According to a government assessment report released last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lacks the technical skills for tricky projects such as those involved with cleaning up some toxic mine sites. Specifically, the report indicated that the tragic toxic spill that took place in August could have been avoided, had the agency possessed the proper expertise to properly address the issue.
The Agency Acted Impulsively with the Toxic Spill
The report noted that the EPA is–in general–not well able to analyze the geologic and hydrologic conditions of the areas with the proper, significant level of expertise. While the EPA had intended to drain and collect the contaminated water from the Gold King mine, underestimating the volume of water collected and the pressure it was under instead led to a blowout, whereby the toxic water was released into Animas River. By pushing a pipe through the mine’s entrance, which had been plugged with rocks and soil for a while, the agency had not expected water to gush out. The Interior Department’s engineers concluded that, instead, a hole should have been drilled from above to gauge the area’s pressure first. The EPA supposedly avoided this drilling project because it was too costly and slow.
Lawsuits
Earlier this year, the Navajo Nation announced that it would be suing the EPA over the spill, arguing that it impacted them “religiously, emotionally, and financially.”
Over 100,000 Navajo people live along the San Juan River—which was also contaminated—and rely on a primarily agricultural economy. They are seeking damages related to expenses incurred by the Toxic spill’s effect on their livelihoods, including for those who rely on farming. The spill forced the government to cut off drinking and irrigation water from the river, forcing people to move further inland. Those who live along the river now have to seek out bottled water and have incurred other expenses and damages.
The Navajo Nation also argued that the EPA should have designated the area a Superfund site, as they had long been warned by geologists that the blowout was coming. The site is, sadly, expected to ultimately take decades to clean up properly.
What about Other Mining Operations?
This leaves the general population wondering what kind of environmental hazards may be located nearby, and whether they are truly protected by the EPA. Mining operations can lead to metals leached from the soil and toxic pools of water. Contaminated water can then seep into nearby streams. There are numerous environmental and health impacts associated with mining operations in general, namely skin and respiratory issues.
Environmental Hazard Attorneys in Louisiana
We rely on the ability of state and federal agencies to keep the environment clean and uncontaminated for the sake of our livelihoods and health. Yet, ensuring compliance with environmental protection laws can be difficult and complicated, and violations often leave nearby residents vulnerable.
The environmental attorneys at Harrell & Nowak are well-versed in going after these actors and protecting public health. Contact us today if you feel that you have been harmed by a toxic spill so that we can discuss your case.