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Dear Citizens: With the Nov. 4 election approaching, we must become informed.

The Vulture Crisis

In Lower Saucon Township, these birds roost on our homes and on playground equipment. According to the Department of Agriculture, vultures pose serious health risks. 

The aviation safety threat is alarming. The Federal Aviation Administration reports that vulture-aircraft collisions cost over $4 million annually in damages.

PFAs: The “Forever Chemicals” in Our Air

Landfills release significant amounts of PFAS—”forever chemicals”—into the air through gas emissions. PFAS enter landfills through everyday products and escape not just through treated leachate but also through untreated gas “burps” from decomposing waste. The annual amount of PFAS leaving landfills through gas emissions can equal or exceed the amount in liquid runoff. 

Our Watershed Under Assault

The Lehigh River watershed ranks second nationally for reproductive toxins released and 30th for cancer-causing chemical releases.

A Pattern of Violations

Pennsylvania DEP records document repeated violations at the Bethlehem Landfill. When regulatory violations become routine, enforcement has failed.

Our Call to Action

Report odors and concerns to PA DEP’s complaint hotline at 866-255-5158.

The convergence of vulture infestations, PFAS contamination and watershed pollution isn’t coincidence. Our environment and our health depend on it.

Russ Sutton
Lower Saucon Township

Letters and op-eds about local topics of general interest are published at the discretion of the editor. Opinions shared on our community platform are solely those of the author.