NEW MEXICO COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY THAT MASSIVE SPILL FROM A COLORADO MINE SHARE THEIR CONCERNS WITH STATE A-G HECTOR BALDERAS. HE MET WITH LOCAL LEADERS AND OTHERS IN THE FARMINGTON AREA ON WEDNESDAY. HE SAYS THERE COULD BE SOME VERY LONG TERM DAMAGES AND CONSEQUENCES TO THE ECONOMY AND CITIZENS OF THE REGION. HE SAYS THEY WANT TO BE PREPARED AND TO KEEP ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE.
BALDERAS SAYS HE HOPES TO RELAY THE LOCAL CONCERNS DIRECTLY TO THE HEAD OF THE E-P-A, THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SPILL. THE EPA SAYS WATER QUALITY IS BACK NORMAL IN THE ANIMAS RIVER, BUT QUESTIONS REMAIN CONCERNING THE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF THE SPILL THAT CONTAINED ELEMENTS OF LEAD AND ARSENIC AND OTHER METALS.
THE COLORADO PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT EXPECTS RESULTS ON ITS WATER TESTING ON THURSDAY. RESULTS OF TESTING DONE BY LA PLATA COUNTY IN COLORADO ARE EXPECTED SUNDAY.
THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATIONS FROM NEW MEXICO AND COLORADO ARE TEAMING UP TO SEEK FEDERAL HELP IN DEALING WITH LAST WEEK’S MASSIVE SPILL OF TOXIC WASTE INTO THE ANIMAS RIVER. THEY’RE ASKING THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA DIRECT ALL APPROPRIATE FEDERAL RESOURCES TO RESPOND TO DAMAGE FROM THE GOLD KING MINE INCIDENT, FOR WHICH THE EPA HAS TAKEN FULL RESPONSIBILITY.
