Some Decry Damaged Cars at New York Runway Site on Long Island

Environmentalists are decrying the placement of 18,000 damaged automobiles on a runway at a defunct defense plant on eastern Long Island, N.Y. The vehicles were destroyed by flooding from Superstorm Sandy.

The town supervisor in Riverhead disputes the idea that there is any hazard. The town leased the runways to salvage companies and could reap up to $2.7 million under the lease agreement.

Richard Amper of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society says the cars at a former Northrup Grumman plant in Calverton are dangerously close to the environmentally protected Pine Barrens. He fears leakage of oil or gasoline and other compounds could seep into groundwater.

Supervisor Sean Walter says there is little danger that could happen.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation says the town is complying with state regulations.