Land values drop near waste disposal sites ITHACA, N.Y. - If a waste disposal site is located near private property, the value of that property is lowered, even if the disposal site does not contain hazardous materials. That’s a finding from a recent study conducted by Brian Baker, a researcher in the department of agricultural economics at Cornell University. Baker studied landfill areas in three New York State counties - Tompkins, Saratoga, and Niagara - to determine their effect on surrounding property values. Baker says that of all the economic problems besetting communities with waste disposal facilities, one of the most sensitive and controversial is that of real property values. “State and local govemmetn officials must weigh all factors when making decisions regarding landfill sites, real property values, and potential compensation claims.” More study needed Baker adds that because concern Don't Turn Back The Clock! Join Your Neighbors and Defend the Gains You Have Made Dairy farmers don’t want to turn back the clock. The “good old days” evoke warm nostalgia only in those who never experi enced the daily back-breaking job of wrest ling loaded cansof milk (110 lbs. each) into coolersand on and off trucks. It wasn’tany picnic. It’s history now and no one wants to repeat it. But what about milk pricing? What about the right of farmers to bargain for better terms through their co-ops.. .and through joint action of co-ops 7 What about hard won laws that benefit farmers...laws that anti-agriculture forces are trying to water down or eliminate? And what about our market order system that is even now being challenged in the Supreme Court by a consumer group that wants to capitalize on the popular idea of “cheap milk?” Turning back the clock is a very real possibility in these areas. Who is defending YOUR interests as a dairy farmer? Dairy co-ops are almost alone fighting the battle to keep our hard-won gains... and Dairylea is a leader among them. Don’t take anything for granted. If you think you “can’t afford” to belong to a cooperative.. maybe you should look down the road a bit further. The truth is, you can't afford NOT Dairylea operates several modern plants, including to belong to a cooperative. frtese Dairulea Dairylea Cooperative, Inc. 831 James Street Syracuse, NY 13203 for the problems of hazardous waste disposal is relatively new in our society, more research and studies must be done to understand the economic implications of where landfills and waste disposal sites are located. Property tax structures, siting selections, and compensation procedures for lowered property values are some of the issues communities must grapple with in the near future. “The regulatory and statutory frameworks for dealing with hazardous waste disposal sites are not in place yet,” Baker says. “The next few years will be crucial for policymaking.” In Niagara County, Baker studied property values near SCA Chemical Waste Services in the Town of Porter. This facility in cludes a secure landfill for chemical wastes, resource recovery, and reprocessing operations, liquid processing and treatment facilities, and sludge disposal. The SCA site contains hazardous wastes such as heavy metal sludges, contaminated chemical wastes, and polychlorinated biphenols (.PCB) solid waste. “Realtors in the area were reluctant to speak at length about the effect that SCA might have on real estate values,” he says. “Yet, properties immediately surrounding the site were described as below-average in demand.” Homes in subdivisions two to five miles away from the area were average or above average in demand. Love Canal Interestingly, he notes, property value reductions near the SCA site were smaller, rather than greater, after all the negative publicity in 1978 about Love Canal. Values already may have been reduced to market demand before the publicity, Baker says. In general, however, the publicity about Love Canal did lower property values near land fills. Properties near the other sites studied - West Dryden in Dairylea is today strong, growing, trimmed down to an efficient, productive operating structure... ready for whatever comes. Our standards for membership are; 1) consistently good quality milk, 2) adequate volume per pickup, 3) desirability of a new supply, based on present or potential market ability, 4) approval by local Dairylea mem bers and by Dairylea operating management. We have markets, the know-how, experi ence and flexibility. We represent more than 5,000 producers, members and affil iates... and we’re growing. Find out what Dairylea can do for you. Call: 1-800-962-9191 weekdays 8:30 to 5. Tompkins County and Waterford in Saratoga County - also ex perienced a reduction in values. Waterford, which has a disposal site for by-products of manufac turing, such as benzene, toluene, chlorobenzene, and xylene, some of Which are hazardous, is ex periencing well-water con tamination from this landfill. Property values near this site indicate a definite downward trend since 1978. Tompkins County’s landfill contains no hazardous wastes, however, it also affects property values around it. Baker says the relationship between waste disposal sites and property values must be examined and taken into account, but nearness to landfills is just one of many factors affecting the sale price and value of any piece of property. Baker deals with the question of compensation for property value losses: “As long as damage to Phone (315) 476-9101 Compensation Month of horse Horse Art Exhibit, titled, “Celebration of the Horse,” Hunterdon Art Center. Reception on June 24, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Exhibit continues to July 29. Dairy Farm Open House The big local promotion for June Dairy Month is the annual dairy farm open house held on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 17. This year it will be hosted by Walter Dobozynski and family on their Readington Township farm on Rt. 523, a few miles north of Flemington. This event draws as many as 1,500 to 2,000 people during open house hours, 1 to 5 p.m. There will be all kinds of demonstrations, tractor-drawn, guided wagon tours, yes, even a horse-drawn wagon ride. A large committee of the Hun terdon Board of Agriculture, under the leadership of Henry Kuehn, Raritan Township, will be on hand to greet the visitors and serve as guides. It’s a fun day, an enjoyable day! There will be milk, crackers and cheese served. And, Hunterdon’s new dairy princess will be crowned during the afternoon by reigning princess, Sandy Rogers. Come on you guy* wove ove(*/ NEED MORE ROOM? Read The Real Estate Ads In Lancaster Farming's Classified Section Lt tm t 4 t 4 • Liquid Manure Pumps ill li LL • electromix • Barn Cleaner Chains UIIC health does not occur, there is little basis for compensating homeowners living near a landfill or hazardous waste disposal facility.” Baker points out that the homeowners probably paid below average prices for their property and, in that way, may have been compensated already for lower property values. If people bought property before the disposal site was built, however, they probably paid the full market price. These homeowners, says Baker, may be justified in expecting com pensation for the devaluation of their property. At present, legislation to compensate property owners in this situation does not exist. Baker concludes that if the site presents a health hazard, even a relatively inexpensive home may not compensate for the dangers of living in that home. & COW (Continued from Page D3O) • Bedding Choppers • Silage Carts • Manure Tanks Available From WILLIAMS FARM SYSTEMS 717-398-2692
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