Chester, PA – According to a recent article in the Delco Times the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)announced that it will “fast-track the environmental remediation needed” along the Chester Waterfront in order to complete the Major League Soccer stadium by 2010. The DEP has given its stamp of approval on the project outside the concerns of some Chester locals and environmental groups.
According to Mike Ewall of the Energy Justice Network: “The stadium’s alarmingly short timeline can’t be good for Chester. Being a terribly toxic site, any legitimate cleanup effort cannot be done quickly. It’ll end up being a mess-up, cover-up or move-around.”
Despite the concern that “fast tracking” the project may expose Chester residents to even more toxins at the site, the Bucinni/Pollin Group assured Energy Justice that the site would be cleaned thoroughly. This promise was made during the latest Chester Environmental Partnership meeting held at the Faith Temple Holy Church, chaired by Rev. Horace Strand.
The DEP granted a permit to Bucinni/Pollin which will allow the developer to began preliminary construction on the site. The Department will also administer what they call a “Brownfield Action Team.” The expectation is that this team will “…accelerate redevelopment deals…” – DEP Press Release – Oct 1, 2008
All of this is quite the gamble for Chester’s poor health issues as a community. Some residents don’t see the logic in rushing the already dangerous job.
“If all they are going to do is load all of the contaminated soil onto a truck, drive it across the nation and then burn it in the backyard of another predominantly black community, than we’re the losers no matter how fast it’s done,” said Carole Burnett, Chester local.
The DelCo Alliance for Environmental Justice, a local community group, is working hard to make sure that the waterfront project does not become a botched effort. Brownfield Action Team or no Brownfield Action Team… the hope is that Chester residents do not end up the losers.
