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Home My WebLink AboutALL GFR public comments for 1.7.25 PB meeting-for Open Gov and applicantFrom: Yayoi Koizumi Sent: Thursday, January 2, 2025 8:00 AM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Subject: New Year, Renewed Call for Accountability on Synthec Turf Projects **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department January 2, 2025 Dear Town of Ithaca Planning Board Members, We are writing to express serious concerns about an apparent conflict of interest that may have compromised the integrity of the decision-making process regarding Cornell University’s synthetic turf projects, specifically the “Meinig Fieldhouse Project” on Tower Road. While construction is already underway, we believe the integrity of the decision-making process warrants closer scrutiny, particularly given the potential conflict of interest involving Mitch Glass, the former chair of the City Planning Board, and Sasaki, the architectural firm representing Cornell. Glass worked for over a decade at Sasaki, from 2002 to 2012, at their headquarters in Watertown, MA—the same location where Trey Sasser, the Sasaki representative advocating for Cornell’s plans, has worked for twenty-six years (Exhibit 1, 2). Given their overlapping tenure at the same location, it raises reasonable concerns that they knew each other professionally. While Glass’s employment with Sasaki ended over a decade ago, such a long-standing professional relationship raises valid questions about impartiality. At a minimum, this connection should have been disclosed to ensure public trust and transparency in the decision-making process. The City Planning Board’s issuance of a Negative Declaration for Cornell’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) during a four-person meeting on September 3, 2024, raises additional concerns. The meeting barely made quorum and included a brand-new board member who may not have been fully informed about the nine months of public comments leading up to the decision. Shortly after this approval, Mr. Glass stepped down from the City Planning Board, which raises questions about whether the process had the full benefit of continuity, rigor and transparency. Another troubling element of this process involves Frank Rossi, a Cornell professor and director of the university’s turf management program. Rossi submitted a letter to the City and Town Planning Boards on August 29, 2024, ostensibly in support of Cornell’s synthetic turf proposals. However, his claims—including the recommendation of a 212-micron mechanical filtration system to capture microplastics—are inconsistent with current scientific understanding. Experts in plastics and microplastics science widely recognize that particles below 1 micron in diameter, including nanoplastics, are notoriously difficult to capture, raising questions about the accuracy of Rossi’s assertions. Furthermore, emission of microplastics does not go only with water runoffs; air emissions and tracking by players on their shoes and clothes also need to be considered. Additionally, Rossi’s involvement raises serious concerns about conflicts of interest. Cornell’s turf management program collaborates with Penn State’s synthetic turf research program, which partners with FieldTurf, a major synthetic turf manufacturer (Exhibit 3,4). While the exact funding relationship between FieldTurf and Penn State’s program is unclear, this connection calls into question the impartiality of Rossi’s advocacy for synthetic turf. Furthermore, Rossi has documented ties to Petro-Canada in relation to pesticide research (Exhibit 5), raising further concerns about his independence from the fossil fuel industry. In public interviews, such as with The Cornell Daily Sun, Rossi and Cornell’s Meinig Fieldhouse Project Team have repeated industry narratives, including claims about synthetic turf reducing water use, fossil fuel emissions and pesticide reliance—claims that are increasingly contested by independent experts. While these affiliations may not inherently disqualify his input, they underscore the importance of transparency and critical scrutiny. Rossi’s letter to the planning boards and his alignment with synthetic turf advocates highlight the need for critical scrutiny of the expertise and motivations influencing decisions on projects like these. His history of affiliations with a fossil fuel company undermines confidence in the objectivity of his contributions to this discussion. Furthermore, the references he makes in the letter lack citations, making it difficult to verify the accuracy of his assertions. To promote transparency and accountability in decision-making, we recommend that planning board members disclose their CVs with links on the board's main official pages (Town and City), including any past affiliations or ties to developers, architectural firms, fossil fuel companies, or universities. This measure would help ensure that potential conflicts of interest are visible to the public and provide greater confidence in the board’s impartiality when evaluating projects. Such transparency is essential for fostering trust and maintaining the integrity of the planning process. We bring these issues up now not only to highlight the troubling precedent set by the Meinig “Fieldhouse” project but also to urge greater scrutiny for Cornell’s new synthetic turf proposal on Game Farm Road. These projects were initially part of the same proposal before being segmented—a decision that raises its own environmental review concerns. Segmentation limits the scope of environmental assessments and prevents a holistic evaluation of the cumulative impacts, including environmental, health, and environmental justice issues. ** Cornell’s approach to public concerns has been equally troubling. During the December 17, 2024, Town Planning Board meeting, Cornell representative Kimberly Michael dismissed community concerns claiming they “take one study and make it seem as though it’s the whole world” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZA8Giktyyo&t=620s). This statement is a near repetition of remarks she made earlier during the May 28, 2024, City Planning Board meeting, demonstrating Cornell’s dismissive stance. At the time of the Negative Declaration’s approval in September 2024, Zero Waste Ithaca had submitted a 70-page bibliography of peer-reviewed studies and reputable sources addressing synthetic turf’s risks. In contrast, Cornell’s submissions relied on just 12 references to support claims about synthetic turf’s safety (See page 33-34 (10-11) of “Additional Materials, April 2, 2024.” No additional sources were cited in Cornell’s highly problematic “Additional Materials, July 9, 2024”). During the May 28, 2024, City Planning Board meeting, Ms. Michael stated: “I shouldn’t be speaking in the kind of granular way that this group is putting the information out there. ... there are holes in their science... they jump to conclusions... they make one study presented as if it’s the whole world’s study…they employ a lot of really great persuasive techniques.” (Timestamp 2:03:00) (City of Ithaca Public Meetings. "Planning Board Meeting - May 28, 2024." YouTube video, 2:37:35, May 28, 2024, timestamp 1:40:00 – 2:14:00. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdzzownm-Zc.) Her December remarks closely mirrored these earlier comments, suggesting a lack of meaningful engagement with the concerns raised by the community. These remarks attempted to discredit a webinar organized by Zero Waste Ithaca, which featured six independent experts, including PhDs, chemists, attorneys, and organic natural grass field specialists. The webinar was well attended with over 300 registrations, and helped defeat a proposed synthetic turf plan in a Wisconsin school district. This dismissive rhetoric undermines substantive discourse and fails to engage with the community’s well-researched concerns. We urge the Town Planning Board to carefully consider the City Planning Board’s handling of the Meinig Fieldhouse project as you evaluate Cornell’s new synthetic turf proposal for Game Farm Road. This includes scrutinizing the imbalance in evidentiary submissions, reassessing reliance on potentially misrepresented studies, and ensuring that decisions affecting the community and environment are made transparently and equitably. In addition, we call on the Town Planning Board to request full disclosure of Cornell’s financial or research partnerships with synthetic turf manufacturers and other industry stakeholders. Sincerely, Yayoi Koizumi PS: This letter has been shared with media outlets for transparency. Exhibits Exhibit 1: Mitch Glass’s CV from Cornell’s website, showing his tenure at Sasaki Associates in Watertown, MA https://aap.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/person/MGlass%20CV%20Sep%202020.pdf Exhibit 2: Trey Sasser ’s LinkedIn profile, highlighting his 26 years at the Watertown, MA location of Sasaki Associates https://www.linkedin.com/in/trey-sasser-73945b157/ Exhibit 3:Cornell Turf Program’s webpage on synthetic turf, along with two webinars featuring Penn State’s synthetic turf program director as a guest speaker, reflect the university’s position and advocacy for synthetic turf. Frank Rossi is listed as Contact. Cornell synthetic turf webpage https://safesportsfields.cals.cornell.edu/synthetic-turf/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pPm2dMu39g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq4sZZzwkjo Exhibit 4: Penn State's "Center for Sports Surface Research" partnership with FieldTurf, a synthetic turf manufacturer https://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/ssrc/about Exhibit 5: Peer-reviewed studies (2021 and 2023) authored by Frank Rossi, which disclose his ties to Petro-Canada and potential conflicts of interest related to synthetic turf advocacy Bekken, Michael A. H., Douglas J. Soldat, Paul L. Koch, Carl S. Schimenti, Frank S. Rossi, Trygve S. Aamlid, Karin J. Hesselsøe, Torben K. Petersen, and Chase M. Straw, et al. "Analyzing Golf Course Pesticide Risk Across the US and Europe—The Importance of Regulatory Environment." Science of the Total Environment 874 (May 20, 2023): 162498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162498 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S 0048969723011142 Bekken, Michael A. H., Carl S. Schimenti, Douglas J. Soldat, and Frank S. Rossi. "A Novel Framework for Estimating and Analyzing Pesticide Risk on Golf Courses." Science of the Total Environment 783 (August 20, 2021): 146840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146840 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721019100 Addendum: Frank Rossi’s research and educational involvement with CIVITAS Turf Defense and its developer, Petro-Canada, raise important questions about the product’s actual sustainability and environmental impact. While CIVITAS is marketed as a "green" alternative to conventional pesticides, it relies on a petrochemical base and a micronutrient package that may provide short-term visual benefits like a "green up," but evidence suggests these components can have detrimental long-term effects on plant health. CIVITAS has been on the market for over a decade, yet it has faced criticism for its limited adoption and long-term effectiveness, with reports from turfgrass professionals indicating it has failed to deliver sustainable results in many cases. Rossi’s educational outreach on turfgrass management appears to align with his broader advocacy for Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which focuses on reducing chemical inputs rather than eliminating them. In a study co-authored by Rossi, which developed a framework for quantifying pesticide risk on golf courses, petroleum- derived spray oils like CIVITAS were mentioned as an area where risk models remain unparameterized, highlighting the complexity of assessing their environmental impact. While the study did not explicitly recommend CIVITAS or similar products, it emphasized selecting lower-risk products as a strategy for reducing pesticide use. These issues, coupled with the marketing emphasis on sustainability that contradicts the petrochemical origins of CIVITAS, highlight the need for greater scrutiny of Rossi’s role in this context and the broader claims made about the product’s environmental benefits. Yayoi Koizumi Zero Waste Ithaca | BYO - US Reduces Founder | Co-Founder zerowasteithaca.org usreduces.org Our work is fiscally sponsored by NOPI - Nonprofit Incubator, a program of NOPI INC, a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation and 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 81-5089505. Donations are tax-deductible where allowed by law. Learn more at https://thenopi.org. From: Daniel Swanson Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2024 2:14 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Subject: Public Comment: Concerns Regarding Proposed Synthec Turf Field on Game Farm Road **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Town of Ithaca Board Members, I implore you to deliver an Environmental Impact Assessment to Cornell in relation to their Meinig Fieldhouse Project as well as the other synthetic turf field they're planning on constructing around campus. Cornell hosts about its sustainability commitments on campus, but its utilization of synthetic turf essentially allows them to push their environmental cost/impact onto our community and the world at large. They will be contributing to the MILLIONS OF POUNDS of air pollution that are released from large scale plastic and synthetic rubber manufacturing plants. MILLIONS OF POUNDS of air pollution annually from this specific class of manufacturing plants alone. Synthetic turf is made with synthetic petrochemicals including but not limited to petroleum, natural gas, and other fossil fuels. These petrochemicals contain carcinogens, aka substances that cause CANCER in humans and animals. These carcinogens don't just become dormant or disappear after final production. They are essential and inherent to the final product. Cornell outlines in their sustainability commitment to having a carbon neutral campus by 2035, using solar panels, making buildings LEED certified, all to be leveraged for the "public good." While this all sounds great, it is purposely ignorant of the impact that outsourcing materials from other parts of the world has. While Cornell creates and maintains their own beautiful and expansive campus, and theoretically works towards becoming carbon neutral, there is seemingly no thought put into the global supply chain that they're apart of and utilize to build new facilities. I personally believe Cornell, is well aware of this, and chooses to just not talk about it or acknowledge it, therefore willfully suppressing the poor environmental impact they have on the world, in part by utilizing synthetic turf, which as I outlined before, is produced by manufacturing plants that release millions of pounds of pollution into our air on an annual basis. That's not even considering the carcinogens and forever chemicals found in the synthetic turf itself, which WILL POISON our local environment in the form of micro and nano plastic particles running off into our soil and water. So, does Cornell care about keeping their campus clean and environmentally sustainable? I think so because it's clearly in their financial interest in terms of attracting staff and students. But, does Cornell care about their contribution to keeping the world clean and environmentally sustainable? EVIDENTLY NOT. Just like just about every other corporation and private organization in our country, there is a poisonous, and frankly disgusting attitude that outsourcing pollution is acceptable and shouldn't be questioned. The proposed synthetic turf field on Game Farm Rd is just a small example of Cornell's hypocrisy, willful ignorance, lack of care, and lack of sense of urgency in supporting environmental sustainability in our increasingly polluted world. Thanks You, Daniel Swanson Daniel Swanson Coaching Coordinator NEPA & Binghamton ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– (c) 607.684.5532 (p) 203.217.8140 soccershots.com/binghamton    This Soccer Shots franchise is independently owned and operated. From: Brian B. Eden Sent: Monday, January 6, 2025 11:48 AM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Subject: Comment on Game Farm Road Synthec Turf Project Aachments: Evolving Awareness of Environmenral and Public Health Threats of Toxic Chemical Contaminaon.docx; Leer from Director of Campus Planning.docx Please share my comments with Planning Board members. Thank you. Brian Brian Eden Town of Ithaca Planning Board Meeting January 7, 2025 Re: Cornell's Game Farm Road Synthetic Turf Project Evolving Awareness of the Environmental and Public Health Threats of Toxic Chemical Contamination At the risk of submitting my comments too late to serve as a positive influence on the environmental review of Cornell's Game Farm Road Synthetic Turf Project, I offer the following to urge a comprehensive review of the proposal. In the 1940s, Hooker Chemical in Niagara Falls buried 50,000 55-gallon drums of chemical byproducts from the manufacturing of dyes, perfumes, and solvents for rubber and synthetic resins in a dry canal bed and covered it with soil. A few years later, an elementary school was built on a part of the mound. What could go wrong? I worked with the Love Canal Homeowners and helped form a statewide organization to support communities in the cleanup of legacy contamination sites. We lobbied for the ultimate adoption of the NYS Superfund program. Locally, in 1987, it was discovered that Trichloroethylene (TCE) had leaked into soil and groundwater from an underground fire water reservoir at the Morse Emerson Plant on S. Aurora St. TCE is a nonflammable, volatile liquid that was commonly used for decades as an industrial metal degreasing solvent, Exposure to TCE is associated with several types of cancers in humans, especially cancer of the kidney, liver, cervix, and lymphatic system, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Recent research highlighted by the American Parkinson's Disease Association indicates there may also be a link between TCE exposure and Parkinson's disease, a neurologic movement disorder that affects the brain and causes difficulty with movements or motor symptoms. The authors of the report stated that further research is needed to evaluate a possible connection between TCE exposure and Parkinson's. The TCE contaminants had migrated down gradient into many basements along S. Cayuga St. TCE vapor intrusion has been found in many basements in this area. Was it surprising to learn that those chemicals disposed of in a hole behind the factory did not just disappear? Beginning in the 1950s, Cornell buried biological and chemical lab waste and low- level radiation research materials in trenches at two sites north of the Tompkins County airport. Disposal operations continued at these sites until 1978. Cornell's cleanup of the sites is being conducted in phases, following the steps of the site remediation process of the NYSDEC. The area in proximity to the former Ithaca Gun site has undergone multiple cleanups over the past 25 years. Lead shot was dumped from the Ithaca Gun Company property into the gorge and lead shot and lead contaminated soils have migrated onto the Ithaca Falls parcel via erosion from the gun factory. The site is currently being developed for housing. The Ithaca Falls parcel, which is owned by the City of Ithaca, is popular with local resident and visitors due to the scenic nature of the Fall Creek gorge area. Why do I review this history here? When I provided scientific information on the threat of plastics and PFAS contamination from the proposed installation of the artificial turf field at Ithaca College, it generated so little interest that the Town Planning Board was unwilling to consider that information in their environmental review. As we acquire more knowledge about the threat of toxic chemicals, wouldn’t it be reasonable for a Planning Board member to wish to learn more about the dangers of PFAS? How many decades of our experience with incidents of toxic contamination before one would see the wisdom of applying the precautionary principle. Much like our cavalier attitude in the handling of the toxic and hazardous materials in an earlier industrial era, we must now address the plastic pollution legacy. There are 13,000 known chemicals associated with plastics and their production, at least 3,200 have one or more hazardous properties of concern. Ten groups of these chemicals are of major concern, such as PFAS and phthalates. Of particular toxicity are a wide range of chemicals in plastics with endocrine- disrupting properties, which short-circuit the hormone system even in very low doses, leading to obesity, cancer, and other diseases. Our civilization’s addiction to plastic has had a devastating impact on human health. I will not reprise my technical arguments that I have previously offered here. They are incorporated in the 19-page paper that I co-authored for submission to the City on the Meinig portion of this project which has been submitted by my co- author in this proceeding. There has been a problem in engaging planning staff on our scientific concerns. PFAS has only relatively recently received widespread public attention as a contaminant of concern. For example, the Cornell Office of Sustainability ’s mission is to protect a diverse, resilient, and beneficial set of natural systems for the enjoyment of people and maintenance of key ecosystem services and promote energy conservation. Why has that Office not provided advice to the Athletic Department on the best practice for aligning the artificial turf project with campus goals? Despite our requests to meet with the Athletic Director on the Meinig project to discuss matters of mutual concern which were advanced to Cornell staff in the current campus environment that encourages freedom of expression, she was unwilling to do so (See attachment). I’m a member of the County’s Climate and Sustainable Energy Advisory Board. In 2022 several of us discussed our frustrations regarding the perceived lack of rigor in municipal planning boards reviews of projects involving more complex climate and environmental issues. We formed a subcommittee to review the adequacy of such reviews and to make recommendations for possible improvements. Among those participating was Ed Marx, the former Director of County Planning, as well as several former members of planning boards. Our goal was to develop some proposed Town Environmental Quality Review (TEQR) regulations and a best practice guidance document. There are many challenges to municipal planning boards achieving better substantive outcomes. I offer the below points as constructive recommendations for the Town Board and Planning Board to consider. • A Planning Board optimally requires diverse expertise (Achieving this goal is challenging as member recruitment is difficult; often boards are over represented with architects and planners). • Early access for residents to a project ’s planning process; provides the opportunity to influence plans before developers have invested significant money in them and who thereafter become defensive and highly resistant to any changes. • Address the resistance of planning staff members/Board members to spend added time and money on an EIS; an EIS would provide access to independent, qualified third-party information and analysis and avoid the reliance on the applicant’s contractor as the sole source of technical information. How many EIS’s have been required by the Planning Board in the past decade? • Often planning staff and the applicant have met several times before the project appears on a Planning Board agenda, resolved any differences, and the staff may have already prepared the relevant SEQR documents before residents are aware of the project. • The staff and Board may lack expertise with the potential climate impacts of fossil fuel use and energy inefficient building design and performance. • Unless residents follow closely online the Planning Boards agendas, residents may enter the process at a later date when the public hearing is noticed and by then are regarded as unwelcome intervenors that interrupt the smooth processing of project applications. • Many residents believe that their opportunity for public comment is at the public hearing. Unbeknownst to them, the SEQR determination of environmental significance has already been decided which completes the application process and must be accomplished prior to the public hearing and the receipt of public comments. • The fear of the unbudgeted costs for litigation with well-funded applicants. Town attorneys effectively protect their clients by ensuring that environmental review procedures are strictly adhered to. In an Article 78 Proceeding to challenge a Planning Board’s determination, only procedural matters are litigated. Were the Planning Boards findings arbitrary and capricious? On the substantive issues, the Presiding Judge will defer to the expertise of the administrative body, the Planning Board. The subcommittee concluded, based upon its past interaction with elected municipal leadership, that such suggestions would not be well received. Our subcommittee decided not to pursue promoting a TEQR process. The Assembly Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation held a hearing on Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination on November 21, 2024 to hear testimony, by invitation only, to examine PFAS contamination. PFAS compounds, which have been found to have harmful human health impacts, are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their resistance to degradation and their persistence in the environment. The purpose of the hearing was to examine PFAS contamination in ground, surface, and storm water, with a focus on the role of wastewater treatment plants in removing such contaminants. The general consensus from all participants, Legislators, DEC staff, and the staffs of participating environmental organizations was that the only option for preventing widespread contamination of the landscape was to control PFAS at its source. Once the green fields in this project receive artificial turf installations, they will never be returned to their natural status. There are many local resources available to assist members in better understanding the nature of the PFAS problem. Damian Helbling at Cornell has studied PFAS for more than ten years. See his website https://helbling.research.engineering.cornell.edu/ to view some relevant videos. Since the pandemic, anti-science beliefs have been expanding. From vaccination refusal to climate change denial, anti-science views are threatening humanity. Specifically, anti-science attitudes are more likely to emerge when a scientific message comes from sources perceived as lacking credibility, as in here, members of the public unknown to Board members. Dismissal of scientific evidence is not a new phenomenon. However, there are multiple accessible sources of relevant information aside from those of us providing testimony here from which to source support for a Board member to better understand this issue. I’m urging the Board members to exercise their critical thinking skills in support of a comprehensive environmental review of this project. Thank you. Dear bethany, Brian, Murray, Carver and Bruce, We appreciate your continuing interest in the Meinig Fieldhouse and outdoor field project. The municipal project review and approval process is set by state and local law, and requires a sequence and cadence of submittals, presentations, and responses. This makes a second line of dialogue about this ongoing project impractical. As shown by the significant submissions to the municipal planning boards, the project team has spent a substantial amount of time and effort to identify the best playing surfaces for the athletes and the environment that meets the project’s programmatic needs. We will continue to work to ensure that the products installed comply with the plans we have presented to the planning boards and are protective of our student athletes and the community. Sincerely, Leslie Schill Leslie Schill Director of Campus Planning / University Planner Office of the University Architect / Facilities and Campus Services Cornell University leslie.schill@cornell.edu 607.255.5239 From: Constance Srling-Engman Sent: Monday, January 6, 2025 1:34 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Subject: Insights regarding installaon of SynTurf on Game Farm Rd. for Jan. 7, 2025 meeng **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, I am writing to share insights regarding the proposed installation of synthetic turf on Game Farm Road, urging the board to carefully consider the resilience of natural grass and the environmental and cultural implications of prioritizing aesthetics over functionality. Grass species commonly used in sports fields are highly resilient. Research demonstrates that turfgrass can recover from stressors such as drought, wear, and even minor pest damage without chemical intervention. When left untreated, most grass fields regenerate with rain or moderate maintenance. This resilience has supported sports and recreational use for centuries, long before the advent of synthetic alternatives. The perception that a sports field must exhibit uniform, pristine green turf to be functional is not supported by evidence. Clover, dandelions, and other broadleaf plants, often labeled as weeds, do not impede playability when mowed to appropriate heights. These species contribute to soil health and biodiversity while reducing dependency on synthetic inputs. Historical sports and recreational activities thrived on natural fields with diverse vegetation, proving that perfectionism in turf management is more about aesthetics than necessity. Moreover, synthetic turf, while marketed as a low-maintenance solution, poses significant long-term environmental and health risks. It contributes to microplastic pollution, retains excessive heat, and cannot self-repair like natural grass. The ecological and financial costs of synthetic turf are incompatible with sustainable development goals, particularly when viable, cost-effective natural alternatives are available. Shifting from a chemical- and appearance-focused approach to a more ecological mindset benefits not only the environment but also the community. Encouraging the use of resilient, well-maintained natural grass fields aligns with sustainable values and promotes a healthier, more inclusive athletic culture. I urge the board to reconsider the reliance on synthetic turf and instead champion the benefits of resilient, ecologically managed natural grass fields. Such a decision would demonstrate leadership in sustainability and a commitment to the long-term well-being of our community. Synthetic turf begets synthetic turf. There are currently an estimated 19,000 artificial fields in the United States, with as many as 1,500 new fields installed each year, about half of which are replacing older turf, according to a 2024 report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A recent NBC report highlighted a California high school district's decision to reject converting their artificial turf field back to natural grass, citing concerns over two years of field displacement during reinstallation. This underscores the significant challenges—or convenient excuses—that make reversing synthetic turf installations difficult once they are in place. Such a scenario must not be allowed to happen here. The Game Farm Road location currently features natural grass fields that are both functional and visually appealing. Replacing them with synthetic turf would not only destroy these fields but could also allow Cornell University to justify avoiding any return to natural grass in the future. Preserving these natural grassfields is essential—not only to maintain their environmental and aesthetic value but also to uphold Cornell’s stated sustainability goals of reducing fossil fuel reliance. Synthetic turf is the largest point source of plastic in outdoor environments and a major contributor to microplastic pollution. Halting the construction of additional toxic plastic turf fields, not limited to but especially outdoors, is imperative. As a hiker and scuba diver, I see enormous amounts of plastic waste and trash on land and especially underwater. During a recent dive trip, my husband and I picked up eight trash bags of plastic waste on the beach, because the place where we were staying was promoting trash pickup as part of an initiative called an Aware Dive. I also do this at Skaneateles Lake, which provides drinking water for the City of Syracuse. Thank you for your attention and thoughtful consideration of this matter. Sincerely, Constance Stirling-Engman References: U.S. EPA and CDC/ATSDR. Synthetic Turf Field Recycled Tire Crumb Rubber Research Under the Federal Research Action Plan Final Report: Part 2 – Exposure Characterization (Volumes 1 and 2). (EPA/600/R-24/020). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2024. https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/tcrs-exposure-characterization- volume-1.pdf. Huang, Bingru. "Recent Advances in Drought and Heat Stress Physiology of Turfgrass: A Review." In Acta Horticulturae 661: II International Conference on Turfgrass Science and Management for Sports Fields, 185–192. International Society for Horticultural Science, 2004. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.661.23. Huang, Bingru. "Mechanisms and Strategies for Improving Drought Resistance in Turfgrass." Acta Horticulturae 783: II International Conference on Turfgrass Science and Management for Sports Fields, 2008. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.783.22. NBC Bay Area. Disposal of School’s Artificial Turf Field Highlights Growing Environmental Concerns. Published December 31, 2024. https://youtu.be/cPYLL5Pabk0?si=AEGeM_f9RJMgDtfy. Sun, Tianxiao, Weiliang Wang, and Zhulong Chan. "How Do Cool-Season Turfgrasses Respond to High Temperature: Progress and Challenges." Grass Research 4, no. 1 (2024): Article e010. Published online April 10, 2024. https://doi.org/10.48130/grares- 004-e010. Zero Waste Ithaca Artificial Turf Bibliography, accessed December 31, 2024. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2sZxvlmdRpuWe _ZIU/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2sZxvlmd RpuWe_ZIU/edit?usp=gmail Preview YouTube video Disposal of school’s artificial turf field highlights growing environmental concerns Disposal of school’s artificial turf field highlights growing environmental concerns From: Yayoi Koizumi Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 2:05 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaﬀ@cityoﬁthaca.org Subject: Microplascs, Synthec Turf, and HABs- An Urgent Threat to Cayuga Lake **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Town Planning Board Members, I am submitting an op-ed I wrote for the Ithaca Times, published on October 18, 2024. The piece highlights the connection between harmful algal blooms (HABs) and microplastics, offering yet another example of how synthetic turf impacts both our health and the environment. For the record, I have also included the references used in writing the op-ed at the end of this submission. *** Microplastics, Synthetic Turf, and HABs- An Urgent Threat to Cayuga Lake Microplastics are not only a growing environmental threat but also a direct contributor to harmful algal blooms (HABs) in freshwater systems like Cayuga Lake. Research shows that microplastics serve as platforms for harmful organisms, enabling their proliferation in already stressed ecosystems. New studies indicate that both cyanobacteria and harmful algae, such as Pseudo- nitzschia thrive in the plastisphere—the ecosystem of microorganisms that colonizes plastic debris in the environment—creating significant risks for water quality. In Cayuga Lake, cyanobacteria are responsible for HABs that release dangerous toxins like microcystins, and the presence of microplastics could be making these blooms even worse. When I moved to this area in 2001, I was struck by the fact that I couldn’t swim in the lake with my young son due to harmful blooms. Yet, I have seen various organizations and entities continue to call Cayuga Lake “pristine.” It’s time we wake up. Locally, Professor Susan Allen at Ithaca College has been studying the toxicology of microplastics and PFAS in Cayuga Lake with some alarming results. Recently, Professor Karan Kartik Mehta at Cornell University raised similar concernsabout PFAS found in herbicides used to control hydrilla, an invasive plant. While hydrilla itself has notso far been shown to directly exacerbate HABs in New York, herbicide treatments and the decay of plant matter may contribute tonutrient release and oxygen depletion, creating conditions thatcould worsen HABs. The deluge of plastics entering our lake is alarming—some from local littering, but also from our own Ivy League university’s artificial turf projects. A recent study in Toronto identified artificial turf as the largest contributor to microplastic pollution in the city, emitting 237 tonnes in 2020—surpassing other sources, including laundry fibers and car tire emissions. (For perspective, the annual tonnage of single-use foodware accessories, such as utensils, sent to the landfill from our county is about 300 tons, at conservative estimates, based on a calculation by Chart Reuse for our Skip the Stuff initiative.) Despite multiple public comments and scientific evidence presented to the City of Ithaca Planning Board—supported by national experts—the board approved Cornell’s synthetic turf project on September 3. This decision, made by a four- person committee barely making a quorum, and lacking chemistry background, raises serious concerns. We wonder if the brand-new board member who joined at the September 3rd meeting fully reviewed the nine months of public comments— especially our 70-page bibliography (Note: Now 100 pages with new updates as of January 7, 2025) and a webinar with six independent experts that our grassroots organization, Zero Waste Ithaca, organized in April. The board's chair, Mitch Glass, left right after passing the flawed negative declaration for the environmental impact assessment. The 9/3 meeting took place after two canceled meetings in July and August due to a lack of quorum. We were even misinformed in an email communication about the date of the subsequent 9/26 planning board meeting by a city planning board staff member. This decision-making process is deeply concerning and does not reflect the level of care our community deserves. I am also concerned about the role that student-athletes played in the 9/3 Planning Board meeting. Carver Hauptman, the Vice President of Cornell Environmental Collaborative, and a Zero Waste Ithaca member, recently wrote a Letter to the Editor to Cornell Daily Suncriticizing the lack of adequate information on health and environmental impacts provided to students-athletes. These athletes were strongly encouraged to attend, yet many of them were not informed about the environmental and health impacts of synthetic turf. This was reported by the Ithaca Voice and was also confirmed in a conversation I had with a student athlete who wishes to remain anonymous, who stated that no information about the health risks was provided to them. This lack of transparency is troubling, particularly when students are being asked to participate in these meetings without being given the full context. Cayuga Lake is not just a pretty natural resource; it is our water supply. Microplastics, cyanobacteria, and associated toxins jeopardize our drinking water, harm wildlife, and threaten the local economy by damaging tourism. The impact of Cornell’s artificial turf projects—several more are planned, which could make the total number of synthetic turf fields on Cornell’s upstream campus around 11 —will only worsen these problems, adding to the plastic pollution that fuels these harmful blooms. Cornell’s proposed mitigations—using plant-based infills, mechanical filtration with a pore size as large as 212 microns, and third-party testing for PFAS, without specifying the testing method, threshold, independent review, and absurdly proposing to conduct the testing during construction—fail to address other toxins present in artificial turf and are far from sufficient. We have repeatedly argued this in our public comments and multiple calls for the recall of the negative declaration decision. Yet, the new chair of the board, Emily Petrina, bypasses these concerns and considers the projects insignificant in terms of environmental impact. I would like to draw attention to a significant development in California, where the state has recently filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against ExxonMobil for allegedly deceiving the public about the plastic pollution crisis. The lawsuit,joined by a separate lawsuit by Sierra Club and three other NGOs, highlights how fossil fuel producers have been misleading the public regarding the environmental impacts of plastics. This underscores the importance of addressing plastic-related issues— such as those posed by synthetic turf—honestly and transparently, rather than downplaying or ignoring the risks. In a related context, it is important to note that Cornell University, along with several other elite institutions, receives millions in donations from the fossil fuel industry, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest in its decision- making. As documented in Dharna Noor's recent article in The Guardian (September 19, 2024), the student-led analysis of six universities, including Fossil Fuel Cornell, highlights how these donations could influence university policies and projects. This is especially relevant given that synthetic turf is a product of the petrochemical industry. While corporate sponsorship for Cornell athletics is not publicly disclosed, the university's connection to the fossil fuel industry is well- documented and relevant to the ongoing debate about synthetic turf and plastic pollution. References: Casabianca, Silvia, Samuela Cappellacci, Maria Grazia Giacobbe, Carmela Dell’Aversano, Luciana Tartaglione, Fabio Varriale, Riccardo Narizzano, Fulvia Risso, Paolo Moretto, Alessandro Dagnino, Rosella Bertolotto, Enrico Barbone, Nicola Ungaro, and Antonella Penna. "Plastic-Associated Harmful Microalgal Assemblages in Marine Environment." Environmental Pollution, vol. 244, January 2019, pp. 617–626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.09.110. Dougherty, Matt. "Cornell Faces Public Backlash Over Plans to Install Artificial Turf." Ithaca Times, June 27, 2024, updated July 4, 2024. https://www.ithaca.com/news/ithaca/cornell-faces-public-backlash-over-plans-to- install-artificial-turf/article_26d884c2-34ad-11ef-9416-eb947ec65524.html. Dougherty, Matt. "Appellate Court Allows Challenge Against Permit Allowing Discharge of PFAS into Cayuga Lake." Ithaca Times, July 24, 2024. https://www.ithaca.com/news/tompkins_county/appellate-court-allows-challenge- against-permit-allowing-discharge-of-pfas-into-cayuga-lake/article_02c5279c- 4a16-11ef-b038-1710846e16f9.amp.html. Figueroa, Fernando. "City Planning Board Greenlights Cornell Synthetic Turf Field Over Concerns of Environmentalists." Ithaca Voice, September 7, 2024. https://ithacavoice.org/2024/09/city-planning-board-greenlights-cornell-synthetic- turf-field-over-concerns-of-environmentalists/. Fossil Free Cornell. Dissociate Cornell: A Review of Cornell's Fossil Fuel Ties. Developed and researched by Fossil Free Cornell, September 18, 2024. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iPBmvy6v3_5tmiPy1iXJhTNdyBXA0zLF/view. Hauptman, Carver. “Letter to the Editor: We Deserve Full Disclosure on Synthetic Turf Health Risks.” Cornell Daily Sun. October 1, 2024. https://cornellsun.com/2024/10/01/letter-to-the-editor-we-deserve-full-disclosure- on-synthetic-turf-health-risks/ Heisler, J., P.M. Gilbert, J.M. Burkholder, D.M. Anderson, W. Cochlan, W.C. Dennison, Q. Dortch, C.J. Gobler, C.A. Heil, E. Humphries, A. Lewitus, R. Magnien, H.G. Marshall, K. Sellner, D.A. Stockwell, D.K. Stoecker, and M. Suddleson. "Eutrophication and Harmful Algal Blooms: A Scientific Consensus." Harmful Algae, vol. 8, no. 1, December 2008, pp. 3–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2008.08.006. Koizumi, Yayoi. "Microplastics, Synthetic Turf, and HABs: An Urgent Threat to Cayuga Lake." Ithaca Times, October 18, 2024, updated October 27, 2024. https://www.ithaca.com/opinion/guest_opinions/guest-opinion-microplastics- synthetic-turf-and-habs--an-urgent-threat-to-cayuga-lake/article_dfe1a088-8bed- 11ef-a3d7-9bc39ac7ee65.html. Li, Changchao, Jian Liu, Matthias C. Rillig, Michael S. Bank, Peter Fantke, Dong Zhu, Yong-Guan Zhu, and Ling N. Jin. "What Harmful Microbes Are Lurking in the World’s 7 Billion Tonnes of Plastic Waste?" Nature, October 1, 2024. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03150-6. Mehta, Karan. "Intentional PFAS Herbicide Injection into Cayuga Lake." Ithaca Times, September 5, 2024. https://www.ithaca.com/opinion/guest_opinions/guest- opinion-intentional-pfas-herbicide-injection-into-cayuga-lake/article_0ea2cef8- 6a68-11ef-93d1-cfb995aab518.html. Milius, Susan. "A Toxin Behind Mysterious Eagle Die-Offs May Have Finally Been Found: A 20-Year Search of Water Weeds and Cyanobacteria Has Turned Up a Bird-Killing Toxin." ScienceNews, March 26, 2021. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/bald-eagle-mysterious-die-offs-chemical-toxin- found. Noor, Dharna. "Elite US Universities Rake in Millions from Big Oil Donations, Research Finds: Student-Led Analyses Raise Concerns of Conflict of Interest at Six Universities, Including Princeton, Columbia, and Cornell." The Guardian, September 19, 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/19/oil- donations-universities. The People of the State of California, ex rel. Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California v. Exxon Mobil Corporation, et al. "Complaint for Abatement, Equitable Relief, and Civil Penalties." Filed in Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Francisco. 2024. https://climateintegrity.org/uploads/media/bonta- plastics-recycling-lawsuit-against-exxonmobil.pdf Sierra Club, Inc., Surfrider Foundation, Inc., Heal the Bay, Inc., and Baykeeper, Inc. v. ExxonMobil Corporation, a New Jersey Corporation, and Does 1-10. "Complaint for Nuisance and Violation of California Unfair Competition Law." Filed in Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Francisco. Case No. CGC-24-618321. September 23, 2024. https://www.cpmlegal.com/media/news/15193_2024-09-23%20COMPLAINT.pdf Visser, Petra M., Jolanda M.H. Verspagen, Giovanni Sandrini, Lucas J. Stal, Hans C.P. Matthijs, Timothy W. Davis, Hans W. Paerl, and Jef Huisman. "How Rising CO₂ and Global Warming May Stimulate Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms." Harmful Algae, vol. 54, April 2016, pp. 145–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2015.12.006. Zero Waste Ithaca. Artificial Turf Bibliography, updated January 7, 2025. A detailed resource with over 100 pages of references on artificial turf and its environmental impacts. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2sZxvlmd RpuWe_ZIU/edit?usp=sharing Zero Waste Ithaca. “The True Costs of Artificial Turf: Experts Discuss Cornell University’s New “PFAS-Free” Project” Webinar held on April 30, 2024. https://youtu.be/iqk8Ss-8Bjk?si=fm4uSfUqo1L4V56G Zhai, Xinyi, Xiao-Hua Zhang, and Min Yu. "Microbial Colonization and Degradation of Marine Microplastics in the Plastisphere: A Review." Frontiers in Microbiology, vol. 14, 16 February 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1127308. Zhu, Xia, Matthew J. Hoffman, and Chelsea M. Rochman. “A City-Wide Emissions Inventory of Plastic Pollution.” Environmental Science & Technology. February 1, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c04348 Yayoi Koizumi Zero Waste Ithaca | BYO - US Reduces Founder | Co-Founder zerowasteithaca.org usreduces.org Our work is fiscally sponsored by NOPI - Nonprofit Incubator, a program of NOPI INC, a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation and 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 81-5089505. Donations are tax-deductible where allowed by law. Learn more at https://thenopi.org. From: Brynn Schmi Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 12:53 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaﬀ@cityoﬁthaca.org Subject: Please oppose Cornell's proposed synthec turf expansion Dear Town of Ithaca Planning Board members, I have recently learned of the grave risks posed by microplastics and plastic-associated chemicals to both environmental and human health. A December 2024 study by Soltanighias et al. revealed that the combined toxicity of PFAS and microplastics is far greater than their individual effects. This new study showed that combined exposure causes severe developmental failures, delayed sexual maturity, and reduced growth in Daphnia magna, a keystone species in freshwater ecosystems. The health implications of microplastics alone are equally alarming. A March 2024 study by Kozlove, featured in Nature, established a clear link between microplastic exposure and increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and death. Furthermore, a December 18, 2024 study by Chartres et al. analyzed data from 31 studies and linked microplastic exposure to adverse impacts on sperm quality, immune function, pulmonary health, and potential connections to colon and lung cancer. Just days later, on December 24, 2024, Cropper et al. published findings estimating that in 2015, exposure to plastic-associated chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and flame retardants caused millions of cases of heart disease and stroke, thousands of deaths, and significant IQ loss, resulting in global health costs of $1.5 trillion. These studies underscore the mounting evidence of the harm caused by plastic and microplastic pollution, which continues to grow with new research emerging almost weekly. Synthetic turf is a well-documented source of microplastic pollution. The Barcelona study (De Haan et al., 2023) found that up to 15% of larger microplastic fragments in the environment come from artificial turf. The Toronto study (Zhu et al., 2024) identified synthetic turf as the largest contributor of microplastic pollution in the city, emitting approximately seven tons annually. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA, 2020) also highlighted synthetic turf infill as the largest contributor to microplastic pollution in Europe. A 2023 study by Meegoda and Hettiarachchi emphasized the growing problem of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution, identifying artificial turf as a contributing source. Published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, the study highlighted the significant challenges of removing microplastics from the environment and underscored that source reduction is one of the most effective strategies to protect both human health and ecosystems. Despite this overwhelming evidence, and a lawsuit, Cornell University is pushing forward with plans to expand its synthetic turf infrastructure to a total of 11 or 12. This expansion will seal off living, ecologically vital ground—essential for wildlife, soil health, and carbon sequestration—under plastic. This fossil fuel-derived material exacerbates environmental and health harms throughout its lifecycle. Proposed mitigation measures, such as mechanical filtration systems, are superficial solutions that fail to address the full extent of the pollution and harm synthetic turf creates. Given the significant risks synthetic turf poses to ecosystems and human health, I urge the Planning Board to oppose Cornell’s proposed expansion and advocate for sustainable alternatives that align with public health and environmental responsibility. Sincerely, Brynn Schmitt 134 Hornbrook Road Ithaca, NY 14850 References: Chartres, Nicholas, Courtney B. Cooper, Garret Bland, Katherine E. Pelch, Sheiphali A. Gandhi, Abena BakenRa, and Tracey J. Woodruff. "Effects of Microplastic Exposure on Human Digestive, Reproductive, and Respiratory Health: A Rapid Systematic Review." Environmental Science & Technology, December 18, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c09524. Cropper, Maureen, Sarah Dunlop, Hudson Hinshaw, Philip Landrigan, Yongjoon Park, and Christos Symeonides. "The Benefits of Removing Toxic Chemicals from Plastics." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 121, no. 52 (December 24, 2024): e2412714121. https://doi. De Haan, William P., Rocío Quintana, César Vilas, Andrés Cózar, Miquel Canals, Oriol Uviedo, and Anna Sanchez-Vidal. “The Dark Side of Artificial Greening: Plastic Turfs as Widespread Pollutants of Aquatic Environments.” Environmental Pollution 334 (2023): 122094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122094. European Chemicals Agency. Opinion on an Annex XV Dossier Proposing Restrictions on Intentionally-Added Microplastics. Helsinki, Finland: ECHA, 2020. https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/23665416/restmicroplasticsopinionrac16339en.pd f. Kozlove, Max. “Microplastics Linked to Heart Attack, Stroke and Death.” Scientific American (Reprinted from Nature magazine). March 9, 2024. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/microplastics-linked-to-heart-attack-stroke- and-death/ Meegoda, J.N., and M.C. Hettiarachchi. "A Path to a Reduction in Micro and Nanoplastics Pollution." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 8 (April 18, 2023): 5555. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085555. Soltanighias, Tayebeh, Abubakar Umar, Muhammad Abdullahi, Mohamed Abou-Elwafa Abdallah, and Luisa Orsini. "Combined Toxicity of Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Microplastics on the Sentinel Species Daphnia magna: Implications for Freshwater Ecosystems." Environmental Pollution 363, no. 1 (December 15, 2024): 125133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125133. Zhu, Xia, Matthew J. Hoffman, and Chelsea M. Rochman. “A City-Wide Emissions Inventory of Plastic Pollution.” Environmental Science & Technology. February 1, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c04348 Zero Waste Ithaca Artificial Turf Bibliography, updated January 7, 2025. A detailed resource with over 100 pages of references on artificial turf and its environmental impacts. Includes all the sources listed above. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2sZxvlmdRpuW e_ZIU/edit?usp=sha One attachment • Scanned by Gmail FULL: Zero Waste Ithaca: Artificial Turf Bibliography for Cornell Syntur... Zero Waste Ithaca Artificial Turf Bibliography Updated: January 7, 2025 Table of Contents 1 Cornell Universi... From: Chris Balestra Sent: Monday, January 6, 2025 11:36 AM To: Abby Homer Subject: RE: Game Farm Road hockey ﬁeld Hi Abby, We’ve got comments from the Town of Dryden about the ﬁeld hockey ﬁeld to send to the PB. Will you do the honors? (I am purposely including my response to Ray Burger) Chris Christine Balestra, Senior Planner Town of Ithaca Planning Department 215 North Tioga Street Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 273-1721, ext. 121 cbalestra@townithacany.gov From: Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov> Sent: Monday, January 6, 2025 11:33 AM To: Ray Burger <rburger@dryden.ny.us> Cc: Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov>; CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov> Subject: RE: Game Farm Road hockey ﬁeld Good morning, Ray, We had sent a GML for comments and review in November 2024 (followed up with the lead agency concurrence). I didn’t hear back from you or your board, but here was the request with the link to materials: “Hello Ray and Bambi, The Town of Ithaca Planning Board has a project coming that is adjacent to the Town of Dryden/Town of Ithaca municipal border (Game Farm Road). The Cornell Field Hockey Field project will be located off Game Farm Road in the Town of Ithaca, adjacent to the existing soccer fields on the large set of parcels at Game Farm and Ellis Hollow Roads. As the project will be located within 500-ft of another municipality, this email is intended to provide notice of this proposal per GML 239-nn(3)(c). The volume of materials was too large to place in the email as a pdf, so here is a link to all the materials (including a staff memo and other town materials – the project was on the agenda for declaration of lead agency at the November 19th PB meeting: 11-19-24 PB Packet - CU Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Lead Agency.pdf Ray - we will also include similar information in a letter that will be in another email associated with SEQR lead agency concurrence (Dryden is not an involved agency in SEQR, but we send the concurrence letter as a courtesy since Dryden might be an interested agency). Please let me know if you have trouble with the attachments and I’ll find another way to send the information to you! Another email will be sent soon regarding the concurrence with lead agency.” Our Planning Board is *just* beginning their SEQR review of this project (they haven’t established Lead Agency yet), so I will make sure your comments are received and considered by the board. They are meeng tomorrow (January 7, 2025) to being their SEQR review. Please call or email if you have more comments or quesons. I am concerned that my email in November did not reach you, since I didn’t hear back. Can you conﬁrm that you got the email? Thanks! Happy New Year, Chris Christine Balestra, Senior Planner Town of Ithaca Planning Department 215 North Tioga Street Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 273-1721, ext. 121 cbalestra@townithacany.gov From: Ray Burger <rburger@dryden.ny.us> Sent: Thursday, January 2, 2025 3:12 PM To: Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov> Subject: Game Farm Road hockey ﬁeld **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Hi Chris, Our Planning Board has not reviewed this project yet, but since I don’t know your timeframe I want to pass on a few comments from the Town. There should be pedestrian facilities for those using the Dryden Rail Trail/East Hill Recway to access the field, as well as those approaching from Ellis Hollow. Providing a multi-use trail connection will help to preserve the safety of Game Farm Road. This is the first athletic field lighting installed in this residential area and deserves tight controls to mitigate impacts to nearby residences. In addition to sharp cut off features and attention to dark sky compliance there should be other measures to limit impacts. Committing to only having the field lights on when players are actively using the fields and having the lights off by 10 PM would help. While we appreciate that “A strong emphasis will be placed on using native, non-invasive plant material.” (Project Narrative page 13) we would also like a commitment to no invasive species. Thanks for your consideration. When is the comment deadline? Ra y Ray Burger, Director of Planning Town of Dryden 93 E. Main Street, Dryden, NY 13053 607-844-8888 x213 http://dryden.ny.us From: ear1421@gmail.com Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 1:03 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning; pbstaﬀ@cityoﬁthaca.org Subject: Re: Urgent Concerns on Synthec Turf: Combined Toxicity PFAS and Microplascs Oops, forgot to sign it. Sincerely, Emily Jernigan Lab tech at the Cornell university insect collection and resident of Ulysses On Jan 7, 2025, at 12:59 PM, ear1421@gmail.com wrote: Dear Town of Ithaca Planning Board Members, A series of recent studies highlights the grave risks posed by microplastics and plastic-associated chemicals to both environmental and human health. A December 2024 study by Soltanighias et al. revealed that the combined toxicity of PFAS and microplastics is far greater than their individual effects. This new study showed that combined exposure causes severe developmental failures, delayed sexual maturity, and reduced growth in Daphnia magna, a keystone species in freshwater ecosystems. The health implications of microplastics alone are equally alarming. A March 2024 study by Kozlove, featured in Nature, established a clear link between microplastic exposure and increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and death. Furthermore, a December 18, 2024 study by Chartres et al. analyzed data from 31 studies and linked microplastic exposure to adverse impacts on sperm quality, immune function, pulmonary health, and potential connections to colon and lung cancer. Just days later, on December 24, 2024, Cropper et al. published findings estimating that in 2015, exposure to plastic-associated chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and flame retardants caused millions of cases of heart disease and stroke, thousands of deaths, and significant IQ loss, resulting in global health costs of $1.5 trillion. These studies underscore the mounting evidence of the harm caused by plastic and microplastic pollution, which continues to grow with new research emerging almost weekly. Synthetic turf is a well-documented source of microplastic pollution. The Barcelona study (De Haan et al., 2023) found that up to 15% of larger microplastic fragments in the environment come from artificial turf. The Toronto study (Zhu et al., 2024) identified synthetic turf as the largest contributor of microplastic pollution in the city, emitting approximately seven tons annually. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA, 2020) also highlighted synthetic turf infill as the largest contributor to microplastic pollution in Europe. A 2023 study by Meegoda and Hettiarachchi emphasized the growing problem of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution, identifying artificial turf as a contributing source. Published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, the study highlighted the significant challenges of removing microplastics from the environment and underscored that source reduction is one of the most effective strategies to protect both human health and ecosystems. Despite this overwhelming evidence, and a lawsuit, Cornell University is pushing forward with plans to expand its synthetic turf infrastructure to a total of 11 or 12. This expansion will seal off living, ecologically vital ground—essential for wildlife, soil health, and carbon sequestration—under plastic. This fossil fuel-derived material exacerbates environmental and health harms throughout its lifecycle. Proposed mitigation measures, such as mechanical filtration systems, are superficial solutions that fail to address the full extent of the pollution and harm synthetic turf creates. Given the significant risks synthetic turf poses to ecosystems and human health, I urge the Planning Board to oppose Cornell’s proposed expansion and advocate for sustainable alternatives that align with public health and environmental responsibility. Sincerely, References: Chartres, Nicholas, Courtney B. Cooper, Garret Bland, Katherine E. Pelch, Sheiphali A. Gandhi, Abena BakenRa, and Tracey J. Woodruff. "Effects of Microplastic Exposure on Human Digestive, Reproductive, and Respiratory Health: A Rapid Systematic Review." Environmental Science & Technology, December 18, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c09524. Cropper, Maureen, Sarah Dunlop, Hudson Hinshaw, Philip Landrigan, Yongjoon Park, and Christos Symeonides. "The Benefits of Removing Toxic Chemicals from Plastics." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 121, no. 52 (December 24, 2024): e2412714121. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2412714121. De Haan, William P., Rocío Quintana, César Vilas, Andrés Cózar, Miquel Canals, Oriol Uviedo, and Anna Sanchez-Vidal. “The Dark Side of Artificial Greening: Plastic Turfs as Widespread Pollutants of Aquatic Environments.” Environmental Pollution 334 (2023): 122094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122094. European Chemicals Agency. Opinion on an Annex XV Dossier Proposing Restrictions on Intentionally-Added Microplastics. Helsinki, Finland: ECHA, 2020. https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/23665416/restmicroplasticsopinionra c16339en.pdf. Kozlove, Max. “Microplastics Linked to Heart Attack, Stroke and Death.” Scientific American (Reprinted from Nature magazine). March 9, 2024. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/microplastics-linked-to-heart- attack-stroke-and-death/ Meegoda, J.N., and M.C. Hettiarachchi. "A Path to a Reduction in Micro and Nanoplastics Pollution." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 8 (April 18, 2023): 5555. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085555. Soltanighias, Tayebeh, Abubakar Umar, Muhammad Abdullahi, Mohamed Abou-Elwafa Abdallah, and Luisa Orsini. "Combined Toxicity of Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Microplastics on the Sentinel Species Daphnia magna: Implications for Freshwater Ecosystems." Environmental Pollution 363, no. 1 (December 15, 2024): 125133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125133. Zhu, Xia, Matthew J. Hoffman, and Chelsea M. Rochman. “A City-Wide Emissions Inventory of Plastic Pollution.” Environmental Science & Technology. February 1, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c04348 Zero Waste Ithaca Artificial Turf Bibliography, updated January 7, 2025. A detailed resource with over 100 pages of references on artificial turf and its environmental impacts. Includes all the sources listed above. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2sZ xvlmdRpuWe_ZIU/edit?usp=sharing From: Jill Kellner Sent: Friday, January 3, 2025 3:09 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Subject: synthec turf **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Planning Board, I'm hoping you have received a flood of letters against the proposed installations of synthetic turf on Game Farm Road. As a resident of the East Hill, living on Ellis Hollow Road, not far from where the installation will be, I am particularly upset that you would consider installing something that is known to be detrimental to the health of the community and the planet. I am copying the letter that I'm hoping others have sent in the hopes that you will listen and do the right thing.... Sincerely, Jill Kellner 1321 Ellis Hollow Rd. Ithaca, NY Subject: Resilience of Natural Grass vs. Risks of Synthetic Turf: A Case for Game Farm Road This public comment addresses the Synthetic Hockey Field Plan proposed for Game Farm Road. Dear Members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, I am writing to share insights regarding the proposed installation of synthetic turf on Game Farm Road, urging the board to carefully consider the resilience of natural grass and the environmental and cultural implications of prioritizing aesthetics over functionality. Grass species commonly used in sports fields are highly resilient. Research demonstrates that turfgrass can recover from stressors such as drought, wear, and even minor pest damage without chemical intervention. When left untreated, most grass fields regenerate with rain or moderate maintenance. This resilience has supported sports and recreational use for centuries, long before the advent of synthetic alternatives. The perception that a sports field must exhibit uniform, pristine green turf to be functional is not supported by evidence. Clover, dandelions, and other broadleaf plants, often labeled as weeds, do not impede playability when mowed to appropriate heights. These species contribute to soil health and biodiversity while reducing dependency on synthetic inputs. Historical sports and recreational activities thrived on natural fields with diverse vegetation, proving that perfectionism in turf management is more about aesthetics than necessity. Moreover, synthetic turf, while marketed as a low-maintenance solution, poses significant long-term environmental and health risks. It contributes to microplastic pollution, retains excessive heat, and cannot self-repair like natural grass. The ecological and financial costs of synthetic turf are incompatible with sustainable development goals, particularly when viable, cost-effective natural alternatives are available. Shifting from a chemical- and appearance-focused approach to a more ecological mindset benefits not only the environment but also the community. Encouraging the use of resilient, well-maintained natural grass fields aligns with sustainable values and promotes a healthier, more inclusive athletic culture. I urge the board to reconsider the reliance on synthetic turf and instead champion the benefits of resilient, ecologically managed natural grass fields. Such a decision would demonstrate leadership in sustainability and a commitment to the long-term well-being of our community. Synthetic turf begets synthetic turf. There are currently an estimated 19,000 artificial fields in the United States, with as many as 1,500 new fields installed each year, about half of which are replacing older turf, according to a 2024 report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A recent NBC report highlighted a California high school district's decision to reject converting their artificial turf field back to natural grass, citing concerns over two years of field displacement during reinstallation. This underscores the significant challenges— or convenient excuses—that make reversing synthetic turf installations difficult once they are in place. Such a scenario must not be allowed to happen here. The Game Farm Road location currently features natural grass fields that are both functional and visually appealing. Replacing them with synthetic turf would not only destroy these fields but could also allow Cornell University to justify avoiding any return to natural grass in the future. Preserving these natural grassfields is essential—not only to maintain their environmental and aesthetic value but also to uphold Cornell’s stated sustainability goals of reducing fossil fuel reliance. Synthetic turf is the largest point source of plastic in outdoor environments and a major contributor to microplastic pollution. Halting the construction of additional toxic plastic turf fields, not limited to but especially outdoors, is imperative. Thank you for your attention and thoughtful consideration of this matter. Written comment submitted to the Ithaca Town Planning Board January 7,2025 Re:Cornell’s Proposal for Athletic Facilities at Game Farm Road Dear Ithaca Town Planning Board members: Following my comment submitted last month,I want to again underscore the importance of revisiting an inappropriate SEQR segmentation during tonight’s discussion of declaration of lead agency. Last May,Cornell requested a SEQR segmentation for the current project at Game Farm Road and the Meinig Fieldhouse Project,on the assertion that the two projects are “functionally independent” of one another.At the 2024-05-21 Town PB Meeting,the applicant Ms.Michaels asserted that “these two projects aren’t even necessarily dependent on each other”(8:06),that they “are on different timelines”(~10:30),and that (echoing the language of the law)“The City Planning Board’s review and anticipated approval of the Fieldhouse project does not commit the Town of Ithaca Planning Board to approve the construction of the field hockey field (slide deck).”1 At no point during the SEQR segmentation discussion did the applicant spell out the real relationship between the two projects.That relationship became immediately apparent when the applicant presented the Game Farm Road project later in 2024.At the November and December Board meetings,Cornell argued that their new proposed field at Game Farm Road (a)must be artificial turf due to field hockey regulations;and (b)must be completed before the Fall 2025 field hockey season.2 Both points are only relevant because the Meinig Fieldhouse will destroy the existing women’s field hockey pitch on central campus.The Game Farm Road Project can only be considered the second phase of this action,where the women’s field hockey pitch is reconstructed at an off-campus site.4 The degree to which Cornell now pressures the Board to greenlight yet another petroleum-based artificial turf field on their (Cornell’s)own internal timeline is the same degree to which they violate their testimony that the two projects are functionally independent.If the Board’s review continues on the pretense of SEQR segmentation,then it is inappropriate for the applicant to raise concerns specific to field hockey turf requirements or season start dates,and it is inappropriate for the Board members to consider them. These two projects are clearly different phases of the same action and should be considered as such for purposes of environmental review,according to NY State Law:“If an action consists of multiple phases,sets of activities,or if separate agencies are involved,SEQR requires agencies jointly consider these cumulative impacts during their review.Segmentation of an action into smaller components for an individual review contradicts the intent of the law and may result in legal action.”This interpretation is supported by Attorney Brock’s observations during the initial SEQR segmentation discussion in May 2024.She noted that the timing of the two projects suggest a single SEQR review because their timelines “are dovetailing so closely,”and that Cornell’s “overall plan”makes these projects dependent because “by putting certain facilities on Central Campus,you are displacing other facilities elsewhere…”[~38:00]).3 I urge the Board to revisit the SEQR segmentation in order to uphold the integrity of environmental review and consider the full scope of cumulative environmental impact for all phases of Cornell’s overall plan.4 It is as much in the athletes’own interests as in the community’s interests to conduct an adequate environmental review.Lest the Board feel pressured by the applicant’s internal requirements around their field hockey season and NCAA requirements for plastic grass,let us remember that it is the applicant’s responsibility to plan multiple phases of an action in a fully transparent and realistic manner so as to not hold the Planning Board hostage to a bad-faith timeline of allegedly “independent”projects. -bethany ojalehto mays,PhD ENDNOTES 1.The Planning Board engaged in a long discussion about this segmentation request,noting that the permissible grounds for SEQR segmentation include if the future phase is speculative or may not even occur (~21:00).Even at the time of segmentation,it was noted that some dimensions of this segmentation were unusual.During the May 21 Board meeting,when asked if they have an idea of when they would apply for the Game Farm Road field,the applicant answered:“We’re targeting handing in an application for Game Farm Road at the end of June of this year (2024).”Town Planning Board staff member Chris Balestra noted that it’s “a little bit concerning that the segmentation question is being asked now”because typically SEQR segmentation requests apply to other projects that would occur in the “way distant future,”but “in this case, it’s almost simultaneous”(~16:15).In response to Board member questions,the applicant later asserted, “They are not functionally dependent on another:one does not have to happen in order for the other one to happen:there's no relationship there…there’s another project on the way that is mildly related to this.” (~23:00).This is inaccurate.Across multiple meetings,Susan Brock also noted that the environmental review must consider the environmental impacts of the entire project,regardless of whether part of the project is located within the Town or City of Ithaca (see Attorney Brock at 59:00 during the 2024-03-19 Planning Board Meeting).It is only appropriate to consider the impacts of all the artificial turf fields being proposed at Cornell through their athletics master plan.Speaking to a Board member’s question about the implications of SEQR segmentation for the applicant,Ms Michaels responded:“If the City says it’s not permissible,then they will be the lead agency for both projects and the schedule for the project gets further delayed,which starts to impact the timeline for athletics and the construction/completion for when a field can be ready…so that has implications for the athletic community”(~50:00).This was the perfect opportunity to spell out the real relationship. 2.In November 2024,Cornell informed the Town Planning Board that the women’s field hockey team had played “their last game”at the central campus pitch and now must rush the current proposal in time to construct the new field in time for the women’s field hockey season.They announced the same in an Athletics press release.Cornell’s Athletics Coverage on October 25,2024 spells out the joint nature of the two projects: “The Big Red celebrated on the field,taking pictures and enjoying its 85th and final victory on Dodson Field before its move to Game Farm Road complex next season.” 3.Likewise,Planning Board staff Chris Balestra noted it’s “a little bit concerning that the segmentation question is being asked now”because typically SEQR segmentation requests apply to other projects that would occur in the “way distant future,”but “in this case,it’s almost simultaneous”(~16:15,May 2024 PB meeting). 4.As both Town and City of Ithaca Planning Board members stressed in earlier deliberations,the Boards have received historic volumes of credible,evidence-based concerns from community members,including experts, scientists,and faculty members (and here I cite only a small selection of comments).It is a disservice to the community’s and scientists’legitimate concerns to rush this project through approvals without an EIS. From: nmkoschm16 Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 1:37 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning; pbstaﬀ@cityoﬁthaca.org Cc: info@zerowasteithaca.org Subject: Urgent Concerns on Synthec Turf: Combined Toxicity PFAS and Microplascs **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Town of Ithaca Planning Board Members, A series of recent studies highlights the grave risks posed by microplastics and plastic-associated chemicals to both environmental and human health. A December 2024 study by Soltanighias et al. revealed that the combined toxicity of PFAS and microplastics is far greater than their individual effects. This new study showed that combined exposure causes severe developmental failures, delayed sexual maturity, and reduced growth in Daphnia magna, a keystone species in freshwater ecosystems. The health implications of microplastics alone are equally alarming. A March 2024 study by Kozlove, featured in Nature, established a clear link between microplastic exposure and increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and death. Furthermore, a December 18, 2024 study by Chartres et al. analyzed data from 31 studies and linked microplastic exposure to adverse impacts on sperm quality, immune function, pulmonary health, and potential connections to colon and lung cancer. Just days later, on December 24, 2024, Cropper et al. published findings estimating that in 2015, exposure to plastic-associated chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and flame retardants caused millions of cases of heart disease and stroke, thousands of deaths, and significant IQ loss, resulting in global health costs of $1.5 trillion. These studies underscore the mounting evidence of the harm caused by plastic and microplastic pollution, which continues to grow with new research emerging almost weekly. Synthetic turf is a well-documented source of microplastic pollution. The Barcelona study (De Haan et al., 2023) found that up to 15% of larger microplastic fragments in the environment come from artificial turf. The Toronto study (Zhu et al., 2024) identified synthetic turf as the largest contributor of microplastic pollution in the city, emitting approximately seven tons annually. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA, 2020) also highlighted synthetic turf infill as the largest contributor to microplastic pollution in Europe. A 2023 study by Meegoda and Hettiarachchi emphasized the growing problem of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution, identifying artificial turf as a contributing source. Published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, the study highlighted the significant challenges of removing microplastics from the environment and underscored that source reduction is one of the most effective strategies to protect both human health and ecosystems. Despite this overwhelming evidence, and a lawsuit, Cornell University is pushing forward with plans to expand its synthetic turf infrastructure to a total of 11 or 12. This expansion will seal off living, ecologically vital ground—essential for wildlife, soil health, and carbon sequestration—under plastic. This fossil fuel-derived material exacerbates environmental and health harms throughout its lifecycle. Proposed mitigation measures, such as mechanical filtration systems, are superficial solutions that fail to address the full extent of the pollution and harm synthetic turf creates. Given the significant risks synthetic turf poses to ecosystems and human health, I urge the Planning Board to oppose Cornell’s proposed expansion and advocate for sustainable alternatives that align with public health and environmental responsibility. Sincerely, Nicole Koschmann 312 Hancock Street, Ithaca References: Chartres, Nicholas, Courtney B. Cooper, Garret Bland, Katherine E. Pelch, Sheiphali A. Gandhi, Abena BakenRa, and Tracey J. Woodruff. "Effects of Microplastic Exposure on Human Digestive, Reproductive, and Respiratory Health: A Rapid Systematic Review." Environmental Science & Technology, December 18, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c09524. Cropper, Maureen, Sarah Dunlop, Hudson Hinshaw, Philip Landrigan, Yongjoon Park, and Christos Symeonides. "The Benefits of Removing Toxic Chemicals from Plastics." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 121, no. 52 (December 24, 2024): e2412714121. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2412714121. De Haan, William P., Rocío Quintana, César Vilas, Andrés Cózar, Miquel Canals, Oriol Uviedo, and Anna Sanchez-Vidal. “The Dark Side of Artificial Greening: Plastic Turfs as Widespread Pollutants of Aquatic Environments.” Environmental Pollution 334 (2023): 122094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122094. European Chemicals Agency. Opinion on an Annex XV Dossier Proposing Restrictions on Intentionally-Added Microplastics. Helsinki, Finland: ECHA, 2020. https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/23665416/restmicroplasticsopinionrac16339en.p df. Kozlove, Max. “Microplastics Linked to Heart Attack, Stroke and Death.” Scientific American (Reprinted from Nature magazine). March 9, 2024. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/microplastics-linked-to-heart-attack- stroke-and-death/ Meegoda, J.N., and M.C. Hettiarachchi. "A Path to a Reduction in Micro and Nanoplastics Pollution." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 8 (April 18, 2023): 5555. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085555. Soltanighias, Tayebeh, Abubakar Umar, Muhammad Abdullahi, Mohamed Abou-Elwafa Abdallah, and Luisa Orsini. "Combined Toxicity of Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Microplastics on the Sentinel Species Daphnia magna: Implications for Freshwater Ecosystems." Environmental Pollution 363, no. 1 (December 15, 2024): 125133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125133. Zhu, Xia, Matthew J. Hoffman, and Chelsea M. Rochman. “A City-Wide Emissions Inventory of Plastic Pollution.” Environmental Science & Technology. February 1, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c04348 Zero Waste Ithaca Artificial Turf Bibliography, updated January 7, 2025. A detailed resource with over 100 pages of references on artificial turf and its environmental impacts. Includes all the sources listed above. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2sZxvlmdRpuW e_ZIU/edit?usp=sharing From: Caroline Ashurst Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 3:47 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaﬀ@cityoﬁthaca.org Subject: Cornell University's synthec turf project proposal on Game Farm Road **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Town of Ithaca Planning Board Members, Hello, it's me again! This me I am taking a beat to send a note regarding the synthec turf nightmare that Cornell is proposing not only on Game Farm Road, but their larger iniave to install 11 of these monstrosies on campus. Again, as a licensed healthcare praconer specializing in hormonal health (with a Master's degree educaon), I cannot stress ENOUGH how dangerous PFAS are for human and animal life! The studies are staggering. The wearing down of synthec turf will create a plume of microplascs soaring around our air in Ithaca. WE WILL NOT TOLERATE this in our hometown. A March 2024 study by Kozlove, featured in Nature, established a clear link between microplastic exposure and increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and death. Furthermore, a December 18, 2024 study by Chartres et al. analyzed data from 31 studies and linked microplastic exposure to adverse impacts on sperm quality, immune function, pulmonary health, and potential connections to colon and lung cancer. Just days later, on December 24, 2024, Cropper et al. published findings estimating that in 2015, exposure to plastic-associated chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and flame retardants caused millions of cases of heart disease and stroke, thousands of deaths, and significant IQ loss, resulting in global health costs of $1.5 trillion. These studies underscore the mounng evidence of the harm caused by plasc and microplasc polluon, which connues to grow with new research emerging almost weekly. Synthec turf is a well-documented source of microplasc polluon. The Barcelona study (De Haan et al., 2023) found that up to 15% of larger microplastic fragments in the environment come from artificial turf. The Toronto study (Zhu et al., 2024) identified synthetic turf as the largest contributor of microplastic pollution in the city, emitting approximately seven tons annually. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA, 2020) also highlighted synthetic turf infill as the largest contributor to microplastic pollution in Europe. How is Ithaca even considering this? Cornell is strangling the health of generaons to come here in Ithaca for the sake of their Division 1 status? They should be ashamed of themselves. Despite this overwhelming evidence, and a lawsuit, Cornell University is pushing forward with plans to expand its synthec turf infrastructure to a total of 11 or 12. This expansion will seal oﬀ living, ecologically vital ground—essenal for wildlife, soil health, and carbon sequestraon—under plasc. This fossil fuel-derived material exacerbates environmental and health harms throughout its lifecycle. Proposed migaon measures, such as mechanical ﬁltraon systems, are superﬁcial soluons that fail to address the full extent of the polluon and harm synthec turf creates. Given the signiﬁcant risks synthec turf poses to ecosystems and human health, I urge the Planning Board to oppose Cornell’s proposed expansion and advocate for sustainable alternaves that align with public health and environmental responsibility. Sincerely, Your friend Caroline Ashurst References: Chartres, Nicholas, Courtney B. Cooper, Garret Bland, Katherine E. Pelch, Sheiphali A. Gandhi, Abena BakenRa, and Tracey J. Woodruff. "Effects of Microplastic Exposure on Human Digestive, Reproductive, and Respiratory Health: A Rapid Systematic Review." Environmental Science & Technology, December 18, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c09524. Cropper, Maureen, Sarah Dunlop, Hudson Hinshaw, Philip Landrigan, Yongjoon Park, and Christos Symeonides. "The Benefits of Removing Toxic Chemicals from Plastics." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 121, no. 52 (December 24, 2024): e2412714121. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2412714121. De Haan, William P., Rocío Quintana, César Vilas, Andrés Cózar, Miquel Canals, Oriol Uviedo, and Anna Sanchez-Vidal. “The Dark Side of Artificial Greening: Plastic Turfs as Widespread Pollutants of Aquatic Environments.” Environmental Pollution 334 (2023): 122094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122094. European Chemicals Agency. Opinion on an Annex XV Dossier Proposing Restrictions on Intentionally-Added Microplastics. Helsinki, Finland: ECHA, 2020. https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/23665416/restmicroplasticsopinionrac 16339en.pdf. Kozlove, Max. “Microplastics Linked to Heart Attack, Stroke and Death.” Scientific American (Reprinted from Nature magazine). March 9, 2024. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/microplastics-linked-to-heart- attack-stroke-and-death/ Meegoda, J.N., and M.C. Hettiarachchi. "A Path to a Reduction in Micro and Nanoplastics Pollution." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 8 (April 18, 2023): 5555. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085555. Soltanighias, Tayebeh, Abubakar Umar, Muhammad Abdullahi, Mohamed Abou-Elwafa Abdallah, and Luisa Orsini. "Combined Toxicity of Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Microplastics on the Sentinel Species Daphnia magna: Implications for Freshwater Ecosystems." Environmental Pollution 363, no. 1 (December 15, 2024): 125133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125133 . Zhu, Xia, Matthew J. Hoffman, and Chelsea M. Rochman. “A City-Wide Emissions Inventory of Plastic Pollution.” Environmental Science & Technology. February 1, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c04348 Zero Waste Ithaca Artificial Turf Bibliography, updated January 7, 2025. A detailed resource with over 100 pages of references on artificial turf and its environmental impacts. Includes all the sources listed above. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2sZxvl mdRpuWe_ZIU/edit?usp=sharing With Gratitude, Caroline Grace Ashurst, L.Ac., M.Ac. www.carolineashurst.com @restorativeharmony -- The Fertility Formula Functional Fertility Coaching + Restorative Harmony Acupuncture 2022|2020|2019 Philadelphia Family LOVE Award Best Acupuncture in Philadelphia! *******©2024 Restorative Harmony Acupuncture, LLC. All rights reserved. This document is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to https://www.restorativeharmony.com/legal- disclaimers From: Louise Myga Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 5:07 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaﬀ@cityoﬁthaca.org; Louise Myga Subject: Game Farm Road project **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Town of Ithaca Planning Board Members, I am very concerned about the synthetic turf athletic fields that Cornell is constructing on including the proposed new one on Game Farm Road. Synthetic turf i well-documented source of microplas pollution, and I feel that it has no plac our community or really, anywhere. A please note that the site on Game Far Road is uphill from Ithaca's water supply, that is, the reservoir that feeds 6-M after study confirms the environmental problems associated with synthetic turf, and I am many times we need to read these reports to take them seriously. Here are 4 examples: 1. A 2023 study by Meegoda and Hettiarachchi emphasized the growing problem of micr nanoplastic pollution, identifying artificial turf as a contributing source. Published in the International Journal of Environmenta Research and Public Health, the study highlighted the significant challenges removing microplastics from the environment and underscored that so reduction is one of the most effective strategies to protect both human heal ecosystems. 2. The Barcelona study (De Haan et al., 2023) found that up to 15% of larger microplasti the environment come from artificial turf. Sincerely, Dr. Louise Mygatt References: Chartres, Nicholas, Courtney B. Cooper, Garret Bland, Katherine E. Pelch, Sheiphali A. G Abena BakenRa, and Tracey J. Woodruff. "Effects of Microplastic Exposure on Human D Reproductive, and Respiratory Health: A Rapid Systematic Review." Environmental Sc Technology, December 18, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c09524. Cropper, Maureen, Sarah Dunlop, Hudson Hinshaw, Philip Landrigan, Yongjoon Christos Symeonides. "The Benefits of Removing Toxic Chemicals from Plastics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of Americ 52 (December 24, 2024): e2412714121. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2412714121. De Haan, William P., Rocío Quintana, César Vilas, Andrés Cózar, Miquel Canals, Oriol U Anna Sanchez-Vidal. “The Dark Side of Artificial Greening: Plastic Turfs as Widespread Aquatic Environments.” Environmental Pollution 334 (2023): 122094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122094. European Chemicals Agency. Opinion on an Annex XV Dossier Proposing Restri Intentionally-Added Microplastics. Helsinki, Finland: ECHA, 2020. https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/23665416/restmicroplasticsopinionrac16339en.p Kozlove, Max. “Microplastics Linked to Heart Attack, Stroke and Death.” Scientifi (Reprinted from Nature magazine). March 9, 2024. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/microplastics-linked-to-heart-attack-stroke-an Meegoda, J.N., and M.C. Hettiarachchi. "A Path to a Reduction in Micro and Nan 3. The Toronto study (Zhu et al., 2024) identified synthetic turf as the largest contributor pollution in the city, emitting approximately seven tons annually. 4. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA, 2020) also highlighted synthetic turf infill a contributor to microplastic pollution in Europe. Why is Cornell, a world-renown science research institution, going forward with plans to synthetic turf fields? Is Cornell in complete denial of the science around plastic pollution at Cornell care about the obvious contradiction between the overwhelming scientific evid synthetic turf and Cornell's plans to increase its investment in this fossil fuel-derived, env polluting, human and animal life-threatening material? And the contradiction between Co build more synthetic turf fields and its own sustainability statement is stunning. That stat "We value our role in advancing solutions for a sustainable future and we recognize the c between people and the Earth, acting in ways to live and work sustainably". Proposed mi measures, such as mechanical filtration systems, are superficial solutions that fail to addr extent of the pollution and harm synthetic turf creates. Despite the overwhelming evidenc Cornell continues to push for more synthetic turf. If Cornell is not able to get real about what it's doing to the environment in our area, we h ourselves. I strongly urge the Planning Board to oppose Cornell’s proposed expansion an sustainable alternatives that align with public health and environmental responsibility. Pollution." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20 18, 2023): 5555. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085555. Soltanighias, Tayebeh, Abubakar Umar, Muhammad Abdullahi, Mohamed Abou-Elwafa and Luisa Orsini. "Combined Toxicity of Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Microplastics on Species Daphnia magna: Implications for Freshwater Ecosystems." Environmenta 363, no. 1 (December 15, 2024): 125133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.1251 Zhu, Xia, Matthew J. Hoffman, and Chelsea M. Rochman. “A City-Wide Emission of Plastic Pollution.” Environmental Science & Technology. February 1, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c04348 Zero Waste Ithaca Artificial Turf Bibliography, updated January 7, 2025. A detailed resource with over 100 pages of references on artificial turf and its env impacts. Includes all the sources listed above. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2sZxvlmdRpu usp=sharing Our work is fiscally sponsored by NOPI - Nonprofit Incubator, a program of NOPI INC, a Massach nonprofit corporation and 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 81-5089505. Donations are tax-deductible w by law. Learn more at https://thenopi.org. One attachment • Scanned by Gmail Reply Reply all Forward You received this via BCC, so you can' an emoji The Barcelona study (De Haan et al., 2023) found that up to 15% of larger microplastic f environment come from artificial turf. The Toronto study (Zhu et al., 2024) identified syn largest contributor of microplastic pollution in the city, emitting approximately seven ton European Chemicals Agency (ECHA, 2020) also highlighted synthetic turf infill as the la to microplastic pollution in Europe. A 2023 study by Meegoda and Hettiarachchi emphasized the growing problem of microp nanoplastic pollution, identifying artificial turf as a contributing source. Published in the International Journal of Environmenta Research and Public Health, the study highlighted the significant challenges removing microplastics from the environment and underscored that so reduction is one of the most effective strategies to protect both human heal ecosystems From: In Shik Lee Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 4:24 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaﬀ@cityoﬁthaca.org Subject: Subject: Urgent Concerns on Synthec Turf: Combined Toxicity PFAS and Microplascs **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department The evidence seems clear that plastic fields are not a good idea. Subject: Urgent Concerns on Synthetic Turf: Combined Toxicity PFAS and Microplastics Dear Town of Ithaca Planning Board Members, A series of recent studies highlights the grave risks posed by microplastics and plastic-associated chemicals to both environmental and human health. A December 2024 study by Soltanighias et al. revealed that the combined toxicity of PFAS and microplastics is far greater than their individual effects. This new study showed that combined exposure causes severe developmental failures, delayed sexual maturity, and reduced growth in Daphnia magna, a keystone species in freshwater ecosystems. The health implications of microplastics alone are equally alarming. A March 2024 study by Kozlove, featured in Nature, established a clear link between microplastic exposure and increased risks of heart attack, stroke, and death. Furthermore, a December 18, 2024 study by Chartres et al. analyzed data from 31 studies and linked microplastic exposure to adverse impacts on sperm quality, immune function, pulmonary health, and potential connections to colon and lung cancer. Just days later, on December 24, 2024, Cropper et al. published findings estimating that in 2015, exposure to plastic- associated chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and flame retardants caused millions of cases of heart disease and stroke, thousands of deaths, and significant IQ loss, resulting in global health costs of $1.5 trillion. These studies underscore the mounting evidence of the harm caused by plastic and microplastic pollution, which continues to grow with new research emerging almost weekly. Synthetic turf is a well-documented source of microplastic pollution. The Barcelona study (De Haan et al., 2023) found that up to 15% of larger microplastic fragments in the environment come from artificial turf. The Toronto study (Zhu et al., 2024) identified synthetic turf as the largest contributor of microplastic pollution in the city, emitting approximately seven tons annually. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA, 2020) also highlighted synthetic turf infill as the largest contributor to microplastic pollution in Europe. A 2023 study by Meegoda and Hettiarachchi emphasized the growing problem of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution, identifying artificial turf as a contributing source. Published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, the study highlighted the significant challenges of removing microplastics from the environment and underscored that source reduction is one of the most effective strategies to protect both human health and ecosystems. Despite this overwhelming evidence, and a lawsuit, Cornell University is pushing forward with plans to expand its synthetic turf infrastructure to a total of 11 or 12. This expansion will seal off living, ecologically vital ground—essential for wildlife, soil health, and carbon sequestration—under plastic. This fossil fuel-derived material exacerbates environmental and health harms throughout its lifecycle. Proposed mitigation measures, such as mechanical filtration systems, are superficial solutions that fail to address the full extent of the pollution and harm synthetic turf creates. Given the significant risks synthetic turf poses to ecosystems and human health, I urge the Planning Board to oppose Cornell’s proposed expansion and advocate for sustainable alternatives that align with public health and environmental responsibility. Sincerely, References: Chartres, Nicholas, Courtney B. Cooper, Garret Bland, Katherine E. Pelch, Sheiphali A. Gandhi, Abena BakenRa, and Tracey J. Woodruff. "Effects of Microplastic Exposure on Human Digestive, Reproductive, and Respiratory Health: A Rapid Systematic Review." Environmental Science & Technology, December 18, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c09524. Cropper, Maureen, Sarah Dunlop, Hudson Hinshaw, Philip Landrigan, Yongjoon Park, and Christos Symeonides. "The Benefits of Removing Toxic Chemicals from Plastics." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 121, no. 52 (December 24, 2024): e2412714121. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2412714121. De Haan, William P., Rocío Quintana, César Vilas, Andrés Cózar, Miquel Canals, Oriol Uviedo, and Anna Sanchez-Vidal. “The Dark Side of Artificial Greening: Plastic Turfs as Widespread Pollutants of Aquatic Environments.” Environmental Pollution 334 (2023): 122094. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122094. European Chemicals Agency. Opinion on an Annex XV Dossier Proposing Restrictions on Intentionally-Added Microplastics. Helsinki, Finland: ECHA, 2020. https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/23665416/restmicroplasticsopinionr ac16339en.pdf. Kozlove, Max. “Microplastics Linked to Heart Attack, Stroke and Death.” Scientific American (Reprinted from Nature magazine). March 9, 2024. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/microplastics-linked-to-heart- attack-stroke-and-death/ Meegoda, J.N., and M.C. Hettiarachchi. "A Path to a Reduction in Micro and Nanoplastics Pollution." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 8 (April 18, 2023): 5555. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085555. Soltanighias, Tayebeh, Abubakar Umar, Muhammad Abdullahi, Mohamed Abou-Elwafa Abdallah, and Luisa Orsini. "Combined Toxicity of Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Microplastics on the Sentinel Species Daphnia magna: Implications for Freshwater Ecosystems." Environmental Pollution 363, no. 1 (December 15, 2024): 125133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125133. Zhu, Xia, Matthew J. Hoffman, and Chelsea M. Rochman. “A City-Wide Emissions Inventory of Plastic Pollution.” Environmental Science & Technology. February 1, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c04348 Zero Waste Ithaca Artificial Turf Bibliography, updated January 7, 2025. A detailed resource with over 100 pages of references on artificial turf and its environmental impacts. Includes all the sources listed above. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2sZ xvlmdRpuWe_ZIU/edit?usp=sharing Our work is fiscally sponsored by NOPI - Nonprofit Incubator, a program of NOPI INC, a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation and 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 81- 5089505. Donations are tax-deductible where allowed by law. Learn more at https://thenopi.org. Sent from my 🌎!