Emerging Issues

Recent concerns around gas drilling in Tompkins County have brought environmental issues to the forefront of many residents' minds. The resident survey was conducted prior to the widespread conversation around these issues and data may not accurately reflect residents' current thoughts on many of these different types of pollution.

Perception of Pollution in the Community

In the resident survey, 30% of respondents indicated that pollution overall was perceived as a critical problem in the community. When asked about specific types of pollution, 39% of respondents said soil/ground pollution was a problem, 32% said water pollution was a problem, 24% said noise pollution was a problem, and 20% said air pollution was a problem.

Significantly more urban residents (44.7%) said ground/soil pollution was a critical problem in their community than rural residents (34.3%). Comments about community water quality focused primarily on agricultural run-off into lakes and streams and Cornell University’s Lake Source Cooling System. Air pollution comments were centered on trash-burning and car exhaust.

Comments about soil and ground pollution were concentrated on clean-up sites such as the former Ithaca Gun site and the former Emerson Power Transmission site. Noise pollution comments included student parties and traffic. Key informants identified similar concerns around Lake Source Cooling System, local toxic clean-up sites, and the effects of future gas drilling.

Experience with Pollution in the Household

On a household level, 13% of respondents said they experienced air pollution - mostly trash burning and exhaust fumes, 16% experienced water pollution - the bulk around problems with wells, 17% experienced soil/ground pollution regarding contamination from industrial sites and 21% experienced noise pollution as perceived critical problems.

More residents indicated that environmental issues on a larger scope are viewed as a critical problem with 51% of respondents saying climate change and global warming are critical problems.

Environmental Data

Local data on environmental issues is sparse, making it difficult to adequately assess the environmental issues facing our county.

In 2007, Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division reported handling 24,099 tons of waste, with approximately 156,000 vehicles using the Recycling and Solid Waste Center. The Disposal Rate History data for the county has increased every year since 1998 until 2007. A gradual increase in illegal dumping was also noted from 270 cases in 2000 to 347 cases in 2005.

Assets

Overall Tompkins County has shown a forward-thinking approach to sustainability and environmental conservation. In 2008, the county set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the county by at least 2 percent of the 2008 level for each of the next 40 years, achieving at least an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050. The Tompkins County Solid Waste Division provides reliable recycling and solid waste services to Tompkins County residents, educational institutions, businesses and other organizations.

Sustainability has been a watchword in Tompkins County for many years. Several non-profits have been established in recent years that provide programs, information, support, and guidance on various sustainability efforts, including Sustainable Tompkins, the Green Resources Hub, and Finger Lakes ReUse.
Long-standing environmental guidance has been provided by the Tompkins County Environmental Management Committee (EMC). The EMC has been in operation since 1971 and is a citizen advisory board to the Tompkins County Legislature on local environmental issues. The Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District advises residents and governmental agencies in making decisions about soil and water management. The Community Science Institute organizes volunteers to monitor water quality in streams, lakes, ponds, and groundwater. The Environmental Health Division of the Tompkins County Health Department has a wide-ranging responsibility to monitor and regulate water quality, air quality, and sewage systems.

Resources
Tompkins County Environmental Council
Tompkins County Health Dept. Environmental Health Division
Sustainable Tompkins
Green Resource Hub
Finger Lakes ReUse
Finger Lakes Land Trust
Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District
NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County
Community Science Institute