GOVERNOR MARTINEZ STILL ISN’T SATISFIED WITH HOW THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HANDLED THE GOLD KING MINE SPILL THAT SENT ORANGE SLUDGE INTO THE ANIMAS AND SAN JUAN RIVERS IN COLORADO AND NEW MEXICO. SHE’S ORDERED THE STATE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT TO DO ITS OWN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE DISCHARGE AND WHY IT TOOK THE EPA SO LONG TO NOTIFY NEW MEXICO.
THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE FIRST NOTIFICATION CAME FROM A SOUTHERN UTE TRIBE OFFICIAL.
NAVAJO PRESIDENT RUSSELL BEGAYE SAYS THE WATER SENT TO THE TRIBE BY THE EPA IS OILY, DIRTY, AND SMELLS BAD. BEGAYE SAYS THE EPA OUT-AND-OUT LIED TO THE TRIBE ABOUT THE WATER. THE EPA SAYS IT’LL WORK WITH THE NAVAJO NATION IN COMING WEEKS ON A LONG TERM MONITORING PLAN FOR WATER IN THE SAN JUAN RIVER. THE WATER IN THE RIVER WAS CONTAMINATED BY THE GOLD KING MINE SPILL.
