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The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Micron Technology project in Clay was released on Wednesday (June 25). This 719-page report examines the potential effects of the semiconductor facility on Clay and surrounding areas, including water, air, and native species. Public feedback is being sought, with a hearing scheduled for July 24 at Liverpool High School.
The DEIS, prepared by the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency, the U.S. Commerce Department, and Micron, is a significant step in the project's development. According to Spectrum News, Micron's Executive Vice President of Global Operations, Manish Bhatia, emphasized the company's commitment to bringing advanced memory manufacturing to New York and ensuring community input.
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon described the report as a "roadmap" that could pave the way for the project to begin this fall, contingent on public input. Key points include transportation, traffic, and wetlands. Micron plans to build a rail spur to reduce truck traffic and restore wetlands at a two-to-one ratio due to site disturbances.
The project is expected to create 9,000 permanent jobs by 2045, with an average salary of about $100,000, and spur a $10 billion impact on the local economy. CNY Central reports that the DEIS will be open for public comment until August 11, with a final environmental impact statement vote scheduled for October.
The project is expected to increase household growth in Onondaga County, with Syracuse projected to grow by approximately 7,500 households by 2041. Syracuse.com highlights that the construction of the chipmaking plant will significantly alter Central New York's landscape for decades.