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Home My WebLink Aboutcombined GFR comments for 3.4.25 PB Meeting February 22nd, 2025 Dear Members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, I strongly support the approval for the Cornell University Field Hockey (CUFH) field and associated structures on Game Farm Road. As a former CUFH player and captain, and as a proud alumna of Cornell University and the stellar women’s field hockey and lacrosse programs, I request that you thoughtfully consider the key facts, merits of the approval request, and implications of the decision and timeline. Facts: The facts are clear, namely that: • This project has been requested following the required process for a CUFH field and associated structures on Game Farm Road. • The new field material to be used is NOT manufactured with PFAS, and there is a lack of evidence of environmental harm in this case. • Cornell is proactively addressing PFAS and recycling concerns by adhering to the New York State (NYS) law ahead of its effective date of December 31, 2026. • Non-fact-based efforts to derail the approval would cause significant disruption not only in the team’s 2025 practice and game location, but in the ability to recruit and retain student athletes. • This facility will also benefit a much wider group of players than just those at Cornell. Accounting for opponents, FH camps, club and recreational use we expect over 1,000 people to benefit from the field annually. Strong Community Partnership: Cornell and Ithaca have a long history of community partnership, creating a welcoming and supportive town for its citizens and students alike. As noted in the April 9th, 2024 fingerlakes.com article, “Cornell’s commitment to the community extends beyond economic factors, with numerous volunteer initiatives and support for local governments and nonprofit organizations, including a $7 million contribution to various entities”. Additional examples of economic impact from the Cornell University Economic Impact & Entrepreneurship 2023 data include: • $77M - Construction spending in Tompkins County and adjacent counties (by location of prime contractor) • $4.9M - Property taxes generated (school taxes $3.2 million, municipal taxes $1.7 million). Taxes paid on Cornell-related properties rank second in Tompkins County. • $28.5M - Capital raised in 2023 by the companies of Rev: Ithaca Startup Works, founded by Cornell (with Ithaca College and Tompkins Cortland Community College). Rev companies created 47 new jobs in 2023. • $3.9M - Capital raised by Cornell’s Center for Life Science Ventures’ Ithaca-based clients in 2023. These companies created 8 new local jobs in 2023, for a total of 31 local jobs. • $8.7M - Capital raised by Cornell’s Praxis Center for Venture Development Ithaca based clients in 2023. These companies provide 27 local jobs. Supporting Cornell’s goal of providing critically needed fields and structures for the CUFH team is yet another example of fueling and growing this foundational community/college partnership. Team Personal Impact: As I’m surmising you have heard from other current and former players, playing a sport goes well beyond the skill and dedication developed in playing the sport itself. Life lessons such as teamwork, leadership, grit, empathy, the will to win and succeed, the character to lose and congratulate your opponent, the understanding that hard work and focus leads to success in one form or another, the ability to rally a team and also console that team in defeat or heartache, the strength to never give up, and so many more. These lessons become part of our DNA and something we carry and grow throughout our lives. Many of my fondest memories and strongest lifelong friendships were forged playing sports at Cornell and in the wonderful town of Ithaca. It irks me beyond description to think that the opportunity to experience these impactful lessons would be denied to our current and future field hockey players, and, on the contrary, they would be left with a lasting negative impression of their experience at Cornell and in Ithaca. With all the facts in-hand, with a reasonable request to the town having followed the appropriate processes, you have the power to ensure that does not happen. You have the ability to not only approve the project, but the ability to positively influence the lives of these players and so many others who are looking to you for your leadership and example of executing appropriate town government action and continued support of its colleges as a vibrant community partner. Equity: Beyond these points, another equally, if not more important factor is promoting and ensuring equity for women at Cornell as a reflection of Ithaca. Ithaca is known for pro-actively and staunchly supporting and leading equity driven initiatives so that all its population feel valued and are treated equally. As noted in the town’s mission statement, “We promote quality of life, equity, and safety of all Town of Ithaca residents through planning, innovation, and continual adaptation to change.” Supporting this request would be yet another example of the town’s firm stance that equity matters and is visibly and continuously supported. Thank you for your consideration of the points made here, as well as other information you are receiving. We are trusting in you to make a sound, factually supported, impactful decision to approve the Game Farm Road project. The CUFH team, and many in the Cornell and Ithaca communities and beyond are relying on you as thoughtful and exemplary community leaders to make this happen. Sincerely, Ellen Grant Piccioli Cornell University ‘86 February 23, 2025 Town of Ithaca Planning Board c/o: C.J. Randall, Director of Planning: cjrandall@townithacany.gov and Christine Balestra, Senior Planner: cbalestra@townithacany.gov Ithaca, NY RE: Support for the Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field – request to issue a negative environmental declaration Dear Members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, I grew up on our family’s farm in Ohio. Our family didn’t have much, but I studied hard and was a standout high school football player. Cornell’s athletic program provided me an opportunity to attend a world-renowned university and receive a college education. At Cornell I played four years of varsity football, made lifelong friendships, met my wife (a standout Cornell field hockey player), and graduated with a Biological and Environmental Engineering degree. For these reasons I consider Cornell and the surrounding Ithaca area one of the very special places in the world. Professionally, I have pursued a career in environmental remediation and restoration. My career includes 23 years and counting with Arcadis, a global design and consultancy company that works in 70 countries and generates $3.6 billion in annual revenue. Arcadis is dedicated to improving quality of life and is considered a global per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) expert. At Arcadis I have managed over $200 million in environmental remediation and restoration projects for the United States Army and Air Force. These projects include stormwater management and the investigation, remediation, and disposal of PFAS impacted media. Collectively, the world has learned that PFAS and microplastics are present all around us and are part of our everyday environment. Our society and industry are learning more about these emerging problems each day. Governments, private industries, and institutions, including Cornell, can only navigate these unknown times using the best science and technology that is available to them today. Cornell’s Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field proposal includes science-based design, testing, and future commitments to limit environmental impacts. From an environmental standpoint this project represents a small step toward reducing PFAS and microplastics in our environment. Specifically: ● The proposed water-based turf is a non-PFAS turf and will be tested before leaving the manufacturer to ensure it complies. This testing is a step that not all private manufacturers of our everyday goods are yet implementing. ● The proposed water-based turf field will replace a similar type of turf field. The likelihood that this older turf field contained PFAS is certainly feasible, meaning Cornell is taking steps to reduce the over presence of PFAS in the community. ● The proposed turf is specific to, and required for, the game of field hockey. It has no infill whatsoever. Infilled turf has its own environmental challenges that require management and is not relevant to this project ● The proposed facility will have its own contained water filtration system to remove microplastics to the smallest size particle currently detectable. ● The proposed facility, with non-PFAS turf and a state-of-the-art stormwater management system poses a much lesser environmental impact than that of a basic grass field which requires herbicides/pesticides application, maintenance and mowing with carbon emitting equipment, fertilizer application, and possible erosion and sediment runoff. I support the Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field and request the Board to issue a negative environmental declaration. I professionally support this project because the proposal Cornell has put forth represents a state-of-the-art facility, ensuring an infill free, non-PFAS playing surface documented by state of art analytical PFAS testing; and a filtration system designed to catch the smallest size particle detectable. Not only is this proposal addressing possible environmental impacts with the very best technology and science available today, but it also includes a commitment to mechanically recycle the new turf at the end of its life. I personally support this project so that other young adults may have the opportunities for education that I did. The opportunity to attend Cornell via the athletics program was life changing. Please vote to issue a negative environmental declaration, such that this project may move forward immediately and meet the needs of current and future student athletes, with no adverse impact to the environment. Regards, Tom Crone Cornell Class of 2001 C To:Town Planning Board (Ithaca,NY) From:Meg B.Whiteford,Esq.(Chestertown,MD) Date:February 23,2025 RE:Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field (Ithaca,NY) Sent Via Email to:Ms.C.J.Randall,Director of Planning cjrandall@townithacany.gciv Ms.Christine Balestra,Senior Planner cbalestra@townithacanv.gov Dear Members of the Town Planning Board of Ithaca,New York: My name is Meg Bantley Whiteford and I am a 1988 graduate of Cornell University and its School of Hotel Administration.I played four years of varsity Field Hockey and Lacrosse at Cornell from 1984-1988, hiked the Adirondacks with Cornell’s Outdoor Education program through Wilderness Reflections,and further engaged with the Ithaca community by volunteering as a student-athlete to speak on leadership at Belle Sherman Elementary School and working to provide support for Ithaca's homeless population. Now,37 years later,in addition to remaining a steadfast contributor to many Cornell Programs,I remain connected to Ithaca and its constituents through participating in Women Swimmin'for Hospice Care. Having grown up in suburban Philadelphia,spent 35 years in Baltimore,Maryland,and now living on Maryland's Eastern Shore,Ithaca is where I can "exhale." I want to thank the Town of Ithaca and its Town Planning Board for the thoughtful consideration given to Cornell's application for the Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field project.I respectfully ask that you issue a negative environmental declaration so that the project can move forward in a timely manner. The proposed field meets the most recent New York state laws reflecting environmental objectives,and Cornell has provided ample evidence that the project,inclusive of the synthetic turf,poses no significant adverse impacts on the variety of impact categories required by the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR)process. The proposed field does not have infill/crumb.(As a parent of two young men -both goalies in soccer and/or lacrosse—who have played on fields with crumb their entire life,I understand the concern.) The proposed field does not contain per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS),and Cornell is an early adopter of non-PFAS turf as will be required by the NY statute being implemented on December 31,2026.(As someone whose childhood water supply in Pennsylvania has been infiltrated by PFAS from a neighboring US Naval Air Base,I understand this broader concern.) My student-athlete experience at Cornell University was the most impactful experience of my young adult life.My teammates remain lifelong friends and we have supported each other in all that life throws our way,professionally and personally. The current student-athletes of the Cornell University field hockey team deserve the same.These young women have put in an incredible amount of work to attain a national ranking.The new facility at Game Farm Road will responsibly provide this program with the facilities to match the level it has achieved. Thank you for considering all the facts and making a well-reasoned decision. Town of Ithaca Planning Board c/o C.J. Randall, Director of Planning and Christine Balestra, Senior Planner 215 N. Tioga Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Subject: Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project Dear Town of Ithaca Planning Board, My name is Mark McNally, and I am writing to you along with my wife Nannette. We are parents of Jane, a junior matriculating at Cornell University and a three year member of the field hockey team at CU. We are writing to express strong support for the proposed Cornell Field Hockey Facility on Game Farm Road. This facility is crucial for providing a permanent, high-quality field that will greatly enhance student- athlete development and success. Cornell Field Hockey has long needed a dedicated space not just to compete but to grow, ensuring that student-athletes have equal access to first-rate training and competition facilities. The new field will also contribute to fostering community engagement and inspiring young athletes in the area. No project moves along without issues, and we certainly understand the town’s need to fully understand the impact a new field and facility may make on the local environment. We feel Cornell has shown great responsibility by proactively addressing environmental concerns, particularly related to PFAS, by adhering to New York State’s upcoming regulations ahead of schedule. The thorough environmental analysis has shown no significant adverse impacts, demonstrating Cornell’s commitment to sustainability and community well-being. We respectfully request that the Town Planning Board issue a negative environmental declaration for this project, allowing it to advance to the next steps. This will allow the project to move in the timeliest fashion that it can at this point. This decision will help provide our student-athletes as well as our community with a much-needed facility while assuring the environmental integrity of our area. Thank you for your time, consideration, and dedication to balancing community development with environmental stewardship. We appreciate your thoughtful review and consideration of this important project. Sincerely, Mark & Nannette McNally New Rochelle, New York From: To: Cc: Subject: Sent: **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 Jen Poplyk cjrandall@townithacany.gov cbalestra@townithacany.gov Cornell ﬁeld hockey ﬁeld 2/23/2025 4:51:04 PM Dear Members of the Planning Board, My name is Jen Poplyk, and I am the proud mother of a rising Junior on the Cornell Field Hockey Team. While I may not have the professional experience that some other parents may possess, I bring an athletic perspective as a golf professional focused on teaching and promoting the game, especially to girls, teens and women. Watching my daughter wear the Big Red jersey with pride has been a powerful reminder of the incredible strength and resilience of these young women. I admire how they passionately stand up for their beliefs and the sport they love, and it is a perspective that deeply resonates with me as a mother and an advocate for women in athletics. On February 18th, I attended on zoom the Planning Board meeting where several members of our group voiced their opinions during the open floor segment. During this meeting, we also heard from representatives of Zero Waste Ithaca, who commented on the need for a more detailed environmental review concerning the new field at GFR. It is my understanding that the proposed new field will not pose environmental risks and that it aligns with all regulations set forth by New York State. Cornell University has consistently demonstrated its commitment to environmental stewardship, and I trust that the impacts of this new facility have been thoroughly evaluated. I want to take a moment to express my appreciation for all the hard work the Planning Board has undertaken and continues to do. Your dedication to the community and its development does not go unnoticed. As a parent of a Cornell Field Hockey player, I respectfully urge you to issue a negative environmental declaration regarding the new field project at GFR. In my humble opinion, the world presents numerous challenges for females today. I firmly believe that participation in sports and athletics plays a crucial role in cultivating strong, independent, and resilient women. Supporting the development of the new field is a step towards empowering our young athletes and fostering an environment where they can thrive. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Jen Poplyk February 23, 2025 Subject: Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project Dear Members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, My name is Lisa Kolongowski Pacheco and I graduated from Cornell in 1987. During my time at Cornell, I played varsity field hockey for four years and I am a proud member of the Red Key Society. I have many cherished memories of my time at Cornell, and particularly the life lessons I gained from my field hockey experience and the lasting friendships I built along the way. I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for the continued work on the new field hockey field at the proposed site on Game Farm Road. This project represents a critical investment in the university and community's sporting infrastructure, and aligns with environmental and social responsibility. The plans for the proposed field utilize an existing playing surface and they offer the ability to transform an underused facility into a comprehensive sporting hub. This development not only supports the continued growth of the field hockey program, but will also benefit others as an ideal facility for field hockey camps and recreational users. The investment will foster a thriving sporting community, encouraging broader participation and supporting the development of future athletes. I understand there have been concerns regarding artificial turf, PFAS, microplastic shedding, and water contamination. However, it is crucial to note: ●The proposed water-based turf is essential for competitive field hockey, as required by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and NCAA rules. ●The research cited in opposition largely concerns turf with infill, which does not apply to this proposal. The proposed turf contains no infill. ●Cornell is proactive in environmental stewardship, adhering to the NY statute requiring non-PFAS turf ahead of its 2026 implementation. The turf will be tested to ensure compliance. ●The water filtration system will effectively remove microplastics, addressing concerns about contamination. ●The proposed turf will be mechanically recycled at the end of its life, reflecting advances in recycling processes and facilities. In conclusion, I strongly support the continued development of the new field hockey field at Cornell University. This project represents a thoughtful, responsible investment in the program’s future, balancing environmental considerations with the needs of Cornell athletes and the broader sporting community. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Lisa Kolongowski Pacheco Class of 1987 "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study." - Ezra Cornell, 1868 February 23, 2024 Subject: Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project Town of Ithaca Planning Board, My name is Mary-Beth DeLaney – Hahn and I am a 1989 Graduate of Cornell University. I was a member of the Women’s Field Hockey and Lacrosse teams while at Cornell. The experience that I had was very positive and provided me the opportunity to play both sports and to gain valuable life lessons. I have remained connected with the team and the university for over 3 decades based upon my personal experience with the sports programs and the university. We are working with the team to create a world class facility for the women on the team. We understand that the board has taken a hard look at the issues and has enough information to determine a response. With that comes considerations of others and for the environmental factors that need to be reviewed. The group working on the project is taking into consideration these environmental topics and the new turf meets the most recent state laws reflecting environmental objectives. We believe that the evidence presented demonstrates no significant risks posed that would trigger additional environmental analysis. The proposed facility is a key component for the women’s experience at Cornell to have a permanent high quality field. The student athletes dedicate many hours a week for both sports and academics and is a major reason why they come to the university and will have future team members join the program. We thank you for your time and consideration of this project. Sincerely, Mary-Beth DeLaney – Hahn Cornell Class of 1989 1 February 23, 2025 Town of Ithaca Planning Board c/o: C.J. Randall, Director of Planning: cjrandall@townithacany.gov and Christine Balestra, Senior Planner: cbalestra@townithacany.gov Ithaca, NY Subject: Support for the Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field – request to vote for a negative environmental declaration Dear Honorable Members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, I am a Cornell University graduate, class of 1986, and I played field hockey at Cornell for four years, and lacrosse for three. My husband and I own a family home and 100-acre certified sustainable tree farm in New York State and we visit friends and attend games in Ithaca each year. With the foundation of my Cornell degree in Design and Environmental Analysis and an advanced degree in public health policy, I have served in leadership roles in the fields of strategic real estate strategy + children and family holistic health. The health and well- being of our children (spanning physical, emotional and mental health realms), and the equitable provision of environments and policies that support our youth and their caregivers, is of utmost importance to me. I’ve dedicated my personal actions and my career roles to protecting children’s health and reducing disease burden within our country. To this end: ● I supported schools and out-of-school time providers by ensuring the systems, policies and practices in those settings are the healthiest possible to allow our most vulnerable children and their families to thrive. ● I engaged with some of the world’s largest food and beverage companies to demand and achieve transformation of their food product ingredients and formulation, packaging, and marketing practices. ● My passion for preserving our planet is visible in all I do, including: driving an electric vehicle, installing solar energy within my home, repurposing all textiles from my closets, transitioning to plastic-free in my bathroom (i.e. sustainable paper-wrapped shampoo bars rather than plastic bottles), purchasing local non-processed foods and those with petroleum-free packaging, and limiting personal and household care products to those without harmful toxins and non-petrol content and packaging. While in 2022 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IV, which has significantly contributed to the well-being of women, there is continued work to do to achieve complete equity. This field hockey field and related facilities to be constructed by Cornell are part of the long, hard- fought arc of providing equitable opportunities for women in athletics at the collegiate level. We know that women who play team sports generally do better academically, assume more leadership roles, have better mental and physical health outcomes, and possess better social, problem-solving and resiliency skills – all in support of succeeding in careers and leading fulfilling lives. I have witnessed this for myself and my two adult nieces who also chose to play field hockey and lacrosse in high school and college. 2 Playing field hockey at Cornell supplemented my academics in ways I could not have fully understood or predicted at the time: I learned and practiced teamwork and continue to use those collaboration skills daily; I honed time management and organizational skills which were essential to my successful career and now allow me to be a present and effective caregiver for my aging parents. As Cornell field hockey alumnae, we rely upon the compassion, lifetime friendships, and camaraderie of this outstanding group of humans to support our ups and downs in life and contribute to our overall well-being. When I learned that the new highly-anticipated Game Farm Road field hockey field was in jeopardy due to opposition related to potential adverse environmental impacts, I jumped in to research the facts. After reading and thoroughly understanding: a) Cornell’s application for this project, including the details about potential environmental concerns related to all the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) categories of review, and b) the public documents from prior Planning Board meetings, and asking very many questions, I was relieved to discover that the turf field specified for this project is going to be one of the most environmentally sustainable turf fields available on the market. While I have been removed from the sport for a number of years, it was not difficult to understand the current state of field hockey internationally, within the NCAA, and at local levels across the US – and that added to my knowledge from continual involvement and support of the field hockey team and its playing surface here at Cornell since my graduation. This new turf field: ● Is NOT manufactured with PFAS. ● Is NOT filled with any crumb, rubber or otherwise. ● Has a water filtration system that WILL remove detectable microplastics that land on the field from many sources, including rainwater. I respect that your role as members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board is a challenging one – and for this project you have rightfully taken a hard look at the impacts. I understand that your present task is to review the applicant’s and the public’s submitted information with the responsibility to balance the social, economic, and health benefits of THIS project with potential adverse environmental impacts. I ask you to vote for a negative environmental declaration based on no clear scientific evidence showing significant adverse environmental impact within the variety of categories required by the SEQR process. Further study of the issues related to this particular synthetic non-PFAS, non-fill, watered turf will not uncover additional peer-reviewed scientific data to show otherwise in the typical 6-9 months time frame needed for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), but will have a negative impact on the players. The current and future scholar-athletes and many others within our communities who will benefit from this project deserve your ongoing reasoned decision-making. Thank you very much for your service, Anne Ferree Subject: Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project February 23, 2025 Dear Town of Ithaca Planning Board, As a Cornell alumna of the field hockey program, a parent of 2 former Cornell student athletes, and a former high school field hockey coach, I am writing in support of the proposed field hockey field & facility. The proposed facility will create a permanent, appropriate quality field for the Cornell Field Hockey student athletes. This field and proposed surface is critical to the program and most importantly, to the student athlete experience. From my experience as a high school coach, the appropriate field surface for hockey is critical to the team’s participation in Division 1. College athletics provides student athletes an unparalleled experience to learn and grow while striving for excellence in a collaborative team setting. As the mother of two female student athletes, Cornell's plan helps address equal access for women in sports. As my nonprofit leader daughter states: “Cornell sports taught me how to work with others towards a common goal–lessons that can’t be taught in the classroom. Cornell sports prepared me to go out into the world and make a difference.” As a resident of Central New York who cares deeply about the regional environment we work, live and play in, I am pleased to see Cornell’s commitment to decrease PFAS by building a turf field that does not have PFAS or crumb fill. I respectfully ask the Ithaca TPB to issue a negative environmental declaration and allow this important project to move forward. Thank you for your work and consideration. Sincerely, Christine Hall O’Neil challoneil@gmail.com February 23, 2025 RE: Support for the Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field & Request to vote to issue a negative environmental declaration Dear Members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, I am an alumna of Cornell University, where I played field hockey for 4 years and was one of the captains of our senior team. I also volunteered in Ithaca, spending time at the Greater Ithaca Area Activities Center, and I was a guide for Wilderness Reflections as well. Some of my fondest memories at Cornell are connected with the field hockey team, and the women I played with are some of my closest friends today - many of us are in contact daily. I also met my husband at Cornell, who played football. He and I both played on the Schoelkopf turf, and my sophomore year our team was bussed to Syracuse during the upgrade to that field. That was a difficult preseason and start to the school year, spending hours on a bus to practice on a field suitable for field hockey. I hope that the current team doesn’t have to endure similar strife, especially since they have worked so hard to be a nationally ranked program. Furthermore, the important team and leadership experiences my teammates and I gained as field hockey student-athletes contributed to our success as well-rounded individuals who strive to make our communities better. I would like to see future generations of Cornell field hockey players also benefit from such experiences. The current team members are academically strong, and they along with future generations may be the ones to tackle society’s complex problems such as microplastics and PFAS contamination. I have been very impressed with these well-educated young women, and know that they will continue to inspire future generations. Thank you for your consideration of the Game Farm Road field hockey project. Since learning of the challenges in this process, I have become more involved in understanding the issues at hand and feel strongly that this project should continue without a negative environmental declaration. Having served on many Boards and Commissions over my professional career, I appreciate the due diligence and hard look that you all are undertaking and empathize with your commitment and time dedicated to improving your community. We have a small farm in Maryland, and I assist farmers and farmers markets across the country in providing food access to low-income federal benefits program participants. My husband is a subject matter expert in PFAS, and through his work as an environmental engineer has cleaned up environmentally degraded sites across the country. We have 2 children, who we are raising to be environmentally conscious. We have an electric vehicle, and do everything we can to shorten our food miles, compost, and do our part to improve our community here. Some of my environmental awareness actually began in Ithaca, as I learned of the many sustainable efforts of the town and the community upon my arrival as a freshman. After reviewing the materials related to this project and listening to the recent planning board meeting, I believe all of the requirements are met for the Board to vote on a negative environmental declaration, and that Cornell has addressed the relevant environmental concerns. Specifically, the proposed new field does not have crumb rubber, is non-PFAS, and will include a filtration system to remove any microplastics. While I respect the need to balance the social, environmental and health concerns related to this project, there have been no evidence-based, peer-reviewed studies put forth that indicate the significant risks that would meet the requirements to trigger additional environmental analysis. I therefore respectfully request that you vote to issue a negative environmental declaration, thus allowing this project to move forward. Sincerely, Amy Crone Cornell Class of 2001 From: To: Subject: Sent: Annabel Cheveley cjrandall@townithacany.gov; cbalestra@townithaca.gov; Game Farm Road Proposal 2/24/2025 9:23:33 AM **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, I am a sophomore at Cornell University and a proud member of the Cornell Field Hockey team. I am English and, having completed my schooling there, decided to pursue my dream of studying and playing ﬁeld hockey in the USA. I was extremely fortunate to be oﬀered a place at a few great US schools, but quickly decided that Cornell was the place I wanted to study. I was attracted to Cornell for a number of reasons: Cornell is a world leading academic institution with a stellar reputation, oﬀering a ﬁrst class education and access to highly attractive career opportunities; Having played ﬁeld hockey since the age of 5, it was important to me to join a school with a best in class ﬁeld hockey program, a strong team culture and ﬁrst rate athletic facilities. The ﬁeld hockey program at Cornell, which is hugely well organized, professional and ambitious, met all these criteria. And this was of paramount importance to me as my attending Cornell has involved major ﬁnancial investment by my family, long periods away from them in another continent and also my stepping oﬀ the England international pathway to join a great program at an amazing school. And ﬁeld hockey, which gives me so many beneﬁts and values, was at the very heart of my decision to come to Cornell. I was also drawn to the beautiful location of Cornell in Ithaca. As soon as I visited and explored the town, the lake and the surrounding areas, I knew I wanted spend 4 years in this stunning town. I am therefore extremely concerned and saddened about the current situation which has the potential to lead to the team having no viable playing surface for the remainder of my career at Cornell. Field hockey and the Cornell program are at the very heart of my daily life and my decision to study in the US, at Cornell. And I would therefore strongly request that the application for the new ﬁeld hockey ﬁeld be supported by the Ithaca Planning Board. There is clearly a concerted environmental campaign against PFAS and artiﬁcial turf in Ithaca which does not seem able to distinguish clearly between diﬀerent types of turf. There has been no scientiﬁc evidence provided of environmental harm caused by unﬁlled turf, and this turf will have no PFAS. I also ﬁnd it puzzling that campaigners are focusing so closely on PFAS in turfs, especially given that the ﬁeld hockey turf will be non-PFAS, but do not address the much wider issue of PFAS in everyday products, or in projects such as the recent redevelopment proposed for a gas station and convenience store, which has the potential for heavy metal contamination issues as well as issues such as PFAS. It is diﬃcult not to feel that the ﬁeld hockey proposal is being singled out for attention because it is connected with Cornell, rather than because it represents a genuine environmental risk. Cornell seeks to be a partner with the Town of Ithaca, and this ﬁeld will be another opportunity for the community to use an excellent new facility that the University has built and that can be used through most of Ithaca’s varying seasons. Thank you for your time in considering my letter. Annabel Cheveley From: To: Subject: Sent: Olivia Weir cjrandall@townithacany.gov; cbalestra@townithacany.gov; Game Farm Road proposal 2/23/2025 5:17:57 PM **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, My name is Olivia Weir, and I am a junior transfer on the Women's Field Hockey Team. I grew up in South Africa and fell in love with the sport at 11 years old. I chose to transfer to Cornell because I was drawn to the supportive coaching staff, the competitive Field Hockey program, as well as the world-class academics. Cornell stood out to me among other schools because I loved the balance between competing at a high Division I level and being able to pursue my academic endeavors. Being a part of this team has completely transformed my collegiate experience for the better. Although I have only been at Cornell for a semester, I consider this team my second family. Day in and day out, we push each other to be better and create an environment that is supportive, gritty and encouraging. I can’t imagine what my experience would look like without this team. I do not want to unnecessarily add to the large number of letters you have received, but feel that I had to respond to some of the comments made in the most recent planning board meeting. There is the suggestion that as players we are in some way ignorant of “risks” we are taking with our health, and that those campaigning only do so because they are on ‘our side’. This is most deﬁnitely not the case: we are expected as students to analyse source material and scientiﬁc studies objectively and do our own research to determine that they are credible and without bias. I have looked at the “evidence” cited for health risks, none of which relate to the type of artiﬁcial grass we play on. It all relates to artiﬁcial grass with rubber crumb inﬁll. I do not need someone who has clearly not understood the science to speak for me and wanted to make sure that my views are heard. Thank you for taking the time to consider the evidence thoroughly. Olivia Weir Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project February 23, 2025 To the Town of Ithaca Planning Board Members, I am a Cornell Field Hockey and Lacrosse Alum from the Class of 1988. I cannot say enough about the importance of supporting our female student athletes at an institution the level of Cornell University and Division 1 sports. The many benefits of playing team sports have long been documented—from the importance of establishing healthy eating and exercise habits early in life, to learning how to balance one’s time, to developing the skills necessary for cooperation and teamwork. The fun I had on the team are some of my greatest college memories! The physical, emotional, and social benefits of sports are compelling ones for a students’ (“male and female”) overall well-being. Coming from years of playing without any team specific locker rooms or coaching rooms at all, and Title IX slowly getting implemented around the country, 2025 is beyond time for Division 1 girls sports to get the facilities they deserve in order to stay competitive and thriving. The decision to convert a field used by soccer into an NCAA recommended hockey turf field with clubhouse facilities, not only makes good sense, but is deserving of a nationally ranked team. Such success is only possible when a team feels supported by its school facilities, the athletes feel respected and able to compete at the Division 1 level, and coaches can attract and recruit continued talent. The school must stay competitive. I appreciate the importance of a balanced and evidence-based approach to this by the Planning Board and my understanding is that significant time has been committed to due diligence by the project team. It seems important to separate the larger, more confusing environmental concerns from the specifics of this case. My understanding is that the research on the new NCAA field hockey turf does not indicate clear scientific evidence showing any significant adverse environmental impact on any of the variety of categories required by the SEQR Process. And not to mention the fact that Cornell is following the NY Statute requiring non-PFAS turfs to be built, significantly ahead of the implementation time of Dec 2026. As a former student athlete at a rigorous school like Cornell, I feel strongly that the benefits of supporting development of women’s sports, and greatly improving facilities for what is currently a thriving successful Division 1 program, should be balanced against any environmental impact that has yet to be proven by installing this non-PFAS turf. The 53-year-old legacy of the Cornell Field Hockey Program will not be feasible without the competitive NCAA approved non-fill type of turf. As a long-time contributor to Cornell Women’s Sports because of the fond memories I have of playing sports in college, I hope you allow this project to move forward so students may continue on their expected paths. Sincerely, Jocelyn Yocum DiChiara ‘88 Catherine Kelly Mulgrew 32 North Grange Road Bearsden Glasgow G61 3AF Scotland Crkelly28@gmail.com +44 7956091757 February 25, 2025 RE: Support for the Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field & Request to vote to issue a negative environmental declaration Dear Members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, I am a proud alumna of Cornell University from the class of 2001 and even prouder that I was a four-year member of the Cornell Field Hockey team playing all four years for the Big Red. Despite now living an ocean away in the United Kingdom, I remain in close touch with the University, the team, and fellow graduates. In addition to an inspiring education, some of my most cherished memories of my collegiate experience involve my time as a member of the field hockey team. That time was so much more than just an athletic journey —it was a profound lesson in life, personal growth, and teamwork. It taught me discipline, work ethic, and communication - as well as adaptability, strategic thinking, resilience, and mental toughness along with leadership and accountability. So many critical attributes for life well beyond college. I have cemented lifelong friendships with my teammates and fellow alumni, and they are a community of powerful, strong, smart women that I am humbled to be a part of. Ultimately, my time in Division 1 field hockey was about more than just competition —it was about growth. I learned to celebrate victories humbly, learn from my failures, and continuously strive for improvement. The experiences, friendships, and lessons I g ained have had a lasting impact on my character and perspective on life. I am keen that this tradition continues so that future generations of Cornell field hockey players benefit from these same experiences and life lessons. To do this, they need a space of their own and a field to play on where these lessons can take place. Today’s team is full of clever, ambitious women keen to gain the knowledge and benefits of their University education so they can head out into the world to help solve whatever challenges and issues face their corner of the world. They are a group worth assisting and I am eager to support them in their development of the Game Farm Road field. Since learning of the challenges in the process with the Game Farm Road field hockey project, I have become more involved in understanding the issues at hand and feel strongly that this project should continue without a negative environmental declaration. After reviewing the materials related to this project and the recent planning board meeting notes, I believe all of the requirements are met for the Board to vote on a negative environmental declaration. It is clear to me that Cornell has addressed the rel evant environmental concerns. Specifically, the proposed new field does not have crumb rubber, is non-PFAS, and will include a filtration system to remove any microplastics. Catherine Kelly Mulgrew 32 North Grange Road Bearsden Glasgow G61 3AF Scotland Crkelly28@gmail.com +44 7956091757 While I understand and can appreciate the need to balance the social, environmental, and health concerns related to this project, there has been no clear evidence put forth that indicates the significant risks that would meet the requirements to trigger ad ditional environmental analysis. I strongly encourage you to vote to issue a negative environmental declaration , thus allowing this project to move forward. Please feel free to get in touch with me should it be useful. Sincerely yours, Catherine Kelly Mulgrew Cornell Class of 2001 February 21, 2025 Town of Ithaca Planning Board Ithaca Town Hall 215 North Tioga Street Ithaca, New York Dear Members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board: I am writing in support of the Cornell Women’s Field Hockey proposed new field and facility on Game Farm Road. As a Cornell alum who had the great privilege to play field hockey at Cornell, I understand how important a competitive field and facility is for the program, the student athletes, and the community as a whole. I also fully appreciate that we must take care to plan and build new facilities in an environmentally sound way. Having survived many Ithaca winters trudging up to practice, I know how important a weather resistant surface is to extend the outdoor play season. Not only is it best for our competitive student athletes, it also provides activity spaces for the broader group of students and community members to be outdoors throughout inclement weather, which is so very important for health and wellness. Regardless of the weather, an artificial turf field is required for the field hockey team to continue to compete in Division 1. No teams play on grass, as the sport has evolved such that artificial turf is a necessity. I believe the work done on the development of the new no-infill turf field has taken well into consideration all appropriate, current environmental guidelines as well as a plan for the future management of the field to meet environmental requirements as they are developed going forward. I hope this well-researched and planned project is able to move forward for the benefit of all. It can serve as a good example for how we can move forward while always improving (and reducing) our environmental impact. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Kate Jones Kate Jones Cornell Class of 1986 Cornell Varsity Field Hockey 1982-1984 Cornell Varsity Lacrosse 1982-1986 Sara Sanders Ruch and Stephanie Sanders Warne, Class of 2011 sara.sandersk@gmail.com, stephlorrainesanders@gmail.com 607-349-8613, 607-349-8611 February 23, 2025 C.J. Randall, Director of Planning cjrandall@townithacany.gov Christine Balestra, Senior Planner cbalestra@townithacany.gov Subject: Support from Former Cornell and Local Athletes for the Proposed Field Hockey Field at Game Farm Road Dear C.J. Randall and Christine Balestra, As twin sisters who were former Cornell field hockey players (Class of 2011) and local athletes (who grew up in Endwell, NY, a short drive away) we are writing to express our support for Cornell University’s proposal to construct a new artificial turf field hockey field at the Game Farm Road athletic complex. We both played on the previous Marsha Dodson Field from our sophomore year until our graduation in 2011, and we firmly believe that a dedicated field for field hockey is essential to the program's continued success and the development of student-athletes. Our connection to Cornell field hockey extends even further back to our high school years. As local players, we were fortunate to be part of the USAFH Futures Olympic Pathway Field Hockey program (now called Nexus) that utilized the University's field for ongoing practices. In addition, we attended the Cornell Summer Sports School camps held at Cornell. Having access to such high-quality turf facilities during our formative years was a significant benefit and played a role in our development as athletes, as until that point we had primarily played on grass fields. It also instilled in us a deep appreciation for the importance of providing young athletes with the resources and facilities they need to excel. This mirrors Cornell's expectation that the new field will benefit over 1,000 people annually, including not only Cornell athletes, but also opponents, campers, club and recreational players, of which we fit into multiple of those categories. During our time as students at Cornell, having access to a field dedicated to field hockey, while still being in close proximity to our classes and other campus activities, was an invaluable asset. When we were being recruited by different colleges, the presence of a dedicated artificial turf field hockey field was an important determining factor in our decision to attend Cornell. We were attracted to the University's commitment to providing its field hockey student-athletes with the resources and facilities necessary to succeed both on and off the field. We appreciate that you have taken a hard look at the issues surrounding this proposal and have gathered sufficient information to make a well-reasoned decision, requiring a careful balance of social, environmental, and health considerations. We believe that Cornell has taken significant care to minimize the environmental impact of this project, and we are confident that the new turf field aligns with the most recent state environmental regulations ahead of becoming law. We also know how much of an impact the Cornell Facilities had on our field hockey development both while there and as local athletes prior to attending. We believe that the proposed field hockey field at Game Farm Road will not only benefit current and future Cornell field hockey players but will also benefit many other athletes within the wider community as it did us. Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter. Sincerely, Sara Sanders Ruch and Stephanie Sanders Warne From: To: Subject: Sent: **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 Claudia L Casavecchia cbalestra@townithacany.gov; cjrandall@townithacany.gov; Support for the Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project 2/24/2025 2:33:58 AM February 23, 2025 To the members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board: I am writing as a previous Cornell Field Hockey player [class of ‘85], Cornell Field Hockey manager and JV assistant coach [1985-89], and current USA Masters O-60 Field Hockey player. The Cornell field hockey program over the past 7 years, under the incredible leadership of Coach Andy Smith, has achieved National attention and was ranked 17th in 2023. I have returned to Cornell for several alumni games and was excited to play with recent graduates, including Caroline Ramsey, a USA National Team member, and current players. I also attended the Title IX 50th Anniversary event at Cornell and learned how far women’s sports at Cornell had progressed through the efforts of coaches, players and university administrators from years before I attended Cornell, and those that have come after me. Competing for the USA Masters Team over the past 2 years, I have been able to practice on many Division I turf fields, as well as, playing in Amsterdam at the Grand Masters Tournament and most recently in Auckland, New Zealand at the World Cup. The quality of these water-based turfs allowed the game to be played at its highest level. They also use technology to reduce any PFAS run- off by using a new turf style, like GFR, with a high-quality filtration system, to collect any particles that could impact the environment. The International Hockey Federation continues to advocate for environmentally safe surfaces, which Cornell University is committed to providing for the local community and the field hockey program. Cornell University’s scholar athletes have a deep commitment to both their academic focus along with their chosen sports. As an athlete at Cornell, one learns time management along with leadership skills. Being able to balance the hours of training, traveling and playing while maintaining a high GPA in one’s major is a feat that the current Cornell field hockey players have been able to accomplish. These student athletes, being able to manage the rigors of academic challenges while also being committed to their sport, enter the world having a higher likelihood of success with the skills they learned in balancing education with athletics. As a supporter of the Cornell Field Hockey program, I am asking you to look at the efforts of Cornell University and the Field Hockey program and fairly evaluate their proposal to create the necessary facility for these student- athletes. The new facility to be built on Game Farm Road will continue to bring Cornell to the forefront of the Ivy League and Division 1 competitors. The University has reviewed the materials and field runoff design to safeguard not only the environment but also the players’ health. I believe that your review of the details of the proposed water-based turf plan that you have received to date will dismiss concerns that you have for environmental review. Your approval is critical to allowing these young student athletes to compete on campus with the support of their family and fans. I appreciate your time and commitment to the Town of Ithaca and know that you have gathered information needed to approve this new facility for Cornell University’s Field Hockey Program. Respectfully, Claudia L. Casavecchia, DVM CALS '85, NYSCVM '89 USA Masters O-60 #11 Letter in support of the Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field To the Members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, I am writing this letter in enthusiastic support of the development of a Cornell Field Hockey clubhouse and field hockey-specific, watered turf field on Game Farm Road. I am an alumna of Cornell University from 1982 to 1986 (Bachelor of Arts) where I played goalie for the Cornell University field hockey team all four years. After graduation, I worked in a research lab at Cornell University Medical College in Manhattan for two years, then I attended University of Connecticut Medical School and then trained in Geriatrics and Cardiology and obtained a PhD in Clinical Investigation, all at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute where I was on the faculty. For the last 14 years, I have been a Medical Officer at the National Institute on Aging at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD. I attribute my successful career in medicine, largely to many of the skills I learned as a member of the Cornell field hockey team. Team sports offer an often underappreciated development of interpersonal and team skills in addition to strategies for organization and time management. In my case, an injury to my knee during my sophomore year of field hockey season, and my subsequent interactions with our team physical therapist, cemented my interest in becoming a physician. During my senior year, our field hockey team raised funds to support a tremendous opportunity to train and play throughout Holland for two weeks at the end of my senior year. Traveling internationally at that age, and playing in a country where field hockey is the national sport, was an experience rich with growth in cultural awareness, maturity, and responsibility. As a result of the time we invested in field hockey, the highs and lows of playing a competitive sport, the adventures of traveling (to games and internationally), and the challenges of juggling our education with a high-level collegiate sport, led to strong friendships with my teammates. These close personal relationships that I made playing Cornell Field Hockey for 4 years have endured time, distance, and life changes. Indeed, I remain in close touch with many of my Cornell field hockey teammates, which is how I heard of the potential issues raised to the Town Planning Board regarding the exciting new development for the Cornell field hockey team on Game Farm Road. As an example of how strong these relationships are with my teammates, when I had to undergo several surgeries for a chronic medical condition over the last several years, they bolstered my spirits with unwavering support, including flying from various locations around the US to help take care of me. As I’ve spent my career in science, I am fairly well-versed in environmental toxins, including PFAS and the accumulation of microplastics. I certainly understand the potential concern of these factors on the environment. I would not be supporting any project if I felt that these were truly agents, if mitigated as proposed by Cornell University, that pose a significant adverse environmental impact, especially within an area I hold so dearly as Ithaca, New York. It appears that the water filtration system that Cornell has proposed will be the best available in removing detectable microplastics from the water source, and the type of artificial turf that will be used does not contain PFAS or rubber crumb infill. I find the proposed non-PFAS artificial turf with its lack of infill and filtered water system to have no significant adverse impact on the environment and fully endorse it. During my time at Cornell, although Title IX was established, we still endured practice and playing conditions that did not mirror the male athletes. As such, we practiced on a grass field that was uneven and full of divots. Although we were able to practice on Schoellkopf Field, we typically were scheduled to practice in the off hours, including what we referred to as the “graveyard shift”, which was from 9pm to 11pm at night. There were no specific facilities for us to shower or change our clothes in, or have team meetings. Having a specific area clubhouse where the team can store their books and personal items while practicing, can shower, meet, study and change would be a significant boost to the team’s unity and morale. Such a hub would also accommodate teams who are visiting for camps, tournaments or playing games from the region. As field hockey was my passion throughout high school, I can’t imagine not having a program at a place such as Cornell University. Yet, in order for Cornell to continue to be competitive in Ivy League and Division 1 athletics, the standard artificial turf is a field hockey-specific turf, as proposed. This will replace a currently under-utilized soccer field, so there would be no additional real estate that would need to be developed. Moreover, this proposed field hockey specific hub would serve as a training facility and/or for tournament games for local and regional field hockey programs as it would be the only International Field Hockey Association approved facility within a 50-mile radius. This would define Cornell as a leader in the sport and would continue to attract young women to team sports through early school to beyond college. This proposal has my highest support, and I hope you will consider the benefits that I have outlined to maintain field hockey at Cornell, which can only be done with an upgraded facility such as proposed. Cornell has taken steps to mitigate the potential environmental concerns that have been raised sufficiently in my scientific opinion, and I hope to enjoy this facility as a continued supporter of Cornell Field hockey. With regards, Susan Zieman, MD, PhD Brett P. Fors Frank and Robert Laughlin Professor Baker Laboratory Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 Tel: 1(607)-254-1487 brettfors@cornell.edu February 23, 2025 Dear Ithaca City Planning and Development Board, I write to support Cornell University’s proposal to install a synthetic turf field on Game Farm Road. I am Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell University. My research and expertise encompass sustainable polymers, polymer synthesis, and polymer recycling. Based on this expertise, I can provide a unique perspective on concerns that have been raised about the installation of a synthetic turf field on campus. In this letter, I will briefly give my expert opinion on several of these concerns. To summarize the key points I will address below, the proposed turf field is PFAS-free, does not pose a significant risk of microplastic pollution, and is recyclable. Additionally, a turf field would be beneficial over a natural grass field by reducing water use and eliminating the need for pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, which can all be environmentally problematic. Taking all of this into account, I strongly believe that the use of a turf field is the best option. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are one concern that has been raised about the use of synthetic turf fields. PFAS is a class of chemical compounds that have seen widespread use across many applications and, recently, have been shown to negatively impact the environment and human health. Many previously manufactured turf fields contain PFAS. However, Cornell has chosen a synthetic turf, Greenfields TX Pro Plus, that is PFAS-free. This eliminates concerns of PFAS release into the environment and exposure to athletes. It also complies with New York State Law that requires carpets (this includes turf) to be PFAS-free. In my opinion, we should be mindful of PFAS use as a society and work to eliminate it, which is exactly what Cornell has done by choosing a PFAS-free option. The release of microplastics into the environment is a second concern that the town should be mindful of when considering a turf field. Recent studies have shown that microplastics have become more prevalent in the environment; while the impact of these microplastics on the environment and health is not well understood, we should work to mitigate their release. Studies have shown that crumb rubber infill used in synthetic turf can lead to the release of microplastics into the environment. To circumvent this issue, Cornell has chosen a synthetic turf that does not contain any infill, eliminating the major source of microplastics. Cornell will also install a filtration system that would remove any minor source of microplastics that could potentially come from the polyethylene grass blades. Additionally, by choosing an infill-free turf, Cornell has also eliminated other environmental and health concerns that can arise from the use of crumb rubber, which can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and phthalates. In my opinion, the risk of microplastic pollution from the proposed turf is incredibly low. To put this into perspective, driving a car poses a much higher risk to the environment through the shedding of microplastics from tires. A compelling argument for the use of turf fields is their recyclability. Cornell has a plan to recycle the turf at its end-of-life and has already identified recycling facilities. Importantly, the Cornell University Chemistry and Chemical Biology polyethylene blades used in Greenfields TX Pro Plus are completely recyclable. Additionally, the crumb rubber infill used in most turf fields is not recyclable; however, since Cornell has chosen an infill-free turf, they eliminate this non-recyclable component of the field. Overall, the Greenfields TX Pro Plus is a sustainable, recyclable turf option. Overall, I strongly believe that Cornell has put forward a sustainable and environmentally responsible proposal for their turf field on Game Farm Road. Please contact me if you have any questions or need any clarifications. Sincerely, Brett P. Fors Frank and Robert Laughlin Professor Chemistry and Chemical Biology Cornell University brettfors@cornell.edu 607-254-1487 Carl Sgrecci Marilyn P.Sgrecci 1130 Trumansburg Rd. Ithaca,NY 14850 February 24,2025 Town of Ithaca Planning Board 215 N.Tioga St. Ithaca,NY 14850 Dear Planning Board Members: We are writing as longtime residents of the Town of Ithaca in support of the watered synthetic turf field with no infill for the women’s field hockey program being proposed by Cornell University.Our interest in this project is a consequence of our broader advocacy for women’s athletics at all levels as a result of our daughter’s involvement in team sports at Ithaca High School,college,and now a 25-year career in athletic administration.Following her graduation from Smith College,she worked at the Women’s National Basketball Association,the Seattle Supersonics and Storm (women’s team),University of Buffalo,Dartmouth,Colgate,and now back closer to home at Cornell University as Senior Deputy Athletics Director for Strategy and Operations. One issue we have seen common to every place she has worked is parity for women’s sports relative to those for men.While this is now a legal requirement,achieving it and maintaining it is a constant struggle at all levels and every step forward in that regard is critically important.Cornell University now has one of those opportunities as well as the motivation,means,and commitment to make one of those strides with the proposed new field for the women’s field hockey program. From our perspective,construction of this field for women to meet the highest professional standards is just as important as doing the same for a men’s sport would be.Therefore,we respectfully ask that you consider the issue of parity for women’s sports in addition to that of turf during your deliberations. Thankyou. Smc^erel^ou^g Carl Sgrecci Marilyn P.Sgrecci From: To: Cc: Subject: Sent: CJ Randall Town Of Ithaca Planning Chris Balestra Fw: Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project 2/24/2025 8:39:57 AM FYI From: Elsa Dempsey <elsa.dempsey58@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2025 1:35 PM To: CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov> Cc: cbalestra@tonithacany.gov <cbalestra@tonithacany.gov> Subject: Fwd: Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project Had to resend for email id fix. Thx, Elsa ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Elsa Dempsey <elsa.dempsey58@gmail.com> Date: Sat, Feb 22, 2025 at 1:07 PM Subject: Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project To: <cjrandall@townithacany.com>, <cbalestra@tonithacany.gov> Hello Town of Ithaca Planning Board, I am Elsa Dempsey, Cornell BSEE '86 and field hockey team member for 3 of my 4 years at Cornell, and a mom to two grown women. I am writing to you to share my experience of the critical importance competitive sports provides women during the college years and to urge approval of the plan to continue the program. College sports is a critical character formation opportunity when young women learn to commit to top performance for themselves and their team as a representative of their institution. This is highly impactful in preparation for taking on challenging roles as adults, helping them prepare for competitive work environments and even challenging public service roles. Commitment to high performance and teamwork in service to different industries or public service is what Cornell is preparing these young women for and so we as alumni who have had opportunity to live these benefits are committed to helping ensure Cornell's next generation of women have that same development opportunity. My advocacy stems not just from my own experience but also seeing how much intercollegiate sports have impacted the growth of my own two daughters as they learned how preparation, teamwork, strategy, and leadership create results. The reality is that to be a viable program for Cornell athletes, the field hockey program must comply with NCAA requirements for a playing field. To demonstrate commitment to these students and their environment, Cornell is planning to provide the most environmentally friendly field surface available which aligns with NY State's future standards. Fortunately, these plans do not include any of the rubber crumb infill component in the product that has caused concern in older turf surfaces may have had in the past . It will protect local waters by filtering out any detectable microplastics and the facility will also provide a clubhouse where athletes will shower and leave shoes with any residue particles from the turf. This new facility provides a great opportunity for Cornell women to continue to participate in a growing and competitive sports program in the Town of Ithaca. This is of critical importance to demonstrate to young women that they matter and deserve equal access to opportunities to compete. This will become a permanent facility available not only to Cornell program participants but to many other developing athletes through ongoing training camp programs. I understand the critical role the Town Planning Board undertakes in reviewing this proposal. Also an important consideration are the needs of these Cornell students for the upcoming fall season and viability of the program overall. These students need the environmentally sustainable solution proposed by Cornell. Based on the detailed information you have received, I ask that you issue a negative declaration to enable the program to plan for the future. Cornell has developed an excellent plan to support its student athletes while protecting the Town of Ithaca environment with the best available technology while adhering to requirements dictated by NCAA for competitive play. Thank you for your support in enabling the continuation of this excellent program for Cornell women. Sincerely, Elsa Dempsey Field Hockey 1982-5, Lacrosse 1982-4 Cornell BSEE '86 To: C.J. Randall, Director of Planning Christine Balestra, Senior Planner From: Kent Scriber Date: February 20, 2025 Re: Cornell University Field Hockey Proposal I was recently made aware of a proposal for a new regulation field hockey facility. Due to construction at it’s current site the current field is unavailable for future use. As a life-long Ithaca resident I wanted to share my strong support for this proposal. I am a retired Professor/Athletic Trainer from Ithaca College (employed there for 43+ years) and a former intercollegiate athlete. I am keenly aware of the importance of supporting intercollegiate athletics for many reasons. Student- Athlete participants gain far more from being a part of a team than the competition with other intercollegiate teams. I have seen personal and professional development of team members for several decades through my work experience. These alumni typically have become some of an institution’s strongest supporters/donors over the years. I am quite certain that college and university athletics overall has a positive impact on the surrounding community. My direct experience with Cornell Field Hockey has been minimal. However, as the program director for our (Ithaca College) Athletic Training education program for many years, we developed a close working relationship with Cornell Athletics. Since the late 1970s our Athletic Training majors have worked with Cornell Sports Medicine professionals gaining clinical experience with various Cornell teams. I’ve always viewed this as an integral part of their education. Several, after gaining their professional credentials, have been or are currently employed at Cornell University. Typically, the Field Hockey team and working with the Sports Medicine professional staff members has been one of the important assignments for our students. It is my understanding that if the new proposal is not approved, continuation the program could be somewhat in jeopardy. Clearly, this would be an undesirable outcome for many reasons. Not the least of which may be non-compliance with Title IX (equal opportunities for female athletes) requirements. I feel if this project is not approved it would be a major setback for Cornell, it’s alumni, and local fans who support intercollegiate athletics. I do understand that there are always concerns regarding the “environment” when an artificial turf field is to be installed. However, although an important consideration, this should not deter moving forward with this important project. Field construction specifics must meet standards to be approved and the new turf would meet the most recent state laws reflecting environmental objectives. Cornell University, Ithaca College, and Ithaca High School all have had on campus turf fields built and utilized for years. To my knowledge none have ever created environmental issues that have resulted in any harm to the local community. Overall, it’s my opinion that the benefits of approving this project far outweigh any potential negative considerations. Thank you for the opportunity to share my perspective regarding this project proposal and good luck with your upcoming discussions and deliberations. From: To: Cc: Subject: Sent: CJ Randall Christina.Kaeding@t-online.de Town Of Ithaca Planning Re: Cornell Field Hockey Game Farm Road 2/21/2025 2:43:11 PM Received, and will be distributed to members of the Planning Board. Thanks, C.J. C.J. Randall, LEED AP ND Director of Planning Town of Ithaca 215 N Tioga St Ithaca, NY 14850-4357 607-273-1721 x120 cjrandall@townithacany.gov From: Christina.Kaeding@t-online.de <Christina.Kaeding@t-online.de> Sent: Friday, February 21, 2025 1:45 PM To: CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov> Subject: Cornell Field Hockey 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 Ms Randall, dear members of the Planning Board, our daughter is a freshman at Cornell University and a member of the field hockey team. She decided to join the team after much deliberation because of the warm welcome she received from coaches and team members during a visit. She made the long journey from Germany and left her local Bundesliga team (the highest division in Germany), partly because Ithaca and the beautiful scenery appealed to her. Of course, the excellent academic and athletic reputation of the university was also an important factor. Now she and we as parents are extremely shocked at the prospect that she may no longer be able to play her beloved sport during her studies. She knew that a new field hockey pitch and associated facilities were to be built on Game Farm Road. Now everything seems to be on the back burner! We understand that there are concerns from environmentalists. TOWN OF ITHACA NEW YORK Let me briefly explain how the field hockey club in Potsdam, where our daughter started playing hockey, came to have a new hockey pitch. In Germany, and also in Potsdam, great importance is attached to environmental protection in many areas. Projects often cannot be realised without the approval of usually very strict nature conservation authorities. Nevertheless, two modern, unfilled artificial turf pitches were built in Potsdam in the immediate vicinity of a drinking water conservation area (700m away from a waterworks). Why was this possible? As at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and Paris, pitches were built by Polytan. This company uses among other things organic materials from sugar cane processing. Almost only organic polyethylene compounds are used. Water consumption has been significantly reduced. Abrasion during use is also significantly lower than with conventional old artificial turf pitches. The pitches are significantly more durable than normal artificial turf pitches, meaning that in terms of environmental compatibility, these modern surfaces are also more environmentally friendly than natural grass pitches, which consume a lot of water, need to be fertilised, require pesticides and need to be renewed more quickly. For this reasons, the construction of the pitches from Polytan in Potsdam was made possible. Of course we cannot tell if Polytan meets the non-PFAS and other requirements of New York state, but it is an example of how artificial turf can be installed and reflect environmental concerns. Field hockey is also only played on unfilled artificial turf pitches in Division I in the USA (to which Cornell belongs). Should the Cornell University team be forced to play on a grass field, it would be the certain end of the field hockey programme at Cornell. Decades of tradition and the work of many coaches and players to bring the university to its current level would be undone. Those were just a few thoughts from concerned parents. We thank you for your understanding and hope for a positive outcome to your review of the matter. Best regards Christina Käding und Frank Treiber Potsdam, Germany From: To: Subject: Sent: Blake Madison Wilks cjrandall@townithacany.gov; cbalestra@townithacany.gov; Game Farm Road Proposal 2/24/2025 11:59:43 AM Dear Town of Ithaca Planning board, I am a student at Cornell, and my journey with field hockey spans over ten years, including at least eight years playing at the club level. I chose Cornell because of its exceptional academics, highly competitive field hockey team, and the unique culture that sets it apart. What truly stands out about Cornell's field hockey program is its incredible team dynamic and the unwavering commitment to excellence that aligns with my dedication to developing my skills and competing at the highest level. Field hockey isn’t just a sport for me—it’s a fundamental part of my life at Cornell, shaping both my academic path and personal growth. We all have a responsibility to be more aware of the environment and make environmentally sustainable decisions, to the extent that I am taking a class on environmental conservation this semester. However, I have seen nothing in the submitted evidence to suggest that the Game Farm Road turf is not environmentally sustainable. There are studies from Sweden and Switzerland that show when artificial turf in sports facilities is viewed in a life cycle assessment context, unfilled turf can be more than or as environmentally sustainable as natural grass. As you have seen from Cornell’s submissions, the field hockey turf is unfilled. Thank you for your diligence and objectivity in considering the field hockey proposal. Blake Wilks From: To: Subject: Sent: Jo Broderick cjrandall@townithacany.gov; cbalestra@townithacany.gov; Game Farm Road Proposal 2/24/2025 12:35:05 PM **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, I have spent my career in the UK working with government at the local and national level and engaging with stakeholders on a wide range of complex policy issues. I recognise the very significant challenges faced when trying to balance competing factors and interests in decision-making, and the additional responsibilities that working as part of a volunteer committee brings. Comments at recent planning board meetings have me concerned that some people may misunderstand the role of planning in relation to wider societal concerns. It seems to me that some people that have been part of the discussion are putting forward a narrative that a negative declaration in some way would represent a lack of concern for the environment, which it does not. Our individual environmental concerns - and credentials - are entirely separate from the planning process. Each of us has personal concerns for environmental sustainability, and we all have a sense of how that should be delivered in our own lives, and in our wider society. The lack of action at national and international levels in areas such as the proliferation of plastics, global warming, and the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels are issues that, whilst we can take individual action to address, require a systemic collective societal effort for significant change to be made. We all take what steps we can, and advocate for society to be more environmentally aware and act collectively to make positive change. The planning process recognises the likelihood of, and actively encourages, community engagement. In order to do so, it is specifically constructed to manage formal consideration of concerns, providing a framework for effective scrutiny in a way that is fair and consistent, with attention to the specifics of each proposal. It provides guardrails to ensure that a hard look is taken at actual evidence to indicate a potential risk of serious harm, which can then be investigated further. It is not intended, as seemed to be implied in public comments at the last meeting, to engender environmental research because it does not currently exist, nor to commission speculative additional analysis when there is already sufficient evidence to make a decision. The planning process is designed specifically not to be a “fishing expedition” for possible environmental issues. If that were to happen, most planning applications would be drawn out for an interminably long time based on a hypothetical notion of potential risk, which is clearly not beneficial to anyone. The SEQR guidance recognises that some harms are inevitable and that the role of planning boards is to equally balance environmental with social and economic needs, and to investigate further only when there is a risk of significant adverse change. In the case of the Game Farm Road Field Hockey Project, the evidence before you is sufficient to vote for a negative environmental declaration: Cornell University has met or exceeded the standards for environmental sustainability and provided scientific research to support its plans, while no credible scientific evidence has been put forward to demonstrate environmental harm. I trust that the volume of material in front of you, and wider societal concerns over the environment which do not relate to this proposal, do not blur the clear path to a negative declaration. Thank you for all the work you do in a challenging and complex role. Jo Broderick Cornell FH parent From: To: Subject: Sent: **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 Delaney Rae Keegan cjrandall@townithacany.gov; cbalestra@townithacany.gov; Game Farm Road proposal 2/24/2025 12:18:05 PM Dear Town of Ithaca Planning Board My name is Delaney Keegan and I am a freshman on the Cornell FH team. My mom is a Cornell alum which played a big part in why I chose this program. My mom loved this school and I can understand why. I chose Cornell because the university and program were the best ﬁt for me, and since being here I have found best friends within the team and athlete community at the university. Playing FH is such a fundamental part of our day to day lives here, we train for 20 hours a week in season and I see my teammates everyday of the week. It isn't just the playing that makes such a diﬀerence it is the people, we as a team spend so much time together that it makes it hard to not see us as a family, having issues with our ﬁeld threatens the tight group we have now. There has been a lot of discussion about the artiﬁcial turf itself and there is clearly a strength of feeling about it. However, all of the evidence I have read doesn’t relate to the turf that ﬁeld hockey needs or would be installing. There is a lot of reference to PFAS when the university has made clear that it will be using non-PFAS turf. So many of the references cited are for turf with inﬁll, which our turf also doesn’t have. From what I have read, a lot of the health concerns – which are not supported by scientiﬁc studies – also relate to turf with inﬁll. Based on the facts, and the submitted evidence, I can see nothing to support the argument that the proposed ﬁeld at Game Farm Road represents a signiﬁcant environmental risk. Thank you for your hard work in reviewing this proposal thoroughly. Delaney Keegan February 25, 2025 Subject: Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Project & SEQR Process Considerations Dear Members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Project and to urge the Planning Board to issue a negative environmental declaration under the SEQR process. By way of background, I grew up in Germany, where environmental consciousness is deeply embedded in the culture. In my household, we have always prioritized sustainability, driving fuel-efficient compact cars and opting for biking whenever possible. I also grew up playing field hockey, a sport that has remained a significant part of my life. Today, I still compete in Masters-level field hockey, representing Team USA in world cups, and I contribute to the sport as a coach in the Olympic Development Pathway (Nexus) and as a high school and club game official. My daughter, a student-athlete on the Cornell Field Hockey team, is preparing for her senior season, and I have witnessed firsthand the importance of having access to high-quality, regulation-compliant playing facilities. Professionally, I am a strategy management consultant, advising C-suite executives on complex, consequential decisions such as whether or not to acquire another company. My experience in evaluating competing claims with rigor and analytical discipline informs my approach to this debate. I strongly believe that discussions about environmental impact must be rooted in facts and should balance competing priorities through careful analysis. In my professional experience navigating complex issues with competing stakeholder interests, I prioritize focusing on the most relevant and fact-based concerns, taking issues off the table that are not relevant to the discussion. In this case, several issues raised regarding environmental and health impacts do not align with the specific realities of this project. The proposed turf field: ● Reflects the global trend in field hockey, where high-level competition universally takes place on non-filled artificial turf, as grass is not a viable option for Division I play. Those who still advocate for it do not understand the needs of the field hockey community. ● Does not use infill, eliminating concerns about ingestion of or skin contact with synthetic (mostly rubber) particles. ● Complies with upcoming state regulations banning PFAS, ensuring it meets the highest environmental safety standards. ● Incorporates a water filtration system that removes detectable microplastics, addressing runoff concerns. ● Uses water for playability, which also maintains a consistent surface temperature. Watering the field reduces friction between the ball and the turf, as well as between players' sticks and the surface, ensuring smoother and faster gameplay. This is essential for maintaining the integrity of field hockey at the Division I level, where precision and speed are key aspects of competition. 1 ● Is consistent with international standards, aligning with best practices followed in environmentally progressive nations such as the Netherlands and Germany, both leading nations in field hockey. ● Additionally, arguments suggesting that the Planning Board should set an unprecedented level of environmental review by issuing a positive SEQR declaration for this project, while arguments are not brought forth opposing the approval of other projects, raise concerns about selective targeted scrutiny by the advocacy group. Examples of projects not opposed by Zero Waste Ithaca include a gas station and fast-food redevelopment a mere mile away, which introduces its own environmental concerns, including PFAS and heavy metals in building materials, petroleum leaks, and contamination risks associated with underground storage tanks. Is the Zero Waste Ithaca campaign as much about targeting Cornell itself as it is about the issues? Additionally, I play Masters field hockey myself as it is truly a sport for all ages and have many friends who play with pride in age groups up to Over-70 in competitions internationally. They and I have played on artificial turf for decades, and I don’t know anyone across the player, coach, and umpire communities—hundreds of people—who has experienced negative health implications from field hockey-specific turf. While this is not a scientifically rigorous data point, it is a significant anecdotal indicator that such concerns may be overstated. The argument for requiring a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS), which has been mentioned in some letters to the Planning Board, hinges on whether there is a reasonable expectation of significant cumulative environmental impacts from multiple related projects. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's SEQR process (https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/seqr/stepping-through-process), a GEIS is appropriate when a project is part of a larger, long-term plan that could have wide-ranging environmental effects. In the case of the Game Farm Road Field Hockey Project, opponents now seem to be suggesting that it should be evaluated within the context of a long-term master plan. However, Cornell University confirmed in the Planning Board meeting on December 17, 2024 that no such master plan exists. While the 2015 master planning concept showed the potential development of more sports fields, this is no longer feasible due to the presence of power transmission lines that require a 225-foot exclusion zone, significantly reducing the density of future development. Additionally, burying these power lines underground would be “astronomically” expensive, estimated at $20 million, with no certainty of approval from the utility company. From discussions with the university administration as field hockey parents, we know that Cornell has historically relied on a combination of university funds and philanthropy to finance athletic projects, meaning that each project must secure independent funding before proceeding. Indeed, this is reflected in the projected “in the next five years” timeline for phasing of the Field Hockey project. Given these constraints, the university cannot realistically commit to a multi-year expansion plan. Without a concrete, multi-phase development strategy and secured funding, requiring a GEIS would be impractical, speculative, and not in accordance with the NYS SEQR guidance. As outlined in the SEQR process, environmental reviews should be based on 2 known, defined projects rather than hypothetical future scenarios. Thus, a positive SEQR declaration and a GEIS are not justified in this case. I appreciate that having a fact-based discourse about any project is a key requirement of the SEQR process. That requires mutual respect and an understanding of the perspective of those with opposing views. I have reviewed in great detail the sources cited by Zero Waste Ithaca, including approximately 60 duplicate entries, and analyzed them on their merits. In doing so, with the support of more qualified parents, I came to the conclusion that none of the 89 peer-reviewed scientific studies supports the hypothesis that watered field-hockey specific turf harms the environment or humans. I would like to ask if Zero Waste Ithaca’s approach actually seeks to balance in any way, as SEQR requires, environmental with social and economic needs? I ask this because the scenario they advocate ignores the needs of the Cornell field hockey team and the broader field hockey community despite a clear lack of evidence of potential harm, creating a scenario where they may never have a replacement field. Furthermore, while I cannot predict the future or definitively state that no scientific studies might prove a link between this type of artificial turf and environmental or health concerns at some distant point in the future, this raises an important question: Is it appropriate public policy to deny over 1,000 people annually—including student-athletes, opposing teams, camp participants, and local club and recreational teams—the ability to pursue their athletic dreams, their chosen lifestyle, or their hobby, based solely on an unsubstantiated concern? The absence of evidence is not evidence of harm, and policy decisions should be based on rigorously established scientific findings rather than speculative worries. The SEQR process mandates a determination based on available information in a specific 20-day time window; an EIS follows where that information identifies that there is a risk of significant harm and investigates that risk in more detail. What is being proposed by opponents of the project seeks to use the EIS to artificially extend the window for provision of information, rather than investigating an identified risk as it should, in order to arbitrarily lengthen the time frame and create delay. The Cornell University Field Hockey Program plays a vital role in the athletic and academic community, providing opportunities for student-athletes to excel at the highest levels. The proposed field will ensure that these athletes have the necessary facilities to train and compete while also benefiting the broader community through camps and club usage. I urge the Planning Board to consider the facts before you now and to issue a negative environmental declaration, allowing this important project to move forward without unnecessary delay. It would be a shame for these young women to be subjected to a lengthy environmental review which would be unlikely to bring forward any relevant additional scientifically rigorous peer-reviewed studies on which to base a better decision than today, leaving us to reconvene in 6-9 months facing the same ruling as now. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Marian Mueller 3 From: To: Subject: Sent: Chris Balestra Town Of Ithaca Planning FW: Game Farm Road 2/25/2025 9:47:21 AM 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: Kristen O Ramsey <koramsey@icloud.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 9:04 AM To: Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov> Subject: 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 Ms. Balestra, As the Senior Planner on the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, we are writing in strong support of the Cornell Field Hockey Game Farm Road Proposal and in equally strong opposition to any additional environmental analysis suggested by Zero Waste Ithaca. We are extremely involved in the Cornell Field Hockey Program, its players and coaches as parents who have had 2 daughters play on the Cornell Field Hockey Team for the past 6 years. Our older daughter Caroline Ramsey played on the Cornell Field Hockey Team from 2019-2023. Because of her ability to practice and play on Cornell’s previous water- based field hockey specific sports field, Caroline has ascended to the Senior National Team proudly representing team USA. Recognizing that the current situation where the Cornell Field Hockey Team is potentially without a field for the Fall 2025 is no fault of the Ithaca Town Planning Board, we are respectively requesting that you strongly consider approval of this plan without any additional environmental studies. Kristen served as a board member for the Harding Land Trust in Harding, New Jersey for 6 years. Additionally, we are involved in the Open Space Institute and have a home in the Beaverkill Valley that is located within the Catskills State Park. Land and water preservation and stewardship are very important to us. The water-based turf field the NCAA Division I requires its participants to play on does not pose a threat to the adjacent land or waterways or to the players. There is no crumb rubber or PFAS on this type of turf field. In fact, this field with a water filtration system could be considered cleaner and more environmentally sound than grass fields as grass playing fields require continuous applications of pesticides and herbicides that run off into nearby waterways. Please look at the science or lack thereof from groups like Zero Waste Ithaca as you consider your ruling on this proposal. In addition, please consider the practical consequences if the board choses to proceed with this environmental study. The Cornell Field Hockey Team which was ranked in the top 20 in 2023 will not be able to practice or play within 50 miles of Ithaca for the unforeseen future should a ruling in favor of a positive SEQR declaration occur. This would result in many players quitting the team and others choosing not to come to Cornell in the future which would severely negatively impact this program. These student athletes take their studies as seriously as their sports and devote many hours to each every week. Traveling to Syracuse to play is not a viable option. Cornell University is working diligently to utilize environmentally responsible engineering when planning this project. We believe that the evidence that they have thoughtfully and diligently provided demonstrates that there is no significant risk that would warrant further environmental analysis. Thank you very much for your time and thoughtful consideration, Kristen and Patrick Ramsey 4 Outlook Game Farm Road Project From Kristen O Ramsey <koramsey@icloud.com> Date Tue 2/25/2025 9:05 AM To CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov> **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 Ms.Randall, As the Director of Planning on the Town of Ithaca Planning Board,we are writing in strong support of the Cornell Field Hockey Game Farm Road Proposal and in equally strong opposition to any additional environmental analysis suggested by Zero Waste Ithaca.We are extremely involved in the Cornell Field Hockey Program,its players and coaches as parents who have had 2 daughters play on the Cornell Field Hockey Team for the past 6 years.Our older daughter Caroline Ramsey played on the Cornell Field Hockey Team from 2019-2023.Because of her ability to practice and play on Cornell’s previous water-based field hockey specific sports field,Caroline has ascended to the Senior National Team proudly representing team USA. Recognizing that the current situation where the Cornell Field Hockey Team is potentially without a field for the Fall 2025 is no fault of the Ithaca Town Planning Board,we are respectively requesting that you strongly consider approval of this plan without any additional environmental studies.Kristen served as a board member for the Harding Land Trust in Harding,New Jersey for 6 years.Additionally,we are involved in the Open Space Institute and have a home in the Beaverkill Valley that is located within the Catskills State Park.Land and water preservation and stewardship are very important to us. The water-based turf field the NCAA Division I requires its participants to play on does not pose a threat to the adjacent land or waterways or to the players.There is no crumb rubber or PFAS on this type of turf field.In fact,this field with a water filtration system could be considered cleaner and more environmentally sound than grass fields as grass playing fields require continuous applications of pesticides and herbicides that run off into nearby waterways. Please look at the science or lack thereof from groups like Zero Waste Ithaca as you consider your ruling on this proposal.In addition,please consider the practical consequences if the board choses to proceed with this environmental study.The Cornell Field Hockey Team which was ranked in the top 20 in 2023 will not be able to practice or play within 50 miles of Ithaca for the unforeseen future should a ruling in favor of a positive SEQR declaration occur.This would result in many players quitting the team and others choosing not to come to Cornell in the future which would severely negatively impact this program.These student athletes take their studies as seriously as their sports and devote many hours to each every week.Traveling to Syracuse to play is not a viable option. Cornell University is working diligently to utilize environmentally responsible engineering when planning this project. We believe that the evidence that they have thoughtfully and diligently provided demonstrates that there is no significant risk that would warrant further environmental analysis. Thank you very much for your time and thoughtful consideration, Kristen and Patrick Ramsey 1 Summary of my letter • As a pediatrician, pediatric subspecialist, child health researcher and mother of a Cornell field hockey student-athlete, I explain the key approaches to interpreting the scientific evidence: hypothesis testing, peer review, and association versus causation, to aid the Planning Board in drawing their own conclusions. • I present a brief review of the evidence: There is no evidence in the peer-reviewed scientific literature to support the hypothesis that the proposed field hockey turf would be harmful to human health or the environment. • I present examples to highlight the faulty logic underlying the idea that to be environmentally conscious, one needs to reject the proposed field hockey turf. • The philosophical issue of the balance between development and the environment is fascinating but beyond the scope of the question of the field hockey turf in front of the Planning Board to decide. • Microplastics are ubiquitous in consumer products and the environment . There is zero scientific evidence that the field hockey turf will contribute to the Earth’s microplastics problems in any measurable manner, and the conundrum of the ubiquity of microplastics on Earth is not in front of the Planning Board to solve. • A Positive Declaration would significantly endanger the 53-year Cornell Division I Varsity Field Hockey Program. The NCAA and FIH (international field hockey federation) require the proposed type of field hockey turf, but one does not currently exist at Cornell, in Ithaca, or anywhere within a 50 mile radius, leading to a domino effect with a severe impact on the fall 2025 (and possibly fall 2026 and beyond) season and ongoing uncertainties leading to the loss of current athletes who may be forced to transfer to other colleges, coupled with the inability to recruit athletes for the future. • A Positive Declaration would thus end the athletic careers of the current rising senior class and cause the other current and incoming student-athletes on the team to consider transferring to another program, all of which would result in significant mental health harm to these young women. • On the other hand, neither a Positive nor a Negative Declaration would measurably impact the lives of Ithaca’s residents or the group opposed to the field hockey turf. • Thus, I respectfully ask the Planning Board to focus on the question at hand, which is whether there is evidence that the proposed field hockey turf would lead to significant environmental impact, and vote for a Negative Declaration. 2 Dear Members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, I am writing to you as a board-certified pediatrician and pediatric subspecialist, a child health researcher, and the mother of a Cornell field hockey student-athlete. The Researcher’s Approach to Testing Hypotheses As the members of the Ithaca Planning Board who currently or previously worked in STEM fields know, in reviewing the scientific evidence for a hypothesis, it is important to carefully weigh whether the scientific studies that we use to argue that our hypothesis is correct provide evidence for our specific hypothesis or not. If one formulates the hypothesis that building the proposed field hockey turf at Cornell’s Game Farm Road is harmful to the environment or to the health of the players, then one needs to provide scientific evidence to support this statement. Simply stated, such scientific evidence does not exist. A Brief Review of the Scientific Evidence as it Pertains to the Proposed Field Hockey Turf I have reviewed the list of “peer-reviewed studies” presented by the group Zero Waste Ithaca on their website to support their opposition to artificial turf, as well as the studies mentioned by letter writers addressed to the Planning Board, and have found the following: Most references cited were not peer-reviewed studies. I excluded these, as peer-reviewed publications are the gold standard for scientific studies. Peer-review means that before deciding to publish a study, the scientific journal sends the study to a number of independent scientists who are experts in the subject matter of the study and who provide feedback on whether the study is scientifically rigorous enough that it warrants publication in the scientific journal. Examples of excluded references that were not peer-reviewed included a poster presented at a conference which is, by definition, not a peer-reviewed published study that medical professionals would consider as evidence and base their practice on, a study manuscript that has been posted publicly but not yet peer-reviewed, and opinion pieces, news articles, position statements, etc. Exhibit 1: Review of 89 peer-reviewed studies referenced in the bibliography of Zero Waste Ithaca and in letters to the Town of Ithaca Planning Board 89 54 22 13 Total references Not artifical turf Turf with infill Not FH turf Relevant scientific studies 0 3 After the exclusions, there were a total of 89 peer-reviewed studies. Of these, 54 studies were not relevant to the hypothesis presented by those opposing the Game Farm Road development, that the proposed field hockey turf would be harmful to the environment or to humans, because they were not studies about artificial turf. A further 22 studies were not relevant because their subject was artificial turf with infill or crumb rubber, which is not the type of turf that is proposed. An additional 13 studies were not relevant because their subject was turf that was not only not the specific type of turf that is proposed, but not even in the general category of field hockey turf. These included studies whose subject was football turf, general use recreational turf, park coverings, playground turf, as well as laminate flooring. Please refer to the tables at the end of my letter with a categorized list of the 89 studies. The peer-reviewed studies brought forth all demonstrate: • a subject of the study that is unrelated to the specifics of the field hockey turf proposal, • measured outcomes that are not relevant to the proposal, • or conclusions that are vague and call for further study. In addition to the exclusion criteria listed above, many studies exhibited additional exclusion criteria. Some studies were in vitro (in a test tube) cell studies and animal model studies, both of which are considered data that the scientific community does not use to directly extrapolate to and make decisions about humans. Other studies discussed PFAS, yet the proposed field hockey turf does not have PFAS in it. Some studies clearly stated as their conclusions that the turfs studied pose no danger to users and that the question of environmental impact is theoretical, or that human studies don’t exist, and thus call for data on humans to be explored in the future. That leaves us with zero studies that demonstrate a relationship between the artificial turf in the proposal for the field hockey turf, and any harm caused to the environment or people. Why it is Important to Approach a Review of the Literature with Scientific Rigor We have to be very mindful of how we interpret the scientific literature and what conclusions we draw from it. Inundating the zone with a long list of references does not in and of itself reflect scientific rigor or an evidence base for a specific hypothesis. As a practicing physician, I have to ensure that when I read a study, I don’t jump to conclusions about the study’s findings and extrapolate from the study population or study conditions to a different population that I am treating. I also have to be cognizant of whether a relationship that is seen in a study between two conditions is an association or is truly causative. In the studies presented by Zero Waste Ithaca, there is no overlap between the subject of each study and the proposed turf, much less any type of causal relationship between such turf and human or environmental outcomes. The Difference between Association and Causation – and the Lack of Both in Peer-Reviewed Scientific Literature on Field Hockey Turf Even if there was a relationship found between the proposed field hockey turf and negative health or environmental outcomes, that would still not imply causation. This means that from the scientific perspective, there would have to be studies that clearly demonstrate not only that people or the environment are harmed when field hockey turfs like the proposed one are built, but that it is 4 the turf itself that is causing this harm, and not some other factor. An exaggerated example to explain the need to prove both association AND causation is as follows. If we install the field hockey turf and then see a statistically significant increase in field hockey players sustaining concussions, we could assume that the field hockey turf is causing harm to the players. But upon closer examination, we may discover that the ASSOCIATION may be statistically significant, but it is likely not CAUSATIVE, as the use of field hockey turfs is associated with the use of field hockey sticks, and field hockey balls, and it may in fact be the use of field hockey sticks or the balls that is causative of the observed increase in concussions. Thus, if we blame the turf for the concussions, we would not be correct in our assessment of the situation. There is NO scientific evidence that there is an association, much less causation, between the proposed field hockey turf and player health or environmental outcomes. Listening to the Opposition: The Lack of Evidence for Turf Causing Harm as Explained by Studies that Zero Waste Ithaca Posted on their Website For a study to support the hypothesis that the proposed field hockey turf would be harmful to the athletes or the environment, it would have to show multiple causative connections: this specific turf type causing human illness or causing environmental impact that in turn causes human or wildlife injury. In each of the studies brought forth, multiple links in this logic chain are missing. I will quote a reference from the Zero Waste Ithaca website, with the caveat that this systematic review also does not study the proposed turf type. Nonetheless, it summarizes the state of the literature on other types of turf better than I could: “A systematic review of databases revealed 5673 articles of which 30 were deemed eligible […] Definitive conclusions were unable to be derived on the human health risks posed to users of artificial turf under real-world exposure scenarios. Future studies are recommended to explore the risks associated with the potential synergistic toxicities of chemical mixtures found in artificial turf.” (Ryan-Ndegwa et al. "Exploring the Human Health Impact of Artificial Turf Worldwide: A Systematic Review." Environmental Health Insights, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302241306291.) Putting the Lack of Evidence of Harm in Perspective: Of Field Hockey Turfs and Racecars To put the lack of evidence into perspective, one can compare it to levels of evidence on common child health topics. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that car seats and bicycle helmets save children’s lives, so all experts agree and there are laws for child car seat use and bike helmet use. On the other hand, the evidence on the causes of and solutions for childhood obesity and for teen driving deaths are less clear. We know that walking and riding bikes instead of driving everywhere is good for kids to combat obesity and other health issues, and that teen driving deaths involve cars. Yet all of these concerning public health issues don’t mean that we should ban the Cornell Engineering Project Teams from building and racing cars as part of their educational journey, or the athletes who are Formula One racecar drivers from doing what they have trained for and dreamt of their whole lives. 5 • First, it would be unfair to single out one small group of individuals, in this case the Cornell Engineering students who participate in Project Teams, to bear the brunt and suffering of doing something for the greater good. • Second, Project Teams building cars does not measurably contribute to the problem of childhood obesity and teen driving deaths in New York State, the US, or the world. • Third, shutting down the Project Teams wouldn’t measurably contribute to solving the problem of childhood obesity and/or teen driving deaths. Solutions for childhood obesity and teen driving deaths, while extremely important, need to be found outside of the realm of Cornell Engineering Project Team students. The same arguments apply to the Cornell Division I Varsity Field Hockey Team’s contributions to the global issue of microplastics in the environment. Our daughters and their field hockey turf are not responsible for the Earth’s microplastics problem and aren’t contributing to it measurably by playing on the proposed field hockey turf so we shouldn’t target the hard-earned dreams of a group of innocent young women without scientific evidence to validate our choice of target. It would be unfair to force them into a life-changing disproportionate sacrifice for a problem that they and their turf are not measurably contributing to, whose solution their life-changing sacrifice would not measurably impact. A Positive Declaration would translate to exactly that, as the international governing body for field hockey (FIH) and the NCAA require a certain type of artificial turf for the sport to be played, so a Positive Declaration would significantly endanger a storied 53- year-old Division I Field Hockey program and thus the athletic careers of the young women on this team. Taking away their ability to play NCAA Division I sports would be devastating. It would also be an irresponsible, deeply unfair, and irrational decision. To stay with our theoretical example, if cars are banned at the national and international level one day, then, sure, we can go ahead and ban the Project Teams. Similarly, given Zero Waste Ithaca’s concern about the environmental impact of artificial turf, it would be reasonable for them to advocate for national governments and international institutions as well as the governing bodies of each sport to provide the funding to scientists to conduct careful research into the health and environmental impact of such turfs. If evidence from carefully conducted research one day shows that a different path forward is better, and laws and international sports rules are changed, then it will make sense to abide by those rules. But in the meantime, given the lack of evidence, we should not be jumping to actions that are not supported by sound reasoning or scientific evidence. In other words, we shouldn’t make an innocent group operating within the confines of current scientific evidence and current laws and current sports rules become collateral damage in a campaign not supported by scientific evidence. As it stands, the advocacy campaign to block the field hockey team’s turf is as if they are trying to slay the dragon of microplastics but are killing the innocent puppy that is sitting next to the dragon instead. 6 Environmental Stewardship is Important The questions that Zero Waste Ithaca is asking are extremely relevant, and I applaud them for their passion. I very much appreciate their general mission and share many of the group’s goals and values. For example, I regularly shop at Zero Waste stores, and I am an avid user and supporter of my local branch of the regifting/waste reducing program Buy Nothing, which Zero Waste Ithaca supports in Ithaca. We all need to look within ourselves to choose our own sacrifices to protect the environment. However, we should not campaign to force others to become sacrificial lambs for environmental causes with no scientific evidence base. Microplastics in Consumer Products and the Environment: Important Philosophical Excursions Not Relevant to the Question in Front of the Ithaca Planning Board The debate on the balance of development and industry versus nature and health, with its wide- ranging interconnected issues and consequences, is a highly philosophical one. Yes, anything that is built in nature is at a philosophical (and practical) level impinging on nature, but that fact does not mean that we can and should all move into the woods, sleeping under trees, naked, eating wild berries. That would definitely be better for the environment, but there are many conflicting values and practical considerations on why we will all not be doing that. Similarly, the ubiquity of microplastics throughout the environment and in most accoutrements of everyday living in industrialized nations is an important and extremely complex topic for humankind to address. It is similar to the issue of using fossil fuels vs. nuclear energy vs. wind energy. There are many stakeholders, complex societal impacts, complicated international politics: the solution to this issue is not currently in front of the Ithaca Planning Board. Similarly, the theoretical question of society shifting away from using artificial turf, or the theoretical question of society shifting away from houses, cars, airplanes, refrigerators, smartphones, clothes, processed junk food or overnight deliveries of packages, is highly complex with many downstream effects, and is not in front of the Planning Board. The mandate of the Planning Board is to determine whether the proposed field hockey turf will have a significant negative impact on humans and the environment and to weigh the environmental impact versus the social impact of the project. Solving the philosophical conundrum of nature versus development, or the societal question of microplastics in many consumer products is not relevant to and is beyond the scope of the question at hand, which is to decide, based on the available facts and scientific evidence, whether there is evidence to indicate that the proposed field hockey turf would harm the environment or people. Such evidence does not exist. What There IS Evidence For: A Negative Effect of a Positive Declaration for the Future of Cornell Field Hockey and the Mental Health of Student-Athletes While there is no scientific evidence that there will be a negative environmental or health impact of the field hockey turf, there would be a devastating impact on and irreparable harm to the group of young women who are current and future Cornell Division I Varsity Field Hockey student-athletes 7 associated with a Positive Declaration. There is no alternative to the proposed field hockey turf per NCAA and FIH Guidelines: Given the timeline that a Positive Declaration entails, even under the best of circumstances, it would significantly endanger the existence of the Cornell Division 1 Field Hockey Team, and depending on how long the next steps would take, it would have the potential to effectively destroy the Program. Please vote for a Negative Declaration, indicating that there is no evidence that the proposed field hockey turf will harm the environment or humans I respectfully request that the Planning Board be very intentional about focusing on the key question of whether laying down the proposed field hockey turf, which is a replacement for the turf that has existed for many years in Ithaca, to allow the Cornell Division I Varsity Field Hockey Team to continue to compete and exist, is harmful to the athletes or the environment. Please don’t be distracted by the confusing noise of topics not relevant to the specific issue and weigh your decision on a vote for a Negative Declaration based on the facts, as well as on the serious consequences of your decision. The Outcome of Your Vote Will Deeply Affect the Cornell Field Hockey Team Positively or Negatively, But Will Not Affect the Residents of Ithaca Measurably Either Way A No Vote on the SEQR The young women of the Cornell Division I Varsity Field Hockey Team are extremely ambitious, inspiring student-athletes who have worked hard for years to achieve what they have, who were ranked 17th in the country last year. If you vote no on the SEQR, you will be voting based on the fact that there is NO scientific evidence indicating that the proposed field hockey turf would be harmful to the environment or to people. In that case, these young women will be able to continue to play their sport, grow as human beings, and represent their university – and Ithaca - with pride. At the same time, there is no evidence to indicate that there will be measurable harm to the environment or to the lives of the people of Ithaca. A Yes Vote on the SEQR Conversely, if you were to vote yes on the SEQR, the impact on these same student-athletes would be irreparable harm. As the NCAA requires this type of turf field for Division I competition, and there is no such turf available anywhere in Ithaca or its surroundings, and there is simply no alternative to the proposed turf, a yes vote would abruptly end the college athletic careers of the rising seniors among these women and significantly endanger the experience of each of these young women and subsequent generations, leading to significant mental health harm to these women who have worked extremely hard for many years to achieve their dream of playing their sport at the college Division I level, as well as impacting all the women who came before them and fought so hard for women’s sports and to make the Cornell University Division I Field Hockey Program what it is today. At the same time, there is no evidence to indicate that the quality of life or health of Ithaca’s residents or the environment would improve based on the absence of the proposed field hockey turf. In other words, the difference between a yes and no vote will be the difference between the devastation of a traumatic life-changing event for the student-athletes affected, who will lose 8 something that has defined who they are and what they have worked hard for during their entire childhood and early adulthood, versus the opportunity to continue to chase their dreams. For the Ithaca community members who oppose the turf, meanwhile, the difference between a yes and a no vote will not measurably change their lives in either direction. In summary: 1. The question that needs to be decided is whether the proposed field hockey turf is likely to cause human or environmental harm. The question is NOT whether microplastics, which are ubiquitous in the environment and many consumer products, need further attention and research and legislation nationally and internationally. 2. There is NO evidence that the proposed field hockey turf is harmful to human health or the environment. If there were any indications of such harm, as a mother and pediatrician and child health researcher, I would not support my daughters in playing field hockey on such turf. Thus, I respectfully ask that the Planning Board Members vote for a Negative Declaration. Thank you very much for your willingness to serve on the Planning Board and for all your hard work on this decision. I truly appreciate your service. Respectfully, Beatrice Lechner MD Associate Professor of Pediatrics (retired) Alpert Medical School of Brown University Table 1: Peer-Reviewed Studies Which Do Not Study Artificial Turf (alphabetical order) # Study 1 Abad López, Angela Patricia, Jorge Trilleras, Victoria A. Arana, Luz Stella Garcia-Alzate, and Carlos David Grande-Tovar. "Atmospheric Microplastics: Exposure, Toxicity, and Detrimental Health Effects." RSC Advances 13 (March 2023): 7468-7489. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RA07098G 2 Aini, Sofi Azilan, Achmad Syafiuddin, and Grace-Anne Bent. "The Presence of Microplastics in Air Environment and Their Potential Impacts on Health." Environmental and Toxicology Management 2, no. 1 (2022): 31-39. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360292351_presence_of_microplastics_in_air_environment_and_their_potential_impa cts_on_health 3 Barton, J, Rogerson, M. “The Importance of Greenspace for Mental Health.” BJPsych International. November 1, 2017. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5663018/ 4 Brown, Erina, Anna MacDonald, Steve Allen, Deonie Allen. “The Potential for a Plastic Recycling Facility to Release Microplastic Pollution and Possible Filtration Remediation Effectiveness.” Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances. May 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2023.100309 5 Campen, Matthew, Alexander Nihart, Marcus Garcia, Rui Liu, Marian Olewine, Eliseo Castillo, Barry Bleske, Justin Scott, Tamara Howard, Jorge Gonzalez-Estrella, Natalie Adolphi, Daniel Gallego, and Eliane El Hayek. "Bioaccumulation of Microplastics in Decedent Human Brains Assessed by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry." Preprint. National Institutes of Health. 2024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11100893/ 6 Carmona, Eric, Elisa Rojo-Nieto, Christoph D. Rummel, Martin Krauss, Kristian Syberg, Tiffany M. Ramos, Sara Brosche, Thomas Backhaus, and Bethanie Carney Almroth. “A Dataset of Organic Pollutants Identified and Quantified in Recycled Polyethylene Pellets.” Data in Brief 51 (2023): 109740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2023.109740 9 7 Chand, Rupa, Lucian Iordachescu, Frida Bäckbom, Angelica Andreasson, Cecilia Bertholds, Emelie Pollack, Marziye Molazadeh, Claudia Lorenz, Asbjørn Haaning Nielsen, and Jes Vollertsen. "Treating Wastewater for Microplastics to a Level on Par with Nearby Marine Waters." Water Research 256 (June 1, 2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2024.121647 8 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 9 Cousins, I, Johansson, J, Salter, M et al. “Outside the Safe Operating Space of a New Planetary Boundary for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Environmental Science Technology 56 (2022): 11172−9. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acs.est.2c02765?download=true 10 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 11 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 12 Devon C. Payne-Sturges, Tanya Khemet Taiwo, Kristie Ellickson, Haley Mullen, Nedelina Tchangalova, Laura Anderko, Aimin Chen, and Maureen Swanson. “Disparities in Toxic Chemical Exposures and Associated Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: A Scoping Review and Systematic Evidence Map of the Epidemiological Literature” Environmental Health Perspectives. July 29, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11750 13 Díaz, Sandra, Josef Settele, Eduardo Brondizio, H. T. Ngo, et al. "Pervasive Human-Driven Decline of Life on Earth Points to the Need for Transformative Change." Science 366, no. 6471 (2019): eaax3100. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aax3100 14 Dong, Yuping, Helin Liu, and Tianming Zheng. 2021. "The Impacts of Green Space Structure on Asthma in Toronto, Canada" Medical Sciences Forum 4, no. 1: 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/ECERPH-3-09123 15 Gaber, Nadia, Lisa Bero, and Tracey J. Woodruff. “The Devil They Knew: Chemical Documents Analysis of Industry Influence on PFAS Science.” Annals of Global Health 89, no. 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.4013 16 Gaston, Kevin J., and Alejandro Sánchez de Miguel. "Environmental Impacts of Artificial Light at Night." Annual Review of Environment and Resources 47 (2022): 373–398. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-112420-014438 17 Geueke B, Phelps DW, Parkinson LV, Muncke J. Hazardous Chemicals in Recycled and Reusable Plastic Food Packaging. Cambridge Prisms: Plastics. May 22, 2023. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cambridge-prisms- plastics/article/hazardous-chemicals-in-recycled-and-reusable-plastic-food- packaging/BBDE514AAFE9F1ABB3D677927B343342 18 Hahladakis, John N., Costas A. Velis, Roland Weber, Eleni Tacovidou, Phil Purnell. “An Overview of Chemical Additives Present in Plastics: Migration, Release, Fate and Environmental Impact During Their Use, Disposal and Recycling.” Journal of Hazardous Materials. February 15, 2018. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030438941730763X?via%3Dihub 19 Heisler, J., P.M. Gilbert, J.M. Burkholder, et al. "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. 20 Hiltner, Sofia, Emily Eaton, Noel Healy, Andrew Scerri, Jennie C. Stephens, and Geoffrey Supran. "Fossil Fuel Industry Influence in Higher Education: A Review and a Research Agenda." Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, first published Septembe r 5, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.904 21 Huang, B. (2004). Recent advances in drought and heat stress physiology of turfgrass - A review. Acta Hortic. 661, 185-192. DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.661.23 22 Huang, B. (2008). MECHANISMS AND STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING DROUGHT RESISTANCE IN TURFGRASS . Acta Hortic. 783, 221-228. DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.783.22 23 Jin, Haibo, Tan Ma, Xiaoxuan Sha, Zhenyu Liu, Yuan Zhou, Xiannan Meng, Yabing Chen, Xiaodong Han, and Jie Ding. "Polystyrene Microplastics Induced Male Reproductive Toxicity in Mice." Journal of Hazardous Materials 401 (January 5, 2021): 123430. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389420314199 24 Khalid, Noreen, Muhammad Aqeel, and Ali Noman. "Microplastics Could Be a Threat to Plants in Terrestrial Systems Directly or Indirectly." Environmental Pollution 267 (December 2020): 115653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115653 25 Kim JI, Kim BN, Lee YA, Shin CH, Hong YC, Dossing LD, Hilderbrandt G, Lim YH. “Association Between Early-Childhood Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and ADHD Symptoms: A Prospective Cohort Study.” Science of the Total Environment. April 4, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163081 26 Lee, Chiang-Wen, Lee-Fen Hsu, I.-Lin Wu, et al. "Exposure to Polystyrene Microplastics Impairs Hippocampus-Dependent Learning and Memory in Mice." Journal of Hazardous Materials 430 (May 15, 2022): 128431. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389422002199 27 Leonard, Jamie, Sujith Ravi, and Sanjay K. Mohanty. "Preferential Emission of Microplastics from Biosolid-Applied Agricultural Soils: Field Evidence and Theoretical Framework." Environmental Science & Technology Letters 11, no. 2 (2024): 136 –142. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00850 28 Levine, Hagai, Niels Jørgensen, Anderson Martino-Andrade, Jaime Mendiola, Dan Weksler-Derri, Maya Jolles, Rachel Pinotti, and Shanna H. Swan. “Temporal Trends in Sperm Count: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis of Samples Collected Globally in the 20th and 21st Centuries." Human Reproduction Update 29, no. 2 (2023): 157 –76. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmac035 29 Li, Nan, Yun Liu, George D. Papandonatos, Antonia M. Calafat, Charles B. Eaton, Karl T. Kelsey, Kim M. Cecil et al. “Gestational and Childhood Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Cardiometabolic Risk at Age 12 Years.” Environment International 147 (2021): 106344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.106344 10 30 Liu, Megan, Sicco H. Brandsma, and Erika Schreder. “From E-Waste to Living Space: Flame Retardants Contaminating Household Items Add to Concern About Plastic Recycling.” Chemosphere 365 (2024): 143319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143319 31 Lohmann et al. (2020) Are fluoropolymers really of low concern for human and environmental health and separate from other PFAS? Environmental Science & Technology, 54(20), 12820-12828. 32 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 33 Mehmood, Tariq, and Licheng Peng. "Polyethylene Scaffold Net and Synthetic Grass Fragmentation: A Source of Microplastics in the Atmosphere?" Journal of Hazardous Materials 429 (May 2022): 128391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128391 34 Messmer, Mindi F., Jeffrey Salloway, Nawar Shara, Ben Locwin, Megan W. Harvey, and Nora Traviss. “Risk of Cancer in a Community Exposed to Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances.” Environmental Health Insights 16 (2022): 11786302221076707. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302221076707 35 Oh, Jiwon, Deborah H. Bennett, Antonia M. Calafat, Daniel Tancredi, Dorcas L. Roa, Rebecca J. Schmidt, Irva Hertz-Picciotto, and Hyeong-Moo Shin. “Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Association with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the MARBLES Study.” Environment International 147 (2021): 106328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.106328 36 Park, Byung-Geon, Cheoljae Lee, Young-Jun Kim, Jinhyoung Park, Hyeok Kim, Young Jung, Jong Soo Ko, Sang-Woo Kim, Ju-Hyuck Lee, Hanchul Cho. “Toxic Micro/Nano Particles Removal in Water via Triboelectric Nanogenerator.” Nano Energy, 2022; 100: 107433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2022.107433 37 Ragnarsdóttir, Oddný , Mohamed Abou-Elwafa Abdallah, and Stuart Harrad. “Dermal Bioavailability of Perfluoroalkyl Substances Using in Vitro 3D Human Skin Equivalent Models,” Environment International. June, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.108772 38 Rickard, Brittany P., Imran Rizvi, and Suzanne E. Fenton. "Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Female Reproductive Outcomes: PFAS Elimination, Endocrine-Mediated Effects, and Disease.” Toxicology 465 (2022): 153031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2021.153031 39 Royer, Sarah-Jeanne, Sara Ferrón, Samuel T. Wilson, and David M. Karl. "Production of Methane and Ethylene from Plastic in the Environment." PLOS ONE 13, no. 8 (2018): e0200574. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200574 40 Salthammer, Tunga. Microplastics and their Additives in the Indoor Environment 41 Silva, Ana L.P., Joana C. Prata, Armando C. Duarte, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares, Damià Barceló, Teresa Rocha-Santos. “Microplastics in Landfill Leachates: The Need for Reconnaissance Studies and Remediation Technologies.” Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering. June 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2020.100072 42 Silva, Ana L.P., Joana C. Prata, Armando C. Duarte, Amadeu M.V.M. Soares, Damià Barceló, Teresa Rocha-Santos. “Microplastics in Landfill Leachates: The Need for Reconnaissance Studies and Remediation Technologies.” Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering. June 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2020.100072 43 Silvia Casabianca, Samuela Capellacci, et al. Plastic-associated harmful microalgal assemblages in marine environment, Environmental Pollution, Volume 244, 2019, Pages 617-626, ISSN 0269-7491, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.09.110. 44 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. 45 Stoett, Peter, Vitória M. Scrich, Carla I. Elliff, Mariana M. Andrade, Natalia de M. Grilli, Alexander Turra, “Global Plastic Pollution, Sustainable Development, and Plastic Justice, World Development.” World Development. December 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2024.106756 46 Sun T, Wang W, Chan Z. 2024. How do cool-season turfgrasses respond to high temperature: progress and challenges. Grass Research 4: e010 doi: 10.48130/grares-0024-0008 47 Tarafdar, Abhrajyoti, Min-Ju Oh, Quynh Nguyen-Phuong, and Jung-Hwan Kwon. “Profiling and Potential Cancer Risk Assessment on Children Exposed to PAHs in Playground Dust/Soil: A Comparative Study on Poured Rubber Surfaced and Classical Soil Playgrounds in Seoul.” Environmental Geochemistry and Health. May 27, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653 -019-00334-2 48 Tokunaga, Yurika, Hiroshi Okochi, Yuto Tani, Yasuhiro Niida, Toshio Tachibana, Kazuo Saigawa, Kinya Katayama, Sachiko Moriguc hi, Takuya Kato, and Shin-ichi Hayama. "Airborne Microplastics Detected in the Lungs of Wild Birds in Japan." Chemosphere 321 (April 2023): 138032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138032 49 University of Birmingham. “New Study Confirms Forever Chemicals are Absorbed Through Human Skin.” Phys.Org. June 24, 2024. https://phys.org/news/2024-06-chemicals-absorbed-human-skin.amp 50 Watkins, Lisa, Susan McGrattan, Patrick J. Sullivan, and M. Todd Walter. "The Effect of Dams on River Transport of Microplast ic Pollution." Science of The Total Environment 664 (2019): 834-840. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969719305078?via%3Dihub 51 Younan D, Tuvblad C, Li L, Wu J, Lurmann F, Franklin M, Berhane K, McConnell R, Wu AH, Baker LA, Chen JC. “Environmental Determinants of Aggression in Adolescents: Role of Urban Neighborhood Greenspace.” Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. July 2016. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2016.05.002. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27343886/ 52 Zhai, X., X.-H. Zhang, Min Yu. Microbial colonization and degradation of marine microplastics in the plastisphere: A review. Frontiers Microbiology. 16 February 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1127308 53 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 54 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 11 Table 2: Peer-Reviewed Studies of Artificial Turf with Infill (alphabetical order) # Study 1 Bø, S.M., Bohne, R.A. & Lohne, J. “Environmental Impacts of Artificial Turf: A Scoping Review.” International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-024-05689-3 2 Celeiro, M., Armada, D., Ratola, N., Dagnac, T., de Boer, J., and Llompart, M. "Evaluation of Chemicals of Environmental Concern in Crumb Rubber and Water Leachates from Several Types of Synthetic Turf Football Pitches." Chemosphere 270 (May 2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128610. 3 Donald, Carey E., Richard P. Scott, Glenn Wilson, Peter D. Hoffman, and Kim A. Anderson. “Artificial Turf: Chemical Flux and Development of Silicone Wristband Partitioning Coefficients.” Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health 12 (2019): 597–611. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-019-00680-1 4 Englart, John. Literature Review on Environmental and Health Impacts of Synthetic Turf. Melbourne Polytechnic, April 2021. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.28126.56646 5 Fořt, Jan, Klára Kobetičová, Martin Böhm, Jan Podlesný, Veronika Jelínková, Martina Vachtlová, Filip Bureš, and Robert Černý. “ Environmental Consequences of Rubber Crumb Application: Soil and Water Pollution.” Polymers 14, no. 7 (2022): 1416. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14071416 6 Ginsberg, Gary, Brian Toal, and Tara Kurland. “Benzothiazole Toxicity Assessment in Support of Synthetic Turf Field Human Health Risk Assessment.” Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A 74, no. 17 (2011): 1175–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/15287394.2011.586943 7 Gomes, Filipa O., M. Rosário Rocha, Arminda Alves, and Nuno Ratola. "A Review of Potentially Harmful Chemicals in Crumb Rubber Used in Synthetic Football Pitches." Journal of Hazardous Materials 409 (May 5, 2021): 124998. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124998 8 Hua, Jing Martin Lundqvist, Shanti Naidu, Mikael T. Ekvall, Tommy Cedervall. “Environmental Risks of Breakdown Nanoplastics from Synthetic Football Fields.” Environmental Pollution. April, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123652 9 Huang, Qian’en, Jianqun Wang, Jianping Wang, Dongmei Yu, Yuanbo Zhan, and Ze Liu. “Emerging Health Risks of Crumb Rubber: Inhalation of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals via Saliva During Artificial Turf Activities.” Environmental Science & Technology 57, no. 50 (2023): 21005–21015. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c03278 10 Kim S, Yang JY, Kim HH, Yeo IY, Shin DC, Lim YW. “Health Risk Assessment of Lead Ingestion Exposure by Particle Sizes in Crumb Rubber on Artificial Turf Considering Bioavailability.” Environmental Health and Toxicology. February 2, 2012. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/resources/citations/3278598/export/ 11 Kole, Pieter Jan, Frank GAJ Van Belleghem, Jetse J. Stoorvogel, Ad MJ Ragas, and Ansje J. Löhr. “Tyre Granulate on the Loose; How Much Escapes the Turf? A Systematic Literature Review.” Science of the Total Environment (2023): 166221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.16622 12 Magnusson, Simon, and Josef Mácsik. “Analysis of Energy Use and Emissions of Greenhouse Gases, Metals and Organic Substances from Construction Materials Used for Artificial Turf.” Resources, Conservation and Recycling 122 (2017): 362–372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.03.007 13 Mohammed, Atef MF, Inas A. Saleh, and Nasser M. Abdel-Latif. “Hazard Assessment Study on Organic Compounds and Heavy Metals from Using Artificial Turf.” Heliyon 9, no. 4 (2023). https://www.cell.com/heliyon/pdf/S2405-8440(23)02135-7.pdf 14 Murphy, Maire, Genoa R. Warner. “Health Impacts of Artificial Turf: Toxicity Studies, Challenges, and Future Directions.” Environmental Pollution. October 1, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119841 15 Negev, Maya, Zohar Barnett-Itzhaki, Tamar Berman, Shay Reicher, Naor Cohen, Ruti Ardi, Yaniv Shammai, Tamar Zohar, and Miriam L. Diamond. “Hazardous Chemicals in Outdoor and Indoor Surfaces: Artificial Turf and Laminate Flooring.” Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology 32, no. 3 (2022): 392–399. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-021-00396-4 16 Pochron, S., J. Nikakis, K. Illuzzi, A. Baatz, L. Demirciyan, A. Dhillon, T. Gaylor, A. Manganaro, N. Maritato, M. Moawad, R. Singh, C. Tucker, and D. Vaughan. "Exposure to Aged Crumb Rubber Reduces Survival Time during a Stress Test in Earthworms (Eisenia fetida)." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 25, no. 12 (2018): 11376–11383. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1433-4 17 Russo, Carlo, Giulio M. Cappelletto, Giuseppe M. Nicoletti. The product environmental footprint approach to compare the environmental performances of artificial and natural turf. May 5, 2022 18 U.S. EPA, CDC. Synthetic Turf Field Recycled Tire Crumb Rubber Research Under the Federal Research Action Plan. Vol I, Final Report Part 2 - Exposure Characterization. April 16, 2024. 19 Winz, Robyn, Lee L. Yu, Li-Piin Sung, YuYe J. Tong, and Dejun Chen. “Assessing Children’s Potential Exposures to Harmful Metals in Tire Crumb Rubber by Accelerated Photodegradation Weathering.” Scientific Reports 13, no. 1 (2023): 13877. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-38574-z 20 Zhang, Xiaoran, Yinrui Wang, Junfeng Liu, Yucheng Jiang, Yiran Tian, and Ziyang Zhang. "Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Some Trace Elements in Runoff from Different Types of Athletic Fields." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, first published March 2, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5587057 21 Zuccaro, Philip, David C. Thompson, Jacob de Boer, Andrew Watterson, Qiong Wang, Song Tang, Xiaoming Shi, Maria Llompart, Nuno Ratola, and Vasilis Vasiliou. “Artificial Turf and Crumb Rubber Infill: An International Policy Review Concerning the Current State of Regulations.” Environmental Challenges 9 (2022): 100620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2022.100620 22 Zuccaro, Philip, James Licato, Emily A. Davidson, David C. Thompson, and Vasilis Vasiliou. “Assessing Extraction-Analysis Methodology to Detect Fluorotelomer Alcohols (FTOH), a Class of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), in Artificial Turf Fibers and Crumb Rubber Infill." Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering 7 (2023): 100280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2022.100280 12 Table 3: Peer-Reviewed Studies of Artificial Turf That is Not Field Hockey Turf (alphabetical order) # Study 1 Bernat-Ponce, Edgar, José A. Gil-Delgado, and Germán M. López-Iborra. "Replacement of Semi-Natural Cover with Artificial Substrates in Urban Parks Causes a Decline of House Sparrows Passer Domesticus in Mediterranean Towns." Urban Ecosystems 23, no. 3 (2020): 471– 481. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-020-00931-w 2 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 3 Golden, Leslie M. "The Contribution of Artificial Turf to Global Warming." Sustainability and Climate Change 14, no. 6, December 14, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1089/scc.2021.0038 4 Gould HP, Lostetter SJ, Samuelson ER, Guyton GP. “Lower Extremity Injury Rates on Artificial Turf Versus Natural Grass Playing Surfaces: A Systematic Review.” The American Journal of Sports Medicine. May 20, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465211069562 5 Jim, C.Y. "Intense Summer Heat Fluxes in Artificial Turf Harm People and Environment." Landscape and Urban Planning 157, January 2017, 561–576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.09.012. 6 Kanaan, Ahmed, Elena Sevostianova, Bernd Leinauer, and Igor Sevostianov. "Water Requirements for Cooling Artificial Turf." Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering 146, no. 10, October 2020: 04020032. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0001506 7 Lauria, Mélanie Z., Ayman Naim, Merle Plassmann, Jenny Fäldt, Roxana Sühring, and Jonathan P. Benskin. “Widespread Occurrence of Non-Extractable Fluorine in Artificial Turfs from Stockholm, Sweden.” Environmental Science & Technology Letters. July 6, 2022. DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00260 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00260 8 Liu, Zhixin, C.Y. Jim, and P. Xu. "Playing on Natural or Artificial Turf Sports Field? Assessing Heat Stress of Children, Young Athletes, and Adults in Hong Kong." Sustainable Cities and Society 75, December 2021: 103271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2021.103271 9 McNitt, A. S., D. M. Petrunak, and T. J. Serensits. "Temperature Amelioration of Synthetic Turf Surfaces Through Irrigation." ISHS Acta Horticulturae 783: II International Conference on Turfgrass Science and Management for Sports Fields, 2008. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.783.59 10 Sánchez-Sotomayor D, Martín-Higuera A, Gil-Delgado JA, Gálvez Á, Bernat-Ponce E. “Artificial Grass in Parks as a Potential New Threat for Urban Bird Communities.” Bird Conservation International. Cambridge University Press, July 26, 2022. doi:10.1017/S0959270922000119 11 Siegel, Kyle R., Brooklynn R. Murray, Jeff Gearhart, and Christopher D. Kassotis. "In Vitro Endocrine and Cardiometabolic Toxicity Associated with Artificial Turf Materials." Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. September 6, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2024.104562 12 Simpson, Thomas J., and Robert A. Francis. “Artificial Lawns Exhibit Increased Runoff and Decreased Water Retention Compared to Living Lawns Following Controlled Rainfall Experiments.” Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 63 (2021): 127232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127232 13 Vyrlas, Panagiotis, Miltiadis Koutras, Vasileios Liakos. “Surface Temperature Experiences and Irrigation Effects on Artificial Turf.” WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development. May 22, 2024. DOI: 10.37394/232015.2024.20.20. https://wseas.com/journals/ead/2024/a405115-007(2024).pdf From: To: Cc: Subject: Sent: Matthew Coats Town Of Ithaca Planning CJ Randall; Chris Balestra; Cornell Field Hockey Field Letter of Support 2/28/2025 8:47:04 AM Dear Members of the Ithaca Town Planning Board, I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed Field Hockey project on Game Farm Road. This initiative aligns with the values and goals of our community, and I believe it will bring significant benefits to the Town of Ithaca and its residents. As a father of two young athletes who participate in sports, I hold the well-being of our children in high regard. My children often attend athletic events with me, but in particular my daughter enjoys interacting with the Cornell women athletes that consistently demonstrate being kind, mature, humble, athletic, strong-willed, intelligent and leaders on and off the field. While working in the Cornell Athletic Department for 23 years, I have dealt with the challenges of scheduling athletic facilities for most of our programs. Field hockey is the only sport on campus that utilizes a non-infill watered synthetic turf field, so having a suitable playing field is critical. Without the proper field, this program will drop in relevance from Division I. Our women's field hockey team consists of leaders of the Cornell community, accomplished students in the classroom, and athletes who compete at the highest level. Participation in field hockey promotes physical fitness, teamwork, and discipline among our youth. By providing a dedicated field for this sport, we are encouraging healthy, active lifestyles and fostering a sense of well-being. The field hockey field will be the first of its kind on Cornell's campus, a standalone women's facility that supports the advancement of women's field hockey and demonstrates our commitment to supporting women in sport, which is an invaluable contribution to our community. Rightfully so, environmental stewardship is a priority, and so I appreciate the thorough environmental analysis that has been conducted for this project already. The commitment to mitigating any potential harm and ensuring the field is built sustainably is commendable. I believe Cornell has also taken additional steps to support an environmentally safe project; including an extensive filtration system, committing to a no- PFAS turf, and complying with a statute requiring the recycling of turf which does not go into effect until December of 2026. It is important to recognize that while no project is without its challenges, the testimonials and data you have received, coupled with the absence of turf infill, supports the advancement of this project without an additional environmental review. I urge the Ithaca Town Planning Board to approve the construction of the Field Hockey Sincerely, Matt Coats Matthew Coats Sr. Associate Athletics Director Cornell University 2/18/25 Dear Planning Board, My name is Jenny Kelly and I’m a Cornell alum who also played field hockey in the late 1980’s. It’s wonderful to come back to campus and see games in person and see how the game has evolved. Last October I was on campus and stopped by the field hockey offices to say hello to Andy Smith, head coach of the field hockey team. Andy showed me renderings of the Game Farm Road facility and I was so excited for the program – that they would have a facility that would allow them to play against the best of the best on state-of-the art turf, not to mention the positive impact on current student-athletes and recruiting. It is distressing to see the project delayed for many reasons: the impact on the student-athletes, the impact on the coaching staff and recruiting and for us alums who want to see the program, and women’s sports, grow. Cornell is going above and beyond with regards to adhering to environmental standards and the proposed turf does not have any infill. Further, the water filtration system will remove particles at the smallest size detectable. Finally, Cornell is proactive in trying to designate a recycle facility for the turf at the end of its useful life. Many people beyond the team would benefit from this field including camps, clubs and other recreational teams. That’s in addition to the alums that come back to support the team! Please issue a negative environmental declaration so the project can proceed as soon as possible. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Jennifer Kelly ’89 From: To: Subject: Sent: Chris Balestra Abby Homer FW: Public hearing for Cornell’s synturf project - when? 2/28/2025 8:48:40 AM Hi Abby, Will you please add this to the set of comments received after the PB deadline? Thanks. 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: Yayoi Koizumi <yayoi@zerowasteithaca.org> Sent: Friday, February 28, 2025 8:00 AM To: Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov>; Yayoi Koizumi <zerowasteithaca@gmail.com> Subject: Public hearing for Cornell’s synturf project - when? **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, I’m reaching out to share concerns about Cornell’s synthetic turf expansion and the review process. I appreciate the board’s efforts in considering the GEIS and making a good-faith attempt to evaluate the potential environmental and public health consequences of these projects—both long-term and short-term. I also have questions regarding the scheduling of a public hearing. I noticed that Cornell’s turf project isn’t included in the public hearing on 3/4. Will there be a public hearing at the 3/18 or 4/1 Planning Board meeting? It’s difficult for us to plan without certainty about the hearing dates and SEQR determination. We would appreciate some clarity on this. Additionally, will we be allowed to present a few photos or images when it’s our turn to speak? Cornell’s side has the undivided attention of the Planning Board, complete with PowerPoint presentations, and it seems only fair that we be granted the same opportunity. I also reviewed Cornell’s recent submission (pages 171–210 of the Supplemental Materials Submission dated 2/21), which is printed in a font so small it’s nearly unreadable. Even from the first page, it is filled with false accusations against us. With only three minutes to speak, we are trying to find a way to counter these misrepresentations. Notably, Ms. Van Leeuwen (formerly Michaels, I believe) falsely claims we provided “no links” to sources, while her own table includes green hyperlinks that don’t even work. In contrast, our bibliography is fully accessible—categorized, annotated, and structured for clarity to the best of our ability. We are not interested in burying people in technical jargon. The issue is simple: plastic is already in our bodies, and yet Cornell remains adamantly opposed to conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment. I appreciate any clarification you can provide regarding the hearing schedule and our ability to present images. Best, Yayoi Koizumi Zero Waste Ithaca | BYO - US Reduces Founder | Co-Founder zerowasteithaca.org usreduces.org PS: We are expecting some temporary email downtime today so please hit reply all and send email to zerowasteithaca@gmail.com as well. 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: To: Cc: Subject: Sent: CJ Randall Kristi Phipps Chris Balestra; Abby Homer; Re: Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project 2/26/2025 5:04:18 PM Hi Kristi, Apologies — and thanks for bringing this to our attention. We received many comments with identical email subject headings (that is, Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project), which complicated our usual process for saving and collating public comments. We'll double check all the comments received against what the Planning Board has received already. Thanks again, C.J. C.J. Randall, LEED AP ND Director of Planning Town of Ithaca 215 N Tioga St Ithaca, NY 14850-4357 607-273-1721 x120 cjrandall@townithacany.gov From: Kristi Phipps <kjphipps773@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 4:45 PM To: CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov> Cc: Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov> Subject: Re: Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project Dear Ms Randall and Ms. Balestra, I received confirmation from you that my letter regarding the Game Farm Road project was received on Monday, prior to yesterday's cut-off at noon, yet I was surprised to see that it was not included in the "combined comments as of packet mailout" posted on the Town website. I appreciate that you may have received a higher volume of letters than typical, and ask that you double check the status of my letter. I would be grateful if my letter could be distributed to the Planning Board as soon as possible, as it was intended to be included for adequate review by the PB members prior to the 3/4 meeting. Thank you for your attention in this matter. Best regards, TOWN OF ITHACA NEW YORK Kristi Phipps On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 8:50 AM CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov> wrote: Received, and will be distributed to members of the Planning Board. Thanks, C.J. From: Kristi Phipps <kjphipps773@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2025 7:32 PM To: CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov>; Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov> Subject: Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field 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 writing to you to express my support for the new Cornell University Field Hockey facility at Game Farm Road. I am asking the board to vote to issue a negative environmental declaration so this project can proceed in a timely manner. I am a former field hockey goalie at Cornell University where I graduated with my Chemical Engineering degree in 1999. I played field hockey for a few more years while working in Research & Development in Chicago, but I eventually packed up my goalie gear for good. Fast forward 20 years, and my middle school daughter informed me she wanted to be a field hockey goalie. It was time to open up that smelly old bag of goalie gear! While my daughter was able to use some of the pieces, most of the gear was too old for the technological advances the sport has made in both the equipment and the playing surfaces. It is truly amazing the advances that the sport of field hockey has made since my days “on the pitch.” My daughter is now in high school and she regularly trains on the field hockey-specific watered artificial turf fields at Villanova University, Bryn Mawr College, University of Pennsylvania, Ursinus College, and more. All of these fields are built specifically for the sport of field hockey! Scientists and engineers have spent decades creating the ideal watered artificial turf structure specifically for field hockey to improve player safety, decrease ball bounce, and allow the ball to travel at incredible speeds for both passing and shots on goal. And advancements are continuously being made to benefit the sport, the athlete, and the environment. Colleges and universities all over the nation have chosen to invest in these fields specifically for their female field hockey athletes, benefiting both their NCAA programs and the youth programs in their communities. NCAA Division 1 schools have adopted these field hockey-specific watered artificial turf fields as their only playing surfaces, and many Division 2 and 3 schools are also moving in this direction. Bringing it back to the Cornell Field Hockey project at Game Farm Road, I am thrilled that Cornell is choosing to invest in the most advanced playing surface to date for both the female field hockey athletes at the university and those in the Ithaca & Tompkins County communities. As with the previous Marsha Dodson field, Cornell will use a field hockey-specific watered artificial turf field, which does not use infill (no little black beads!). In addition, I am proud to have learned that Cornell is taking every possible step to address environmental concerns, including: No PFAS, embracing the NY statute ahead of its scheduled Dec 2026 implementation. Microplastics and water particles will be filtered out down to the smallest size currently detectable. Artificial turf will be mechanically recycled at the end of its life. Again, no infill = no little black beads! Implementation of the Cornell University Field Hockey facility project at Game Farm Road is critical to the livelihood of the program. Quite frankly, without a field hockey-specific watered artificially turf, the NCAA Division 1 Cornell Field Hockey program will cease to exist. NCAA Division 1 games must be played on this surface, and therefore, athletes must train on this surface. Without another suitable playing surface within a 50 mile radius, Cornell field hockey needs to have their own field. I appreciate that the Planning Board has taken a hard look at the issues presented to you regarding this project. As you balance the importance of the livelihood of Cornell Field Hockey program with any perceived environmental or health issues, I ask that you keep in mind the facts about the actual artificial turf being proposed. I believe there is a lack of evidence of environmental harm from this project, and I am asking the Planning Board to vote to issue a negative environmental declaration so the project can continue to move forward in a timely fashion. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best Regards, Kristi Phipps FROM THE DESK OF Leane Sinicki 469 Shining Rock Drive Northbridge, MA 01534 February 23, 2025 Town of Ithaca Planning Board Town of Ithaca Town Hall 215 North Tioga Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Dear Ithaca Planning Board, As a native of Binghamton, NY, a 1985 graduate of the Cornell School of Engineering, a four time letter winner in both Women’s Field Hockey and Lacrosse, and a 1998 Cornell Hall of Fame Inductee, I feel compelled to share my unique perspective about the Game Farm Road Project. Over the last 35 years, I have had the privilege to work and travel globally for a number of very successful Fortune 500 companies in various executive business leadership positions. These leadership roles have required me to balance the needs of various competing constituencies with di!ering goals and objectives to solve complex problems while overcoming numerous challenges and obstacles. In all cases, "nding win/win solutions was highly dependent on timely data driven analysis and fact based decisions. It is my strong belief that my Cornell student athlete experience created the foundation for both my personal and professional success. For the women currently participating in the "eld hockey program, missing the opportunity to experience this would be a signi"cant loss not only for themselves but the broader Cornell community. As evidence, I am now giving back to the university through my participation in the Cornell Engineering COMPASS mentoring program. Potentially losing these future women leaders would be a signi"cant missed opportunity for the community. I understand the signi"cance and importance of the Game Farm Road Project decision. I trust that the board will carefully consider the relevant environmental and health evidence with the student athlete social impact of your decision. Respectfully yours, Leane Sinicki Cornell Engineering Class of 1985 Women’s Field Hockey & Lacrosse 8 letter winner 1998 Cornell Hall of Fame Inductee Cornell Engineering COMPASS Mentor a Outlook Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project From Keelin Hamed <keelin.bannon@gmail.com> Date Sun 2/23/2025 6:09 PM To CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov>;Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov> **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 Members, I am writing to express my enthusiastic and unwavering support for the approval of the field plans for the Cornell Field Hockey team.As an alumna of the program (Class of 2014),I had the privilege of living in Ithaca during my college years,and I know firsthand how special this town is.Much of what makes Ithaca so remarkable is its vibrant local community,and I am grateful to the members of the Planning Board who work tirelessly to preserve its unique beauty and charm. During my time as a member of the Cornell Field Hockey team,I spent countless hours practicing on Marsha Dodson Field every summer,fall,and spring.Through this experience,I formed lifelong friendships,built professional connections,and even met my husband—all directly through my involvement with the Cornell Field Hockey program.The impact this team and community had on my life cannot be overstated.The opportunities and relationships that were fostered on the field opened countless doors for me,both professionally and personally.This is why I feel so strongly about the approval of the field plans for Game Farm Road and why I urge the Planning Board to act in support of this important project. A Division 1 quality,dedicated facility for the Cornell Field Hockey team will not only elevate the team's athletic performance but will profoundly impact the women who play the sport.Having access to a top-tier training ground is absolutely crucial for these student-athletes to compete at the highest level and to succeed both academically and athletically.This field is essential for their personal growth, their leadership development,and their future career success.It is no exaggeration to say that these women are the future leaders of tomorrow,and providing them with the necessary resources in close proximity to their academic commitments will allow them to reach their full potential. Beyond their athletic achievements,the women of the Cornell Field Hockey team are already making significant contributions to the Ithaca community.As ambassadors for both the university and the town,they serve as role models and leaders who exemplify the values of teamwork,resilience,and community engagement.These student-athletes represent the best of what Cornell and Ithaca have to offer,and the team's success and visibility will continue to elevate Ithaca's reputation as a place that fosters academic and athletic excellence.By investing in this facility,we are not only supporting these women's success but also fostering a culture of physical fitness,teamwork,and leadership in our community. I fully recognize the importance of balancing development with environmental sustainability,and I believe that the evidence presented demonstrates no significant risks posed that would meet the requirements to trigger additional environmental analysis.The design and construction of the field have been carefully planned with sustainability in mind,and I believe this project strikes the right balance between preserving Ithaca's natural beauty and supporting the future of its student-athletes. I strongly urge the Members of the Planning Board to vote to issue a negative environmental declaration so that the project can move forward.This will allow the field to be completed in a timely manner,benefiting the Cornell community,the Town of Ithaca,and the surrounding region. Thank you for your time,thoughtful consideration,and continued dedication to the success of this community. Sincerely, Keelin (Bannon)Hamed Cornell Field Hockey,Class of 2014 4 Outlook Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project From Katie Bradshaw Cromwell <katherine.r.bradshaw@gmail.com> Date Sun 2/23/2025 7:20 PM To CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov>;Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov> **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 Ms.Randall and Ms.Balestra, If you would kindly include the following note in the public comments for the upcoming March 4th Planning Board meeting,I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you! Dear Town of Ithaca Planning Board, Thank you so much for your time and careful consideration of the artificial turf field installation at Game Farm Road.I am a 2008 Cornell Field Hockey Alumna and captained the 2007 team.I have spent my entire career since graduating from Cornell working in environmental and local government consulting and I fully appreciate the challenge you are faced with when considering the environmental impacts of projects like this one. The proposed artificial turf for Game Farm Road does not have infill materials and will be in compliance with non-PFAS turf requirements ahead of the NY statute requirements for implementation on December 31,2026.Cornell has taken every possible step to reflect environmental concerns based on the latest available research on the impacts of water based artificial turf.Cornell has also considered the full life cycle of the turf and is committed to recycling the surface at the end of its useful life.Water filtration systems like the one proposed for Game Farm Road are some of the most technologically advanced,filtering microplastics of the lowest detectable limit.Often the topic of rubber pellets and infill are brought up in the discussion of artificial turf,but this turf does not have any infill materials and thus I trust that the environmental and health concerns associated with this rubber pellet infill materials will not be part of the consideration when making the environmental impact decision. It should also be noted that there are no alternatives to water based artificial turf for field hockey being played at the Division 1 and international levels.Every Division 1 field hockey game is played on this type of surface.The nearest water based artificial turf is located over 50 miles away in Syracuse.The Cornell Field Hockey Program has a long history of consistently developing women into resilient, intelligent,hard-working,and empathetic leaders.The current players have earned and deserve the opportunity to play on a surface that supports their development and is equal to their potential both as players and as future leaders. Ultimately I believe that the evidence presented demonstrates there are no significant risks posed that would meet the requirements to trigger additional environmental analysis and the Game Farm Road proposal represents an appropriate balance of the environmental, economic,and social issues pertaining to the project. Thank you for your time and consideration. Katie Bradshaw Cromwell 4 Outlook Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project From Katie Bradshaw Cromwell <katherine.r.bradshaw@gmail.com> Date Sun 2/23/2025 7:20 PM To CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov>;Chris Balestra <CBalestra@townithacany.gov> **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 Ms.Randall and Ms.Balestra, If you would kindly include the following note in the public comments for the upcoming March 4th Planning Board meeting,I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you! Dear Town of Ithaca Planning Board, Thank you so much for your time and careful consideration of the artificial turf field installation at Game Farm Road.I am a 2008 Cornell Field Hockey Alumna and captained the 2007 team.I have spent my entire career since graduating from Cornell working in environmental and local government consulting and I fully appreciate the challenge you are faced with when considering the environmental impacts of projects like this one. The proposed artificial turf for Game Farm Road does not have infill materials and will be in compliance with non-PFAS turf requirements ahead of the NY statute requirements for implementation on December 31,2026.Cornell has taken every possible step to reflect environmental concerns based on the latest available research on the impacts of water based artificial turf.Cornell has also considered the full life cycle of the turf and is committed to recycling the surface at the end of its useful life.Water filtration systems like the one proposed for Game Farm Road are some of the most technologically advanced,filtering microplastics of the lowest detectable limit.Often the topic of rubber pellets and infill are brought up in the discussion of artificial turf,but this turf does not have any infill materials and thus I trust that the environmental and health concerns associated with this rubber pellet infill materials will not be part of the consideration when making the environmental impact decision. It should also be noted that there are no alternatives to water based artificial turf for field hockey being played at the Division 1 and international levels.Every Division 1 field hockey game is played on this type of surface.The nearest water based artificial turf is located over 50 miles away in Syracuse.The Cornell Field Hockey Program has a long history of consistently developing women into resilient, intelligent,hard-working,and empathetic leaders.The current players have earned and deserve the opportunity to play on a surface that supports their development and is equal to their potential both as players and as future leaders. Ultimately I believe that the evidence presented demonstrates there are no significant risks posed that would meet the requirements to trigger additional environmental analysis and the Game Farm Road proposal represents an appropriate balance of the environmental, economic,and social issues pertaining to the project. Thank you for your time and consideration. Katie Bradshaw Cromwell 1 From:Jill Kellner <jillikellner@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, March 3, 2025 2:09 PM To:Town Of Ithaca Planning Subject:synthetic turf fields **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, As a resident who lives on Ellis Hollow Road, I am very concerned about Cornell's plans to install artificial turf. Thank you for considering a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) and for continuing to discuss the synthetic turf project. Our collective efforts have resulted in at least a partial victory—Cornell is now claiming in the latest agenda document for the 3/4/25 meeting that they will install "only" three synthetic turf fields (Pages 16, 171) on Game Farm Road, rather than the five or six fields included in their 2015 plans (Page 7) or their April submission of “Long Range Vision” to the Town and City Planning Boards for the Meinig “Fieldhouse” Project. This is a direct result of community pressure, proving that our advocacy is making a difference. However, this new claim is not legally binding. Cornell has a history of altering plans, and without a GEIS, as previously suggested by the Town Planning Board, there is no mechanism to hold them accountable. As it stands, the number of synthetic turf fields on Cornell’s campus is set to reach at least 11 "for the foreseeable future"(Page 171)— and potentially more. Yet, Cornell remains vehemently opposed to a GEIS and continues to dismiss legitimate community concerns. Cornell’s Continued Push for Expansion & Lack of Transparency At the last Town Planning Board meeting, a major donor to Cornell Athletics—who has contributed millions— publicly expressed frustration over project delays. She has reportedly pressured the administration to fast-track the process (Faraj, 2025, Cornell Daily Sun: link). The administration has responded by intensifying efforts to push this project forward and opposing the GEIS, as seen in the 200-page agenda packet for the upcoming meeting. It is critical to state the obvious: It is not the fault of the community, nor the town or city, that Cornell unilaterally removed its own turf fields on Tower Road without a backup plan , despite an ongoing lawsuit and public opposition due to the long-term environmental and public health risks posed by synthetic turf. Yet, they are now pushing for another synthetic turf installation—and potentially more—without proper oversight. Why is Cornell Fighting a GEIS if Synthetic Turf is Truly Safe? It is difficult to understand why Cornell so aggressively opposes a GEIS or a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) while simultaneously spending substantial institutional resources to downplay the well-documented concerns about microplastic pollution and PFAS. They insist that the Game Farm Road turf—especially the field hockey field—is somehow different, safer, and exempt from scrutiny. If this turf is truly safe, why oppose a full environmental assessment?  Microplastics remain a major issue regardless of the specific type of turf. Cornell’s proposed mitigation measures are insufficient, addressing only partial runoff control and redirecting captured plastic waste to landfills outside of Ithaca—merely shifting contamination elsewhere. Many questions remain about the effectiveness of their filtration system and this does not address air emissions, soil contamination, and microplastics tracked on clothes and shoes of athletes.  Cornell continues to suggest adding more synthetic turf fields. Despite public concerns, they are still considering at least one additional synthetic field on Game Farm Road, in addition to the baseball field already in use. A GEIS is absolutely necessary. 2  PFAS concerns remain unresolved. Cornell claims the turf will be "PFAS-free," but without independent, publicly overseen pre-construction testing , there is no way to verify this. Testing must align with the PFAS definition in the New York State’s Carpet Law and be conducted under public oversight—not by Cornell.  Cornell has full control over its own testing. They determine the “independent” testing lab, methodology, and thresholds, funded by themselves, leaving no truly independent oversight. This is why a GEIS and third-party verification are crucial. Cornell’s Discrediting Tactics The agenda packet for this project spans 200 pages and contains misrepresentations and attempts to discredit and dismiss community concerns—a tactic frequently used by well-funded institutions against grassroots advocacy. Cornell has repeatedly attempted to undermine public opposition, going so far as to imply malicious intent behind our objections. This is not new—at the January 7, 2025, Town Planning Board meeting, a Cornell University representative, Kimberly Van Leeuwen (formerly Kimberly Michaels), publicly stated that community members were spreading "lies." Public comments have already been submitted in response to these allegations. Rather than engaging in these personal attacks, Cornell should focus on providing transparent, independently verified environmental assessments . The real issue remains: The environmental impact of synthetic turf is significant and uncertain, as documented by the Town Planning Board’s own investigation in the agenda packet (Page 1-12), and it requires comprehensive evaluation—including testing for PFAS and other toxic substances, as well as a full assessment of mitigation measures. I urge the Town Planning Board to continue pushing for a GEIS. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Jill Kellner 1321 Ellis Hollow Road References: Balesta, Christine, Senior Planner of Town of Ithaca. “Re: Cornell University Meinig Fieldhouse Indoor Sports and Recreation Center Project - Discussion of Additional Materials, SEQR Segmentation.” May 14, 2024. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fg4n5fanrv3o2xwf6dli5/PB-packet-5-21-24-Meinig-SEQR-Segmentation-Long- Range-Vision.pdf?rlkey=1lq70pmm1q3ie7s4yn5z073my&st=87qgj6qr&dl=0 Cornell University. Game Farm Road Athletic Complex Facilities Master Plan. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University, June 2015. https://fcs.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/imce/site_contributor/Dept_University_Architect_and_Campus_Planning/do cuments/Campus_Planning/Game%20Farm%20Road%20Athletic%20Complex%20Facilities%20Master%20Plan.pdf Faraj, Zeinab. “‘A Monumental Blunder’: Million-Dollar Donor Baffled After Cornell Destroys Namesake Field Hockey Turf With No Immediate Replacement.” Cornell Daily Sun, February 27, 2025. cornellsun.com/2025/02/27/a-monumental- blunder-million-dollar-donor-baffled-after-cornell-destroys-namesake-field-hockey-turf-with-no-immediate-replacement/. Town of Ithaca. "Town of Ithaca Planning Board Agenda, March 4, 2025." Town of Ithaca, March 4, 2025. https://lfweb.tompkins-co.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=359650&dbid=9&repo=TownOfIthaca. From: To: Subject: Sent: E.C. Barrett Town Of Ithaca Planning Cornell's Synthetic Turf project 3/3/2025 2:50:43 PM **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 write to urge you to insist on a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for Cornell's proposed synthetic turf fields before any decisions can be made about moving forward with them. If Cornell sincerely believes they can prove no negative environmental impact, let them do so through the GEIS. Ample evidence has been provided by the planning board's own research and the efforts of community member experts on the harmful impacts of synthetic turf, microplastics, and PFAS. Cornell's tactics to avoid a GEIS, to ram through their plans, to discredit the valid concerns raised by the community, while lying to the community about the impacts of synthetic turf, are the same tactics that are destroying our nation at the moment. Cornell's finances should not dictate the environmental and public health decisions of local government. If we can't stand for accountability, fact-based science, and public health locally, what hope do we have? Please continue to push for a GEIS. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, EC -- E.C. Barrett ecbarrett.com Dear Town Planning Board Members, Thank you for considering a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) and for continuing to discuss the synthetic turf project. Our collective efforts have resulted in at least a partial victory—Cornell is now claiming in the latest agenda document for the 3/4/25 meeting that they will install "only" three synthetic turf fields (Pages 16, 171) on Game Farm Road, rather than the five or six fields included in their 2015 plans (Page 7) or their April submission of “Long Range Vision” to the Town and City Planning Boards for the Meinig “Fieldhouse” Project. This is a direct result of community pressure, proving that our advocacy is making a difference. However, this new claim is not legally binding. Cornell has a history of altering plans, and without a GEIS, as previously suggested by the Town Planning Board, there is no mechanism to hold them accountable. As it stands, the number of synthetic turf fields on Cornell’s campus is set to reach at least 11 "for the foreseeable future"(Page 171)—and potentially more. Yet, Cornell remains vehemently opposed to a GEIS and continues to dismiss legitimate community concerns. Cornell’s Continued Push for Expansion & Lack of Transparency At the last Town Planning Board meeting, a major donor to Cornell Athletics—who has contributed millions—publicly expressed frustration over project delays. She has reportedly pressured the administration to fast-track the process (Faraj, 2025, Cornell Daily Sun: link). The administration has responded by intensifying efforts to push this project forward and opposing the GEIS, as seen in the 200-page agenda packet for the upcoming meeting. It is critical to state the obvious: It is not the fault of the community, nor the town or city, that Cornell unilaterally removed its own turf fields on Tower Road without a backup plan, despite an ongoing lawsuit and public opposition due to the long-term environmental and public health risks posed by synthetic turf. Yet, they are now pushing for another synthetic turf installation—and potentially more—without proper oversight. Why is Cornell Fighting a GEIS if Synthetic Turf is Truly Safe? It is difficult to understand why Cornell so aggressively opposes a GEIS or a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) while simultaneously spending substantial institutional resources to downplay the well-documented concerns about microplastic pollution and PFAS. They insist that the Game Farm Road turf—especially the field hockey field—is somehow different, safer, and exempt from scrutiny. If this turf is truly safe, why oppose a full environmental assessment? ● Microplastics remain a major issue regardless of the specific type of turf. Cornell’s proposed mitigation measures are insufficient, addressing only partial runoff control of mechanical filtration with 25 micron pore size with no independent assessment of the effectiveness of the system (keep in mind many filters contain PVDF, a type of PFAS) and redirecting captured plastic waste to landfills outside of Ithaca—merely shifting contamination elsewhere. Many questions remain about the effectiveness of their filtration system and this does not address air emissions, soil contamination, and microplastics tracked on clothes and shoes of athletes. ● Cornell continues to suggest adding more synthetic turf fields. Despite public concerns, they are still considering at least one additional synthetic field on Game Farm Road, in addition to the baseball field already in use. A GEIS is absolutely necessary. ● PFAS concerns remain unresolved. Cornell claims the turf will be "PFAS-free," but without independent, publicly overseen pre-construction testing, there is no way to verify this. Testing must align with the PFAS definition in the New York State’s Carpet Law and be conducted under public oversight—not by Cornell. ● Cornell has full control over its own testing. They determine the “independent” testing lab, methodology, and thresholds, funded by themselves, leaving no truly independent oversight. This is why a GEIS and third-party verification are crucial. Cornell’s Discrediting Tactics The agenda packet for this project spans 200 pages and contains misrepresentations and attempts to discredit and dismiss community concerns—a tactic frequently used by well-funded institutions against grassroots advocacy. Cornell has repeatedly attempted to undermine public opposition, going so far as to imply malicious intent behind our objections. This is not new—at the January 7, 2025, Town Planning Board meeting, a Cornell University representative, Kimberly Van Leeuwen (formerly Kimberly Michaels), publicly stated that community members were spreading "lies." Public comments have already been submitted in response to these allegations. Rather than engaging in these personal attacks, Cornell should focus on cooperating with transparent, independently verified environmental assessments. The real issue remains: The environmental impact of synthetic turf is significant and uncertain, as documented by the Town Planning Board’s own investigation in the agenda packet (Page 1-12), and it requires comprehensive evaluation—including testing for PFAS and other toxic substances, as well as a full assessment of mitigation measures. I urge the Town Planning Board to continue pushing for a GEIS. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Caroline Ashurst, M.Ac., L.Ac. References: Balesta, Christine, Senior Planner of Town of Ithaca. “Re: Cornell University Meinig Fieldhouse Indoor Sports and Recreation Center Project - Discussion of Additional Materials, SEQR Segmentation.” May 14, 2024. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fg4n5fanrv3o2xwf6dli5/PB-packet-5-21-24-Meinig-SEQR-Segmentation-Lo ng-Range-Vision.pdf?rlkey=1lq70pmm1q3ie7s4yn5z073my&st=87qgj6qr&dl=0 Cornell University. Game Farm Road Athletic Complex Facilities Master Plan. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University, June 2015. https://fcs.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/imce/site_contributor/Dept_University_Architect_and_Campus_Pl anning/documents/Campus_Planning/Game%20Farm%20Road%20Athletic%20Complex%20Facilities% 20Master%20Plan.pdf Faraj, Zeinab. “‘A Monumental Blunder’: Million-Dollar Donor Baffled After Cornell Destroys Namesake Field Hockey Turf With No Immediate Replacement.” Cornell Daily Sun, February 27, 2025. cornellsun.com/2025/02/27/a-monumental-blunder-million-dollar-donor-baffled-after-cornell-destroys-nam esake-field-hockey-turf-with-no-immediate-replacement/. Town of Ithaca. "Town of Ithaca Planning Board Agenda, March 4, 2025." Town of Ithaca, March 4, 2025. https://lfweb.tompkins-co.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=359650&dbid=9&repo=TownOfIthaca. From: To: Subject: Sent: Daniel Keough Town Of Ithaca Planning Cornell turf ﬁelds 3/3/2025 4:55:17 PM Hello Town of Ithaca Planning-- Will Cornell be required to complete a Generic Environmental Impact Statement prior to be allowed to build plastic turf field s, especially outside? If no, why is a construction project which will clearly have an impact on the environment-- why would Cornell get a free pass to avoid such an obvious step? Thank you. -- Daniel Keough From: To: Subject: Sent: Constance Stirling-Engman Town Of Ithaca Planning; pbstaﬀ@cityoﬁthaca.org; Info; Fwd: Synthetic Turf and GEIS statement 3/3/2025 8:56:17 PM Regarding my letter below, I neglected to cc City of Ithaca and Zero Waste, and am therefore re-sending it. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Constance Stirling-Engman <cstirlingengman@gmail.com> Date: Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 8:48 PM Subject: Synthetic Turf and GEIS statement To: <planning@townithacany.gov> Dear Town Planning Board Members, Thank you for considering a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) and for continuing to discuss the synthetic turf project. Our collective efforts have resulted in at least a partial victory—Cornell is now claiming in the latest agenda document for the 3/4/25 meeting that they will install "only" three synthetic turf fields (Pages 16, 171) on Game Farm Road, rather than the five or six fields included in their 2015 plans (Page 7) or their April submission of “Long Range Vision” to the Town and City Planning Boards for the Meinig “Fieldhouse” Project. This is a direct result of community pressure, proving that our advocacy is making a difference. However, this new claim is not legally binding. Cornell has a history of altering plans, and without a GEIS, as previously suggested by the Town Planning Board, there is no mechanism to hold them accountable. As it stands, the number of synthetic turf fields on Cornell’s campus is set to reach at least 11 "for the foreseeable future"(Page 171)—and potentially more. Yet, Cornell remains vehemently opposed to a GEIS and continues to dismiss legitimate community concerns. Cornell’s Continued Push for Expansion & Lack of Transparency At the last Town Planning Board meeting, a major donor to Cornell Athletics—who has contributed millions—publicly expressed frustration over project delays . She has reportedly pressured the administration to fast-track the process (Faraj, 2025, Cornell Daily Sun: link). The administration has responded by intensifying efforts to push this project forward and opposing the GEIS, as seen in the 200-page agenda packet for the upcoming meeting. It is critical to state the obvious: It is not the fault of the community, nor the town or city, that Cornell unilaterally removed its own turf fields on Tower Road without a backup plan, despite an ongoing lawsuit and public opposition due to the long-term environmental and public health risks posed by synthetic turf. Yet, they are now pushing for another synthetic turf installation—and potentially more—without proper oversight. Why is Cornell Fighting a GEIS if Synthetic Turf is Truly Safe? It is difficult to understand why Cornell so aggressively opposes a GEIS or a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) while simultaneously spending substantial institutional resources to downplay the well-documented concerns about microplastic pollution and PFAS. They insist that the Game Farm Road turf—especially the field hockey field—is somehow different, safer, and exempt from scrutiny. If this turf is truly safe, why oppose a full environmental assessment? Microplastics remain a major issue regardless of the specific type of turf. Cornell’s proposed mitigation measures are insufficient, addressing only partial runoff control and redirecting captured plastic waste to landfills outside of Ithaca—merely shifting contamination elsewhere. Many questions remain about the effectiveness of their filtration system and this does not address air emissions, soil contamination, and microplastics tracked on clothes and shoes of athletes. Cornell continues to suggest adding more synthetic turf fields. Despite public concerns, they are still considering at least one additional synthetic field on Game Farm Road, in addition to the baseball field already in use. A GEIS is absolutely necessary. PFAS concerns remain unresolved. Cornell claims the turf will be "PFAS- free," but without independent, publicly overseen pre-construction testing , there is no way to verify this. Testing must align with the PFAS definition in the New York State’s Carpet Law and be conducted under public oversight —not by Cornell. Cornell has full control over its own testing. They determine the “independent” testing lab, methodology, and thresholds, funded by themselves, leaving no truly independent oversight. This is why a GEIS and third-party verification are crucial. Cornell’s Discrediting Tactics The agenda packet for this project spans 200 pages and contains misrepresentations and attempts to discredit and dismiss community concerns—a tactic frequently used by well- funded institutions against grassroots advocacy. Cornell has repeatedly attempted to undermine public opposition, going so far as to imply malicious intent behind our objections. This is not new—at the January 7, 2025, Town Planning Board meeting, a Cornell University representative, Kimberly Van Leeuwen (formerly Kimberly Michaels), publicly stated that community members were spreading "lies." Public comments have already been submitted in response to these allegations. Rather than engaging in these personal attacks, Cornell should focus on providing transparent, independently verified environmental assessments. The real issue remains: The environmental impact of synthetic turf is significant and uncertain, as documented by the Town Planning Board’s own investigation in the agenda packet (Page 1-12), and it requires comprehensive evaluation—including testing for PFAS and other toxic substances, as well as a full assessment of mitigation measures. I urge the Town Planning Board to continue pushing for a GEIS. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Constance Stirling-Engman References: Balesta, Christine, Senior Planner of Town of Ithaca. “Re: Cornell University Meinig Fieldhouse Indoor Sports and Recreation Center Project - Discussion of Additional Materials, SEQR Segmentation.” May 14, 2024. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fg4n5fanrv3o2xwf6dli5/PB-packet- 5-21-24-Meinig-SEQR-Segmentation-Long-Range-Vision.pdf? rlkey=1lq70pmm1q3ie7s4yn5z073my&st=87qgj6qr&dl=0 Cornell University. Game Farm Road Athletic Complex Facilities Master Plan. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University, June 2015. https://fcs.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/imce/site_contributor/Dept_University_Architect_an d_Campus_Planning/documents/Campus_Planning/Game%20Farm%20Road%20Athletic%20C omplex%20Facilities%20Master%20Plan.pdf Faraj, Zeinab. “‘A Monumental Blunder’: Million-Dollar Donor Baffled After Cornell Destroys Namesake Field Hockey Turf With No Immediate Replacement.” Cornell Daily Sun, February 27, 2025. cornellsun.com/2025/02/27/a-monumental-blunder-million-dollar-donor-baffled-after- cornell-destroys-namesake-field-hockey-turf-with-no-immediate-replacement/. Town of Ithaca. "Town of Ithaca Planning Board Agenda, March 4, 2025." Town of Ithaca, March 4, 2025. https://lfweb.tompkins-co.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx? id=359650&dbid=9&repo=TownOfIthaca. Sent via email: 3/4/2025 ● planning@townithacany.gov ● pbstaff@cityofithaca.org Dear Town Planning Board Members, Thank you for considering a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) and for continuing to discuss and evaluate the Cornell synthetic turf project. Cornell is now stating in the latest agenda document for the 3/4/25 meeting that they will install "only" three synthetic turf fields (Pages 16, 171) on Game Farm Road, rather than the five or six fields included in their 2015 plans (Page 7) or their April submission of “Long Range Vision” to the Town and City Planning Boards for the Meinig “Fieldhouse” Project. This is a direct result of community pressure, proving that our collective advocacy may be making a difference. However, this new claim is not legally binding. It has been brought to our attention that Cornell has a history of altering plans, and without a GEIS, as previously suggested by the Town Planning Board, there is no mechanism to hold them accountable. As it stands, the number of synthetic turf fields on Cornell’s campus is set to reach at least 11 "for the foreseeable future"(Page 171)—and potentially more. Yet, Cornell remains vehemently opposed to a GEIS and continues to dismiss legitimate community concerns. Cornell’s Continued Push for Expansion & Lack of Transparency A major donor to Cornell Athletics—who has contributed millions—publicly expressed frustration over project delays, during the last Town Planning Board meeting. The donor has reportedly pressured the administration to fast-track the process (Faraj, 2025, Cornell Daily Sun: link). The administration has responded by intensifying efforts to push this project forward and opposing the GEIS, as seen in the 200-page agenda packet for the upcoming meeting. It is not the fault of the community, nor the town or city, that Cornell unilaterally removed its own turf fields on Tower Road without a backup plan, despite an ongoing lawsuit and public opposition due to the long-term environmental and public health risks posed by synthetic turf (plastic grass). Yet, they are now pushing for another plastic grass installation—and potentially even more—without proper oversight. Why is Cornell Fighting a GEIS if Synthetic Turf is Truly Safe? It is difficult to understand why Cornell so aggressively opposes a GEIS or a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) while simultaneously spending substantial institutional resources to downplay the well-documented concerns about microplastic pollution and PFAS. They insist that the Game Farm Road turf—especially the field hockey field—is somehow different, safer, and exempt from scrutiny. If this turf is truly safe, why oppose a full environmental assessment? ● Microplastics remain a major issue regardless of the specific type of turf. Cornell’s proposed mitigation measures are insufficient, addressing only partial runoff control and redirecting captured plastic waste to landfills outside of Ithaca—merely shifting contamination elsewhere. Many questions remain about the effectiveness of their filtration system and this does not address air emissions, soil contamination, and microplastics tracked on clothes and shoes of athletes. ● Cornell continues to suggest adding more synthetic turf fields. Despite public concerns, they are still considering at least one additional synthetic field on Game Farm Road, in addition to the baseball field already in use. A GEIS is absolutely necessary. ● PFAS concerns remain unresolved. Cornell claims the turf will be "PFAS-free," but without independent, publicly overseen pre-construction testing, there is no way to verify this. Testing must align with the PFAS definition in the New York State’s Carpet Law and be conducted under public oversight—not by Cornell. ● Cornell has full control over its own testing. They determine the “independent” testing lab, methodology, and thresholds, funded by themselves, leaving no truly independent oversight. This is why a GEIS and third-party verification are crucial. The real issue remains: The environmental impact of synthetic turf is significant and uncertain, as documented by the Town Planning Board’s own investigation in the agenda packet (Page 1-12), and it requires comprehensive evaluation—including testing for PFAS and other toxic substances, as well as a full assessment of mitigation measures. I urge the Town Planning Board to continue pushing for a GEIS. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Jackie Nuñez -- Jackie Nuñez (she/ella) Advocacy & Engagement Manager Founder, The Last Plastic Straw o: +1.323.936.3010 x707 e: jackie@plasticpollutioncoalition.org Check out Global Plastic Laws, a database to track plastic policies around the world References: Balesta, Christine, Senior Planner of Town of Ithaca. “Re: Cornell University Meinig Fieldhouse Indoor Sports and Recreation Center Project - Discussion of Additional Materials, SEQR Segmentation.” May 14, 2024. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fg4n5fanrv3o2xwf6dli5/PB-packet-5-21-24-Meinig-SEQR-Segmentation-Lo ng-Range-Vision.pdf?rlkey=1lq70pmm1q3ie7s4yn5z073my&st=87qgj6qr&dl=0 Cornell University. Game Farm Road Athletic Complex Facilities Master Plan. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University, June 2015. https://fcs.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/imce/site_contributor/Dept_University_Architect_and_Campus_Pl anning/documents/Campus_Planning/Game%20Farm%20Road%20Athletic%20Complex%20Facilities% 20Master%20Plan.pdf plasticpollutioncoalition u Banno Faraj, Zeinab. “‘A Monumental Blunder’: Million-Dollar Donor Baffled After Cornell Destroys Namesake Field Hockey Turf With No Immediate Replacement.” Cornell Daily Sun, February 27, 2025. cornellsun.com/2025/02/27/a-monumental-blunder-million-dollar-donor-baffled-after-cornell-destroys-nam esake-field-hockey-turf-with-no-immediate-replacement/. Town of Ithaca. "Town of Ithaca Planning Board Agenda, March 4, 2025." Town of Ithaca, March 4, 2025. https://lfweb.tompkins-co.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=359650&dbid=9&repo=TownOfIthaca. March 3, 2025 Subject: Require GEIS for Cornell’s Synthetic Turf Plan – NYC Just Introduced a Ban Dear Town of Ithaca Planning Board, New York City introduced a bill on February 27, 2025, to ban artificial turf in city parks due to its well-documented environmental and public health risks (Bill link). Other municipalities across the country have also banned or placed restrictions on artificial turf installations (See the list here). I have a question for you - if artificial turf is truly safe, why do you think Cornell University vehemently opposes conducting an environmental impact assessment? A General Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) is essential to ensure that Cornell is held legally accountable for the full scope of this project. Without it, they can continue to shift their plans without oversight—just as they have already reduced the number of proposed synthetic turf fields to "only" three. Without a GEIS, very few things prevent a powerful institution like -V *■S jt<■".=|TmeN ew York City Council Adi rhhc E.Adami.Speaker legis lai i v e Kes earc h Cente r I C«<id>BW icgsuoan Capita CiiyCdJKi CbTrnnas Dfuti riepocs lot L2Ul'2flZSl VmiDti ’MCM; Incrodurtioc Siabus Culnm/UHH: LaW iLLiiitnir: A l.m al bn Io amend Ika aiUiitotmhB code of liberty of Now ^rk.badstKm to prohibihng the imtaJlBlKm of ^rufloial grass os day parks Chrkrtowba-1ItLi-Sheknr Krista™ 2 Thia bllL"nouJd pcokdbU ihr EomosHsocmor or Parks and EUKTMtkn Itoeo insulLrui oninclaL grass in Mow Toil Ciiy p»tM.with th''mnptkMof rFp^inniynT rerunif nicling tri#cmI gnas tartdlM prpr io 1hr-dale nf lire-LUI. 1 Sjiiiimajy ri Lnl Ji1?,1 JUJ.2.Ini,b'?.1202-3.WtruBev 27 .202 j &l<ilrtl MjarUnuJusud* Hsko w \ jF'KCdEt &O<41 EfKfl pdH t Pint*^oiur AckxiHy Altin IhuJ A^ni IXiN NH-usIMnb HUtawik* 2 fl7.1x015 "Cha-iniiiithxr ClEyCuunLlI DnfK iwl ki -Cilium iry Arhm MhHbrHi ilpCnilh \i:'.iivoilnl:li> Marb Ciiiijk J IflTriUlj CtaikIu|>hliV ClEVCuunoll IiiLhhIiilhiI tn Cuuni:il AuUmjlHULil MhhLikj ilwlmls SisC nvnilnljH Malb UB v Alirlk Flohibuing Hid insulLiunn cd artificial grass in city pnrkh. Uamzniljcw Pula,and Rik jwaliim Fih.X Tip* Cm agenda. EliDLldOunKlaiA: THU: Sponsor? EoumiI Ms^obar Spunwr Summaiy Alhni-hiimntK Cornell from expanding artificial turf installation in the future, ignoring the long-term environmental and public health consequences. I urge the Planning Board to require a GEIS before approving any part of this project to ensure full transparency, legal accountability, and environmental protection. Sincerely, Analyse Adams Volunteer Food & Water Watch https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/ References: New York City Council. Int 1202-2025: A Local Law to Amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York, in Relation to Prohibiting the Installation of Artificial Grass in City Parks. Introduced February 27, 2025. https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7157603&GUID=EC95D71C -049C-4DB7-90E7-4A00BBC05342&Options=ID%7CText%7C&Search=artificial+gras s. Zero Waste Ithaca. “Municipalities with Artificial Turf Bans, Moratoriums, or Restrictions.” Updated February 15, 2025 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xb444anblrqou7vx2nno3/List-of-Municipal-Bans-and-R estrictions-on-Artificial-Turf-1.pdf?rlkey=jqapo334p8g6a9ghjizkx925h&st=hzlao8e7&dl =0 From: To: Cc: Subject: Sent: Regi Teasley Town Of Ithaca Planning pbstaﬀ@cityoﬁthaca.org Plastic grass ﬁelds at Cornell 3/3/2025 4:09:41 PM **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 Members of the Planning Board, As you know, “artificial turf” is both unnecessary and harmful. I include a recent article about how nano plastic particles have been found to pass the “blood brain barrier.” What that means is that, in addition to the particles collecting in arteries and other parts of the body, they can also enter the human brain. ** Levels of microplastics in human brains may be rapidly rising, study suggests https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/03/levels-of-microplastics-in-human-brains-may-be- rapidly-rising-study-suggests?CMP=share_btn_url ** The last thing we need now is more plastic in our environment. Think of your family, your friends, and the children in our community. And, of course, think of the student athletes who just want to excel in their sport and aren’t busy reading the medical literature. We all need to stop Cornell’s misguided plan in its tracks. The recent measles outbreak in Texas can serve as a reminder that we cannot take community health for granted. Thank you for reading my comments. Regi Teasley Ithaca ___________ Protect what is left, recover what is lost of the fair earth. William Morris, “Art and the Beauty of the Earth.” 1881 From: To: Subject: Sent: Royal Donald Colle Town Of Ithaca Planning Synthetic turf 3/3/2025 8:26:58 PM **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 Board Members, I’ve been associated with Cornell for almost 60 years. And I’ve seen the University’s faculty do some marvelous things around the world. We’ve recently documented some of this in a new book Beyond Borders published by the Cornell University Press. With this positive background, it’s discouraging to see the University’s administration support such a negative development as installing more synthetic turf close by in our own neighborhoods. I hope our Town Planning Board can take action to discourage this action by the University. Sincerely yours, Royal Colle Professor Emeritus Cornell University (121 Pine Tree Road) Safe Healthy Playing Fields Inc. www.safehealthyplayingfields.org 4 March 2025: Item #7 - SEQR Discussion, Cornell GFR Hockey Field Support a full environmental review Thank you for the opportunity to submit these comments on behalf of Safe Healthy Playing Fields, Inc (SHPFI). SHFPI is an all-volunteer 501-c-3 non-profit. We are committed to educating communities, policy-makers and elected officials about the health, safety and financial realities of plastic fields versus grass fields and other synthetic surfaces for their parks and schools. Our constituency ranges from concerned individuals to community and civic organizations, legal, healthcare and science professionals, municipal leaders and state legislators. SHPFI is in full support of a GEIS and full SEQR. This project should not be exempt from a full review of environmental impacts. Despite Cornell University’s word that they will not seek to install additional synthetic turf on it’s campus, there is no formal obligation that would require them to stop further installations, except the upcoming New York Carpet EPR Law. They have not demonstrated transparency, full disclosure, nor a commitment to the safety of students, staff and visitors who would be exposed to the toxic and carcinogenic chemicals known to exist in this fossil fuel-based petrochemical plastic product, whether on playing fields or used in landscaping.1,2 A commitment to not use used tire crumb infill is a distraction meant for all to believe it is the only concern related to synthetic turf. Often sourced outside of the US, plant based synthetic turf infills can contain pesticides, PFAS, heavy metals and more. Because they add excess nutrients to soil and water, they have been implicated in increased frequency and severity of toxic algal blooms.3,4 4 Royer, Sarah Jeanne (Jan 2023). Choosing Synthetic Turf Is Choosing Environmental Harm. Letter to Town Council of Glastonbury, CT. Published in Let’s Talk, Talk-Action.org. https://talk-action.org/choosing-synthetic-turf-is-choosing-environmental-harm/ 3 US EPA (1 Feb 2024). Nutrients and Harmful Algal Blooms Research. https://www.epa.gov/water-research/nutrients-and-harmful-algal-blooms-research 2 Kassotis, C (23 Sep 2024). “Endocrine and cardiometabolic toxicity of artificial turf associated materials.” Video of presentation at NYU Langone Health symposium on plastics research. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8MDXyQKnFA 1 Siegela, KR, Murraya, BR, Gearhart, J, Kassotis, CD (2024). “In vitro endocrine and cardiometabolic toxicity associated with artificial turf materials.” Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology; (111), 104562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2024.104562 UNSAFE HEALTHYPLAYINGFIELDS BEYOND PLASTICS AFFILIATE Microplastics: A 2017 study found that a single synthetic turf field loses 0.5 to 0.8% of its blades annually. This estimate is ten times lower than a previous Danish study (0.8 kg/m2). This equates to 2,000 to 3,000 pounds of microplastic blade loss per year per field.5 Newer playing fields that do not require infill poured on top of the synthetic carpet are more densely woven, may have double backing,6 and have the potential for significantly greater microplastic blade and carpet backing loss to the environment. As calculated by the Martha’s Vineyard Conservancy, a single regulation sized plastic playing field is the equivalent of 3.2 million plastic bags, or 42 million plastic straws.7 Microplastic synthetic turf blades have been found in Lake Tahoe, where researchers found high levels of polyethylene and polypropylene in the lake and “…recorded plastics concentrations more than three times higher than those sampled using a similar method in the North Atlantic subtropical gyre.”8,9,10 Synthetic turf fibers have been found in the world’s oceans, ranging from 12 to over 15 percent of the microplastics found, as reported by researchers in Spain, China, Japan, Australia and Canada. Synthetic turf blades represent as much as 25% of microplastics in surface waters.11 This research lead to the California Coastal Commission's decision to not allow synthetic turf at UC Santa Barbara (13 Dec 2023) and stating synthetic turf is not superior to natural grass and is not sustainable. 11 De Haan, WP, Quintana, R, Vilas, C, Cózar, A et al (1 Oct 2023).“The dark side of artificial greening: Plastic turfs as widespread pollutants of aquatic environments.” Environmental Pollution; 334, 122094. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749123010965?via%3Dihub 10 Personal email communication from research staff at Tahoe Environmental Research Center. Lake Tahoe Email 9 Spencer, C (2023). “Lake Tahoe has higher concentration of microplastics than ocean trash heap.” LA Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-07-14/lake-tahoe-troubling-concentration-microplastics 8 Schultz, Madison. 2022. “UC Davis Environmental Research Center fundamental at Lake Tahoe.” Sierra Sun. Accessed 26 Oct 2023. https://www.sierrasun.com/news/uc-davis-environmental-research-center-fundamental-at-lake-tahoe/ 7 Doyle, M, Slavin, D, Thomson, R (29 Jan 2019). “Numbers flawed in turf vs. grass debate.” Martha’s Vineyard Times. https://www.mvtimes.com/2019/01/29/numbers-flawed-turf-vs-grass-debate/ 6 TenCate Pivot (2024). Face weght of 120 ounces per yard2, double backing, total weight 147.5 ounces per yard2. https://geosurfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/PIVOT_1.5_Spec-1.pdf 5 Hann, S et al (2018). “Investigating Options for Reducing Releases in the Aquatic Environment of Microplastics Emitted by (but not Intentionally Added in) Products.” Eunomia, United Kingdom. https://www.eunomia.co.uk/case_study/measuring-impacts-of-microplastics/ “Section 21080.5(d)(2)(A) of CEQA prohibits the Commission from approving a proposed development if there are feasible alternatives or feasible mitigation measures available that would substantially lessen any significant adverse effect which the activity may have on the environment. For the reasons discussed in this report, the Commission has conditioned the NOID to require design and implementation of Final Revised Project Plans that do not include the installation of artificial turf.”12 Additional loss of microplastics from the backing (approximately 438 pounds/per field annually), exclusive of the underlayment pad and infill.13 Microplastics both leach and adsorb toxic chemicals and bacteria in the environment, putting the food chain at risk. 13 Kole, PJ, Van Belleghem, F, Stoorvogel, JJ, Ragas, A, Löhr, AJ (10 Dec 2023). “Tire granulate on the loose: How much escapes turf? A systematic literature review.” Science of The Total Environment; (903)166221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166221 12 California Coastal Commission (13 Dec 2023). “Notice of Impending Development UCS-NOID-0002-23 (Baseball Stadium Turf).” https://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2023/12/W13.1a/W13.1a-12-2023-report.pdf In humans,micro-and nano-plastics have been found in: Blood Brain Breastmilk Bone marrow Feces (adult/newborn) Heart Kidneys Liver Lungs Penis Placenta (fetal/maternal) Semen Spleen Stomach Testes Uterus Toxic Chemicals: As outlined in the 27 Aug 2024 presentation by the California Dept. of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), there are multiple chemical classes of concern in synthetic turf.14 Some of these chemicals include (not comprehensive): ● PFAS15,16,17,18,19 ● Phthalates20,21,22 ● Latex (including styrene butadiene)23,24,25,26 26 Staff writer (3 Jul 2024). “Artificial Turf Fields.” Institute For Climate Change, Environmental Health, and Exposomics. Mt. Sinai ICAHN School of Medicine. Exposomic Research 25 Sick, S (2021). Patent https://patents.justia.com/patent/10968565 24 Sick, S (2017). Patent application https://patents.justia.com/search?q=FLOOR+PAVEMENT+STRUCTURE+WITH+GEL+L 23 Tomarin, SA (1984). Patent https://patents.justia.com/patent/4497853 22 IE DuPont de Nemours (2015). https://patents.justia.com/patent/9017788 21 Safer Consumer Products Program (Aug 2024). “Background Document on Candidate Chemicals in Artificial Turf.” Dept. of Toxic Substances Control, California Environmental Protection Agency. https://dtsc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2024/07/Background-Document-on-Candidate-Chemicals- in-Artificial-Turf.pdf 20 Ryan-Ndegwa, S, Zamani, R, Martins, T (17 Dec 2024). “Exploring the Human Health Impact of Artificial Turf Worldwide: A Systematic Review.” Environ Health Insights; (18),11786302241306291 https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302241306291 19 Multi-organizational fact sheet (2022). “PFAS polymers pose serious health and environmental threats.” https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fJDsNTIPp-YMT_7aQ0TDvTaLg2lB5PMA/view?usp=drivesdk 18 EI DuPont de Nemours (2013) https://patents.justia.com/patent/8568874 17 Dept. of Toxic Substances Control (27 Aug 2024). “Background Document on Candidate Chemicals in Artificial Turf.” California EPA. https://dtsc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2024/07/Background-Document-on-Candidate-Chemicals- in-Artificial-Turf.pdf 16 Woelke, D (Nov 2024). Compilation of PFAS leachate testing from synthetic turf results. PFAS leachate from synthetic turf 15 Glüge, J, Scheringer, M, Cousins, IA, DeWitt, JC et al (30 Oct 2020). “An overview of the uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).” Environ Sci Process Impacts;22(12):2345–2373. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7784712/ 14 Dept. of Toxic Substances Control. (27 Aug 2024). California EPA. Presentation Slides ● Polyvinyl chloride27,28,29 ● Naptha18,,30,31 ● Siloxanes32,33 ● Talc34,35 ● Di/Isocyanates36 ● Formaldehyde29 ● Fungicides26 ● Flame retardants26 ● Coal fly ash26 ● Anti-Microbial agents37,38,39 39 Verdú, I, Gonzalez-Pleiter, M, Leganés, F et al (Mar 2021). “Microplastics can act as vector of the biocide triclosan exerting damage to freshwater microalgae.” Chemosphere. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0045653520333907 38 Triclosan Fact Sheet. BioMonitoring California. https://biomonitoring.ca.gov/sites/default/files/downloads/TriclosanFactSheet.pdf 37 Dow Chemical (2017). https://patents.justia.com/patent/20190078235 36 Sick, S (2021) patent https://patents.justia.com/patent/11180894 35 Dow Global Technologies, Inc (2008) patent application https://patents.justia.com/patent/20100279032 34 Sick, S (2015) patent https://patents.justia.com/patent/10968565 33 Dow Global Technologies, Inc (2015) patent https://patents.justia.com/patent/9040627 32 Ferreira T, Homem V, Cereceda-Balic F et al (2024). “Are volatile methylsiloxanes in downcycled tire microplastics? Levels and human exposure estimation in synthetic turf football fields.” Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 10.1007/s11356-024-31832-1 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-024-31832-1 31 Modern Fibers Inc (1984) patent https://patents.justia.com/patent/4617208 30 Sick, S (2017) patent application https://patents.justia.com/patent/8568874 29 Hayes, GE (2010). https://patents.justia.com/patent/7838096 28 J. F. Adolff AG (1977) patent https://patents.justia.com/patent/4007307 27 DOC Sports Surfaces (2008) patent application https://patents.google.com/patent/US7838096B2/en?oq=7838096 ● Dibutyltin Ethylene glycol40 ● UV stabilizers30,41.42 ● Anti-Static Treatments30 ● Colorants All synthetic turf tested by academic institutions and independent third party laboratories using proper methods, techniques and reporting limits have found PFAS in synthetic turf.43,44 Impervious surfacing: Synthetic turf is an impervious, or impermeable, surface, despite what the industry tells you. The US EPA and the State of California are clear on this issue:45 “...areas such as gravel roads...that will be compacted through design or use to reduce their impermeability.” It further has defined impervious surfaces as…[a]ny surface that prevents or significantly impedes the infiltration of water into the underlying soil. This can include but is not limited to: roads, driveways, parking areas and other areas created using non porous material; buildings, rooftops, structures, artificial turf and compacted gravel or soil.” “Pollutants from aerial and terrestrial sources accumulate on impervious surfaces until runoff from a precipitation event carries sediment, nutrients, metals, and pesticides into stormwater drains and directly to local water bodies. As impervious surfaces increase, stormwater runoff increases in quantity, speed, temperature, and pollutant load. When impervious surfaces reach 10–20% of local watershed area, surface runoff doubles and continues to increase until, at 100% impervious surface coverage, runoff is ﬁve times 45 US EPA, MS4 General Permit Appendix A, Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms, https://www3.epa.gov/region1/npdes/stormwater/ma/2016fpd/appendix-a-2016-ma-sms4-gp.pdf 44 Pollard, L, Massey, R (Aug 2024). “Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Artificial Turf: Academic, municipal, and other testing efforts.” Lowell Center for Sustainability, University of Massachusetts, Lowell. https://www.uml.edu/docs/PFAS%20in%20Artificial%20Turf%20-%20Academic%20Municipal%20%26%2 0Other%20Tests%20Aug%202024_tcm18-386957.pdf 43 Whitehead, H. D. (2023). “Development of Analytical Methods for Highly Selective and Sensitive Analytical Analysis of Compounds Relevant to Human Health and the Environment.” Version 1. University of Notre Dame. https://doi.org/10.7274/bg257d30j3m 42 Awonaike, B, Lei, YD, Parajulee, A, Wania, F (1 Dec 2021). “Phase partitioning, transport and sources of Benzotriazole Ultraviolet Stabilizers during a runoff event.” Water Research X; (13),100115 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589914721000281#:~:text=High%20levels%20of%20 UV328%20and%20UV234%20were,a%20sink%20than%20a%20source%20of%20BT%2DUVs 41 International Pollutant Elimination Network.“Communications on Recent Research: Recent Research on UV-328 Further Proves its Potential to Undergo Long-Range Transport, Bioaccumulate, and Cause Harm.” https://ipen.org/sites/default/files/documents/ipen-uv328-research-update-v1_2-en.pdf 40 Sick (2017) https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2018122346A1 that of a forested watershed. Excessive stormwater runoﬀ also increases the potential for ﬂooding.” US EPA Impervious Surface Fact Sheet46 As impervious surfaces, accumulation of particulate matter, jet and leaded AVgas fuel from the multiple flight paths that border Cornell’s campus bring even more need for concern. In 2023, Ithaca had 39.5 inches of rainfall and 42.5 inches of snowfall. In 2024, the totals were 36.5 inches and 35.3 inches respectively. Toxic runoff from synthetic turf contributes 27,000 gallons per one inch of rain per acre of plastic.47 One inch of snowfall is roughly equivalent to 13 inches of rain.48 It is abundantly clear that, given the amount of synthetic turf currently installed on Cornell’s campus, that a massive amount of toxic runoff from synthetic fields is contaminating soil, surface, ground and, eventually, the campus and town’s drinking water. 48 NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory. (n.d.). Winter Weather FAQ. https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/winter/faq/ 47 Cotrone, V (undated). “The Role of Trees and Forests in Healthy Watersheds: Managing stormwater, reducing flooding, and improving water quality.” Penn State Extension. https://extension.psu.edu/the-role-of-trees-and-forests-in-healthy-watersheds 46 US EPA (2020). “EnviroAtlas: Fact Sheet, Percent Impervious Area.” https://enviroatlas.epa.gov/enviroatlas/DataFactSheets/pdf/ESN/PercentImperviousArea.pdf Greenhouse Gasses: Synthetic turf off-gasses both methane and ethylene49,50 and continues day and night, in ever increasing amounts for the 1,000 years it takes for it to decompose.51 Methane traps 90% more heat than carbon dioxide and is 21 times more potent. Land based plastics produce 2 times more methane and 76 times more ethylene than plastics found in waterways and oceans. The heat islands created by plastic turf playing fields are large enough to be visible from satellites circling our planet. Even if all synthetic turf were removed from Los Angeles today, methane would linger in the atmosphere for approximately 12 years, contributing to climate change and sea level rise for hundreds of years after pollutants have been cleared from the air.52 A 2017 Swedish study of total life cycle emissions on a modeled 7881m2 synthetic field concluded GHG emissions would be 527 tons of CO2e for a ten year use period, exclusive of manufacturing, transport, construction, removal and disposal.53 The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released a report in April 2024 finding that the greenhouse emissions from plastics is four times those emitted by the aviation industry.54 54 Karali, N, Khanna, N, Shah, N (12 Apr 2024). “Climate Impact of Primary Plastic Production.” Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Publications. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/12s624vf 53 Magnusson, Simon, Mácsik, Josef (July 2017.. Analysis of Energy Use and Emissions of Greenhouse Gases, Metals and Organic Substances from Construction Materials Used for Artificial Turf. Resources, Conservation and Recycling Vol. 122, July 2017, Pages 362-372 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.03.007 52 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Methane.” https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/methane/?intent=121 51 Chamas, A, Moon, H, Zheng, J (3 Feb 2020). “Degradation Rates of Plastics in the Environment.” ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering;(8)9.b https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b06635 50 Royer, SJ (12 Nov 2018). Letter to Mayor M Bowser, Washington DC regarding synthetic turf. Letter to Mayor M Bowser 49 Royer, SJ, Ferrón, S, Wilson, ST, Karl, DM (2018). “Production of Methane and Ethylene from Plastic in the Environment.” PlosOne 13(8): e0200574. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0200574&type=printable The resulting impact on climate change from plastics and synthetic turf are contributing factors to increased flood risk and toxic runoff55; toxic exposures during wildfires56,57; and escalating insurance costs due to both.58,59,60 The most profoundly impacted will be those who can least afford the increased burdens. 60 Capani, C (7 May 2024). “Aviva issues flood risk warning as residents turn to artificial lawns.” Insurance Times; United Kingdom. https://www.insurancetimes.co.uk/news/aviva-issues-flood-risk-warning-as-residents-turn-to-artificial-lawn s/1451833.article 59 Sherriff, L (18 Mar 2024). “Climate change is fuelling the US insurance problem.” British Broadcasting Corp. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240311-why-climate-change-is-making-the-us-uninsurable 58 Mandel, A, Battiston, S, Monasterolo, I. (5 Feb 2025). “Mapping global financial risks under climate change. Nature, Climate Change. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-025-02244-x 57 Staff writer (17 Jan 2025). “Plastic Chemicals in Wildfire Smoke and How to Protect Yourself.” Plastic Soup Coalition. https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2025/1/17/plastic-chemicals-in-wildfire-smoke-and-how-to-pr otect-yourself 56 Schlanger, Z (15 Jan 2025). “What Happens When a Plastic City Burns.” The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2025/01/los-angeles-fire-smoke-plastic-toxic/681318/ 55 Simpson, TJ, Francis, RA (Aug 2021). “Artificial lawns exhibit increased runoff and decreased water retention compared to living lawns following controlled rainfall experiments.” Urban Forestry & Urban Greening; (63), 127232 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1618866721002570 Photogr;|Ezra Acayan* Plastics industry heatstheworld4timesasmuchasairtravel The industry releases about four times as many planet-warming chemicals as the airline industry. #EarthDay2024 Not recyclable: Less than 6% of plastics are recycled.61 Made of mixed plastics, synthetic turf is not recyclable, not sustainable and is a linear, not a circular product, and does not meet any definition of sustainability. The synthetic turf industry misrepresents its products when they make claims related to sustainability and environmentally friendliness. It is not enough to use the vernacular of the day. Circular products62 are “…those products that have reduced or completely no need for virgin resources and are designed with the end of their life in mind.” The United Nations defines sustainable development63 as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The UCLA Sustainability Committee64 notes: “In simplest terms, sustainability is about our children and our grandchildren, and the world we will leave them”. The Rutgers Center for Sustainable Materials65 definition: “Sustainable materials are materials used throughout our consumer and industrial economy that can be produced in required volumes without depleting non-renewable resources and without disrupting the established steady-state equilibrium of the environment and key natural resource systems.” TenCate’s “recycling” facilities: 65 Rutgers University. “What are Sustainable Materials?” Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Center for Sustainable Materials. Accessed 26 Jan 2025. https://mse.rutgers.edu/center-sustainable-materials 64 UCLA Sustainability Committe, quoting UN World Commission on Environment and Development https://www.sustain.ucla.edu/what-is-sustainability/ 63 United Nations (2024). “Sustainable Development Agenda: What is sustainable development?” https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/development-agenda/#1b1981a30bdd8fde2 62 “What is a circular product?” Circular Tayside, United Kingdom. https://circulartayside.co.uk/what-is-a-circular-product-and-business-model/ 61 Dell, J, Enck, J (May 2022). “The Real Truth about the US Plastic Recycling Rate.” Beyond Plastics. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5eda91260bbb7e7a4bf528d8/t/62b2238152acae761414d698/1655 841666913/The-Real-Truth-about-the-US-Plastic-Recycling-Rate-2021-Facts-and-Figures-_5-4-22.pdf Louisiana- California- Separate property Leased property R center of image SHPFI urges you to not support Cornell University’s false environmental claims. Demand excellence. Demand a full environmental review. Do not kick the can down the road to future generations to clean up the environmental mess the University knowingly and willfully seeks to impose without full disclosure or transparency. This is your environment, your health that you are putting at risk and imposing on your children, and their children’s children. Respectfully submitted, Diana Conway, President Dianne Woelke MSN, Board Member Safe Healthy Playing Fields, Inc. https://www.safehealthyplayingfields.org SHPFI is an all-volunteer nonprofit 501-c-3 SAFE HEALTHY iVPLAYINGFIELDS BEYOND PLASTICS AFFILIATE February 22nd, 2025 Dear Members of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board, I strongly support the approval for the Cornell University Field Hockey (CUFH) field and associated structures on Game Farm Road. As a former CUFH player and captain, and as a proud alumna of Cornell University and the stellar women’s field hockey and lacrosse programs, I request that you thoughtfully consider the key facts, merits of the approval request, and implications of the decision and timeline. Facts: The facts are clear, namely that: • This project has been requested following the required process for a CUFH field and associated structures on Game Farm Road. • The new field material to be used is NOT manufactured with PFAS, and there is a lack of evidence of environmental harm in this case. • Cornell is proactively addressing PFAS and recycling concerns by adhering to the New York State (NYS) law ahead of its effective date of December 31, 2026. • Non-fact-based efforts to derail the approval would cause significant disruption not only in the team’s 2025 practice and game location, but in the ability to recruit and retain student athletes. • This facility will also benefit a much wider group of players than just those at Cornell. Accounting for opponents, FH camps, club and recreational use we expect over 1,000 people to benefit from the field annually. Strong Community Partnership: Cornell and Ithaca have a long history of community partnership, creating a welcoming and supportive town for its citizens and students alike. As noted in the April 9th, 2024 fingerlakes.com article, “Cornell’s commitment to the community extends beyond economic factors, with numerous volunteer initiatives and support for local governments and nonprofit organizations, including a $7 million contribution to various entities”. Additional examples of economic impact from the Cornell University Economic Impact & Entrepreneurship 2023 data include: • $77M - Construction spending in Tompkins County and adjacent counties (by location of prime contractor) • $4.9M - Property taxes generated (school taxes $3.2 million, municipal taxes $1.7 million). Taxes paid on Cornell-related properties rank second in Tompkins County. • $28.5M - Capital raised in 2023 by the companies of Rev: Ithaca Startup Works, founded by Cornell (with Ithaca College and Tompkins Cortland Community College). Rev companies created 47 new jobs in 2023. • $3.9M - Capital raised by Cornell’s Center for Life Science Ventures’ Ithaca-based clients in 2023. These companies created 8 new local jobs in 2023, for a total of 31 local jobs. • $8.7M - Capital raised by Cornell’s Praxis Center for Venture Development Ithaca based clients in 2023. These companies provide 27 local jobs. Supporting Cornell’s goal of providing critically needed fields and structures for the CUFH team is yet another example of fueling and growing this foundational community/college partnership. Team Personal Impact: As I’m surmising you have heard from other current and former players, playing a sport goes well beyond the skill and dedication developed in playing the sport itself. Life lessons such as teamwork, leadership, grit, empathy, the will to win and succeed, the character to lose and congratulate your opponent, the understanding that hard work and focus leads to success in one form or another, the ability to rally a team and also console that team in defeat or heartache, the strength to never give up, and so many more. These lessons become part of our DNA and something we carry and grow throughout our lives. Many of my fondest memories and strongest lifelong friendships were forged playing sports at Cornell and in the wonderful town of Ithaca. It irks me beyond description to think that the opportunity to experience these impactful lessons would be denied to our current and future field hockey players, and, on the contrary, they would be left with a lasting negative impression of their experience at Cornell and in Ithaca. With all the facts in-hand, with a reasonable request to the town having followed the appropriate processes, you have the power to ensure that does not happen. You have the ability to not only approve the project, but the ability to positively influence the lives of these players and so many others who are looking to you for your leadership and example of executing appropriate town government action and continued support of its colleges as a vibrant community partner. Equity: Beyond these points, another equally, if not more important factor is promoting and ensuring equity for women at Cornell as a reflection of Ithaca. Ithaca is known for pro-actively and staunchly supporting and leading equity driven initiatives so that all its population feel valued and are treated equally. As noted in the town’s mission statement, “We promote quality of life, equity, and safety of all Town of Ithaca residents through planning, innovation, and continual adaptation to change.” Supporting this request would be yet another example of the town’s firm stance that equity matters and is visibly and continuously supported. Thank you for your consideration of the points made here, as well as other information you are receiving. We are trusting in you to make a sound, factually supported, impactful decision to approve the Game Farm Road project. The CUFH team, and many in the Cornell and Ithaca communities and beyond are relying on you as thoughtful and exemplary community leaders to make this happen. Sincerely, Ellen Grant Piccioli Cornell University ‘86 a Outlook Support for Cornell University Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Project From Michele L.Johnson <nickyandcj@msn.com> Date Sun 2/23/2025 6:59 PM To CJ Randall <cjrandall@townithacany.gov> **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 C.J., Hi!My name is Michele Dowling Johnson and I am a graduate of Cornell University,Class of 1989.I was also a Varsity Field Hockey player.I had a wonderful experience at Cornell and had the opportunity to enrich my academic studies with athletics.Professionally,I am currently the Chief Marketing Officer, North America for Norwex,a leader in providing clean and sustainable personal care and household product solutions for consumers globally.I value and understand the importance of sustainably sound policies and plans. My connection to Cornell and Ithaca are very strong.Attending Cornell is one of the single most defining experiences of my life.I have attended Reunion every five years over the past 35+years.I also have had the opportunity to volunteer in a variety of ways since graduation,including serving on the Alumni Board for the College of Human Ecology,allowing me to visit Cornell and Ithaca frequently during the duration of my volunteer tenure.Ithaca is a very special place for me. I am writing in support of the Cornell University Field Hockey Field on Game Farm Road.It is so important for the team to have a permanent,high-quality field they can call home.A consistent training location ensures that the team can perform at their best,maximizing the student-athlete development and their overall experience.It is very disruptive for the team to not have a location to train and compete.I have had the opportunity to coach youth field hockey and my daughter also played Club and Collegiate field hockey.The quality of the field dramatically impacts the ability to play at the highest level of the game.This field is required for the success of our current athletes and for the future of the field hockey program at Cornell. I understand you have been taking a hard look at this project,thoughtfully evaluating the comprehensive information provided to inform your response and decision.I know these types of projects require balancing a myriad of factors across social,environmental and health factors with sightline to all potential implications. Cornell University has taken considerable care in the development of its engineering plans,ensuring a full assessment of necessary environmental considerations.Cornell has been prudent in designing a field with low environmental impact and the University has a long-established commitment to sustainability.The evidence presented demonstrates that no significant risks are present in this project.I trust the Board will strongly consider the lack of evidence of environmental harm in this case.I urge you to issue a negative environmental declaration so the construction of the field can begin as planned. My experiences on and off the field have shaped the leader and person I am today.The friendships formed through Cornell Field Hockey are strong and meaningful for me today.Cornell Field Hockey was a very special part of my college experience and I want this experience for all current and future players. Thank you so much for your consideration. Regards, Michele Dowling Johnson Cornell University Alumna,Varsity Field Hockey,Class of 1989 Subject: Ongoing Pattern of Misrepresentation in Cornell’s Synthetic Turf Submissions Dear Ithaca Town Planning Board Members, First, I would like to express my appreciation for the Planning Board’s decision to consider a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for the proposed synthetic turf field at Game Farm Road. Addressing the cumulative impacts of synthetic turf comprehensively is a necessary step toward responsible environmental planning. However, I must bring to your attention an ongoing and troubling pattern of scientific misrepresentation in Cornell University’s submissions to the Planning Board. This pattern extends from the Meinig Fieldhouse submissions to the latest materials provided for the Game Farm Road project. Misinterpretation, selective omission, and misleading framing of scientific studies have been a recurring issue, and I urge the Planning Board to approach Cornell’s claims with caution. We have previously submitted comments detailing a couple of specific instances of these misrepresentations, including Cornell’s misuse of the CY Jim study on heat hazards and its gross underestimation of synthetic turf disposal volumes. Rather than reiterating these points in full, we direct the Planning Board to our prior comments for reference. Agenda Packet Misrepresentation Cornell's latest submission to the Planning Board included in the agenda packet for the 3/4/25 meeting contains contain multitudes of issues, but here’s one example of blatant misrepresentation: "A 2024 study by the US Environmental Protection Agency found that people using synthetic turf fields are not exposed to the chemicals contained in them. The Planning Board thus had voluminous, independent evidence in front of it to support its conclusions on these topics." (Page 10). This statement is entirely false.No such EPA study has made this conclusion. EPA’s 2024 study, commonly called FRAP 2, in fact, found evidence of hazardous exposures. The fact that Cornell would make such an unsupported claim in an official submission underscores the persistent issue of scientific distortion in its filings. Additionally, another troubling instance in Cornell’s latest submission is the inclusion of a block quote that lacks attribution (Page 9). The quote, which discusses VOCs, PAHs, and air emissions, appears suddenly in the document with no clear source. Is this an excerpt from a study? A consultant’s opinion? Or simply Cornell’s own assertion dressed up as authoritative research? The absence of a citation makes it impossible to verify, raising serious concerns about the credibility of the information presented. Cornell’s Misrepresentation of Our Bibliography Cornell has also attempted to discredit our own primary sources, falsely claiming that links in our submissions and bibliography are missing or broken. This is categorically untrue.Our bibliography is fully categorized, partially annotated, and all links remain active and accessible. Unlike Cornell’s opaque 39-page table—virtually unreadable without a wide-screen monitor— our bibliography was carefully designed for clarity and accessibility. Volunteers from Zero Waste Ithaca and our allies compiled these sources one by one over the course of a year to ensure a well-organized, comprehensible resource. We encourage Planning Board members to review our sources directly rather than accepting Cornell’s mischaracterizations. Misrepresentation of EPA FRAP Studies One of the most glaring examples of Cornell’s ongoing misrepresentation is its handling of the EPA’s Federal Research Action Plan (FRAP) studies on synthetic turf and crumb rubber. This is relevant for the call for GEIS, and an example of the broader misrepresentations of studies, so allow me to detail it here. 1.Distorting FRAP 1 Findings (2019) Of the three EPA sources cited in Cornell’s previous submissions includes the 2019 Tire Crumb Rubber Characterization (FRAP 1). Cornell misrepresents its findings. The EPA explicitly stated that FRAP 1 was not a risk assessment but merely a study to characterize the presence of chemicals in crumb rubber.Cornell, however, presents the findings as though they confirm the safety of synthetic turf, misleading decision-makers about the study's intent. 2.Omitting and Misrepresenting FRAP 2 (2024) Cornell initially omitted any reference to the 2024 FRAP 2 study in its April submission of “Additional Materials” to the planning board, despite its relevance. When it did acknowledge FRAP 2 in its July submission, Cornell falsely claimed that FRAP 2 showed “no exposures occurred” to hazardous chemicals. This is demonstrably false. FRAP 2 found that synthetic turf users are exposed to hazardous chemicals through inhalation, dermal absorption, and ingestion,particularly in indoor settings. By strategically avoiding FRAP 2 in April and distorting its conclusions in July, Cornell misleads. 3.Use of Irrelevant EPA Sources Cornell’s earlier submissions includes two other EPA references with little or no relevance to synthetic turf: ·Regional Screening Levels for Chemical Contaminants at Superfund Sites: A database intended for hazardous waste sites, not for synthetic turf exposure assessments. ·Learn About Heat Islands: A general webpage discussing urban heat islands without specific mention of synthetic turf's heat retention properties. These sources provide no meaningful scientific basis for Cornell's claims and appear to be included solely to obscure the lack of relevant supporting evidence. The examples outlined above—from the CY Jim study to synthetic turf disposal, to the EPA FRAP studies—are not isolated incidents. They reflect a broader pattern of selective use of data, misleading framing, and outright misrepresentation. This is deeply concerning, particularly as it pertains to public health and environmental decision-making. Given this pattern, I urge the Planning Board to conduct an independent and thorough review of the claims made in Cornell’s submissions. Relying on Cornell’s representations without scrutiny risks basing policy decisions on incomplete or inaccurate information. I appreciate your time and consideration of this matter. Sincerely, Yayoi Koizumi Zero Waste Ithaca References: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Synthetic Turf Field Recycled Tire Crumb Rubber Research Under the Federal Research Action Plan: Final Report, Part 1 – Tire Crumb Rubber Characterization, Volumes 1 and 2.EPA/600/R-19/051, July 2019. https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/july-2019-report-tire-crumb-rubber-characterization-0. Known as FRAP (Federal Research Action Plan) 1, this study characterizes the chemical composition of tire-derived crumb rubber (TDCR) used in synthetic turf fields, identifying the presence of metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). The EPA explicitly states that this report is not a risk assessment and does not evaluate health impacts. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.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-24/044, April 2024. https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/tire-crumb-exposure-characterization-report-volumes- 1-and-2. This follow-up study known as known as FRAP (Federal Research Action Plan) 2 assesses human exposure to chemicals in synthetic turf fields through inhalation, dermal contact, and ingestion. Findings confirm that players are exposed to hazardous substances, particularly in indoor environments, though the report does not conduct a full health risk assessment. Zero Waste Ithaca.The Case Against Artificial Turf Expansion at Cornell: A Bibliography . Updated February 18, 2025, Accessed March 4, 2025 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wZA9W7i-cU9rSOxzSTuGJit9pJtEM-s_4bfbmO26R- Q/edit?tab=t.0 From: To: Subject: Sent: Margaret McCasland Town Of Ithaca Planning please keep pushing for a GEIS re synturf 3/4/2025 12:06:11 PM **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 below and as a google doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rDkuS4rKtq1xtaLZqOevP9ty2zVTPfEiALazJ6cTVQA/edit? usp=sharing My name is Margaret McCasland and I live in the Town of Ithaca. I am a retired teacher, technical writer and science educator. I am also the mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother of student athletes, and a cancer patient. The only team sport I ever played (outside of PE class) was field hockey. Thank you for calling for Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for Cornell’s proposed synturf playing fields. I’m going to comment on just a few of the many reasons that you should not approve artificial turf for this particular project. But, going forward, I am also calling on both the City and Town of Ithaca to ban artificial turf playing fields in the name of public health due to the local, regional and global pollution caused by the production, use and disposal of artificial turf, and also because of the impact on student athletes and on all children and adults enjoying indoor or outdoor recreation. As a science writer who worked with scientists in a variety of fields and as a student of the history of science, I learned that “science” is neither static nor unified. But it does have standards. Scientific communities –groups of scientists within the same specialty– have standards that are both foundational and enduring. Within a given field, best current knowledge and best practices evolve over time based on new research results, new technologies, and new ways of framing topics. When considering “scientific information,” it is important that your sources are people who work within the relevant scientific community. Cornell’s consultants assure you that the synturf they would use meets groundwater regulations. But regulations have three problems: First, there is a time lag between when scientific studies determine that chemicals are “possible,” “probable” or “definite” health hazards and when regulations are changed. Secondly, creating or changing to stricter standards is often impeded by regulatory capture. Large corporations such as chemical companies and plastic manufacturers have an outsize influence on many state and federal regulations, both through a revolving door of staff between government and industry, and by lobbying both legislatures and executive agencies and officials. The third issue with regulations is where you come in: they are too often enforced to the letter, rather than the spirit –or purpose– of laws and regulations that should be protecting people and other living beings. We got a lot wrong back in the early 80s, when I was a communications specialist for the groundwater program at Cornell’s Center for Environmental Research. We had been taught that “dilution is the solution to pollution.” We only had instruments that could measure particles in the parts per million, so we tested chemicals in the parts per million, and safety standards were set in the parts per million. Now we can measure chemicals in the parts per billion and that's a good thing, because now we know that endocrine disrupting chemicals have significant impacts –from the life-altering to the deadly– in parts per billion or even parts per trillion. Endocrine disrupting chemicals like PFAS are “messenger” molecules; just one molecule circulating in your body could be turning biological keys on and off. Parts per billion matter. Dilution is NOT the solution to pollution. Turning to more general concerns over the use of synturf, I am asking you to wear your general “public health” hat and to consider the spirit of regulations meant to protect our local ecosystems and the health of all who live here. Globally: Artificial turf both contributes to climate change and is impacted by it. Artificial turf gets much hotter than natural grass, and is thus more dangerous to use during “heat events.” Our increasingly common intense rainfalls are also more likely to damage the fields, washing away the layers that have to be installed below the green carpet we see on the surface. Locally: Please take all of the public health considerations relating to synturf seriously, for athletes, for recreational users (including kids on playgrounds!) and for nearby residents, including the increased heat on and over artificial surfaces, airborne particles and chemicals players breathe in, skin abrasions and joint injuries. Focusing briefly on just one of these hazards: A growing body of evidence shows that athletes are more likely to receive joint injuries on artificial turf, especially to their ACLs. Every single day I wear a knee brace for an ACL injury four decades ago. Mine was from winter sports, back when we had significant snow. A torn ACL is not a minor injury; even after surgery, your knee is never the same, and knee replacement surgery doesn’t fix it. [See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9083053/ and https://www.center4research.org/injuries-related-to-artificial-turf/ ] Back in the 1980s, when my daughter broke the gender barrier for floor hockey at BJM elementary School, I brought her to a varsity women’s field hockey game at Cornell. She immediately noticed that many of the players were wearing knee braces like mine. Sadly NCAA regulations for women’s field hockey now mandate synturf. I don;t know what the short term solution is, but I hope that NCAA regulation can soon be changed, to protect the knees of players as well as local and global ecosystems. PFAS are ubiquitous: they are literally everywhere. That doesn’t make it OK to load our bodies or our ecosystems with more. Because they are persistent (“forever chemicals”), ANY new release of PFAS adds to what is already there. We ALL should be working to drastically reduce new uses of PFAS while scientists and public officials should be working on better ways to test for and remove existing PFAS from critical living systems. As a consumer, I am no longer buying products that I know have PFAS in them (easier said than done –see below). As public officials, you need to be doing your part. I recently learned that PFAS have been used in Post-it Notes and Magic Tape, two 3M products that literally hold my life together. In spite of having known about the hazards of PFAS for many decades, 3M is only now phasing out the manufacture and reducing their use of PFAS. [See https://apnews.com/article/pfas- drinking-water-settlement-3m-fa41cadfe0d65b9723377a681df43af1 For 3M’s perspective, see https://pfas.3m.com/pfas_uses For a more complex view of 3M’s long knowledge of the health hazards in PFAS, see https://www.propublica.org/article/3m-forever-chemicals-pfas-pfos-inside-story Margaret McCasland Cornell ‘68 and ‘86 202-7 Cypress Court Ithaca NY 14850 mamccasland@gmail.com Dear Planning Board members, I am writing to urge you to follow the science and the requirements that potentially harmful projects must show that they will not harm the environment. Please require a GEIS, and hold Cornell accountable for their claims that the plastic turf is safe. Why would Cornell be opposed to an environmental impact statement if they believe that the plastic turf is safe? Please do not be persuaded by student athletes or coaches, and their pleading for their right to play year round, as a way to get you to neglect your duty. You have been presented with the evidence of suspected harm from plastic turf. Now you can support Cornell's claims of "harmless" by requiring a GEIS. Thank you for being there to protect our environment. Anne Rhodes From: To: Subject: Attachments: Sent: Yayoi Koizumi Town Of Ithaca Planning Re: My public comment Please USE THIS VERSION 3 4 25 submission.pdf 3/4/2025 12:14:06 PM I apologize. Please use this version. It says EPA findings are also misrepresented in today's agenda packet on page 10, and it is important to mention that. Thank you, Yayoi On Tue, Mar 4, 2025 at 12:06 PM Yayoi Koizumi <yayoi@zerowasteithaca.org> wrote: Hi, I'd appreciate it if you could use this version - EPA findings are also misrepresented in today's agenda packet on page 10, and it is important to mention that. Thank you, Yayoi On Tue, Mar 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM Yayoi Koizumi <yayoi@zerowasteithaca.org> wrote: Hello, Please find attached comment for today's planning board meeting. Thank you, Yayoi Koizumi Subject: Ongoing Pattern of Misrepresentation in Cornell’s Synthetic Turf Submissions Dear Ithaca Town Planning Board Members, First, I would like to express my appreciation for the Planning Board’s decision to consider a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for the proposed synthetic turf field at Game Farm Road. Addressing the cumulative impacts of synthetic turf comprehensively is a necessary step toward responsible environmental planning. However, I must bring to your attention an ongoing and troubling pattern of scientific misrepresentation in Cornell University’s submissions to the Planning Board. This pattern extends from the Meinig Fieldhouse submissions to the latest materials provided for the Game Farm Road project. Misinterpretation, selective omission, and misleading framing of scientific studies have been a recurring issue, and I urge the Planning Board to approach Cornell’s claims with caution. We have previously submitted comments detailing a couple of specific instances of these misrepresentations, including Cornell’s misuse of the CY Jim study on heat hazards and its gross underestimation of synthetic turf disposal volumes. Rather than reiterating these points in full, we direct the Planning Board to our prior comments for reference. Agenda Packet Misrepresentation Cornell's latest submission to the Planning Board included in the agenda packet for the 3/4/25 meeting contains contain multitudes of issues, but here’s one example of blatant misrepresentation: "A 2024 study by the US Environmental Protection Agency found that people using synthetic turf fields are not exposed to the chemicals contained in them. The Planning Board thus had voluminous, independent evidence in front of it to support its conclusions on these topics." (Page 10). This statement is entirely false.No such EPA study has made this conclusion. EPA’s 2024 study, commonly called FRAP 2, in fact, found evidence of hazardous exposures. The fact that Cornell would make such an unsupported claim in an official submission underscores the persistent issue of scientific distortion in its filings. Additionally, another troubling instance in Cornell’s latest submission is the inclusion of a block quote that lacks attribution (Page 9). The quote, which discusses VOCs, PAHs, and air emissions, appears suddenly in the document with no clear source. Is this an excerpt from a study? A consultant’s opinion? Or simply Cornell’s own assertion dressed up as authoritative research? The absence of a citation makes it impossible to verify, raising serious concerns about the credibility of the information presented. Cornell’s Misrepresentation of Our Bibliography Cornell has also attempted to discredit our own primary sources, falsely claiming that links in our submissions and bibliography are missing or broken. This is categorically untrue.Our bibliography is fully categorized, partially annotated, and all links remain active and accessible. Unlike Cornell’s opaque 39-page table—virtually unreadable without a wide-screen monitor— our bibliography was carefully designed for clarity and accessibility. Volunteers from Zero Waste Ithaca and our allies compiled these sources one by one over the course of a year to ensure a well-organized, comprehensible resource. We encourage Planning Board members to review our sources directly rather than accepting Cornell’s mischaracterizations. Misrepresentation of EPA FRAP Studies One of the most glaring examples of Cornell’s ongoing misrepresentation is its handling of the EPA’s Federal Research Action Plan (FRAP) studies on synthetic turf and crumb rubber. This is relevant for the call for GEIS, and an example of the broader misrepresentations of studies, and it is also misrepresented in the 3/4/25 agenda packet, so allow me to detail it here. 1.Distorting FRAP 1 Findings (2019) Of the three EPA sources cited in Cornell’s previous submissions includes the 2019 Tire Crumb Rubber Characterization (FRAP 1). Cornell misrepresents its findings. The EPA explicitly stated that FRAP 1 was not a risk assessment but merely a study to characterize the presence of chemicals in crumb rubber.Cornell, however, presents the findings as though they confirm the safety of synthetic turf, misleading decision-makers about the study's intent. 2.Omitting and Misrepresenting FRAP 2 (2024) Cornell initially omitted any reference to the 2024 FRAP 2 study in its April submission of “Additional Materials” to the planning board, despite its relevance. When it did acknowledge FRAP 2 in its July submission, Cornell falsely claimed that FRAP 2 showed “no exposures occurred” to hazardous chemicals. This is demonstrably false. FRAP 2 found that synthetic turf users are exposed to hazardous chemicals through inhalation, dermal absorption, and ingestion,particularly in indoor settings. By strategically avoiding FRAP 2 in April and distorting its conclusions in July, Cornell misleads. 3.Use of Irrelevant EPA Sources Cornell’s earlier submissions includes two other EPA references with little or no relevance to synthetic turf: ·Regional Screening Levels for Chemical Contaminants at Superfund Sites: A database intended for hazardous waste sites, not for synthetic turf exposure assessments. ·Learn About Heat Islands: A general webpage discussing urban heat islands without specific mention of synthetic turf's heat retention properties. These sources provide no meaningful scientific basis for Cornell's claims and appear to be included solely to obscure the lack of relevant supporting evidence. The examples outlined above—from the CY Jim study to synthetic turf disposal, to the EPA FRAP studies—are not isolated incidents. They reflect a broader pattern of selective use of data, misleading framing, and outright misrepresentation. This is deeply concerning, particularly as it pertains to public health and environmental decision-making. Given this pattern, I urge the Planning Board to conduct an independent and thorough review of the claims made in Cornell’s submissions. Relying on Cornell’s representations without scrutiny risks basing policy decisions on incomplete or inaccurate information. I appreciate your time and consideration of this matter. Sincerely, Yayoi Koizumi Zero Waste Ithaca References: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Synthetic Turf Field Recycled Tire Crumb Rubber Research Under the Federal Research Action Plan: Final Report, Part 1 – Tire Crumb Rubber Characterization, Volumes 1 and 2.EPA/600/R-19/051, July 2019. https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/july-2019-report-tire-crumb-rubber-characterization-0. Known as FRAP (Federal Research Action Plan) 1, this study characterizes the chemical composition of tire-derived crumb rubber (TDCR) used in synthetic turf fields, identifying the presence of metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). The EPA explicitly states that this report is not a risk assessment and does not evaluate health impacts. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.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-24/044, April 2024. https://www.epa.gov/chemical-research/tire-crumb-exposure-characterization-report-volumes- 1-and-2. This follow-up study known as known as FRAP (Federal Research Action Plan) 2 assesses human exposure to chemicals in synthetic turf fields through inhalation, dermal contact, and ingestion. Findings confirm that players are exposed to hazardous substances, particularly in indoor environments, though the report does not conduct a full health risk assessment. Zero Waste Ithaca.The Case Against Artificial Turf Expansion at Cornell: A Bibliography . Updated February 18, 2025, Accessed March 4, 2025 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wZA9W7i-cU9rSOxzSTuGJit9pJtEM-s_4bfbmO26R- Q/edit?tab=t.0 Dear Town Planning Board Members, Thank you for considering a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) and for continuing to discuss the synthetic turf project. Our collective efforts have resulted in at least a partial victory—Cornell is now claiming in the latest agenda document for the 3/4/25 meeting that they will install "only" three synthetic turf fields (Pages 16, 171) on Game Farm Road, rather than the five or six fields included in their 2015 plans (Page 7) or their April submission of “Long Range Vision” to the Town and City Planning Boards for the Meinig “Fieldhouse” Project. This is a direct result of community pressure, proving that our advocacy is making a difference. However, this new claim is not legally binding. Cornell has a history of altering plans, and without a GEIS, as previously suggested by the Town Planning Board, there is no mechanism to hold them accountable. As it stands, the number of synthetic turf fields on Cornell’s campus is set to reach at least 11 "for the foreseeable future"(Page 171)—and potentially more. Yet, Cornell remains vehemently opposed to a GEIS and continues to dismiss legitimate community concerns. Cornell’s Continued Push for Expansion & Lack of Transparency At the last Town Planning Board meeting, a major donor to Cornell Athletics—who has contributed millions—publicly expressed frustration over project delays. She has reportedly pressured the administration to fast-track the process (Faraj, 2025, Cornell Daily Sun: link). The administration has responded by intensifying efforts to push this project forward and opposing the GEIS, as seen in the 200-page agenda packet for the upcoming meeting. It is critical to state the obvious: It is not the fault of the community, nor the town or city, that Cornell unilaterally removed its own turf fields on Tower Road without a backup plan, despite an ongoing lawsuit and public opposition due to the long-term environmental and public health risks posed by synthetic turf. Yet, they are now pushing for another synthetic turf installation—and potentially more—without proper oversight. Why is Cornell Fighting a GEIS if Synthetic Turf is Truly Safe? It is difficult to understand why Cornell so aggressively opposes a GEIS or a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) while simultaneously spending substantial institutional resources to downplay the well-documented concerns about microplastic pollution and PFAS. They insist that the Game Farm Road turf—especially the field hockey field—is somehow different, safer, and exempt from scrutiny. If this turf is truly safe, why oppose a full environmental assessment? ● Microplastics remain a major issue regardless of the specific type of turf. Cornell’s proposed mitigation measures are insufficient, addressing only partial runoff control and redirecting captured plastic waste to landfills outside of Ithaca—merely shifting contamination elsewhere. Many questions remain about the effectiveness of their filtration system and this does not address air emissions, soil contamination, and microplastics tracked on clothes and shoes of athletes. ● Cornell continues to suggest adding more synthetic turf fields. Despite public concerns, they are still considering at least one additional synthetic field on Game Farm Road, in addition to the baseball field already in use. A GEIS is absolutely necessary. ● PFAS concerns remain unresolved. Cornell claims the turf will be "PFAS-free," but without independent, publicly overseen pre-construction testing, there is no way to verify this. Testing must align with the PFAS definition in the New York State’s Carpet Law and be conducted under public oversight—not by Cornell. ● Cornell has full control over its own testing. They determine the “independent” testing lab, methodology, and thresholds, funded by themselves, leaving no truly independent oversight. This is why a GEIS and third-party verification are crucial. Cornell’s Discrediting Tactics The agenda packet for this project spans 200 pages and contains misrepresentations and attempts to discredit and dismiss community concerns—a tactic frequently used by well-funded institutions against grassroots advocacy. Cornell has repeatedly attempted to undermine public opposition, going so far as to imply malicious intent behind our objections. This is not new—at the January 7, 2025, Town Planning Board meeting, a Cornell University representative, Kimberly Van Leeuwen (formerly Kimberly Michaels), publicly stated that community members were spreading "lies." Public comments have already been submitted in response to these allegations. Rather than engaging in these personal attacks, Cornell should focus on providing transparent, independently verified environmental assessments. The real issue remains: The environmental impact of synthetic turf is significant and uncertain, as documented by the Town Planning Board’s own investigation in the agenda packet (Page 1-12), and it requires comprehensive evaluation—including testing for PFAS and other toxic substances, as well as a full assessment of mitigation measures. I urge the Town Planning Board to continue pushing for a GEIS. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Emily Jernigan References: Balesta, Christine, Senior Planner of Town of Ithaca. “Re: Cornell University Meinig Fieldhouse Indoor Sports and Recreation Center Project - Discussion of Additional Materials, SEQR Segmentation.” May 14, 2024. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fg4n5fanrv3o2xwf6dli5/PB-packet-5-21-24-Meinig-SEQR-Segmentation-Lo ng-Range-Vision.pdf?rlkey=1lq70pmm1q3ie7s4yn5z073my&st=87qgj6qr&dl=0 Cornell University. Game Farm Road Athletic Complex Facilities Master Plan. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University, June 2015. https://fcs.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/imce/site_contributor/Dept_University_Architect_and_Campus_Pl anning/documents/Campus_Planning/Game%20Farm%20Road%20Athletic%20Complex%20Facilities% 20Master%20Plan.pdf Faraj, Zeinab. “‘A Monumental Blunder’: Million-Dollar Donor Baffled After Cornell Destroys Namesake Field Hockey Turf With No Immediate Replacement.” Cornell Daily Sun, February 27, 2025. cornellsun.com/2025/02/27/a-monumental-blunder-million-dollar-donor-baffled-after-cornell-destroys-nam esake-field-hockey-turf-with-no-immediate-replacement/. Town of Ithaca. "Town of Ithaca Planning Board Agenda, March 4, 2025." Town of Ithaca, March 4, 2025. https://lfweb.tompkins-co.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=359650&dbid=9&repo=TownOfIthaca.