Schumer, Mangano ask feds to release $20M in sewer funds

The federal government owes Nassau County about $20 million for sewage plant upgrades, and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) Monday told a group of county officials and civic activists that he would try to get the more than 25-year-old debt paid as soon as possible.

Schumer said that in the early 1980s, Nassau County won more than $20 million in grants from the Environmental Protection Agency for major improvements to its sewer infrastructure in Bay Park and Cedar Creek.

The county was to absorb 25 percent of the cost and the federal EPA would pick up the other 75 percent through the grants - for $12 million, $7.5 million and $2 million.

He said Nassau paid for the entire project, expecting to be reimbursed, and "almost 30 years later, the check still isn't in the mail."

Schumer's comments came at a news conference outside the office of Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, who jointly sponsored the event.

"Families are doing all they can to make ends meet, government must do the same," Mangano said. "That's why I'm demanding today that the EPA release the $20 million."

Connie Petrucci of East Rockaway, a leader of a community group, the Green Bay Parkers, which opposes new waste being brought into the adjacent Bay Park plant, said some of that money could help "make the [bay] waters fit for fish and humanity."

Mangano has proposed bonding $20.5 million over the next few years for plant fixes, but said the EPA payments could stop the additional tax burden on local property owners. But John Senn, a spokesman for the EPA's regional office in Manhattan, said Washington has ruled against paying the $7.5 million for the upgrade and expansion of waste water treatment operations in the county.

"In the case of the Cedar Creek grant given to Nassau County, EPA has concluded that at least a portion of the costs claimed are not allowable . . . that the type of contract used by Nassau County was contrary to law and regulation," Senn said, adding that the EPA has given Nassau until May 5 to deliver additional information on the $14 million, which is about architecture, engineering and sewers.