In November of 2005, the Oneida County Health Department announced that it had been selected as one of only 12 sites nationwide to partner with the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA), in a broad based community project that will identify and prioritize the county’s environmental health risks.  The Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) project came in response to a poll conducted as part of the county’s Community Health Assessment by Zogby International that cited environmental issues as one of the top concerns of Oneida County residents.

As part of the selection from among 130 applicants, the Oneida County Health Department received a $90,000 EPA grant to fund the first phase of the project which is expected to be completed by December 2007.  In February of 2006 the EPA awarded the Oneida County Health Department an additional  $50,000 service agreement that provides for a Phase 1 and Phase 2 investigation of a suspected Brownfield by an approved contractor.

Thus far, the CARE Project has succeeded in identifying environmental health issues of concern within Oneida County , through the efforts of a broad-based community collaborative.  This collaborative includes membership from governmental agencies, local business, service providers, academia and community individuals as well.  In an effort to further reach out to the community, the CARE Team conducted a community wide survey regarding environmental health issues.  The concerns of the community, partially reflected by this survey will be brought together with available scientific data, in an effort to rank and prioritize the issues in order of significance to Oneida County .  Action plans will be developed to remediate or lessen the impact of those issues identified to be of greatest significance. 

Upon completion of the 1st phase of the CARE project, the Oneida County Health Department will be eligible to apply to the EPA for additional funds for remediation of selected issues.