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Government mules and morons. This is what happens when you hire idiots and take the rights away from states. That is as big a disaster as an oil spill in my opinion.
This was an extremely bad accident but there are over 55,000 deserted mines from CO to Idaho, by all means let's have those states take over the regulation of these toxic mines since they were responsible for allowing them in the first place.
This mine goes back to 1923, something like 40% of the headwaters of western rivers are polluted and you think that federal regulation should be less.
This was an extremely bad accident but there are over 55,000 deserted mines from CO to Idaho, by all means let's let those states take over the regulation of these toxic mines since they were responsible for allowing them in the first place.
The mines across this entire nation are the foundation of our prosperity. Government at all levels would have been encouraging this if anything. It's important to heed the lessons of bad practices of the past but you need to keep it in context.
The EPA is protecting us from polluting corporations but who is protecting us from the EPA?
When a corporation has an accident they're ripped by the EPA, some rightfully so, but the EPA does it and all the head of the organization can say is that mistakes happen.
How do you "accidentally" release 1 million gallons?
A million gallons would be equivalent to 100 large fuel tank trucks that hold 10,000 gallons.
Actually they are now saying the spill was at least 3 times greater than first reported ... so more like 3 million gallons.
A Million gallons is equivalent to 2 Olympic swimming pools - the initial report was 1 Million Gallons, that has been revised to 3 Million Gallons as of yesterday ....... but the EPA is STILL hiding the true amount of water and STILL won't say what the analysis of the Contamination is.
The EPA now says there were 3 Million gallons of toxic mine waste initially released from the Gold King Mine. Following the initial release of 3 Million gallons there continued to be 740 gallons per minute until Friday, at which point it was reported to be down to 550 gallons per minute. That means that 740 gallons/minute flowed into the river for roughly 2.5 days, then 550 gallons/minute for two days. So as of 08/09/2015 there have been roughly 7,248,000 gallons of toxic water (lead, arsenic, cadmium, and others) put into the water that thousands of people rely on economically, agriculturally, as well as for the basic need for potable water.
On the upside for the EPA -- they have been pushing hard to declare the Silverton area a Super-Fund environmental site and now they say they will probably do that due to the "accident" that they are "so sorry" for.
Funny how that worked out for them. Oddly enough - the EPA get's exactly what they wanted, except it won't just be Silverton (population of a couple of hundred, high in the mountains) - it's also going to be a lot of area downstream. The ramifications are extensive and will last for decades.
I've traveled that area since the early 70's, my spouse since the 50's. I've rafted and fished the Animas and so have my children. My grandchildren won't be able to do either of those things. It's heartbreaking to see what our own Government did when they said - "We are here to Help".
I've rafted and fished the Animas and so have my children. My grandchildren won't be able to do either of those things.
A bit dramatic are we? Where do you think all that mine run off was going before they had a holding pond? Anything can be toxic with enough concentrations such as oxygen. You can find these toxins in the dirt in your back yard. There presence is meaningless without knowing the concentrations.
On side not I can't believe I'm defending the EPA. :P Fact is accidents happens, just keep that in mind the next time it's some company.
A bit dramatic are we? Where do you think all that mine run off was going before they had a holding pond? Anything can be toxic with enough concentrations such as oxygen. You can find these toxins in the dirt in your back yard. There presence is meaningless without knowing the concentrations.
My grandchildren are now old enough to raft the Animas - not a bit "dramatic" to say they won't be doing that - it's closed now and will be closed in the future as the heavy metal silt is stirred up by spring thaws and anytime there is heavy rain.
The EPA was not even working on the Gold King Mine, which has not operated in nearly 100 years. They were working on the Red and Bonita Mine, right below the Gold King Mine. All those mines are inter connected - the EPA work caused a backup of contaminated water in the Gold King and they had no idea it was as extensive as it was. When they brought in heavy equipment to "fix" it ...... it all got away from them. The EPA even admits this and they are "very sorry" - they said they had no idea that their actions could impact downstream. Turns out those Bureaucrats missed out on Mountain Water 101 - it travels downstream.
There are an estimated 22,000 abandoned mines in Colorado -- they have been closed off for safety reasons for many decades to keep tourists out of them. Mining 101 is that anytime you dig into a mountain,ll you will hit water. Water 101 is that it will eventually find a lower level. Prior to the EPA blowing the entire thing open - there was always seepage, which was contaminated. Now there are Millions of gallons flowing.
Seepage is better than Millions of gallons in a sudden release. That release will eventually wind up in Lake Powell, Nevada and along the way will effect Drinking water from Wells & City water, Fishing, Agriculture and any recreation in Rivers, Lakes, Streams ........ for Decades. When the nasty Orange color is gone, the heavy metals will settle to the River beds and it will remain there.
There is one thing we know absolutely for sure ...... NOBODY will get fired over this and the EPA and the Leftists will "blame" Miners from 100 years ago and the Republicans in some trumped up Fairy Tale of pointing fingers. It's what they do.
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On side not I can't believe I'm defending the EPA. :P Fact is accidents happens, just keep that in mind the next time it's some company.
YEP - "accidents happen". Thing is that when a "company" has an "accident" - they EPA & Federal Government on on them like Stink on a Skunk and bring Lawsuits, Million/Billion Dollar Fines and even Jail Time. Does anyone think that is going to be the case with the EPA and their "oops, we are sorry"?
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Oddly enough - the EPA get's exactly what they wanted, except it won't just be Silverton (population of a couple of hundred, high in the mountains) - it's also going to be a lot of area downstream. The ramifications are extensive and will last for decades.
