In regards to the Eastern Mission Flats Repository, the Silver Valley Community Resource Center has some serious allegations against the EPA. Now, they’re calling on all environmental justice supporters, and the “thousands who live in the path of lead and heavy metal mine waste that flows from the many toxic waste repositories in the upper Coeur D'Alene Basin to help stop environmental injustice.” They've created an event named “Call Lisa Jackson Day” and it is a request for anyone who is living in the Superfund site to call the EPA administrator’s office on August 31 (8a to 5p EDT). The group is demanding she come to the Silver Valley, the nation’s largest Superfund site, and declare an immediate moratorium at the Old Mission Repository. Their talking points are astounding when all added up:

-More than 2500 individuals have spoken out against the Old Mission Toxic Waste site at Cataldo Mission.

-Mandated community participation of CERCLA law is being violated.

-EPA Region X fails to notify affected citizens living downstream in the CD'A Bunker Hill Basin Superfund site of comment periods related to the Record of Decision.

-EPA and IDEQ refuse to acknowledge permanent waste disposal methods that are being used at other Superfund sites to eliminate dangerous toxic contamination.

-EPA and IDEQ have violated the National Historic Preservation Law, Section 106 in building the Old Mission Toxic Waste dump.

-Arsenic contamination was already been found in the groundwater of the site. The site was flooding in July as it does annually.

-Future generations are being exposed to tons of lead and heavy metal exposure that is destroying the environment and health of our communities.

Call EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson at 202-654-4700
E-Mail her: Jackson.Lisap@epa.gov

 

 

 

No future in plastics Ben. Not if you live in Edmonds, at least. One of the biggest stories from last week was an ordinance that passed in Edmonds banning plastic bags, the first city in Washington to do so. There’s a funny article in the Seattle PI about shoppers walking out with clothes spilling out of their arms and loose items in shopping carts. Still, this was just enacted Friday, so let's give it some time and see how it works out. "I automatically bring reusable bags into grocery stores, but I haven't trained myself to bring them into other stores," said Jill Hamada, a Seattle resident, in the P-I. "Now I will." However, bags are still allowed in the produce and meat sections of grocery stores and for takeout food at restaurants. All other plastic bags, from retailers large and small, were supposed to be eliminated Friday or the store will be subject to a $100 fine for a first offense and the city hopes compliance will be voluntary. Full story HERE.

Where those fear to tread. Writing about the Hanford Cleanup, it’s always fascinating how cleanup workers are still finding new discoveries. According to the Spokesman, work is nearly complete to help identify the type and amount of radioactive and hazardous materials at the 618-10 Burial Ground, one of the most hazardous sites on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The Washington Closure Hanford workers have dug test pits in burial trenches containing laboratory waste, drums — including one with depleted uranium shavings — and other material at the site about six miles north of Richland and just off Hanford’s main highway. The discoveries will help determine exactly what was discarded in the trenches when the six-acre burial site was used between 1954-63. This is one to follow: All of this information will help guide a plan for cleanup that’s expected to start in spring 2011. Full story HERE.

"The Worst Crisis In Recent Memory."

It is hard to grapple with the damage of the floods in Pakistan. Check a larger graphic at The Daily Dish and an unfortunate quote from John Kerry that seems to put American interests before sending aid. Full story HERE.

 

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