EPA Community Advisory Group Has First Fridley Meeting Tuesday

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency convened the citizen panel in response to pollution concerns first raised by the Fridley Cancer Cluster Facebook group.

All are welcome when the new Community Advisory Group (CAG) meets for the first time Tuesday to discuss concerns about pollution in the Fridley area. The meeting is set for March 26, 2013, 6–8 p.m., at the Fridley Community Center. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency formed the CAG after citizens raised concerns about Superfund sites in Fridley—particularly on Facebook at the Fridley Cancer Cluster page, during a townhall meeting featuring famed activist Erin Brockovich, and at a meeting of state, local and federal officials at the Minnesota State Capitol. Related:

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New Erin Brockovich Website Has a Page for Fridley

Brockovich.com says 'Fridley is one of the worst Superfund sites in the country.'

First the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency created a special web page for environmental concerns in Fridley, then the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency followed suit with its own Fridley web page—and established a Citizen Advisory Group (CAG) to boot. (The Fridley CAG's first meeting in March 26, 2013.) Now consumer advocate Erin Brockovich, whose 2012 visit to Fridley kicked interest in local effects of industrial pollution into a higher gear, has created a page for Fridley at her new website, Brockovich.com. Jason McCarty posted the link Tuesday at the page for the group he founded on Facebook, Fridley Cancer Cluster: "Erin's new website and Fridley is profiled." Here is what the Fridley page at Brockovich.com says: Erin Brockovich …

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March 26 Is First Meeting of EPA Community Advisory Group for Fridley Superfund Sites

The 'CAG' holds it initial meeting at Fridley Community Center.

This meeting announcement was posted Wednesday at the City of Fridley website: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Initial Community Advisory Group Meeting Fridley Superfund Sites   Tuesday, March 26, 2013, 6–8 p.m., at the Fridley Community Center. If you have any questions or need special accomodations at this event, please contact Nefertiti DiCosmo, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, toll-free at 1-800-621-8431, Ext. 66148 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays) or at dicosmo.nefertiti@epa.gov.   Additional information about the Fridley Superfund sites can be found online at www.epa.gov/region5/cleanup/fridley/index.html Related:

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Cancer Concerns: Fridley Patch Archive of Posts

Read up on the EPA's Community Advisory Group, Erin Brockovich's visit, City of Fridley videos and more.

ATTEND: Wednesday Info Sessions on Forming EPA Community Advisory Group for Fridley Superfund Sites

All are welcome at two information sessions, 1–3 p.m. and 6–8 p.m., hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is helping form a Community Advisory Group in Fridley.

Wednesday is your chance to learn all about the Community Advisory Group (CAG) forming to address concerns about polluted Superfund sites in Fridley. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting two sessions on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013 in Room 109 at Fridley Community Center: Here is how the EPA describes what will happen at the informational sessions: The workshop will give people a thorough overview of the CAG formation process. CAGs give interested people an opportunity to participate in EPA’s Superfund process to clean up hazardous waste areas. At these upcoming sessions, EPA staff will provide information on how to form a CAG and choose its members. CAG membership is voluntary and participants should be willing to serve …

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Fridley Mayor: EPA Citizens Superfund-Sites Group 'Long Overdue'

He credited the Fridley Cancer Cluster group on Facebook for "postive outcome' of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency forming advisory group on polluted sites.

Fridley Mayor Scott Lund joined local voices responding to news the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is forming a Citizens Advisory Group on polluted Superfund sites in the city. Mayor Lund's reaction, by email Thursday (link added): I think it is great! And long overdue as it is one of the mandates and requirements of the EPA to inform the public. Involving citizens and creating an open form will go a long way to inform citizens especially on an important topic that has been on many peoples minds of late. This is another positive outcome undoubtedly of the facebook cancer cluster. Their voice is being heard. Another elected official, state Rep.-elect Connie Bernardy, told Minnesota Public Radio: It seemed like there was a lot of …

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News of EPA Citizens Panel on Fridley Superfund Sites Sparks Comment

Fridley Cancer Cluster Facebook page members, MN Pollution Control Agency, Erin Brockovich investigator responded to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency move.

People around Fridley reacted to the announcement Tuesday that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will form a citizens advisory group focused on the city's polluted Superfund sites.  "Fridley Cancer Cluster" Facebook group founder Jason McCarty was first to comment on state Rep.-elect Connie Bernardy's post with the news of the EPA' announcement: "Can I get a hell yes on this?" "Traction is starting to occur...this is another great development," responded Don Roux. "Our baby steps are getting bigger!!!" wrote Jenny Terway Petersen. McCarty teased Nov. 2 that good news was coming and credited "headway" from a Nov. 1 meeting between group members and staffers from the offices of U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken. (Neither senate …

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On Air at the Health Fair: Sandeep Burman of the MPCA

Fridley Patch's interview with Sandeep Burman of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency from the floor of the health fair.

Fridley Patch spoke with Sandeep Burman of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency about the Commons Park Well Field and citizens' concerns at Wednesday evening's health fair.

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