Silver Valley does not go gentle into that good night
The Silver Valley Community Resource Center is outraged after receiving a letter from Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick in regards to a request for a public meeting with the EPA on the East Mission Flats repository that was denied. The repository is currently accepting contaminated soil from a century of reckless mining practices and controversy stems from its location across the Cataldo Mission and that it floods annually. Supported by CERCLA law and recommended by the EPA Inspector General, public participation is critical to cleanup efforts, so the 2,000 petitioners opposed to the site---including the Coeur d’Alene tribe and Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin, to name a few---must be wondering what gives? Perhaps they missed the memo: Last month, only several citizens showed up to an open house while the SVCRC blamed a limited outreach.
"Until someone lives in a community that has been so badly devastated and suppressed as those living in the epicenter of one of the nations largest Superfund sites, it is difficult to understand the importance of affected citizens being properly informed and speaking out", said Dr. Bob Colonna, a consultant for SVCRC. "We believe the actions taken by EPA to not hold meetings for the public is deliberate and that Congressman Minnick has the best interests of his constituency in focus.”
(Photos of the site in Spring 2008. The EPA had to install a flood monitoring system, drawing criticism for its adamancy of the location. However, they said it's easy access for dump trucks off the Old Mission exit from I-90.)
SVCRC director Barbara Miller---who in 2001, received a Ford Foundation grant for years of fighting for cleanup of mining waste and advocating blood-lead testing for children--is organizing a doorbelling effort regarding the East Mission Flats Repository on November 24th.
If interested, check out their site, silvervalleyaction.com and Facebook or call at 208-784-8891.
Press release after the jump.
To all of you opposing the Old Mission (EMF) Toxic Waste Repository:
The message now being spread in regards to having transparency of the Old Mission Toxic waste dump and all the affected citizens of the Superfund site being involved as mandated by CERCLA law is that there are only two SVCRC people working to stop the repository.
This is a dangerous message to be put out as there are more than 2,000 individuals who have signed petitions, sent letters, contacted the agencies and public leaders to strongly oppose the Mission site. IDEQ has copies of the original petitions that were signed and sent during the public comment period last year. In spite of the public outcry an arbitrary decision was made by Region Ten and IDEQ to begin destroying the site ten days before the public comment period ended.
SVCRC members plan to deliver copies of the petitions to Congress Minnick's office with media coverage soon. In addition it is necessary to convene a meeting of at least 2 dozen volunteers to go door to door in neighborhoods of Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Harrison, Spokane and the epicenter of the Superfund site informing unknowing citizens of the issue and the need to call Congressman Minnick for a full scale public meeting. There is no doubt that EPA/IDEQ are deliberately undermining the publics involvement. It's clear why, if the public at large is informed they would turn out and oppose the site that is only going to provide job security for Region Ten EPA and perpetual pollution for our communities and families to be exposed to for ever!
This is a serious issue that adversely impacts 1500 sq. miles of rivers, streams, CDA Lake, tributaries, wetlands, recreational areas and our communities. Sediments such as arsenic are already detected in the groundwater.
Please share this information with your members, friends, neighbors, churches and family. A coordinated door knocking effort would have a huge impact in getting a public meeting and letting the public voice their comments on the Old Mission Toxic waste site.
Respond with commitments by Monday, Nov. 16, the potential date of hitting the neighborhoods is Tuesday, Nov. 24th. Even one hour of time can make a difference.
Working together we can stop this crime and take back the rights to speak out and be heard!
