BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — A Long Island park has been closed after about 1,100 tractor-trailer truckloads of contaminated debris were dumped there, District Attorney Tom Spota said Tuesday.
Spota called the scene at Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood an environmental nightmare, WCBS 880’s Sophia Hall reported. The debris contained asbestos and likely other contaminants, the DA said.
Spota’s office is investigating a Ronkonkoma company and the town of Islip, after complaints were made to the town and it did nothing, the DA said at a news conference.
On one day, detectives from the district attorney’s office observed 48 tractor-trailers dumping debris in the park, Spota said.
“This calamity has occurred because of the greed and avarice of at least one unscrupulous contractor illegally disposing of toxic waste,” Spota said.
Photos of debris found at Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood, Long Island. (credit: Sophia Hall/WCBS 880)
The town said its parks commissioner has resigned and it is conducting an internal investigation. Spota said the dumping began last June.
“The concern that we have is that when this debris is crushed or subjected to cutting or grinding by machinery, it becomes subject to very strict environmental regulation for disposal because there is a threat of fine asbestos particles, which can become airborne,” Spota said.
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