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County upset Dunkirk Aviation won’t remove its underground tanks

Submitted Photo Pictured is the new self-service fuel system at the Dunkirk airport. The county will now have the underground tanks removed.

Chautauqua County is being forced to pay for the removal of underground fuel tanks at the Dunkirk airport and officials are not happy about it.

During the Chautauqua County Legislature Public Facility Committee meeting this week, Brad Bentley, the director of Public Facilities, discussed with committee members how the county replaced the fuel system in Dunkirk. It was originally expected to cost $650,000, however it only ended up costing $550,000. He wants to use the unspent funds to remove the underground fuel tanks.

“Dunkirk Aviation is required by contract to remove those underground tanks. We tried to get them to, but they are claiming they don’t have any money,” he said. “We have an obligation as the owner to get them out.”

Bentley said they will still try to get Dunkirk Aviation to reimburse the county. “I don’t know the likelihood of that outcome,” he added.

Ron Almeter, the manager of Airports & Parks for Chautauqua County, said they have pressed Dunkirk Aviation to remove the tanks. “When they terminated the lease the county did a separate short-term agreement to operate the tanks. The language in that temporary agreement also required they close the tanks. It’s a requirement of their tank permit with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.”

But according to Almeter, Dunkirk Aviation is now claiming insolvency. “They’re basically walking away and leaving the county to close the tanks,” he said.

Almeter noted that the tanks must be closed by Nov. 1 or the county could face civil penalties from the state, which is why they’re pushing to have the tanks removed now.

He expects the tank removal cost to run anywhere between $31,000 to $45,000, depending on if the soil is contaminated.

Committee members unanimously agreed to have the in-ground fuel system removed. That resolution will now be forwarded to the full county Legislature for final approval.

Before the vote, legislator Robert Scutter, R-Fredonia, shared his thoughts on the matter. “I would like to express my disappointment in Dunkirk Aviation for not living up to their obligation of paying for the removal of these fuel tanks. That was part of our agreement. By simply stating that ‘we don’t have the money’ doesn’t cut it with me,” he said.

He also requested the county law department do what it can to get Dunkirk Aviation to reimburse the county.

Legislator Charles Nazzaro, D-Jamestown, noted the resolution requires just that.

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