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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGFR Public Comments 1.21.25 PB meetingFrom: Jennifer Gemmell Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2025 5:17 AM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Subject: Arficial turf Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged **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 I am writing to express my concern over Cornell’s plans to use artificial turf at their athletic fields, including the one on Game Farm Road. Please require a thorough environmental impact statement on each of these proposed projects. Thank you. Jennifer Gemmell 26 Penny Lane Ithaca From: Jill Kellner Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2025 10:59 AM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Subject: synthec 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 Members of the Town Planning Board, I commend the board for its forward-thinking decision to consider a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for the proposed sports complex on Game Farm Road. Evaluating the entire project comprehensively, rather than in fragmented pieces, reflects a commitment to responsible planning and ensures that the cumulative impacts of the development are fully understood and addressed. Under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), a GEIS must be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) if there is any possibility that the proposed action may result in a significant adverse environmental impact. As specified in SEQRA: "If the lead agency has determined that the proposed action may result in a significant adverse impact, it will require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement." (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation). The threshold for requiring an EIS is intentionally low; it is sufficient to demonstrate the potential for significant impacts. Our continually updated and submitted 100-page bibliography, containing peer-reviewed studies and reports from reputable non-profits and independent scientists, provides robust evidence that the proposed sports complex may have significant environmental consequences. Combining the GEIS framework with a full EIS is essential for addressing both the broad, cumulative impacts of the sports complex and the specific impacts of its individual components. This integrated approach ensures thorough, transparent, and legally sound decision-making, fostering public trust and protecting our community’s environmental resources. A GEIS is also a necessity to ensure a comprehensive review of the project and its potential impacts; it is critical to avoid setting a problematic precedent where large-scale projects bypass full Environmental Impact Assessments through a series of piecemeal approvals of projects, especially given Cornell’s construction boom in the past decade that will likely continue to go on. Cornell now suggests that at least some of the remaining future field proposals at the Game Farm Road site will be natural grass, which is a positive development. However, the lack of specificity and accountability raises significant concerns. While Cornell representatives seemed to state during the January 7 Planning Board meeting that there will now be fewer than the total of 11 synthetic turf fields on Cornell campus as envisioned in the "Long Range Vision" plan, there are no details on how many fields at the Game Farm Road site will be natural grass, nor any guarantees or accountability mechanisms to ensure this commitment is upheld. This is precisely where a GEIS becomes essential, as it would provide the transparency and enforceable framework necessary to hold Cornell accountable to its statements. Reasonable guarantees could include a legally binding GEIS that specifies the exact details of future plans, ensuring that all remaining fields will be natural grass, as seemingly suggested, and preferably managed organically. Additionally, independent third-party verification should be required to ensure compliance with these commitments. Such measures would provide transparency and build trust that Cornell is genuinely committed to eliminating synthetic turf use, particularly given their own acknowledgment of the significant disposal challenges it presents (White, 2024) A GEIS for the entire sports complex would compel Cornell to develop a comprehensive scoping plan and conduct a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the site—an essential and reasonable step for a project of this magnitude and potential environmental impact. I urge the board to proceed with a Positive Declaration and to prioritize the preparation of both a GEIS and an EIS to guide this critical process effectively. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your commitment to sustainable development. Sincerely, Jill Kellner Ellis Hollow Road References: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. "Step 4: Determine Significance." Accessed January 14, 2025. https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits- licenses/seqr/stepping-through-seqr-process/step-4. Zero Waste Ithaca Artificial Turf Bibliography, accessed January 14, 2024. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2sZxvlmdRpuWe _ZIU/edit?usp=sharing White, Gillian. "New Synthetic Turf Fieldhouse Raises Concerns From Local Environmental Activists." The Cornell Daily Sun, November 7, 2024. https://cornellsun.com/2024/11/07/new-synthetic-turf-fieldhouse-raises-concerns-from- local-environmental-activists/. From: Yayoi Koizumi Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2025 1:25 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning; pbstaff@cityofithaca.org; council@cityofithaca.org; legislature@tompkins-co.org Subject: Fwd: Municipal and Regional Officials: You are invited to naonal webinar, The Trouble with Turf, Thurs, Jan 23 @ 1pm (EST) I am sharing information about an upcoming webinar featuring independent experts discussing artificial turf. I was asked to share this with municipal officials. Please see the details below and consider the potential impacts of plastic turf in our area, particularly with multiple projects by Cornell University. Thank you, Yayoi Koizumi ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Ellen Weininger <eewgrassroots@gmail.com> Date: Thu, Jan 16, 2025 at 1:16 PM Subject: Municipal and Regional Officials: You are invited to national webinar, The Trouble with Turf, Thurs, Jan 23 @ 1pm (EST) To: Dear Municipal and Regional Officials, Grassroots Environmental Education, a national science based environmental health nonprofit, is hosting a free national webinar, The Trouble With Turf, on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 1pm (EST). Artificial turf has become a controversial issue for many communities across the country. This upcoming webinar featuring leading experts will bring together government leaders from across the U.S. It is designed to help state, regional and local government and school officials, sustainability managers, building and grounds managers, public works managers, and environmental commissioners learn more about the science linking artificial turf fields with serious human health and environmental problems, and the alternatives that are available. You can learn more about the webinar and register here. Please kindly share the information with your colleagues and officials. Sincerely, Ellen Weininger Director of Educational Outreach Grassroots Environmental Education 914-422-3141 www.grassrootsinfo.org Our work is fiscally sponsored by NOPI - Nonprofit Incubator, a program of NOPI INC, a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation and 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 81-5089505. Donations are tax-deductible where allowed by law. Learn more at https://thenopi.org. From: Margot Brinn Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2025 2:29 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaff@cityofithaca.org Subject: plasc turf **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Planning Board, I am one of the many people in Ithaca concerned about Cornell's plan to replace real grass with plastic turf. Though I understand that grass has its problems, we know enough about the harm of plastic in our environment and in our bodies to know that synthetic [plastic!] turf is not the answer. I would like to request that the planning board insist on a binding GEIS for this project. Thanks very much for your consideration, Margot Brinn 600 Hector St, Ithaca, NY From: M Slawson Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2025 3:17 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaff@cityofithaca.org **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 Some statements you may want to use in the leer: The threshold for requiring an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is intenonally low, requiring only the demonstraon of potenal significant impacts. Zero Waste Ithaca’s connually updated and submied 100-page bibliography, which includes peer-reviewed studies and reports from reputable non-profits and independent sciensts, provides compelling evidence that the proposed sports complex “may have significant environmental consequences,” as defined under New York State SEQRA guidelines. Combining the GEIS framework with a full EIS is essenal for addressing both the broad, cumulave impacts of the sports complex and the specific impacts of its individual components. This integrated approach ensures thorough, transparent, and legally sound decision-making, fostering public trust and protecng our community ’s environmental resources. A GEIS is also a necessity to ensure a comprehensive review of the project and its potential impacts; it is critical to avoid setting a problematic precedent where large-scale projects bypass full Environmental Impact Assessments through a series of piecemeal approvals of projects, especially given Cornell’s construction boom in the past decade that will likely continue to go on. Cornell now suggests that at least some of the remaining future field proposals at the Game Farm Road site will be natural grass, which is a posive development. However, the lack of specificity and accountability raises significant concerns. While Cornell representaves seemed to state during the January 7 Planning Board meeng that there will now be fewer than the total of 11 synthec turf fields on Cornell campus as envisioned in the "Long Range Vision" plan, there are no details on how many fields at the Game Farm Road site will be natural grass, nor any guarantees or accountability mechanisms to ensure this commitment is upheld. This is precisely where a GEIS becomes essential, as it would provide the transparency and enforceable framework necessary to hold Cornell accountable to its statements. A GEIS for the enre sports complex would compel Cornell to develop a comprehensive scoping plan and conduct a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the site—an essenal and reasonable step for a project of this magnitude and potenal environmental impact. I urge the board to proceed with a Posive Declaraon and to priorize the preparaon of both a GEIS and an EIS to guide this crical process effecvely. Thank you for your aenon to this maer and for your commitment to sustainable development. Sincerely, Melinda Slawson West Hill, Ithaca From: Wendy Sue Skinner Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2025 11:28 AM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Subject: Please approve GEIS for Game Farm athlec complex Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Completed **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 To Town of Ithaca Planning Board: I have followed the news and information regarding Cornell's intention to install synthetic turf on several athletic fields on the campus. The science on the uncontrollable distribution of synthetic turf as it inevitably deteriorates appears sound -- but sometimes it's wise to rely on common sense. Synthetic turf is made up of plastic fibers that are under constant wear and tear. How can the chemicals and pollutants NOT end up in our soil and waters, and ultimately in us? Please continue with the GEIS process for the Game Farm complex to determine the facts and to give yourselves and others time to consider the cumulative effects of all the contaminating chemicals in our environment. It has to stop sometime; why not here and now? Thank you. Wendy Skinner 127 Giles S, Ithaca, NY 14850 Dear Members of the Town Planning Board, I commend the board for its forward-thinking decision to consider a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for the proposed sports complex on Game Farm Road. Evaluating the entire project comprehensively, rather than in fragmented pieces, reflects a commitment to responsible planning and ensures that the cumulative impacts of the development are fully understood and addressed. Under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), a GEIS must be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) if there is any possibility that the proposed action may result in a significant adverse environmental impact. As specified in SEQRA: "If the lead agency has determined that the proposed action may result in a significant adverse impact, it will require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement." (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation). The threshold for requiring an EIS is intentionally low; it is sufficient to demonstrate the potential for significant impacts. Our continually updated and submitted 100-page bibliography, containing peer-reviewed studies and reports from reputable non-profits and independent scientists, provides robust evidence that the proposed sports complex may have significant environmental consequences. Combining the GEIS framework with a full EIS is essential for addressing both the broad, cumulative impacts of the sports complex and the specific impacts of its individual components. This integrated approach ensures thorough, transparent, and legally sound decision-making, fostering public trust and protecting our community’s environmental resources. A GEIS is also a necessity to ensure a comprehensive review of the project and its potential impacts; it is critical to avoid setting a problematic precedent where large-scale projects bypass full Environmental Impact Assessments through a series of piecemeal approvals of projects, especially given Cornell’s construction boom in the past decade that will likely continue to go on. Cornell now suggests that at least some of the remaining future field proposals at the Game Farm Road site will be natural grass, which is a positive development. However, the lack of specificity and accountability raises significant concerns. While Cornell representatives seemed to state during the January 7 Planning Board meeting that there will now be fewer than the total of 11 synthetic turf fields on Cornell campus as envisioned in the "Long Range Vision" plan, there are no details on how many fields at the Game Farm Road site will be natural grass, nor any guarantees or accountability mechanisms to ensure this commitment is upheld. This is precisely where a GEIS becomes essential, as it would provide the transparency and enforceable framework necessary to hold Cornell accountable to its statements. Reasonable guarantees could include a legally binding GEIS that specifies the exact details of future plans, ensuring that all remaining fields will be natural grass, as seemingly suggested, and preferably managed organically. Additionally, independent third-party verification should be required to ensure compliance with these commitments. Such measures would provide transparency and build trust that Cornell is genuinely committed to eliminating synthetic turf use, particularly given their own acknowledgment of the significant disposal challenges it presents (White, 2024) A GEIS for the entire sports complex would compel Cornell to develop a comprehensive scoping plan and conduct a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the site—an essential and reasonable step for a project of this magnitude and potential environmental impact. I urge the board to proceed with a Positive Declaration and to prioritize the preparation of both a GEIS and an EIS to guide this critical process effectively. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your commitment to sustainable development. Sincerely, From: Kirianne Weaver Sent: Friday, January 17, 2025 9:37 AM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaff@cityofithaca.org Subject: Please support the GEIS before approving synthec turf. **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Planning Board, I wrote to you a little while ago about my own experience as a soccer player who years later grew a mass in my knee - a similar experience to many astroturf soccer players, especially goalies. In fact, the New York Times ran an article just yesterday, Jan. 16, entitled: "Cancer's New Face: Younger and Female." (Gift article linked below.) The article laments medicine's inability to make headway into these youthful cancers; in fact, for several diagnoses mortality rates are actually increasing. The data "strongly points to the possibility that environmental exposures and our lifestyles in the US are contributing to the rise of cancers in young people," says Neil Iyengar, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Please require an environmental impact study and statement for the sports complex being proposed. It is not just about caring for our athletes; it's about all our children, both now and in the future. Thank you, Rev. Kirianne Weaver 401 Salem Drive Town of Ithaca, NY. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/health/cancer-younger-women.html? unlocked_article_code=1.p04.FEmd.IXcAorg7H6ac&smid=nytcore-ios- share&referringSource=articleShare From: Timothy Hanna Sent: Friday, January 17, 2025 12:22 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaff@cityofithaca.org Subject: Cornell Turf meeng Jan 21 2025 **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 Good day, CU needs to complete the GEIS/EIS before being allowed to install this potentially- harmful material into our environment. thanks -- tim hanna timhanna1@gmail.com ! and breathe ! Confidentiality Notice: This communication constitutes an electronic communication within the meaning of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. Section 2510, and its disclosure is strictly limited to the recipient intended by the sender of this message. This transmission, and any attachments, may contain confidential attorney-client privileged information and attorney work product. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of any of the information contained in or attached to this transmission is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Please contact sender immediately by return e-mail and destroy the original transmission and its attachments without reading or saving in any manner. From: Lee Rogers Sent: Friday, January 17, 2025 5:11 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Subject: Cornell University/Health and Safety of Their Neighbors **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department The upcoming 1/21 planning board meeting is scheduled to vote on approving a GEIS on the Cornell University request to install artificial turf on its campus athletic fields. This study would determine the amount of harmful PDEF & PFA particles in the turf. The GEIS would secure a report on the amount of microplastics in the turf and the effects of such particles on the health and safet y of our community: town, city and county. Please do not approve the installation of this turf without moving forward with the study. For decades Cornell has secured Ithaca as a resource colony; drawing water from Cayuga Lake to cool their dormitories, expanding territory for student housing, calling on our fire department and traveling our roads without contributing significantly to our cit y budget. Please approve a GEIS before approving CU artificial turf. Lee Rogers Concerned Citizen on West Hill From: Lee Rogers Sent: Friday, January 17, 2025 4:15 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: hswartwood@townofithacany.gov Subject: Cornell University vs. the people, plants and wildlife Ithaca. **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 At the upcoming 1/21 Ithaca town board meeting there is to be a v ote on whether to conduct an environmental impact study on the proposed artificial turf at Cornell University. This study would reveal the amount of PVDFs & PFAs particles in the planned new turf. Please approve the study to protect the health and welfare of our communities: town, city and county. Cornell has been using Tompkins County/Ithaca as a resource colony for decades - Cayuga Lake water to cool campus dormitories, our fire company and our roads without contributing their Fair Share. Enough is enough From: Louise Myga Sent: Monday, January 20, 2025 2:22 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaff@cityofithaca.org Subject: Commendaon and Support for GEIS on the Proposed Sports Complex **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Members of the Ithaca Town Planning Board, I commend the board for its forward-thinking decision to consider a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for the proposed sports complex. Evaluating the entire project comprehensively, rather than in fragmented pieces, reflects a commitment to responsible planning and ensures that the cumulative impacts of the development are fully understood and addressed. Under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), a GEIS must be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) if there is any possibility that the proposed action may result in a significant adverse environmental impact. As specified in SEQRA: "If the lead agency has determined that the proposed action may result in a significant adverse impact, it will require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement." (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation). The threshold for requiring an EIS is intentionally low; it is sufficient to demonstrate the potential for significant impacts. Our continually updated and submitted 100- page bibliography, containing peer-reviewed studies and reports from reputable non-profits and scientists, provides robust evidence that the proposed sports complex may have significant environmental consequences. Combining the GEIS framework with a full EIS is essential for addressing both the broad, cumulative impacts of the sports complex and the specific impacts of its individual components. This integrated approach ensures thorough, transparent, and legally sound decision-making, fostering public trust and protecting our community’s environmental resources. I urge the board to proceed with a Positive Declaration and to prioritize the preparation of both a GEIS and an EIS to guide this critical process effectively. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your commitment to sustainable development. Sincerely yours, Dr. Louise Mygatt References: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. "Step 4: Determine Significance." Accessed January 14, 2025. https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits- licenses/seqr/stepping-through-seqr-process/step-4.Zero Waste Ithaca Artificial Turf Bibliography, accessed January 14, 2024. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2s ZxvlmdRpuWe_ZIU/edit?usp=sharing From: Caroline Ashurst Sent: Monday, January 20, 2025 12:30 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaff@cityofithaca.org; info@zerowasteithaca.org Subject: Commendaon and Support for GEIS on the Proposed Sports Complex **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Members of the Town Planning Board, I commend the board for its forward-thinking decision to consider a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for the proposed sports complex on Game Farm Road. Evaluating the entire project comprehensively, rather than in fragmented pieces, reflects a commitment to responsible planning and ensures that the cumulative impacts of the development are fully understood and addressed. I mirror Zero Waste Ithaca's sentiments regarding this change in EI evaluation. I also want to share (attached below as a link) that the community calling out Cornell for planning more turfs was not based on "inaccurate information" like the presenter at the last meeting from Cornell declared. We are aware that their promotional materials showed plans of multiple plastic turf on mulitple fields for a while now. We don't appreciate their lack of transparency with their plans- whether immediately in the works or in their broader vision: Their April long-range vision plan clearly outlines additional turf fields (see the screenshot below from page 7): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fg4n5fanrv3o2xwf6dli5/PB-packet-5-21-24- Meinig-SEQR-Segmentation-Long-Range-Vision.pdf? rlkey=1lq70pmm1q3ie7s4yn5z073my&dl=0) ...We see you, Cornell. Under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), a GEIS must be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) if there is any possibility that the proposed action may result in a significant adverse environmental impact. As specified in SEQRA: "If the lead agency has determined that the proposed action may result in a significant adverse impact, it will require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement." (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation). The threshold for requiring an EIS is intentionally low; it is sufficient to demonstrate the potential for significant impacts. Our continually updated and submitted 100-page bibliography, containing peer-reviewed studies and reports from reputable non-profits and independent scientists, provides robust evidence that the proposed sports complex may have significant environmental consequences. Combining the GEIS framework with a full EIS is essential for addressing both the broad, cumulative impacts of the sports complex and the specific impacts of its individual components. This integrated approach ensures thorough, transparent, and legally sound decision-making, fostering public trust and protecting our community’s environmental resources. A GEIS is also a necessity to ensure a comprehensive review of the project and its potential impacts; it is critical to avoid setting a problematic precedent where large-scale projects bypass full Environmental Impact Assessments through a series of piecemeal approvals of projects, especially given Cornell’s construction boom in the past decade that will likely continue to go on. Cornell now suggests that at least some of the remaining future field proposals at the Game Farm Road site will be natural grass, which is a positive development. However, the lack of specificity and accountability raises significant concerns. While Cornell representatives seemed to state during the January 7 Planning Board meeting that there will now be fewer than the total of 11 synthetic turf fields on Cornell campus as envisioned in the "Long Range Vision" plan, there are no details on how many fields at the Game Farm Road site will be natural grass, nor any guarantees or accountability mechanisms to ensure this commitment is upheld. This is precisely where a GEIS becomes essential, as it would provide the transparency and enforceable framework necessary to hold Cornell accountable to its statements. Reasonable guarantees could include a legally binding GEIS that specifies the exact details of future plans, ensuring that all remaining fields will be natural grass, as seemingly suggested, and preferably managed organically. Additionally, independent third-party verification should be required to ensure compliance with these commitments. Such measures would provide transparency and build trust that Cornell is genuinely committed to eliminating synthetic turf use, particularly given their own acknowledgment of the significant disposal challenges it presents (White, 2024) A GEIS for the entire sports complex would compel Cornell to develop a comprehensive scoping plan and conduct a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the site—an essential and reasonable step for a project of this magnitude and potential environmental impact. I urge the board to proceed with a Positive Declaration and to prioritize the preparation of both a GEIS and an EIS to guide this critical process effectively. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your commitment to sustainable development. Sincerely, Caroline Ashurst, M.Ac., L.Ac., References: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. "Step 4: Determine Significance." Accessed January 14, 2025. https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits- licenses/seqr/stepping-through-seqr-process/step-4. Zero Waste Ithaca Artificial Turf Bibliography, accessed January 14, 2024. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2sZxvlmdRpuW e_ZIU/edit?usp=sharing White, Gillian. "New Synthetic Turf Fieldhouse Raises Concerns From Local Environmental Activists." The Cornell Daily Sun, November 7, 2024. https://cornellsun.com/2024/11/07/new-synthetic-turf-fieldhouse-raises-concerns-from- local-environmental-activists/. With Gratitude, Caroline Grace Ashurst, L.Ac., M.Ac. www.carolineashurst.com @restorativeharmony -- The Fertility Formula Functional Fertility Coaching + Restorative Harmony Acupuncture 2022|2020|2019 Philadelphia Family LOVE Award Best Acupuncture in Philadelphia! *******©2024 Restorative Harmony Acupuncture, LLC. All rights reserved. This document is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to https://www.restorativeharmony.com/legal- disclaimers From: Yayoi Koizumi Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 12:00 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaff@cityofithaca.org Subject: Advocang for a GEIS: Accountability and Environmental Protecon for Cornell’s Sports Complex **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 the Members of the Town Planning Board, Thank you for your dedication to serving the public and for considering adopting a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for Cornell University’s proposed sports complex expansion around Game Farm Road in the most recent Town Planning Board meeting on January 7. We also appreciate your decision to move the public comment period to the beginning of your meetings. This is a very positive step forward, and we feel our trust in the board is beginning to be restored. I am writing to urge the Planning Board to adopt a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for Cornell University’s proposed sports complex expansion around Game Farm Road, including the synthetic turf field hockey project currently under review. This comprehensive approach is essential to safeguard public health, environmental integrity, and transparency for a project of this scale. A GEIS is a necessity to ensure a comprehensive review of the project and its potential impacts; it is critical to avoid setting a problematic precedent where large-scale projects bypass full Environmental Impact Assessments through a series of piecemeal approvals of projects, especially given Cornell’s construction boom in the past decade that will likely continue to go on. Furthermore, Cornell’s shifting or otherwise conflicting narratives regarding the plan segmentation and synthetic turf recycling highlight the need for a GEIS to ensure adherence to their commitments. This level of accountability is essential to safeguard public health and the environment. The adoption of a GEIS would ensure that the full scope of the environmental impacts is assessed collectively, rather than through piecemeal evaluations of individual fields. This is particularly important given the long-term implications of synthetic turf, including microplastic pollution, potential PFAS contamination, and excessive water usage in water-based turf designs. A full GEIS would also address concerns about Cornell’s shifting statements regarding future field expansions and their plans for synthetic versus natural grass fields. Cornell’s Shifting Statements During the January 7 Town Planning Board meeting, Cornell dismissed our concerns about their potential plans to expand the total number of synthetic turf fields on their Ithaca campus to 11 as “untrue,” even going so far as to label it a “lie” and accuse us of intentional malice. (See the Youtube video of the meeting on 1/7/25 2:04 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMXXCSOl5vk ) However, their April long-range vision plan (see page 7 of 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) clearly outlines five additional turf fields. (Red marks added to show the five additional field in the Long Range Vision Plan). Notably, this accusation of “untruths” regarding our concerns surfaced only after the Town Planning Board raised the need for a GEIS (Generic Environmental Impact Statement) in the same meeting, which examines the entire Game Farm Road sports complex rather than approving each field individually. Please note that Cornell University is currently the leading source of synthetic turf microplastic pollution in Ithaca, with a total of nine existing and proposed or under-construction synthetic turf fields . In comparison, Ithaca College has two, the Ithaca City School District has one, the Groton School District has one, and the Lansing School District has a proposed field currently under debate. Was it so unreasonable that we assumed at least two more of those will be synthetic turf? Please see the list below of what we gathered about Cornell’s synthetic turf use. There may be even more that we are not aware of indoor. Currently Existing Synthetic Turf Fields: 1. Hoy Field, 2007, baseball https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoy_Field 2. Schoellkopf Field, 1979, football, lacrosse, etc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schoellkopf_Field 3. Removed: Marsha Dodson Field, 2008, field hockey, Tower Road (removed to be replaced with a field house with an indoor synthetic turf) https://cornellbigred.com/facilities/dodson-field/10 4. North Campus Turf Field, 2022 https://scl.cornell.edu/recreation/north-campus-turf-field https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2022/08/cornell-welcomes-students-marks-milestone- residential-life (for date of opening) 5. Booth Field, 2023, baseball, Game Farm Road https://cornellbigred.com/facilities/booth-field/2132 6. Niemand-Robison Softball Field, 1998 https://cornellbigred.com/facilities/niemand-robison-softball-field/13 7. Ramin Multipurpose Room, indoor synthetic turf in Bartels Hall https://cornellbigred.com/facilities/ramin-multipurpose-room/73 Proposed/Under Construction Synthetic Turf Fields: 8. Synthetic turf fields at Meinig Fieldhouse, an indoor synthetic turf field https://www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter/Index/1647 9. Synthetic turf field adjacent to Meinig Fieldhouse, name unknown https://www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter/Index/1647 10. Field Hockey Field, Game Farm Road https://lfweb.tompkins-co.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx? id=357756&dbid=9&repo=TownOfIthaca&cr=1 11. Additional 5 fields proposed around Game Farm Road in Cornell’s “Long Range Vision Plan” (April 2024). It is unclear how many of these will be synthetic or natural grass. 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 The urgency for rushed approvals and construction may also relate to the upcoming PFAS prohibition in the NYS carpet law, effective December 31, 2026 (https://dec.ny.gov/environmental- protection/recycling-composting/carpet). Artificial turf is known to contain PFAS, even when manufacturers provide a "PFAS-free" guarantee, as documented in previous public comments for two synthetic turf projects for the Meinig Fieldhouse (see for example: Gearhart 2021: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H7jCbrN9vhIfvXpOaOAAftGSvbPdCIkbwZd4NpGa5kg/e dit?tab=t.0). Cornell claims that their synthetic turf will comply with the new NYS carpet law, yet provides no clarification or public accountability regarding the testing methods, thresholds, or the independent verification of results supposedly conducted by their “third-party” testing. Notably, it appears that Cornell will determine the parameters of the testing, including what qualifies as “PFAS.” Furthermore, the testing does not appear to include other harmful substances such as flame retardants or heavy metals, leaving significant gaps in transparency and oversight. The new carpet law defines “Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS substances” broadly as “a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom,” a definition aligning with the OECD’s definition (Wang, 2021: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.1c06896). It is also important to note that OECD is moving toward regulation of PFAS including PVDF (See European Chemicals Agency 2023: https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/2082415/2023-02- 07_pfas%2Bmedia%2Bbriefing_en.pdf/1661579d-353a-2fb0-1062-38fc3eb4bd78? t=1675849038730 and Pearce 2023: https://membraneconsultancy.com/over-reach-and-out-of- reach-the-eu-reach-programme-declares-war-on-pvdf-membranes/). PVDF and PVDF-HFP are employed in manufacturing of artificial turf blades as slip agents, added to prevent defects in plastic grass blades during production (See: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinylidene_fluoride, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection2023 https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/dsr/pfas-artificial-turf- memo-2023.pdf (Page 2) and New England Waste Management Officials' Association 2023: https://www.newmoa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PFAS-in-Artificial-Turf.pdf). Please note that the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLG) for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water are set at zero (https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas). These levels are measured in parts per trillion (ppt), not parts per billion (ppb) or parts per million (ppm), as even very minute amounts of PFAS can pose significant public health risks. Cornell now suggests that at least some of the remaining future field proposals at the Game Farm Road site will be natural grass, which is a positive development. However, the lack of specificity and accountability raises significant concerns. While Cornell representatives seemed to state during the January 7 Planning Board meeting that there will now be fewer than the total of 11 synthetic turf fields on Cornell campus as envisioned in the "Long Range Vision" plan, there are no details on how many fields at the Game Farm Road site will be natural grass, nor any guarantees or accountability mechanisms to ensure this commitment is upheld. This is precisely where a GEIS becomes essential, as it would provide the transparency and enforceable framework necessary to hold Cornell accountable to its statements. Reasonable guarantees could include a legally binding GEIS that specifies the exact details of future plans, ensuring that all remaining fields will be natural grass, as seemingly suggested, and preferably managed organically. Additionally, independent third-party verification should be required to ensure compliance with these commitments. Such measures would provide transparency and build trust that Cornell is genuinely committed to eliminating synthetic turf use, particularly given their own acknowledgment of the significant disposal challenges it presents (White, 2024: https://cornellsun.com/2024/11/07/new-synthetic-turf-fieldhouse- raises-concerns-from-local-environmental-activists/) A GEIS for the entire sports complex would compel Cornell to develop a comprehensive scoping plan and conduct a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the site—an essential and reasonable step for a project of this magnitude and potential environmental impact. Given Cornell’s insistence that there are no significant environmental concerns, one might wonder why they would oppose a full EIA. Could this reluctance be linked to concerns about the additional scrutiny a comprehensive GEIS would bring? The timing of this reluctance also raises questions about whether it is influenced by the upcoming PFAS regulations under New York State’s carpet law, which could pose challenges to their synthetic turf plans. It is also important to reiterate that Cornell may wish to avoid setting a precedent for requiring full Environmental Impact Assessments for similar large-scale projects in the future. This is a serious concern, especially given Cornell's construction boom in recent years. A full GEIS for the entire site proposal is an absolute necessity to safeguard public health and the environment. Recycling and Transparency Concerns Cornell has frequently publicized its commitment to recycling and reusing synthetic turf. (See Tompkins Weekly, June 2024: https://tompkinsweekly.com/articles/cornell-coaches-look-forward-to-more-spaces- to-play-as-new-indoor-fieldhouse-faces-approval-process/). Screenshots: Screenshots from Tompkins Weekly article (June 2024): https://tompkinsweekly.com/articles/cornell-coaches-look-forward-to-more-spaces-to- play-as-new-indoor-fieldhouse-faces-approval-process/ However, during the same January 7 Town Planning Board meeting, Cornell representatives clarified that the old hockey field turf removed from Tower Road was "too old" and "not recyclable." While we now realize that a single line on page 5 of the Additional Materials Submitted to the City and Town Planning Boards (July 2024) (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/j0q2chgs3g3p2eyqtx9kl/Meinig-Fieldhouse-Additional- Materials-Submission-071624.pdf?rlkey=gzft14ejxkak7xs7m24y2pxgj&st=dg4x2oto&dl=0) acknowledges that "there are no processing facilities in the United States that will process this type of turf," this information was buried in technical documents and lacked the transparency expected from an institution emphasizing sustainability. According to a reliable source, the synthetic turf from the old hockey field on Tower Road has been sitting at a gravel and sand mining site in Willseyville, NY since December 10, 2024, for over a full month, and not even heading to a landfill. What is it doing there? Most people who read the June 2024 Tompkins Weekly coverage would assume Cornell University will be “recycling” or “reusing” all of their synthetic turf. This also underscores the public concerns repeatedly raised about the impossibility of safe plastic recycling, its pollution potential, and the broader environmental harm and the lack of accountability associated with synthetic turf waste and manufacturing. Such contradictions between Cornell’s messaging and the realities of plastic recycling further erode public trust in their sustainability commitments. Adding to the inconsistency and confusion, Cornell also claims that the new field hockey turf at Game Farm Road will be "recyclable at the end of its useful life"—typically 8 to 12 years (page 6 of the 11-19-24 PB Packet - CU Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field Lead Agency, https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/umpcvh7xc0rpkhghcagaw/11-19-24-PB-Packet-CU-Game- Farm-Road-Field-Hockey-Field-Lead-Agency.pdf? rlkey=az8843glws14tdcdkqfqtbsvn&st=ait8f5cv&dl=0). This raises more questions than answers: It is curious that Cornell has not yet decided on the manufacturer for the synthetic turf for the new hockey field, let alone two around the Meinig Fieldhouse. This leaves us puzzled as to how they can confidently assert the recyclability or PFAS-free status of the new turf when they have yet to determine which product they will order. Additionally, how is the new "recyclable" hockey field turf different from the old field hockey turf, which was deemed unrecyclable? We urge the town planning board to demand Cornell to publicly disclose the technical details that substantiate these claims. What guarantees exist from 8-12 years down the road from now that it will actually be not “too old” to be recycled without contributing to microplastic pollution (See Brown et al 2023: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2023.100309 and McVeigh 2023 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/23/recycling-can-release-huge-quantities- of-microplastics-study-finds )? Moreover, what assurances are there that its manufacturing process avoids the environmental harms inherent in plastic production? Considering the well-documented challenges of plastic recycling and manufacturing, which have already been emphasized in numerous public comments, this claim appears, at best, dubious. To ensure transparency and accountability, we demand full disclosure of all contracts related to synthetic turf disposal, including the identities of contractors, the final destinations for removed turf, and the detailed transportation routes used. The public deserves clarity on how Cornell intends to handle both the new and old synthetic turf fields in ways that align with their stated sustainability commitments. Call for Accountability A GEIS for the entire sports complex would require Cornell to: 1. Provide a comprehensive scoping plan and full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the site. 2. Disclose long-term plans, including the number of synthetic and natural grass fields proposed. 3. Offer transparency in contracts with recycling and waste-hauling companies, and synthetic turfs transportation routes, and final destinations with verifiable third party check. 4. Ensure independent third-party verification of PFAS testing, of other problematic carcinogens in the synthetic turf, other necessary analyses, turf disposal, and compliance with sustainability commitments and full public disclosure of the test results, and expert testimonites on microplastic pollution, who are free from industry connections and Cornall connections. Specifically, PFAS testing for any proposed synthetic turf, along with identification of the products and manufacturers, must be conducted and disclosed before any construction begins. Please be advised that New York State’s new carpet law defines “Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS substances” broadly as “a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.” Without a GEIS, the public risks losing the opportunity to understand the full scope of environmental and health impacts, which would undermine trust and accountability. Given Cornell's insistence that environmental concerns are minimal, there should be no reason for them to protest a full GEIA (Generic Environmental Impact Assessment), let alone an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment). Their reluctance raises questions about avoiding scrutiny for future large-scale projects, a serious concern given the university’s construction boom. The public deserves transparency, accountability, and responsible planning. A full GEIS is the most effective way to achieve these goals and protect our environment and community. Thank you for considering this critical step toward responsible stewardship. Your efforts to safeguard public interests are deeply appreciated. Sincerely, Yayoi Koizumi 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 European Chemicals Agency. The PFAS Restriction Proposal: Media Briefing. Brussels, February 7, 2023. https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/2082415/2023- 02-07_pfas%2Bmedia%2Bbriefing_en.pdf/1661579d-353a-2fb0-1062-38fc3eb4bd78. Gearhart, Jeff. PFAS-Free Turf Recommendations. Ecology Center, Michigan. April 19, 2021. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H7jCbrN9vhIfvXpOaOAAftGSvbPdCIkbwZd4NpGa5kg /edit?tab=t. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. PFAS in Artificial Turf: Technical Memorandum. Division of Science and Research. February 8, 2023. https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/dsr/pfas-artificial-turf-memo-2023.pdf. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. "Carpet Recycling." Accessed January 21, 2025. https://dec.ny.gov/environmental- protection/recycling-composting/carpet. Peaslee, Graham, and Kristen Mello. “PFAS in Artificial Turf.” Presented at the NEWMOA Conference, April 6, 2022. New England Waste Management Officials’ Association. https://www.newmoa.org/wp- content/uploads/2023/02/PFAS-in-Artificial-Turf.pdf. Pearce, Graeme. "Over-Reach and Out of Reach: The EU REACH Programme Declares War on PVDF Membranes." Membrane Consultancy Associates Limited, April 26, 2023. https://membraneconsultancy.com/over-reach-and-out-of-reach-the-eu- reach-programme-declares-war-on-pvdf-membranes/. "Polyvinylidene Fluoride." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Last modified January 2025. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinylidene_fluoride. Town of Ithaca Public Meetings. “2025-1-17 Planning Board Meeting.” January 7, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMXXCSOl5vk United States Environmental Protection Agency. "Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Final PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation." Last modified April 10, 2024. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas. Wang, Zhanyun, Andreas M. Buser, Ian T. Cousins, Silvia Demattio, Wiebke Drost, Olof Johansson, Koichi Ohno, Grace Patlewicz, Ann M. Richard, Glen W. Walker, Graham S. White, and Eeva Leinala. "A New OECD Definition for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances." Environmental Science & Technology 55, no. 23 (November 9, 2021): 15575–15578. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c06896. White, Gillian. "New Synthetic Turf Fieldhouse Raises Concerns From Local Environmental Activists." The Cornell Daily Sun, November 7, 2024. https://cornellsun.com/2024/11/07/new-synthetic-turf-fieldhouse-raises-concerns-from-local- environmental-activists/. Zero Waste Ithaca Artificial Turf Bibliography, updated January 21, 2025. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2sZxvlmdRpuWe_ZI U/edit?usp=sharing Yayoi Koizumi Zero Waste Ithaca | BYO - US Reduces Founder | Co-Founder zerowasteithaca.org usreduces.org Our work is fiscally sponsored by NOPI - Nonprofit Incubator, a program of NOPI INC, a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation and 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 81-5089505. Donations are tax-deductible where allowed by law. Learn more at https://thenopi.org. From: Regi Teasley <rltcayuga@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 11:54 AM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaff@cityofithaca.org Subject: Arficial turf fields at Cornell //It ’s the Environment **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or aachments. Any quesons please contact the IT department Planning Board Members, The purpose of the Planning Board is to serve area residents and taxpayers by making informed decisions about land use. Though informal organizaonal culture may lead you to believe your purpose is to serve Cornell and “developers,” in fact, it is not. We are entering a perilous me of climate crises, biodiversity loss, increasing air and water polluon, increasing cancer rates among young people, and greater polical instability. Unless you have been living under a rock, you know this already. If you don’t know it, it is incumbent upon you to learn through study. Yes, everything actually IS connected. Placing plasc grass on fields will pollute our lands and waterways. It may also contribute to illnesses among the athletes playing on it. It may harm our precious lake and area wildlife. On the other hand, it creates a handy market for fossil fuels producers as a newer plasc product. But surely we already have enough plasc in our environment. Your responsibility is to require careful analysis of how such a project can impact our area. You already have plenty of studies presented by residents to indicate that arficial turn presents risks. If you do not require an environmental evaluaon of this project, you are simply failing us and jeopardizing us. President Biden praised former President Carter ’s character. Yes, character and taking responsibility do maer. Currying favor with those who have wealth and power is the low road. I hope you take this to heart. Thank you for reading and thinking about my comments. Sincerely, Regi Teasley Ithaca, NY ___________ Protect what is le, recover what is lost of the fair earth. William Morris, “Art and the Beauty of the Earth.” 1881 From: Hilary Flint Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 11:49 AM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaff@cityofithaca.org Subject: Urgent Opposion to Synthec Turf Expansion: Health, Environmental, and Personal Impacts **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 strongly oppose the expansion of synthetic turf infrastructure, both as an advocate for public health and as someone whose life has been profoundly shaped by the harmful effects of PFAS and plastic pollution. I relocated to the Finger Lakes after my home in Pennsylvania was contaminated by the East Palestine train derailment—a catastrophic event that was the final straw in a long history of toxic chemical exposures. This disaster forced me to leave the community I loved, uprooting my life in search of a safer, healthier environment. I carry a CHEK2 genetic mutation that predisposes me to developing cancerous and non-cancerous tumors. In my late 20s, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer, a diagnosis linked to PFAS exposure. As a result, I underwent surgery to remove a kidney and now live with just one, facing daily challenges to protect my health. The proposed expansion of synthetic turf fields poses an unacceptable risk to both public health and the environment, undermining the safety and sustainability that drew me to this region. Synthetic turf is a major source of PFAS and microplastic pollution, introducing persistent and harmful chemicals into ecosystems and directly jeopardizing community health. Studies (Zhu et al., 2024) have identified synthetic turf as the largest contributor to urban microplastic pollution, while other studies (De Haan et al., 2023) revealed its devastating ecological impacts. When combined, PFAS and microplastics create a level of toxicity far greater than either alone, as highlighted in this December 2024 study. For individuals like me, who have already suffered severe health consequences from PFAS contamination, the implications of expanding synthetic turf are devastating. Children and athletes using these fields will be exposed to harmful chemicals linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and immune dysfunction. Additionally, these fields seal off living ecosystems, eliminating habitats, damaging soil health, and impeding carbon sequestration, all while exacerbating the climate crisis through the use of fossil fuel-derived materials. Cornell University’s plan to expand its synthetic turf infrastructure from 11 to 12 fields reflects a troubling disregard for public health and environmental sustainability. Proposed mitigation measures, such as filtration systems, fail to address the long-term and widespread impacts of PFAS and microplastic contamination. Sustainable, natural alternatives exist and must be prioritized to protect our health, ecosystems, and future. Having been forced to leave my home due to toxic contamination, I am deeply alarmed by the thought of these same dangers taking hold here in the Finger Lakes. I urge the Planning Board to reject Cornell’s synthetic turf expansion and to advocate for sustainable solutions that align with Ithaca’s commitment to public health and environmental stewardship. Sincerely, (c): 724.730.1494 | (e): hilaryfflint@gmail.com From: Jennifer Gemmell Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2025 7:34 AM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Subject: Synthec turf **WARNING** This email comes from an outside source. Please verify the from address, any URL links, and/or attachments. Any questions please contact the IT department Dear Ithaca City and Town Planning Board Members, I am writing to express my deep concern about Cornell University's relentless expansion and use of synthetic turf fields, particularly with the Meinig Fieldhouse project, which is under construction despite community protests, and the Game Farm Road hockey field project, now under discussion at the Town Planning Board. This project was originally part of the Game Farm Road field hockey synthetic turf proposal but was segmented into a separate project, despite community objections raised during the Town Planning Board meeting on May 28 last year (City of Ithaca Public Meetings, 2024). It is critical to evaluate the cumulative impacts of Cornell’s growing network of synthetic turf fields, which now includes nine known fields, including those under construction and proposed. For this reason, we commend the Town Planning Board for its foresight in considering a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for the entire sports complex proposal around Game Farm Road, rather than conducting piecemeal evaluations of individual synthetic turf projects. This approach aligns with concerns raised in previous comments submitted by community members and Zero Waste Ithaca. Currently Existing Synthetic Turf Fields at Cornell: 1. Hoy Field (2007) – Baseball https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoy_Field 2. Schoellkopf Field (1979) – Football, Lacrosse, etc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schoellkopf_Field 3. North Campus Turf Field (2022) – Recreation https://scl.cornell.edu/recreation/north-campus-turf-field https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2022/08/cornell-welcomes-students-marks-milestone- residential-life 4. Booth Field (2023) – Baseball, Game Farm Road https://cornellbigred.com/facilities/booth-field/2132 5. Niemand-Robison Softball Field (1998) – Softball https://cornellbigred.com/facilities/niemand-robison-softball-field/13 6. Ramin Multipurpose Room – Indoor synthetic turf, Bartels Hall https://cornellbigred.com/facilities/ramin-multipurpose-room/73 7. Meinig Fieldhouse (Under Construction) – Indoor synthetic turf, planned to use crumb rubber https://www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter/Index/1647 8. Adjacent Synthetic Turf Field to Meinig Fieldhouse (Under Construction) –Name unknown, described as using "PFAS-free" organic infill, though many questions and concerns raised in previous public comments remain poorly answered by Cornell https://www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter/Index/1647 9. Field Hockey Field, Game Farm Road (Currently Proposed) – no infill https://lfweb.tompkins-co.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx? id=357756&dbid=9&repo=TownOfIthaca&cr=1 Additional turf fields are also included in Cornell’s “Long Range Vision Plan” (April 2024), which proposes up to five fields near Game Farm Road. (Balesta, 2024) The long-term implications of these projects, including whether they will use synthetic or natural grass, remain unclear. This is why GEIS will be critical in revealing the detailed long-term plan to the public. Critical Questions and Concerns: 1. What infills are being used across Cornell’s existing synthetic turf fields? We request full disclosure of the materials used at Hoy Field, Schoellkopf Field, North Campus, Booth, Niemand-Robison, Ramin, and the new indoor facility at Meinig Fieldhouse. This transparency is critical to assess environmental and public health risks going forward with the newly proposed project. 2. Why is Cornell moving forward with tire-derived crumb rubber (TDCR), despite its known risks? The European Union has already banned TDCR and similar microplastic materials due to their documented impacts on the environment and human health (Zuccaro et al., 2024). Cornell’s continued use of such materials shows a blatant disregard for local environmental and public health. 3. What are Cornell’s plans for managing and remediating the impacts of their synthetic turf fields? This includes addressing the disposal and degradation of fields at the end of their lifecycle, which will release microplastics and toxins into the environment. The additional materials Cornell has submitted to the planning boards to justify synthetic turf use are outdated, influenced by industry funding, and fail to reflect the latest independent scientific research. These materials must be scrutinized for conflicts of interest and bias. Broader Implications Robert Bilott, a co-author of the referenced study and a renowned environmental lawyer, has dedicated his career to exposing corporate malfeasance. His work uncovering PFAS contamination, depicted in the film Dark Waters, underscores the urgency of addressing the long-term health and environmental risks associated with synthetic turf. Cornell University’s decisions to prioritize synthetic turf over sustainable alternatives are reckless. Corenll's evident disregard for its responsibility to the local community, the environment, and public health is unacceptable. I urge the Town Planning Board to: Investigate all existing synthetic turf fields at Cornell. Revisit the segmented approval process for the Meinig Fieldhouse project. Require Cornell to align its practices with global standards that prioritize public and environmental health over outdated, profit-driven approaches. Issues with Cornell’s Use of Zuccaro’s Studies on Synthetic Turf Additionally, Cornell’s responses to earlier studies by the same author Zuccaro et al. (2022 and 2023) in the highly problematic “Meinig Fieldhouse Indoor Sports and Recreation Facility: Additional Materials.” dated July 9, 2024. reflect selective framing and downplaying of risks associated with synthetic turf and TDCR. In their comments, Cornell downplays critical findings from Zuccaro et al. (2023), which identified measurable levels of fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs)—a type of PFAS—in synthetic turf carpet and crumb rubber. By emphasizing the experimental nature of the methodology and the fact that tested samples came directly from manufacturers, Cornell attempts to frame the issue as isolated to specific products, ignoring the systemic risks associated with artificial turf materials. This selective reading minimizes the broader implications of the study: that PFAS are present in new materials, raising significant health and environmental concerns even before installation or exposure. Similarly, Cornell’s interpretation of Zuccaro et al. (2022) focuses narrowly on the conclusion that “very few regulations concerning synthetic turf exist.” This framing ignores the study's emphasis on regional disparities in regulatory approaches, particularly the proactive measures taken by the European Union to address risks associated with synthetic turf components such as PFAS, PAHs, microplastics, and heavy metals. Cornell’s narrow focus fails to acknowledge the paper’s urgent call for stronger and more consistent global regulations to safeguard public and environmental health. These selective interpretations contrast sharply with Zuccaro’s most recent findings (2024), which provide unequivocal evidence of the dangers of TDCR and advocate for a ban on microplastics like crumb rubber infill, already implemented by the European Union. European Union (EU) banned the sale of products containing intentionally added microplastics, including granular artificial turf infill such as crumb rubber, in September 2023. Cornell’s continued reliance on outdated and industry-aligned interpretations of these earlier studies reflects a disregard for the latest, science-backed evidence. Given the mounting body of research, including Zuccaro’s progression from earlier studies to the 2024 findings, the Town Planning Board must not allow Cornell to justify its projects using selective readings of outdated studies. The board should critically evaluate the systemic risks posed by synthetic turf, including its contributions to PFAS contamination, and reject piecemeal and industry-influenced narratives. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. Sincerely, 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 City of Ithaca Public Meetings. "Planning Board Meeting - May 28, 2024." YouTube video, 2:37:35, May 28, 2024, timestamp 1:40:00 – 2:14:00. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=pdzzownm-Zc. Cornell University. “Meinig Fieldhouse Indoor Sports and Recreation Facility: Additional Materials.” July 9, 2024. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/j0q2chgs3g3p2eyqtx9kl/Meinig- Fieldhouse-Additional-Materials-Submission-071624.pdf? rlkey=gzft14ejxkak7xs7m24y2pxgj&e=1&st=vutg5xxu&dl=0 This document selectively references studies included in Zero Waste Ithaca’s community bibliographic resources to address concerns about synthetic turf. While presenting a narrative in support of the Meinig Fieldhouse project, it raises serious questions about the balance and completeness of its interpretations regarding environmental and public health risks. Dark Waters. Directed by Todd Haynes. Performances by Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Camp, Victor Garber, Mare Winningham, and Bill Pullman. Focus Features, 2019. Zero Waste Ithaca Artificial Turf Bibliography, updated January 21, 2025. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2sZxvlmdRpuWe_ZI U/edit?usp=sharing Currently 110 pages and growing. 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. This international policy review highlights the significant differences in regulatory approaches to artificial turf and crumb rubber infill across various regions, including the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, and others. While some regions, like the EU, have taken substantial steps to limit exposure to harmful chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), PFAS, microplastics, and heavy metals, other regions have lagged behind. The study underscores the lack of comprehensive regulations and surveillance measures globally to protect public and environmental health from risks associated with artificial turf components. 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. This pilot study developed and applied an adapted extraction-analysis method to detect fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), a class of PFAS, in artificial turf fibers and crumb rubber infill. Results revealed the presence of 8:2 FTOH at concentrations of 300 ng/g in turf fibers and 110 ng/g in crumb rubber, emphasizing the need for further research into PFAS in artificial turf components. Zuccaro, Philip, David C. Thompson, Jacob de Boer, Maria Llompart, Andrew Watterson, Robert Bilott, Linda S. Birnbaum, and Vasilis Vasiliou. “The European Union Ban on Microplastics Includes Artificial Turf Crumb Rubber Infill: Other Nations Should Follow Suit.” Environment Science Technology 58 (2024): 2591–3. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c00047. This article discusses the European Union's groundbreaking decision to ban microplastics, including crumb rubber infill used in artificial turf fields, due to their significant environmental and health impacts. The authors highlight the urgency for other nations to adopt similar measures and provide evidence of the harms associated with tire-derived crumb rubber (TDCR). The study underscores the role of synthetic turf in microplastic pollution and challenges industry-funded narratives that downplay these risks. The inclusion of Robert Bilott, renowned for his work exposing DuPont's PFAS contamination, lends credibility to the findings. This research is critical for informing policies aimed at reducing microplastic pollution globally. 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. Sincerely, Jennifer Gemmell From: Adeline Suon Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 2:01 PM To: Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc: pbstaff@cityofithaca.org Subject: Concerns Regarding Synthec Turf Projects and Public Input at Town Planning Meengs **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 address concerns regarding recent public comments made by members of Cornell University’s Athletic Department and the presence of student-athletes at town planning board meetings concerning the proposed synthetic turf projects. I urge the Town Planning Board members to issue a General Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS), as advocated by other public commenters. Conflict of Interest Concerns It is important to recognize the potential conflicts of interest that arise when athletic department staff and student-athletes advocate for synthetic turf installations. These individuals have professional and academic ties to Cornell’s Athletic Department, which stands to benefit directly from these projects. For example: Athletic Directors and Coaches: The staff members’ job performance and departmental goals are often linked to securing new facilities, including synthetic turf fields. This dependence raises questions about the impartiality of their comments on environmental accountability. Student-Athletes: While their voices are part of the discussion, it is concerning that many appear underinformed about the environmental and health risks associated with synthetic turf (Hauptman, 2024). At recent planning board meetings, a significant number of student-athletes offered nearly identical comments focused on mental and physical health, sports career advancement, and team performance. While these personal concerns are valid within their context, they are unrelated to the core purpose of the Planning Board's process: assessing the environmental impacts of the project. The Planning Board has a responsibility to conduct a thorough and objective environmental review, regardless of non-environmental issues raised during public comments. With approximately 1,401 student-athletes out of a total enrollment of 25,898 (College Factual, accessed January 14, 2025), this group represents only 5.4% of the student population, raising further concerns about their comments being presented as reflective of the broader campus or Ithaca community perspectives. For context, see these reel and photos from the September 3 City of Ithaca Planning Board meeting regarding the Meinig Fieldhouse Project (Zero Waste Ithaca, September 3, 2024). Allowing such a potentially biased group to dominate public forums risks undermining the fairness and transparency of the planning process,as their interests may not align with broader community concerns, particularly regarding environmental and public health impacts. Questionable Tactics and Industry Parallels The strategy of bringing several dozen student-athletes—most of them likely underinformed about the health risks and environmental consequences of synthetic turf—to town planning board meetings to drown out community opposition mirrors tactics used by industries such as petrochemicals to sway public opinion. These tactics create a false impression of overwhelming support while silencing or overshadowing dissenting voices. Recommendations 1. Scrutiny of Public Comments: We urge the board to carefully evaluate the potential biases in comments from individuals with direct institutional ties to Cornell University’s Athletic Department. 2. Encourage Genuine Dialogue: Ensure that public meetings are inclusive of diverse perspectives, particularly from independent environmental experts, community members, and health professionals. 3. Redirect Internal Concerns: Operational complaints, such as those from the field hockey coach raised in the 1/7 town planning board meeting about the field relocation to Game Farm Road, should be addressed within Cornell’s administration rather than in public forums aimed at environmental accountability. 4. Prioritize Environmental and Public Health: Decision-making should focus on long-term sustainability and minimizing harm to the environment and community health, rather than accommodating the university's convenience. We appreciate the opportunity to voice these concerns and respectfully urge the board to ensure that public input processes remain fair, unbiased, and focused on the broader public interest. Sincerely, Reference: College Factual. "Cornell University Athletics Programs." Accessed January 14, 2025. https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/cornell-university/student-life/sports/. Hauptman, Carver. “Letter to the Editor: We Deserve Full Disclosure on Synthetic Turf Health Risks.” Cornell Daily Sun. October 1, 2024. https://cornellsun.com/2024/10/01/letter-to-the-editor-we-deserve-full-disclosure-on- synthetic-turf-health-risks/ Zero Waste Ithaca. Instagram Reel. September 3, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/p/C_eUDw5zYIE/?img_index=1 Peter Bardaglio Thursday,January 16,2025 5:36 PM To:Town Of Ithaca Planning Cc:pbstaff@cityofithaca.org Subject:Commendation and Support for GEIS on the Proposed Sports Complex **WARNING**This email comes from an outside source.Please verify the rom address,any URL links,and/or attachments.Any questions please ontact the IT department Dear Members of the Town Planning Board, |commend the board for its forward-thinking decision to consider a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS)for the proposed sports compiex on Game Farm Road.Evaluating the entire project comprehensively,rather than in fragmented pieces,reflects a commitment to responsible planning and ensures that the cumulative impacts of the development are fully understood and addressed. Under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA),a GEIS must be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)if there is any possibility that the proposed action may result in a significant adverse environmental impact.As specified in SEQRA,"If the lead agency has determined that the proposed action may result in a significant adverse impact,it will require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.”(New York State Department of Environmental Conservation). The threshold for requiring an EIS is intentionally low:one need only demonstrate the potential for significant impacts.Zero Waste Ithaca’s 100-page bibliography, containing peer-reviewed studies and reports from reputable non-profits and independent scientists,provides robust evidence that the proposed sports complex may have significant environmental consequences. Combining the GEIS framework with a full EIS is essential for addressing both the broad,cumulative impacts of the sports complex and the specific impacts of its individual components.This integrated approach ensures thorough,transparent, and legally sound decision-making,fostering public trust and protecting our community’s environmental resources. A GEIS is also a necessity to ensure a comprehensive review of the project and its potential impacts;it is critical to avoid setting a problematic precedent where large- scale projects bypass full Environmental Impact Assessments through a series of piecemeal approvals of projects,especially given Cornell's recent construction boom that will in all likelinood continue. Cornell now suggests that at least some of the remaining future field proposals at the Game Farm Road site will be natural grass,which is a positive development. The lack of specificity and accountability,however,raises significant concerns. This is precisely where a GEIS becomes essential,as it would provide the transparency and enforceable framework necessary to hold Cornell accountable to its statements. Reasonable guarantees could include a legally binding GEIS that specifies the exact details of future plans,ensuring that all remaining fields will be natural grass and preferably managed organically.In addition,independent third-party verification should be required to ensure compliance with these commitments. Such measures would provide transparency and build trust that Cornell is genuinely committed to eliminating synthetic turf use,particularly given their own acknowledgment of the significant disposal challenges it presents (White,2024) A GEIS for the entire sports complex would compel Cornell to develop a comprehensive scoping plan and conduct a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)for the site—an essential and reasonable step for a project of this magnitude and potential environmental impact. 1 urge the board to proceed with a Positive Declaration and to prioritize the preparation of both a GEIS and an EIS to guide this critical process effectively. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your commitment to sustainable development. Sincerely, Peter W.Bardaglio 9748 Arden Rd. Trumansburg,NY 14886 CHR fonmert Anne Rhodes Ly Thursday,January 16,2025 1:12 PM To:Town Of Ithaca Planning Ce:pbstaff@cityofithaca.org Subject:Commendation and Support for GEIS on the Proposed Sports Complex Dear Members of the Town Planning Board, |commend the board for its forward-thinking decision to consider a Generic Environmental impact Statement (GEIS)for the proposed sports complex on Game Farm Road.Evaluating the entire project comprehensively,rather than in fragmented pieces,reflects a commitment to responsible planning and ensures that the cumulative impacts of the development are fully understood and addressed. Under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA),a GEIS must be accompanied by an Environmental impact Statement (EIS)if there is any possibility that the proposed action may result in a significant adverse environmental impact.As specified in SEQRA: “If the lead agency has determined that the proposed action may result in a significant adverse impact, it will require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement."(New York State Department of Environmental Conservation). The threshold for requiring an EIS is intentionally low;it is sufficient to demonstrate the potential for significant impacts.Our continually updated and submitted 100-page bibliography, containing peer-reviewed studies and reports from reputable non-profits and independent scientists,provides robust evidence that the proposed sports complex may have significant environmental consequences. Combining the GEIS framework with a full EIS is essential for addressing both the broad,cumulative impacts of the sports complex and the specific impacts of its individual components.This integrated approach ensures thorough,transparent,and legally sound decision-making,fostering public trust and protecting our community’s environmental resources. ” A GEIS is also a necessity to ensure a comprehensive review of the project and its potential impacts:it is critical to avoid setting a problematic precedent where large-scale projects bypass full Environmental Impact Assessments through a series of piecemeal approvals of projects,especially given Cornell’s construction boom in the past decade that will likely continue to go on. Cornell now suggests that at least some of the remaining future field proposals at the Game Farm Road site will be natural grass,which is a positive development.However,the lack of specificity and accountability raises significant concerns.While Cornell representatives seemed to state during the January 7 Planning Board meeting that there will now be fewer than the total of 11 synthetic turf fields on Cornell campus as envisioned in the "Long Range Vision"plan,there are no details on how many fields at the Game Farm Road site will be natural grass,nor any guarantees or accountability mechanisms to ensure this commitment is upheld.This is precisely where a GEIS becomes essential, as it would provide the transparency and enforceable framework necessary to hold Cornell accountable to its statements. Reasonable guarantees could include a legally binding GEIS that specifies the exact details of future plans, ensuring that all remaining fields will be natural grass,as seemingly suggested,and preferably managed organically.Additionally,independent third-party verification should be required to ensure compliance with these commitments.Such measures would provide transparency and build trust that Cornell is genuinely committed to eliminating synthetic turf use,particularly given their own acknowledgment of the significant disposal challenges it presents (White,2024) A GEIS for the entire sports complex would compel Cornell to develop a comprehensive scoping plan and conduct a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)for the site—an essential and reasonable step for a project of this magnitude and potential environmental impact. |urge the board to proceed with a Positive Declaration and to prioritize the preparation of both a GEIS and an EIS to guide this critical process effectively.Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your commitment to sustainable development. Sincerely, Anne Rhodes References: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation."Step 4:Determine Significance." Accessed January 14,2025.https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sear/stepping- through-secsegr-process/step-4. Zero Waste Ithaca Artificial Turf Bibliography,accessed January 14,2024. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qSgRdKSPBKYdPn_8kMifFHyGr2sZxvimdRpww e_Z|U/edit?usp=sharing White, Gillian."New Synthetic Turf Fieldhouse Raises Concerns From Local Environmental Activists."The Cornell Daily Sun,November 7, 2024.https://cornellsun.com/2024/11/07/new-synthetic-turf-fieldhouse- from-local-environmental-activists/. 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. "Looking at life from a different perspective makes you realize that it's not the deer that is crossing the road,rather it's the road that is crossing the forest."- Mohammad Ali