HomeMy WebLinkAboutGFR Public Comments 11.19.24 PB MeetingFrom:Ashley Pizak <akp65@cornell.edu>
Sent:Thursday,November 14,2024 7:39 PM
To:Town Of Ithaca Planning
Subject:Cornell Field Hockey Field and 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
Good evening Town Planning Board Members,
My name is Ashley Pizak and I am a sophomore in the Nolan School of Hotel
Administration on
the field hockey team here at Cornell.I feel very passionate about the field hockey
complex
project as I believe it will help our team be a top competitor in all of Division I.
Being a part o-F the Cornell Field Hockey team has brought me some of my favorite
memories
and friendships.Not only this,but the team pushes each other to be our best
everyday.The
team keeps my mental and physical health in great shape and I truly do not know what
I would
do without them.
Playing on this specific synthetic turf is essential to this sport.It helps us
train to our best
potential and to what our competitors play on.It helps make our game so much faster
which we
would not be able to do on grass or other turf options.
My student-athlete experience would be improved by this by having a brand new
facility for my
last two years of playing field hockey.I would love the opportunity to end my field
hockey career
playing in a state of the art complex.
I highly support this project and I thank you so much for your time and
consideration.
Best Regards,
Ashley Pizak
Class of 2027
From:Annabel Cheveley <ahc258@corne11.edu>
Sent:Thursday,November 14,2024 7:48 PM
To:Town Of Ithaca Planning
Subject:Letter of Support -Cornell Field Hockey Facility
**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 evening Town Planning Board Members,
I hope that this email finds you well.
My name is Annabel Cheveley,I am a Sophomore on the Cornell Field Hockey team,
majoring in psychology.
I hope that you don’t mind me taking a moment of your time to express the importance
of
the new field hockey facility for our team.This project is paramount for our
program and
will have significant benefits for our performance but also our individual
experiences as
part of the program.It would be an incredible opportunity to play on a state-of-the
arts
facility and I myself would be honoured to represent such a forward thinking,
developed
program which would reach the highest level of performance supported by such an
amazing facility.
Being a member of the Cornell field hockey team is truly special and as an
international
student from London,I feel lucky everyday to be part of such a wonderful program.
This
team teaches me skills on and off the field and brings positivity to my everyday.
Playing on
a synthetic turf is essential for our team to continue developing and bringing its
high level
performance,without it we wouldn’t have the sufficient means to compete with other
high
level teams.
Therefore,I am in full support of the project and everyone of my team members will
have
an improved student-athlete experience as a result of it.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my email.
Best,
Annabel
From:Emma Poplyk <elp68@cornell.edu>
Sent:Thursday,November 14,2024 8:01 PM
To:Town Of Ithaca Planning
**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 hope you are well.My name is Emma Poplyk and I am a sophomore on the field hockey
team at Cornell studying Cognitive Science.
I am writing this letter to you all so you can see how impactful a new facility
would be for
me and my team.We work so hard playing the sport we love,and this project clearly
shows
how hard we work.We spend 20 hours a week committing to the sport we love as well
as
being students.I would not put that much work in if I did not love every aspect of
Cornell
field hockey.This new facility would be so beneficial and rewarding for all the
work we put
in.Playing field hockey not only helps me stay in shape,but is so important for my
mental
health and gives me the outlet that I need.
Our field is old and quite frankly dangerous to play on.The turf has no give to it
anymore.
We need a new facility.Playing on grass or infill turf is simply not acceptable at
the division
1 level.The game is not the same,it slows everything down,and -For how much work
we put
in throughout our lives I do not want to go back to playing middle school field
hockey.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best wishes,
Emma
From:Martha Broderick <mjb574cornel1.edu>
Sent:Thursday,November 14,2024 8:04 PM
To:Town Of Ithaca Planning
**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,
My name is Martha Broderick,I’m a sophomore field hockey player at Cornell studying
government.I have been playing field hockey for almost 14 years now,and I have
always
played on synthetic turf.Hockey has always been a big part of my life and is the
reason I
came to Cornell from England to play.This new turf will make a huge difference to
the
ability of our team to compete at the highest level and be a consistent top 20 team
that we
know we can be,after reaching new highs in the past seasons as a team it’s really
important for us to carry on the momentum.Having this new field will mean we don’t
have
to compete with the challenges our old field presented us with,being old and worn
out.As
an elite athlete it is really important to trust the surface you are playing on and
make sure it
doesn’t present you with more challenges.As a goalkeeper it’s important for the
balls path
to be predictable —that isn’t possible on our current turf or a grass field,only
on a new
synthetic turf.I really think this new field will give Cornell the ability to
really grow as a
program,and I fully support the new synthetic field being put into place.
I thank you for the consideration of our new field
Best,
Martha
From:Sarah Burns <seb392@cornell.edu>
Sent:Thursday,November 14,2024 8:22 PM
To:Town Of Ithaca Planning
Subject:Support of Field Hockey Facility on Game Farm Road
**WARNING**This email comes from an outside source.Please verify the from
address,any URL links,and/or attachments.Any questions please contact the IT
department
Dear Town Planning Board Members,
My name is Sarah Burns and I am currently a sophomore on the Cornell Field
Hockey
team studying Applied Economics and Management at the Dyson School.I understand the
decision on the municipal approval for the new field hockey facility at Game Farm
Road is
coming up.As a student and member of the field hockey team I wanted to provide my
perspective so you might utilize it in your decision making process.
I would like to express my strong support for the facility as it would be an
incredible opportunity for our team to grow and strengthen our future success.
Furthermore,as a student athlete Cornell is an incredibly academically rigorous
university
and this facility would greatly enhance our whole team’s student athlete experience.
Without this facility we would not have a designated home which would greatly affect
not
only our performance,but the team’s well-being mentally.We dedicate 20 hours a
week to
the team while balancing the coursework of a Cornell student,and to not have a
place to
call our own makes it even more challenging as we devote ourselves and time so
fully.With
the facility it would provide our team with the ability to grow to our fullest
potential
as athletes and people
Thank you so much for your time and consideration.I sincerely hope you are able
to take
a student perspective into account for all this field and facility would mean to us
on the
team.
Thank you,
Sarah Burns
Sarah Burns
Cornell University Dyson School I Class of 2027
M:(484)225-4314 I Linkedin
From:Olivia Weir <olw9@cornell.edu>
Sent:Friday,November 15,2024 9:55 AM
To:Town Of Ithaca Planning
Subject:Town Planning Board Members
**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,
My name is Olivia Weir,and I am a junior on the Field Hockey Team majoring in
Biology at
Cornell University.I am writing to express my strong support for the construction
of the Field
Hockey Complex on Game Farm Road.
As a student-athlete,I am deeply invested in my sport and the experiences that it
has provided
me thus far.The proposed complex would significantly enhance our training and
competition
capabilities,allowing us to reach our full potential as a top Division I program.
With state-of-the-
art facilities,we would have access to a world class field that meets official
standards,providing
a safe environment for practice and games.This would not only improve our
performance but
also help reduce the risk of injuries.
Additionally,the new complex would promote the sport of Field Hockey and build a
deeper
sense of community among athletes and fans.It would serve as a dedicated space for
field
hockey events,encouraging greater attendance and support from our peers,families,
and the
community.
Additionally,the complex would enhance our recruitment efforts,attracting top
talent to
Cornell’s field hockey program.Prospective student-athletes often consider the
quality of
facilities and support when choosing where to invest their time and education.
Having a modern
complex would put Cornell in a more competitive position when it comes to attracting
skilled
players who will contribute to the success and legacy of our program.
I have made some of my best memories through Cornell Field Hockey and consider this
team my
second family.I believe the construction of this complex is pivotal for the future
success of this
program for many years to come.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Olivia Weir
I
Ci l/1cj2c)
From:Constance Stirling-Engman <cstirlingengman@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday,November 17,2024 8:05 PM
To:Town Of Ithaca Planning
Cc:info@zerowasteithaca.org
Subject:More synthetic turf projects and their harmful effects
**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 am writing to express my opposition to the installation of more synthetic turf on athletic fields at Cornell.I
would be at the Nov.19 meeting,but will be out-of-town,so I’m writing instead.
Our world is already awash in microplastics and plastic pollution and we don’t need to add more.The
production,installation and breakdown of synthetic turf just adds more of a burden to our land,air and
groundwater.Once it is worn out,it probably goes to a landfill.The entire lifecycle of synthetic turf is a waste of
resources and the plastic will never biodegrade.
Even though natural grass and dirt playing fields may require occasional watering and some maintenance,I feel
that this is far better than creating more microplastic pollution.Our shared planet is already surpassing the 1.5
Celsius threshold beyond which global warming may be irreversible.We are already experiencing abnormal
weather patterns right here in Ithaca.
I am a naturalist,hiker and scuba diver and I see firsthand the damage from plastic pollution into our bodies of
water and marine life and wildlife.Ithaca has a reputation for being interested in sustainability and working
toward carbon neutrality.How can installing more synthetic turf help achieve that goal?
I implore the Town Planning Board to stop harming our shared environment with plastic pollution.Keeping
athletic playing fields natural would set an example and give people hope that if we reduce our use of plastics,
maybe we can restore some health to our soil,ecosystems and ourselves.
Connie Stirling-Engman
120 Warren Rd.
Ithaca NY
Artificial turf is a significant threat to our community and the environment.Key concerns include:
•Microplastics:Turf releases harmful microplastics into the environment.
•Health Risks for Athletes:Soccer goalies are especially at risk due to their close contact with the ground,
with harm compounding overtime.
•Toxic Algae Blooms:Turf contributes to harmful algae growth.
•Industry Myths:Claims of water savings,reduced pesticide use,and less fuel consumption for lawn
maintenance have been debunked.
1
•PFAS and Other Toxins:Artificial turf often contains PFAS (“forever chemicals”)even when labeled as
“PEAS-free.”Moreover,synthetic turf includes thousands of other toxic chemicals in its corriponents.
2
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Amanda Park <amandaparkfh@gmail.com>
Sunday,November 17,2024 8:47 PM
Town Of Ithaca Planning
Cornell Field Hockey Support Letter
Cornell FH support letter.docx
**WARNING**This email comes from an outside source.Please verify the from address,any URL
(inks,and/or attachments.Any questions pLease contact the IT department
Hello,
I hope you are doing well.Attached is a letter in support of the construction of the new field and facilities
for Cornell Field Hockey.Thank you for your consideration!
Sincerely,
Amanda
Ec
Dear Town Planning Board Members,
My name is Amanda Park,and I am a committed field hockey player for the class of 2029
at Cornell.My major will be Econ at the College of Arts and Science.Field hockey has been an
important part of my life ever since I made the decision to join my club team.I currently play for
LoneStar FHC in Dallas,Texas.Field Hockey is immensely important to me because it provides
a safe place for me regardless of anything else that is going on in my life.My team is my second
family and I am truly grateful 1 made the decision to start playing to fill my sports requirement in
7th grade.
When I started to get recruited by Cornell,I immediately knew I wanted to play there.It
is an extremely strong program and tight knit just like the team I currently play on.Although
Cornell is an academically impressive school,when I visited it was clear to me that athletics
were equally as strong.Ever since my sophomore year I knew I wanted to spend my four years
of college on a team.Arriving at college with a group of people like a family was always a dream
and goal of mine.Committing to Cornell has made that come true.I want to continue playing the
sport I love with a team I love.That is why I made the decision to come here.I also believe
playing a sport can build character in so many ways.Field Hockey has kept me disciplined,
focused,and grounded in times I may not have been had I not played.It has made me a much
better person and has taught me the importance of hard work.I look forward to continuing
growing as a person and player when I arrive in the fall of 2025.
When I discussed arriving as an athlete my freshman year,our head coach,Andy,
explained his excitement towards the construction of a new facility.This was amazing to hear
because as a player whose school plays on grass,it makes a tremendous difference to play on a
nice field.The best programs are undoubtedly ones that have synthetic turf.It is basically
essential to being successful.The game moves much faster and is much cleaner on that type of
turf rather than a regular field turf or grass field.Players and teams that practice on a synthetic
turf end up having much more developed skills at speed.This makes sense because they are
consistently practicing at a higher speed.
When field hockey was played a long time ago,it started on grass,then progressed onto
field turf,until it eventually developed to be played on synthetic turf.Every Division 1 school
has a synthetic turf except one.That school falls in the bottom 20 of field hockey programs.It is
best that as a program Cornell moves forward rather than backwards in time.That is why I am in
strong support of the construction of the new facilities and field by fall of 2025.I hope that us as
players and our program are taken into consideration.
Thank you so much for your consideration!
Sincerely,
Amanda
Julia Ramsey <jmr569@cornell.edu>
Sunday,November 17,2024 9:09 PM
Town Of Ithaca Planning
Cornell Field Hockey Facility
,1)c /Zt)
**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
DearTown Planning Board Members,
My name is Julia Ramsey and I am a sophomore on the Varsity Field Hockey team at Cornell University
studying in the College of Arts and Sciences.Field Hockey has always been a huge part of my Life growing
up.Cornell Field Hockey is a very special program.Being a part of this team has allowed me to grow as
not only a player but a person.I would not be the person I am without Cornell Field Hockey.Many skills I
have developed that will help me with life after Cornell is due to Cornell Field Hockey.Building a
synthetic turf surface is essential for our program to grow and develop.This program has helped to shape
so many young women into the successful,confident and driven women that they are today.This field
will help take this program to the next level.Therefore,we would really appreciate your support in this
development.Thank you for taking the time to read my email and thank you for your consideration.
Since rely,
Julia Ramsey
1
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
1
Fici oc&i
From:Polly Parsons <prp66@cornell.edu>
Sent:Tuesday,November 12,2024 10:24 AM
To:Town Of Ithaca Planning
Cc:Nicki Moore
Subject:Support for the Construction of the Synthetic Turf Field on Farm Road
**WARNING**This emaiL comes from an outside source.PLease verify the from address,any URL
Links,and/or attachments.Any questions pLease contact the IT department
Dear Town Planning Board Members,
I hope this message finds you well.My name is Polly Parsons,and I am a sophomore on Cornell
University’s Varsity Field Hockey team.I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed
synthetic turf field on Farm Road,and to encourage your consideration of this essential project.
The construction of a synthetic turf field would greatly enhance the field hockey teams’experience at
Cornell by providing a consistent and reliable surface for practices and competition.Unlike natural
grass,which becomes unusable in poor weather conditions and during colder months,a synthetic turf
field would ensure that athletes,including myself and my teammates,have a safe,accessible field
throughout the entire season.
Having access to this new turf field on Farm Road would be instrumental in supporting our health,
well-being,and athletic development.The consistency of practicing on a synthetic surface will also
reduce the risk of injury and improve the quality of our training,allowing us to thrive both on the field
and academically.
Thank you for your time and consideration.Your support would be invaluable in making this vision a
reality for Cornell’s field hockey program and the broader campus community.
Best regards,
Polly Parsons
1
CF
From:Colomba Infante <colombainfantelO@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday,November 18,2024 9:25 AM
To:Town Of Ithaca Planning
Subject:Support for Cornell’s New Field Hockey Facility Project
r*WARNlNG**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,
My name is Colomba Infante,and I am an incoming freshman at Cornell University,class of 2029.I
will be majoring in Economics,and I am proud to join Cornell’s Field Hockey team next fall.I am
writing to express my strong support for the proposed new field hockey facility on Game Farm Road.
Joining Cornell’s field hockey program has been a dream come true,and I am excited to represent
the university both athletically and academically.I believe field hockey at Cornell will be a keystone of
my personal and professional growth.Beyond physical health,field hockey supports my mental and
emotional well-being,especially alongside the rigorous academic challenges of university life.It is an
outlet to manage stress,foster a sense of routine,and offers a supportive team environment where I
can build meaningful connections.
I understand the trade-offs involved in development projects like this one.Concerns about
environmental impacts,light pollution,and increased traffic are valid and deserve affention.However,
the positive impact of this project on the student-athlete experience and Cornell’s broader community
cannot be overstated.The new complex would elevate the university’s field hockey program,attract
talented recruits,and solidify Cornell’s reputation as a leader in collegiate athletics.Besides,I trust
that Cornell will take thoughtful measures to address these concerns responsibly.
Field hockey requires a specialized water-based synthetic turf surface to ensure consistent play,
reduce injury risk,and maintain competitive standards,something that natural grass or older turf
systems cannot provide.This facility would not only enhance the quality of training and competition
but also provide an inspiring home for future student-athletes like myself,that would serve as a center
for team camaraderie and collaboration.It would be an environment where we could connect as
teammates and build lasting relationships.The sense of pride and belonging fostered by having a
dedicated home for our program would contribute to our overall well-being and success both on and
off the field.
I wholeheartedly support the development of the new field hockey facility and encourage you to
approve this project.Thank you for taking the time to consider the voices of student-athletes who will
benefit from this investment.
Sincerely,
Colomba lnfante
Cornell University,Class of 2029
1
Log
)cd —Sed ndRyereeaeSZ mtgChrisBalestra
From:Amina Mohamed <am2565@cornell.edu>
Sent:Tuesday,November 19,2024 4:37 PM
To:Town Of Ithaca Clerks Department
Ce:info@zerowasteithaca.org;Chris Balestra
Subject:Comment for 11/19 Town PB meeting
Attachments:MRBO Artifical Turf Works Cited.pdf;Cornell Artificial Turf Letter of Opposition.pdf
**WARNING**This email comes from an outside source.Please verify the from address,any UR
links,and/or attachments.Any questions please contact the IT department
Dear Town of ithaca Planning Board Members,
{am Amina Mohamed,|live in the city of Ithaca.|am a PhD candidate in the Department of Ecology and
Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University.|am also a member of Zero Waste Ithaca.|am grateful for this
opportunity to express my concerns about the proposed Cornell Game Farm Road Field Hockey Field project
and the artificial turfs that are part of it.Since many of the harmful effects of artificial turfs have already been
discussed during the Meinig Fieldhouse project,|would like to focus on two key aspects.
1.Arecent study conducted in Spain and published in Bird Conservation International Vol 33 by Sanchez-
Sotomayor and others showed that parks with natural grass fared better on many levels of avian
biodiversity indices compared to artificial grass parks.This difference was attributed mostly to
differences in abundance in common ground-feeding birds.The study also highlighted that replacing
natural with artificial grass in urban parks has harmful effects on urban bird communities and is a threat
to bird conservation.|have also attached MO River Bird Conservatory's letter regarding the Meinig
Fieldhouse Project for reference as it pertains to a similar issue.
Even though the study only looked at bird biodiversity this potentially applies to a wide variety of
other organisms including macroinvertebrates.|strongly believe that a plastic carpet that gives out
microplastics is only going to have detrimental effects on them.I’ve heard some Cornell representatives
dismiss concerns by saying that certain studies don't apply because they don’t use specific chemicals
or because the effects only impact particular animals.This approach saddens me because it ignores
the reality that Earth is one interconnected ecosystem,where every organism,plays a role in the
trophic cycle.Even if the immediate effects may seem minor,we still lack data on the long-term
consequences.Laying down artificial turf,essentially layers of plastic is not helping the environment.
.Additionally,in response to the claims that artificial turf might save water,a recent study published in
2024 in the journal Transactions on Environment and Development by Vyrias et al.highlights this
perspective:“Artificial turf has become popular on sports fields due to its perceived benefits in water
conservation and minimal maintenance compared to natural turfgrass.Nevertheless,the high surface
temperatures it generates during the day present a significant drawback."The study also notes that
"the most effective cooling effect was observed when water was applied in three cycles of five minutes
each,maintaining lower surface temperatures compared to unwatered turf over time."
We are deeply concerned about climate change and are actively working to undo the damage we've caused to
nature.Yet,why do we continue to introduce "forever chemicals"into the environment,where they persist and
circulate throughout the entire ecosystem?As someone deeply invested in nature and its biodiversity,|find
Cornell's disregard for environmental responsibility in corporate projects consistently disappointing.If Cornell
truly cared about its sustainability goals and reaching carbon neutrality by 2035,it would take meaningful steps
toward achieving that goal,instead of laying down more synthetic turfs.|urge the board to prioritize a
1
comprehensive environmental impact assessment for this project.|trust that you will make the right decision,<
considering the welfare of all present and future residents of Ithaca.
Thank you,
Amina
Missouri River Bird Observatory Artificial Turf Works Cited
Beyond Plastics.(n.d.}.Synthetic Turf is HAZARDOUS [Fact Sheet].
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OOFCqUS U WKVrSScd0gKRaOM4dgfzMm/view
Pochron,S.,Nikakis,J.,Illuzzi,K.,Baatz,A.,Demirciyan,L.,Dhillon,A.,Gaylor,T.,Manganaro,A.,Maritato,N.,
Moawad,M.,Singh,R.,Tucker,C.,&Vaughan,D.(2018).Exposure to aged crumb rubber reduces survival time
during a stress test in earthworms (Eisenia fetida).Environmental Science and Pollution Research,25(12),11376—
11383.https://doi.org/10.1007/s1 1356-01 8-1433-4
Sanchez-Sotomayor,D.,Martin-Higuera,A.,Gil-Delgado,J.A.,Galvez,A.,&Bernat-Ponce,E,(2022).Artificial grass
in parks as a potential new threat for urban bird communities.Bird Conservation International,1-8.
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0959270922000119
Tokunaga,Y.,Hiroshi Okochi,Tani,Y.,Yasuhiro Niida,Tachibana,T.,Kazuo Saigawa,Katayama,K.,Moriguchi,S.,
Kato,T.,&Hayama,S.(2023).Airborne microplastics detected in the lungs of wild birds in Japan.321,138032—
138032.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138032
October 21,2024
Subject:Request for Recall of Negative Declaration for Cornell's Synthetic Turf Installation Due to Environmental,
Health,and Justice Concerns
To the Members of the City and Town Planning Board,
The Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO)is a nonprofit research,education,and environmental policy advocacy
organization based in central Missouri.it is an affiliate of Beyond Plastics,Break Free From Plastic,and the Plastic
Pollution Coalition.Though MRBO is not a local constituent entity of the City of Ithaca,and as an organization we
have the utmost respect for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology,we are concerned about the decision made by Cornell
University and the City of Ithaca to embrace artificial turf.We anticipate that various organizations are supplying
you with abundant information about the effects of artificial turf and other plastics on human health.As a partner
organization of Zero Waste Ithaca,we are compelled to submit to the Ithaca Planning Board some of the most
recent research on the impacts of artificial playing fields on birds and other wildlife.
We are concerned that the installation of artificial turf fields without conducting an environmental impact
assessment may overlook the potential loss of overall wildlife biodiversity,with direct and indirect effects on avian
populations.A recent study from Sanchez-Satomeyer et al.(2022)analyzed avian biodiversity in 45 urban parks
throughout the Spanish Mediterranean coast.Of the 45 parks analyzed,24 of those had natural grass and 21 were
made from artificial turf.In these 24 natural grass parks,35.7%more bird species were.found than in those
renovated with artificial grass.The study concludes that parks with artificial grass harbor less biodiversity due to
lower variety and abundance of food.Researchers also concluded that the large-scale replacement of natural grass
with artificial grass is causing greater disintegration of plastics into the environment,leading to consequent
environmental pollution.Experts suggest that city council policy regarding public parks shouldn't replace natural
grass with artificial grass.
We express our ongoing concern regarding the decline in avian biodiversity,which is exacerbated by the
detrimental effects that artificial turf fields have on the habitats of birds and their prey.‘A study conducted by
Pochron et al.(2018)examined the toxicity of crumb rubber,utilized as infill in artificial turf fields,on earthworm
populations.Earthworms living in soil contaminated with virgin crumb rubber gained 14%less body weight
than did earthworms living in uncontaminated soil.Because many artificial turf fields contain aged crumb rubber,
further research was done to examine the effects of aged crumb rubber on earthworms.Research shows that while
exposure to aged crumb rubber did not reduce earthworm body weight as did exposure to new crumb rubber,
exposure to aged crumb rubber reduced earthworm survival time during a stress test by a statistically
significant 38 min (16.2%)relative to the survival time for worms that had lived in clean soil.New and aged
crumb rubber
Conservation via science,education,and advocacy
PO Box 16
Arrow Rock Missouri 65320
pose a toxic risk to earthworms,and an environmental impact assessment is necessary to further assess the toxicity
of crumb rubber and its impacts on the wildlife that birds consume.
There is further concern regarding the direct hazards to avian fauna associated with artificial turf.In a recent study
conducted by Tokunaga et al.(2023),researchers in Japan analyzed lung samples from various wild bird species
to assess the presence of microplastics.Six microplastics were detected in 3 of 22 lung
samples.Polypropylene and polyethylene were found in rock doves and ethylene vinyl acetate was found in a
barn swallow.The plastic top layer of artificial turf,known as fibers or artificial turf blades,are made from
polypropylene,polyethylene,and nylon (Beyond Plastics,n.d.).Research has now confirmed that it is possible
for birds to intake microplastics from the air into their lungs through direct inhalation.An environmental impact
assessment is clearly needed to assess the risk of sensitive avian fauna and the potential to uptake harmful
microplastics used in artificial turf such as polypropylene and polyethylene.
The Missouri River Bird Observatory considers Cornell University and the City of Ithaca’s proposed installation of
artificial turf to be a regressive step for avian biodiversity and health,as well as for human health and climate
change.We urge the Ithaca Planning Board to recall the negative declaration for an environmental impact
assessment on the grounds that more research must be done to fully understand the harmful impact of artificial
turf on avian fauna.
Sincerely,
LFSHR |)
Cameron Sromek
Dana Ripper
)
Cameron Gromek
Co-founder/Director Plastic Pollution Education Coordinator
Conservation via science,education,and advocacy
PO Box 16
Arrow Rock Missouri 65320