Yaphank community fears proposed facility may contaminate groundwater

There are concerns that a proposed car storage facility in Yaphank may contaminate the groundwater.

News 12 Staff

Nov 18, 2019, 10:20 PM

Updated 1,613 days ago

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There are concerns that a proposed car storage facility in Yaphank may contaminate the groundwater.
The property is a more than 35-acre parcel of land on County Road 101, just south of the Long Island Expressway. Florida-based developer NMF Holdings wants to construct a facility that would house thousands of used vehicles, including many damaged by accidents.
But local civic leaders say the property sits on top of the well's recharge fields. They worry contaminants that leak from the vehicles could end up in their drinking water.
The residents' opposition is backed by the Suffolk County Water Authority, which says this is a very sensitive location. In fact, the water authority sent a letter to the Brookhaven Town Planning Board urging it to reject the plan.
In the letter, the water authority's chief executive writes in part, "This project should be denied as it will likely contaminate the water in SCWA's public supply wells."
The Brookhaven Town Planning Board was set to vote on the proposal Monday, but a town spokesperson told News 12 that the developer asked for an adjournment. The vote will take place on a later date.
An attorney for the developer says his client is "very sensitive to the concerns of the community."


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