Hundreds of Bellport properties could be contaminated, officials say

More than 633 properties in Bellport may be contaminated and in need of remediation and redevelopment, according to Brookhaven officials. The contaminated pieces of land, called brownfields, are mostly warehouses, auto shops or factories where toxic fluids leaked into the soil and groundwater, Newsday reported. Now that local officials have identified the brownfields, the state will say which are indeed contaminated and need remediation. Twenty four percent of the identified properties are in already developed commercial areas, 18 percent are in industrial areas and 10 percent are in residential neighborhoods. The rest are vacant. In pointing out the potentially contaminated areas, officials hope to fix them and spur development. [Newsday]