DEQ, Governor’s Office Under EPA Scrutiny

December 16, 2007

by Gabriel Caplett

In November, 2007, Dow Chemical reported to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a dioxin concentration of 1.6 million parts per trillion (ppt) in river-bottom sediment adjacent Wickes Park, in Saginaw, MI.  This represents the most concentrated amount of dioxins in the Saginaw River since testing began in 1978 and is the single highest level of dioxin ever reported to the EPA.  The highest level previously found in the Saginaw River measured much less, at 32,000ppt.

Dioxin is a dangerous toxin affecting the nervous and reproductive systems, causes numerous cancers and also affects childhood and fetal development.  Read the rest of this entry »

1 Comment | Health, Law, Michigan, water pollution | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by LSMN

Spills at Kennecott’s Greens Creek Mine

April 2, 2007

by Gabriel Caplett

Kennecott Mineral’s majority-owned and operated Greens Creek Mine has reported leaks totaling 2,095 gallons of diesel fuel from March 3, 1996 to June 16, 2005, an average of 233 gallons a year. Reported diesel spills, of course, do not include amounts for diesel exhausts. Diesel fuel contains cancer causing elements, such as benzene.[1] Read the rest of this entry »

Leave a Comment » | Alaska, Health, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, Law, water, water pollution, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by LSMN

The Soundest Science Money Can Buy: Drilling, Dioxin and Skullduggery at Michigan’s DEQ

April 2, 2007

by Gabriel Caplett

On March 1, 2007, the Michigan DEQ (MDEQ) withdrew its proposed approval of Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co.’s permit application.[1] The decision was made following the exposure of the DEQ’s failure to publicly disclose a crucial report regarding the crown pillar subsidence and hydrologic stability of Kennecott’s Eagle Project.

DEQ Hears Public Comment, Lansing, December 2005 photo courtesy Doug Cornett

DEQ Hears Public Comment, Lansing, December 2005; Photo courtesy Doug Cornett

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) had submitted Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to the DEQ, attempting to retrieve a report regarding crown pillar subsidence and the hydrologic stability of the Eagle Project. NWF lawyer, Michelle Halley, stated that the DEQ initially ignored the requests then submitted only partial information before finally releasing the report.

In a phone interview, Steven Wilson, in the DEQ’s Office of Geological Survey, noted that, at the agency, “many reports get lost or shredded.”[2] Read the rest of this entry »

1 Comment | Eagle Mine, Health, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, Law, Michigan, water pollution | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by LSMN

Next Entries »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.