Residents voiced frustration at a meeting about radiation levels in Niagara and Erie counties, with officials offering voluntary relocation for affected families.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — State and federal officials faced repeated interruptions from angry residents Monday night during a community meeting meant to update the public on an ongoing radiological survey of homes across Niagara and Erie counties.

The session, held at the Niagara Falls Convention Center, was hosted by the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of the Niagara and Erie County Radiological Assessment. The project is investigating radioactive material believed to be tied to historical industrial waste in the region.



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DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton told the crowd the agencies understand residents’ fear.

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“People are understandably really worried. They’re scared. And I think what’s really important and what we want to deliver is action,” Lefton said Monday.

Lefton said as of Saturday night, crews had signed access agreements for 39 properties and visited all of them. She said the majority were cleared, meaning no further investigation was needed, but some showed elevated radiation levels requiring immediate action, including relocation offers for affected families.

EPA Region 2 Administrator Mike Martucci said all relocation offers made so far have been voluntary, based on screening data collected from yards and homes. He said the agency covers the cost of temporary housing and moving expenses for families who accept relocation.

But several residents said those offers have fallen short. Lexi, a resident whose backyard reportedly showed elevated radiation readings near where her 3-year-old daughter plays, said she was offered a one-night hotel stay near a location with nightly fireworks, which she said was not workable for her family, which includes a dog and two cats.

A newly formed advocacy group, Save Our Backyards Niagara, used the meeting to unveil a seven-point action plan. The group is calling on state and federal agencies to test every home in the survey area by July 27, finalize all relocation decisions by Aug. 10, and add affected sites to the state Superfund program for full radiological and toxic testing and cleanup.

Kellie Motyka, a spokesperson for the group, said the EPA took more than two weeks to notify one family of dangerously high radiation readings on their property.

A state Department of Health official said families should relocate if radiation is confirmed in their homes, but said much is still unknown, including how radiation is entering some houses.

Officials said the investigation phase is expected to take two to three months, with remediation likely taking longer. Save Our Backyards Niagara plans to hold its own community meeting July 27.