The Alachua County Health Department and the Florida Department of Health will be hosting an open house to answer questions about recently published health reports and to collect health concerns related to the Koppers Superfund Site. more info here
Editorial: The joke’s on us
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091027/OPINION01/910271000
Neighborhood worried about contamination
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091025/ARTICLES/910251005
EPA’s plan for Koppers cleanup assailed
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091025/ARTICLES/910251004
Editorial: Susan Fairforest: EPAs Cabot-Koppers cleanup plan is inadequate
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091025/ARTICLES/910251004
Editorial: Water matters
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091017/OPINION01/910171003
Published: Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, October 16, 2009 at 5:02 p.m.
News flash: The Environmental Protection Agency has decided that it has a responsibility to enforce the Clean Water Act.
It’s about time.
A recent investigation by the New York Times discovered that companies had violated the Clean Water Act more than half a million times over the past five years. Yet less than 3 percent of the violators have been fined or otherwise punished.
“The time is long overdue for the EPA to reexamine its approach to Clean Water Act enforcement,” EPA chief Lisa P. Jackson told a congressional subcommittee the other day.
One EPA official later told The Times: “Going forward, if states are falling down on the job we’re going to reverse the permits they’ve issued, and if they’re not enforcing the law, we’ll step in an do it ourselves.”
Since Florida was recently served notice that it has to do a better job limiting nutrient pollution limits for its lakes and rivers, we hope the EPA’s newfound commitment to clean water enforcement is genuine.
One doesn’t always have to go far to see the effects of poor water quality on health. The effects of contaminated water and the challenges associated with cleaning up sites of environmental contamination have been made starkly obvious at the Cabot Koppers Superfund site in Gainesville, FL.
Citizen’s Speak Out!
The following may not be representative of PGC’s views. It is posted here to represent the views of local citizens.
Danielle_Liebenow_Public_Statement Record
It is by Danielle Liebenow, currently a Ph.D. Candidate in the Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida.
As presented to officials at:
“PUBLIC DISCUSSION MEETING”
MONDAY OCTOBER 19TH AT 5:30 PM
ALACHUA COUNTY HEALTH DEPT. AUDITORIUM
224 SE 24TH STREET, GAINESVILLE, FL 32641
Quote: “This special meeting will allow the public to provide input to staff prior to the Joint City and County Commission Meeting.”
The following is not necessarily representative of PGC’s views. It is posted here to represent the views of local citizens.
Gainesville has one of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) top ten Superfund sites right here in our city. It is the Cabot-Koppers telephone pole and railroad tie treatment plant located on 200 NW 23rd Ave. This plant has been operating there since 1916.
The chemicals used in the treatment process are carcinogens. They include creosote, chromated copper arsenate, dioxin, and a plethora of others that create a toxic cocktail. This cocktail is eminently threatening our local water supply.
Over the years these carcinogens have percolated down through the soil into the top water tables under the Koppers plant, spreading to areas as far away as the northern half of UF’s campus, and to within 5 blocks of the Murphree Wellfield, the source of Gainesville’s drinking water.
The Federal EPA for Region 4 is responsible for directing Beazers Corporation, who holds the liability for removing thecarcinogens from this property. The EPA also is responsible for ascertaining that the polluted groundwater underneath is properly contained so that it cannot spread any farther than it already has.
The EPA has issued a preliminary “Feasibility Study” outlining the level of clean-up it plans to direct Beazers Co. to implement. According to Gainesville City, Alachua County and GRU experts, this level of clean-up (remediation) is inadequate. The proposed plan will not permanently contain the polluted groundwater.
The carcinogen-loaded dust clouds that emanate from the site and spread pollutants into the air and onto the topsoil over a 4 mile radius are not even mentioned in the Feasibility Study. The carcinogens which exceed State allowable levels that are washed into our creek system from storm water runoff from the site also are not mentioned. Nor does the Study cover the noise which exceeds City Ordinances nor the high rate of cancer illnesses and deaths of people and pets who live within a 10 block radius. Who will pay for their medical care, loss of livelihood or significantly reduced property values?
City, County and GRU officials all agree that public input to the EPA about its proposed remediation plan is extremely important. To that end, a coalition named Gainesville United Neighborhoods (GUN) has organized to inform the citizens of Gainesville. It is vitally important for all of us to express our concerns to the EPA in an organized manner which will make an effective impact.
Accordingly, GUN has set up two rallies to call public attention to this issue. It is very important that the rallies are well attended because the press will be present so that the EPA can witness the level of citizen concern.
The rally times and locations are:
Saturday, October 24th, 9AM-1PM in front of Koppers, 200 NW 23rd Ave.
Thursday, October 29th 4PM-? Around the County Administration Building east of Bo Diddly Downtown Plaza corner of South Main St and University Ave.
There will be a rally organizational meeting at Parkview Baptist Church, 3403 NW 13th St, Gainesville at 7:30PM on Tuesday, October 27.
In addition written comments about the EPA’s proposed remediation may be sent to
EPA Remedial Project Manager Scott Miller (404) 562-9120, miller.scot@epa.gov or Scott Miller, US EPA Region 4; 61 Forsyth St, SW Mail code 9T25, Atlanta, GA 30303-8960
Or to Fred Murry, Assistant City Manager, City of Gainesville, P O Box 490 station #6, Gainesville, FL 32602 or murryfj@cityofgainesville.org. Letter deadline is November 10, 2009.
Visit the following for more information:
superfund.friendsofwildiris.org <http://wildirisbooks.com/list/lt.php?id=N0UHAVRUBw5JVwgBTgU%3D>
Contact Susan Fairforest LCSW at 384-0111 or Ronald Hodill at begweather55@hotmail.com for questions or comments.
Here is your chance to make a difference in the quality of your City’s water, air, soil and creeks. Please attend the rallies and write to the EPA.
Sincerely,
Susan Fairforest,
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Gainesville United Neighborhoods
Stephen Foster Protection Group
