Recently the AMA and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memo of understanding to create a partnership that would assist in the conversion of superfund sites into R/C flying fields.  Click here to read more about the AMA/EPA partnership.

On March 19, 2005 Melissa Friedland, EPA National Program Manager for Superfund Redevelopment , visited our Clarkstown Model Airdrome to see an example of how such a site was successfully adapted to R/C use by RCRCC.  She was accompanied by Ron Morony, Civil Engineer with the EPA.

Joe Beshar (L) and Melissa Friedland of the EPA admire Harvey Landis' Pizzaz.

We were also honored to have Alexander J. Gromack, Supervisor for the Town of Clarkstown and Ralph A. Lauria, Deputy Director of Operations for Clarkstown.

(L to R): Alexander Gromack, Harvey Landis, Melissa Friedland, Ralph Lauria, Joe Beshar, Ron Morony, and Al Betancourt (President of RCRCC)

Ms. Friedland was impressed with the work we had done in turning a superfund site into a useful flying field, and she was awed by Danny Landis flying his 46% DA150 powered Hangar 9 Ultimate.

(L to R): Rich Landis, Al, Melissa Friedland, Joe Beshar and Ron Morony admire Danny Landis' 46% Hangar 9 Ultimate.

Dick Eimert, VP of RCRCC, shows the map of our field and explains to our visitors how the frequency board operates.

Some of the many in attendance for the EPA visit.

Following her visit,  Ms Friedland wrote this letter to Joe Beshar regarding her experience.

(March 23,2005)  

Dear Joe,

      Thank you so much for the grand tour on March 19 in Bergen County and Clarkstown.  Now for the first time I understand why people say "excitement" and "flying" in the same sentence.  Your club members are so impressive.  They are not only knowledgeable and passionate about flying; they are also careful and responsible about competence and safety.  I found the whole experience thrilling and I'd like to go again.  I'm only sorry I didn't get a chance to test pilot a plane myself!  Please tell the members I met that I am grateful to them for sharing with me their ideas and enthusiasm and for patiently answering all of my questions.  I now have a much better understanding of the Academy and its activities and I will continue to work hard to help you and AMA identify appropriate flying opportunities at Superfund sites.

      As you know, at EPA, those of us responsible for the Superfund program have embarked on a new effort called the Return to Use initiative.  This initiative is aimed at finding partners to join us in making appropriate use of the land at cleaned-up Superfund sites, where the remedy has been installed with great care and at great expense so that human health and the environment are protected.  At many of these sites the land remains vacant and unused.  We see this effort to find partners who will use the land appropriately as crucial to long-term stewardship of these formerly contaminated properties. We believe that a responsible partner using the land for appropriate activities is key to maintaining the integrity of our remedies. Someone once said that the difference between a cleaned-up, vacant Superfund site and a reused Superfund site is like the difference between a vacant house and house with a family living in it.  A family will take care of the house, make repairs, maintain it and keep it in good working order.  I have every confidence that AMA will be the right family at our Superfund sites and I hope that EPA can welcome you to many neighborhoods very soon. Thanks again for all your efforts.

Melissa Friedland
National Program Manager for Superfund Redevelopment
United States Environmental Protection Agency