US Army Corps of Engineers to close public comment period on July 1st, 2024
Town of Clay, NY (June 27, 2024)— Micron’s development of a semiconductor chips factory in Central New York (CNY) will include the permanent loss of at least 204 acres of wetlands and 1.25 miles of stream. The public comment period on Micron’s permit application to the US Army Corps of Engineers (US ACoE) under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act ends Monday, July 1st.
Residents of Clay have publicly shared concern about the loss of flood mitigation and biodiversity (including two federally endangered bat species) which the wetlands contribute. Taxpayers will cover 40% of Micron’s costs in its first development phase and should be included in decision-making.
SustainCNY, a grassroots coalition of local community groups, encourages all interested parties in CNY and beyond to request a two-month extension of the public comment period and a public hearing regarding this permit application from Micron.
Comments requesting an extension and a hearing must be submitted before July 1st, 2024. US ACoE’s notice is linked here.
The public can send comments immediately by email to celrb-micron.public.comments@usace.army.mil, subject line: “Public Comment- App No: LRB-2000-02198, US ACoE, Buffalo District”.
Micron’s entire project will impact 100s of 1,000s of people, and serious issues to consider include protection of land, water, and vulnerable species; protection from PFAS (toxic “forever chemicals”) and other pollution; renewable energy; and equitable/sustainable employment, housing, transportation, and healthcare.
US ACoE was initially the lead agency for the environmental review of Micron’s project under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Then, the US Department of Commerce took on that role and public attention turned there. New York State is also conducting an environmental review and considering other permits under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. This changing and complicated review process creates exceptional challenges for community members to prepare substantive comments.
SustainCNY is a growing coalition of community organizations currently focusing on the numerous environmental, social, and economic impacts of Micron’s semiconductor chips factory coming to Central New York. SustainCNY’s organizing follows the policy principles of the 12 Traits of Sustainable Communities.
Image Eveline de Bruin from Pixabay
