Barbara Chinitz, environmental advocate who pressed for West Valley cleanup, dies at 78

Barbara Chinitz, whose environmental advocacy included efforts to clean up nuclear waste in western New York and close Staten Island’s Fresh Kills Landfill, died Oct. 31 in Cuddebackville. She was 78.

Her obituary, published Nov. 15 by The Citizen, described a career spanning more than 40 years in pollution prevention, environmental safeguards and community advocacy across New York.

Chinitz first worked as a registered nurse before moving into environmental health. She received a master’s degree in environmental health science from Hunter College.

As executive director of Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, she pushed for a full cleanup of the West Valley nuclear waste facility south of Buffalo. Her work emphasized potential contamination risks to surrounding communities, Lake Erie and the wider Great Lakes region, according to the obituary.

Working with environmental groups at both the regional and national levels, she contested government cleanup proposals and sought scientific review independent of the agencies overseeing the work. In testimony submitted to Congress in 2011, she called for sufficient federal funding and accountability.

Her public education efforts also addressed radioactive contamination, cleanup work that remained unfinished and risks associated with climate change.

Earlier, Chinitz advocated closing Fresh Kills, which the obituary described as having been the world’s largest garbage dump. She led Staten Island’s Solid Waste Advisory Board and participated in the task force responsible for the landfill’s closure. Her work at Consumers Union included recycling, reducing waste and protections from hazardous chemicals.

Recognition included the City Club’s Earth Day Award in 1990 and Staten Island Woman of Achievement in 1992. In 2018, the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club named her its Conservationist of the Year for her West Valley work.

Away from advocacy, she enjoyed her home in Cuddebackville and caring for her flower garden.

Survivors include her husband, Bill Chinitz; daughter Beth Casper and her husband, Michael; sons Clyde and Ben Chinitz; daughter-in-law Anne; five grandchildren; sister Gail; and brother-in-law King.

The family requested memorial contributions to the Natural Resources Defense Council instead of flowers.

Staff Report

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