The Hampshire Research Institute

		Technical Support for Communities
Toxic contamination in a community means making hard decisions. Residents need to be better equipped to participate effectively in the decision- making. HOME INFO PUBLICATIONS PREVIOUS		Thousands of communities face problems of environmental contamination, and hundreds more are being considered as possible locations for new industrial facilities that will handle hazardous wastes or use toxic chemicals. Citizens are often not adequately informed or involved in the decisions that affect them and their environment. More than a dozen communities have hired HRI to equip those exposed, or likely to be exposed, to toxic polultants from such facilities with the knowledge necessary to understand and participate effectively in such decisions. Hampshire acts, not to substitute for direct community involvement, but to provide community representatives with tools and concepts to enable their participation. When a highly credentialed spokesperson is needed, HRI provides the credible expertise to represent local concerns. Problems Addressed - HRI has helped communities facing: groundwater contamination, a chemical company's discharge of wastes at the facility, off-site, and directly into the ocean, solid waste landfills - some closed, some still operating - with industrial contamination, in residential areas, contamination from an abandoned battery factory in an otherwise residential area, adjoining a wildlife refuge, a proposed urban waste incinerator, groundwater and air contamination from an operating industrial facility surrounded by urban residential areas, soil contamination from uncontrolled burning of lead-covered cables at a recycling facility, in a semirural residential area, potential effects of landfill discharge into a lake-front recreational area, health implications of remedial and development activities in an illegal landfill bordering a recreational community and mangrove reserve. HRI also collaborates with other organizations in this area, combining strengths. Partners have included Clean Water Fund, Disposal Safety, Inc., and Kirk Brown and Associates. HRI's efforts may be funded by Superfund Technical Assistance Grants to communties, "potentially responsible parties" at contaminated sites, or nonprofit organizations. Return to top of page
		Community Groups Supported · Allen County Citizens for the Environment, Lima, Ohio · Brookfield Landfill Science Advisory Committee, New York, NY · Clean Up Rosen Brothers, Cortland, NY · Concerned Citizens Action to Remove Toxins, Cold Spring, NY · Concerned Citizens of Foster Township, PA · Concerned Citizens of Lake Township, Uniontown, OH · Dutch Hollow Homeowners Association, Warwick, NY · John Ball Park Community Association, Grand Rapids, MI · Li Tungsten, Glen Cove Creek Reclamation Committee, Glen Cove, NY · Los Angeles City Energy Recovery, Los Angeles, CA · Munisport Dump Coalition, North Miami, FL · Ocean County Citizens for Clean Water, Toms River, NJ · Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington, Nassau County, NY · Rochester Economic Development Corporation (for Maplewood Neighborhood Association, Koda Vista Community Association, and Concerned Neighbors of Kodak Park), Rochester, NY · Winthrop Landfill Citizens Action Group, Winthrop, ME Return to top of page

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Last updated: 13 May 2008