Residents demand action against pollution from Saugus incinerator amid environmental justice concerns

The Cumulative Impact Analysis (CIA) Public Hearing held by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) on March 9, 2023, focused on the pressing environmental concerns faced by communities, particularly those classified as environmental justice (EJ) areas. The meeting provided a platform for residents to voice their concerns regarding pollution and its impact on their quality of life.

The hearing began with a resident emphasizing the urgent need to address pollution sources in overburdened communities. They highlighted the disproportionate effects of pollution on people of color and low-income residents, stressing that Massachusetts has some of the highest asthma rates in the nation. The speaker called for a comprehensive CIA that includes qualitative data on poverty, housing security, and chronic health issues, as well as considerations for climate change impacts like flooding and heat islands. They advocated for a holistic approach to evaluating new permits and projects, suggesting that green infrastructure could help mitigate some of these challenges.

Following this, Carmen Martinez, a resident of Lynn, raised concerns about the environmental burdens in Essex County, where three of the state's five remaining incinerators are located. She specifically pointed to the Wind Waste Sagas incinerator, citing its history of malfunctions and the dangers posed by its uncovered toxic ash dump. Martinez expressed alarm over the facility's location in a flood zone, questioning the potential consequences of severe weather events exacerbated by climate change. She also referenced data from air monitors indicating that toxic ash is blowing into surrounding communities, raising serious health concerns due to the presence of hazardous materials like arsenic and lead.

The discussions during the hearing underscored the critical need for regulatory measures that prioritize the health and safety of vulnerable communities. Participants urged MassDEP to consider the cumulative impacts of pollution and to implement stricter regulations to protect residents from further environmental degradation. The meeting concluded with a commitment from the agency to take these concerns into account as they develop their final rules regarding cumulative impact analysis.