Suffolk County Officials Discover Second Contaminated Dump Site
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Piles of debris rising more than 20 feet have been found on an illegal dump site in Central Islip, the second such recent discovery in the area, Suffolk County District Attorney Tom Spota said.
The latest discovery is on privately owned land at Route 111 and Sage Street, Spota said Tuesday. Asbestos has been found in the debris, and officials are conducting tests to determine whether other contaminants are present.
"The weight of the debris is just spilling over," Spota told reporters, including WCBS 880's Sophia Hall and 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera.
Last week, Spota announced that about 1,100 tractor-trailer truckloads of contaminated debris were dumped at Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood. The park has since been closed to the public.
Spota said last week that his office was investigating a Ronkonkoma company and the Town of Islip, after complaints were made to the town and it did nothing.
"A few people did complain, but nothing was done about it," one resident told CBS 2's Carolyn Gusoff.
A spokesperson for the Town of Islip said the town did respond to complaints. The owner of the land was cited for code violations and is due in court on June 25, CBS 2 reported.
The DA said he believes whoever is behind the Brentwood dumpings is also responsible for the debris at Route 111.
He said there is a possibility the culprits have used other illegal dump sites as well.
"Some unscrupulous individuals believe that they can just go into the town of Islip and dump toxic and hazardous materials without any consequences at all, and I want to assure the residents there will be consequences," Spota said.
Suffolk County Leg. Monica R. Martinez said she wants answers as well.
"Who did it? When they did it? Why they did it -- needs to be answered by our town officials," she said.
Officials said the asbestos is not in the air, but residents who live near the Route 111 lot said they're worried about their health.
"Who's going to get it out of here?" one woman said to Rivera. "And where's it going to go?"
"It's frightening," another woman said. "It's not going to put me to sleep any easier at night."
Spota said anyone who lives near the dump sites should call the state Health Department if they have any health concerns.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories