional detailed information within 90 days. Following review of the revised GE proposal, the EPA will propose its own preferred clean up alternative for a final cleanup remedy.
"Cleaning up the portions of the Housatonic River south of Pittsfield is one of the most significant environmental challenges for this generation of New Englanders," said Robert Varney, regional administrator of EPA's New England office.
During the review of the 700-plus page Corrective Measures Study, EPA received hundreds of comments from area residents and involved parties, including several state government agencies in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
He said the EPA also is concerned that the GE study does not provide adequate detail on potential placement of a landfill for consolidation of, or facilities for treatment of, the contaminated sediment that will be removed from the river. Nor did GE adequately evaluate the use of rail transportation for off-site disposal alternatives, Varney said.
The Corrective Measures Study covers an area of the Housatonic River south of Pittsfield, Massachusetts from the confluence of the east and west branches of the river to the Derby dam in Connecticut.
As cleanup work on the Housatonic moves from an urban, channelized river in Pittsfield to a more natural, meandering and rural environment downstream, the EPA believes it is critical that the remedy avoid or minimize negative impacts on sensitive plant and animal species and sensitive areas and restore the river and floodplain to its current character to the greatest extent possible.
EPA will continue with its outreach program throughout the lifespan of the project to ensure that the public continues to be actively involved as the clean up progresses, and as new developments occur in science or technology.
For a summary of the EPA's 150-plus concerns with the GE Corrective Measures Study, click here.
全文及圖片詳見：ENS
作者
In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
