LEE, Mass. Town Leaders have scheduled a "Save the Housatonic" rally in Boston at Sam Adams Park in front of Faneuil Hall  on Thursday, Feb. 27 at noon.

 

Lee Town Administrator Christopher Brittain hopes this will raise awareness of Housatonic River pollution in the eastern part of the state.

 

"We're trying to get the word about this out to a different audience, to a different media, as well as, again, there's a lot of whether it be political, or EPA [Environmental Protection Agency], or GE [General Electric] they are all in that area," Brittain said.

 

The 2020 Settlement Agreement between General Electric and the Environmental Protection Agency mandated remediation efforts concerning polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination within the Housatonic River. This agreement stipulated that GE undertake cleanup operations while concurrently facilitating the exploration of advanced technologies for PCB mitigation. 

 

The Housatonic River was contaminated with PCBs and other chemical waste products by the General Electric Company between 1932 and 1977. The contamination stretches from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, through Connecticut, and into Long Island Sound.

 

Adams Park is less than a mile from GE's Boston office.

 

Town leaders, environmental experts, and even Lee Elementary School 4th grader Jenny Hogencamp will speak at the rally.

 

"Her family has a small farm and lives within a very short distance of the proposed UDF [Upland Disposal Facility] site," Brittain said.

 

Other people speaking will be Lee select board members Bob Jones, Sean Regnier and Gordon Bailey. State Representative Leigh Davis will speak as well as environmental and health advocates.

 

Brittain expressed that there are alternative methods to clean the Housatonic River, besides the UFD method specified in the cleanup permit. He wants to raise awareness about these other options.

 

"The permit does not set a minimum that GE has to take out of state, it only sets a maximum for what they have to book in the Berkshires in addition to that the permit also states the use of emerging technologies and alternative methods," said Brittain.

 

He claimed that the GE is only motivated by cost savings to avoid alternative PCB cleanups.

 

"There is a better way to do this clean up, and the company that polluted the river is not doing an adequate clean up in order for them to save money. That's the point we want to make at this event," he said.

 

Brittain stated that the Housatonic River Initiative will sponsor a bus for anyone who wishes to join them. Those interested can call him at (413) 409-5976 to reserve a seat. He also welcomed those who prefer to provide their own transportation and show their support.

 

"We're really excited for the lineup of speakers,” he said. “We have a lot of people joining us and we are really grateful for that and I think it should be a really good event."