EPA notes from the field
The East Mission Flats Repository continues.
In addition to mine waste storage in a floodplain and the location near Old Cataldo Mission, a big point of contention with the recently okayed East Mission Flats Repository was the EPA public outreach effort. This aspect passed the audit of the Inspector General but given the 2,000 plus residents who petitioned against the location, Silver Valley community members argued an outreach couldn’t have been very effective at the time. In fact, we found out in 2007 from a story with the intriguing headline "Toxic site work before end of comment period irks neighbors." And we weren’t the only ones.
(Photo by DTE in June 2008 of the East Mission Flats Repository, scheduled to hold 445,000 cubic yards of waste soils from Basin property cleanups.)
Susan Mitchell, a neighbor who lives near the east end of the repository, requested a copy of the “EMF Field Notes” from the beginning phase of the comment period and it is indeed public information however we deleted the names and addresses except for pets which curiously appear a lot. Notes after the jump.
MF Repository Field Notes Decided to send certified letter and hands to _______ at ________; and _______ at _______who are neighbors right below the Whiteman Mill. This was recommended by _______ .
01/26/04 Field Visits
_________- across Interstate next to Mission. Left handout and talked to her about project. Her dog is nice and it’s name is Cracker.
__________- elder retired veterinarian. Said citizens in this area concerned about Tribe plan to put lake clean-up seds in MF flats. Against any plan like than. Ed Moreen (admin. note:EPA field manager) informed him that there was no plan to do anything like than. Knew of a cow experiment, no probs with spontaneous abortions/miscarriages in cows grazed on MF land. Gave him handout and spoke to him about project. He didn’t seem to object. He was at his son’s house at ________ at the time of contact but son not home. He sad he would see _______ that evening and we have him a handout to give to her. Also gave him a handout for his son. Not very close to site.
__________- see above. Younger veterinarian. Not home but left handout with his dad. Not in close proximity to site. His house is above his folks.
___________- live on _______. Have big gate. Elder ________ (vet) to take handout to _______ She is not very mobile. Not close to site.
_______ and his wife, ______. Spoke to them about the repository siting and gave them a handout. She is generally not in favor of the cleanup. She did not give a specific opinion regarding the MF Repository siting. Ed spoke with_____. ______’s are active in community. Lives on other side of Interstate.
__________- Left handout by door. No one home. Log cabin uphill from ________.
_______ - left info on door step. She rents _______place. Address is ________ (believe it is ________).
_______ - Spoke to Mr. and Mrs. _______ at their auto shop. Supportive of project. Gave handouts and spoke of project.________ used to work on the dredge. Black Poodle puppy. Nice dog.
Dropped handout off at Whiteman Mill for _________, the proposed repository site’s owner.
Certified Letters sent on 02/04/04
Spoke with Mr. _______ by phone. Talked to him about repository siting. Told him we are only in the evaluation phase. He is opposed to siting repository at this location because he is concerned about flood issues and also said that things are getting better now with the trees and more wildlife and he doesn’t think it would make things better bringing more contaminated soil in. He was very nice. Sent handout by cert mail on 02/07/04
Spoke with ______ on 02/07/04 in person. We spoke about the project and I gave her a handout but she did not express her opinion about the project. Very nice. Cat is named Samantha. Two dogs - one little dog and also a bigger Chow. Chow a little aggressive but didn’t come too close. Ok with biscuits. Huge black dog is named Choco - not aggressive.
