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SCHUMER: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RELEASES LONG OVERDUE NEWBURGH PFOS INVESTIGATIVE REPORT


Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today released the following statement after the Department of Defense released their long overdue Site Investigation Report:

"It was like pulling teeth, but, belatedly, the Department of Defense finally released their investigative report on toxic PFOA contamination at Stewart AFB and the surrounding waterways. This report must be immediately shared with the public and environmental experts so we can quickly understand the extent of the contamination and peruse the quickest and most effective ways to remove these toxins from our drinking water systems.

“The toxic PFOA threat to public health cannot be allowed to drag on, that is why I persistently hounded the Department of Defense and the Air Force to finish and release this long overdue investigative report.

"I will continue to fight tooth and nail to ensure that the Air Force and the Department of Defense complete the remaining steps of the CERCLA cleanup process, drastically improve communication and transparency with impacted communities, and award a contract for full remediation of the toxic waste with all due speed. Newburgh residents are tired of waiting, the Air Force and DOD must do more to clean up this toxic mess and they must do it now.”

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