Posted on 09/16/2015 5:05:43 AM PDT by george76
The recent Gold King Mine wastewater spill could breathe new life into a conversation about state control over federal lands.
A meeting of the Water Resources Review Committee on Tuesday offered a glimpse into the issue, as state lawmakers had their first opportunity since the Aug. 5 spill to ask questions as an official panel.
An Environmental Protection Agency-contracted team was performing reclamation work on the Gold King Mine near Silverton when an error during excavation caused an estimated 3 million gallons of orange sludge to pour into the Animas River. The water initially tested for spikes in heavy metals.
Even though the state is not responsible for the spill, mining and water officials have had to deal with the aftermath. Republicans sitting on the committee quickly asked the officials to highlight the EPA’s slow response and poor communication in the immediate moments after the spill.
...
During the last legislative session, Republicans led a charge to provide the state some jurisdiction over federal public lands, mostly raising concerns with responding to wildfires.
Another measure would have studied transferring federal lands to the state’s authority. Both bills died.
...
The federal government has primary responsibility and authority, and yet it’s state and local government that is struggling with the impacts
(Excerpt) Read more at durangoherald.com ...
That's the first time I've seen the crew that caused the spill NOT referred to as EPA workers/employees. Maybe I missed it prior, but that little fact is telling, as government contractors are required to carry insurance. Since there is obvious obfuscation, I wonder who they're protecting...
EPA were warned by a senior engineer , letter to the Silverton Newspaper , of the risk for a catastrophic “blowout” at an abandoned mine that could release “large volumes” of wastewater laced with toxic metals.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3327842/posts
EPA: then caught doctoring a video from Gold King Mine spill.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3334851/posts
The EPA used a repeat contractor that they were supervising. Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the EPA is likely trying to dodge responsibility for the EPA screw-ups
Environmental Restoration LLC was working at the direction at EPA .. Environmental Restoration is one of the largest EPA emergency cleanup contractors .
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3324340/posts
Dave Taylor, the retired geologist who predicted the EPA project that caused the 3 million gallon toxic spill into the Animas River in Colorado would fail, tells Breitbart News, “I didn’t really know they were going to fool with the Gold King mine in addition to the Red and Bonita mine.”
In a July 30 letter to the editor of the Silverton Standard, Taylor predicted that the EPA project to plug the Red and Bonita mine would fail
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3324457/posts
The spill happened when I was slammed getting ready for an event; I guess I missed the word ‘contractors’.
Still, it’s curious attorneys haven’t filed suit for the lottery of insurance $$...unless the contractual arrangement makes the EPA the responsible party.
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