The Stewart Air National Guard Base, in coordination with community members of the Stewart Restoration Advisory Board (RAB), is holding a public open house to discuss its investigation of PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other environmental cleanup activities at the base. The PFAS cleanup is in a years-long investigation phase. The public discussion will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center in the Larkin Center at 321 South William Street in Newburgh,

Riverkeeper and community members of the RAB are advocating for the Air National Guard to “Speed Up the Cleanup” to expedite actions to reduce off-base PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) pollution. The New York State Department of Transportation also has a key project to implement to ensure effective cleanup. Riverkeeper encourages members of the public to attend the poster session and challenge agencies to Speed Up the Cleanup.

Known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment, PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a family of chemicals that have been found to increase risk of illness at very low doses. PFAS from Stewart Air National Guard Base have contaminated water sources in the City of Newburgh and Town of New Windsor, as well as streams and fish in the area.

Representatives of the Air National Guard and their project team, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will be available to talk with participants one-on-one about environmental investigation and cleanup at the base, Newburgh’s drinking water, and federal environmental regulations related to PFAS.

Following the public conversation, the Restoration Advisory Board’s quarterly meeting will follow, and the public is welcome to observe it. For the public, there is limited time for audience questions at these meetings. Live Spanish translation will be available for both the posterboard session and the RAB meeting.