Honorable Pete Grannis, Commissioner
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway
Albany, New York 12233-0001

Dear Commissioner Grannis,

I am writing to you in regard to an issue presently facing the residents of Middle Village, NY that I believe should be brought to your attention. While we are presently focusing on our Queens communities, this undoubtedly affects not only the residents of New York City, but also our entire Empire State. I am enclosing an article from a local publication, The Juniper Berry, which is published by volunteers under the auspices of the Juniper Park Civic Association. The JPCA is one of the largest, most effective civic organizations in New York, of which my wife Constance and I have been members for over 30 years.

According to the article, which describes the issue in further detail, the artificial surface found on Brennan Field in Juniper Valley Park is manufactured trom recycled tires, and contains amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PARs) and benzo(a)pyren that far exceed the safe levels established by the NY State Department of Environmental ConservatIon. This claim appears to be supported by an analysis of the turf done by Dr. Junfeng Zhang of Rutgers University.

Needless to say, Juniper Park, thanks to the decades of exemplary efforts by the Juniper Park Civic Association, other community groups, the New York City and Queens County Parks Departments, countless local residents and public officials, is a lovely urban oasis constantly in
use by all residents.

For example, on June 23-24, the American Cancer Society will be hosting its annual Relay for Life event on this very field. The Relay for Life event is one that I have personally attended and supported and one that my staff and I have participated in for several years. For obvious reasons, this is an issue that should be examined in further detail.

I would very much appreciate your looking into this matter and advising me of any further developments. I thank you in advance for your attention and consideration. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at my Glendale District Office.

SRM:raa

cc: Officers and members of the JPCA
Emily Lloyd, Commissioner, NYC Dept. Of Environmental Protection
Adrian Benepe, Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Parks
Dorothy Lewandowski, Queens Borough Commissioner, NYC Dept. Of Parks