Parkinsons Disease

On the City's Edge:
Hazardous Radioactive Waste Dump and Groundwater Contamination

by Sue Dayton

Groundwater is the lifeblood of New Mexico and the Middle Rio Grande Valley. But a threat to this precious resource will be allowed to remain if citizens do not speak up.

The New Mexico Environment Department, in response to requests by Citizen Action, has agreed to sponsor a series of public meetings on the Mixed Waste Landfill (MWL), a hazardous waste dump located at Sandia National Labs, a contractor for the Department of Energy (DOE). Citizen Action is a local group advocating clean up of the MWL.

The public meetings are an opportunity for YOU to become more informed about this dump, and to give YOU an opportunity to tell the decision-makers your thoughts about what should be done with this hazardous dump.

YOU will have the chance to influence the health and safety of countless future generations of New Mexicans.

YOU will be able to tell the polluters at Sandia National Labs to get their toxic waste out of our groundwater!

Don't let this one-time-only chance pass you by.

The MWL is a hazardous, leaking radioactive waste dump that has been described by Sandia Labs as one of several contaminated sites "likely to cause groundwater contamination."

The landfill is where Lab employees, immersed in nuclear weapons development, dumped radioactive and chemical waste for thirty years.

The waste now rests in shallow unlined pits and trenches in the ground, uphill from the Pueblo of Isleta, the South Valley and the Rio Grande River.

The Mesa del Sol planned community will be built barely a mile from the dumpsite.

Among the topics that will be discussed:

• What's the proposed plan for the landfill by Sandia/DOE?

• Does the public have access to all the information pertaining to what's buried in the landfill? Sandia/DOE has refused to release information under the Freedom of Information Act regarding what was buried in the MWL.

• Has the groundwater already been "contaminated" by the landfill?

Two independent reports, one by a geo-hydrologist with the City of Albuquerque, and one by an independent consultant commissioned by the Citizens' Advisory Board, suggest this may have already happened; however, Sandia/DOE has refused to resample the air, water, and soil surrounding the landfill to address this crucial issue saying it is not "cost effective."

• Will DOE's "stewardship" plan for the MWL adequately protect the environment and future generations from radioactive waste that will be hazardous for tens of thousands of years?

• Is the best place for a radioactive waste dump on the edge of a growing, urban area over Albuquerque's sole source aquifer?

Representatives from the New Mexico Environment Department, Sandia National Labs, and Citizen Action will be given equal time to speak on the MWL with a 2-hour period set aside where members of community can ask questions and make comments.

This is your chance to tell the Environment Department what YOU think.

YOU have a unique opportunity to voice your opinion on an important issue that is likely to affect the health of future generations in the State of New Mexico.

YOU can help set a precedent for other contaminated sites in the state that DOE has NO intention of cleaning up.

Mixed Waste Landfill Public Meetings:

Tuesday, Jan. 23rd, 6:30 - 9 pm
U.N.M. School of Continuing Education
1630 University Blvd. N.E. (near University and Indian School)

Thursday, Jan. 25th, 6:30 - 9 pm
Mountain View Community Center
201 Prosperity Rd. (between 2nd and Broadway)

*Co-hosted by the South Valley Coalition of Neighborhood Associations and the Mountain View Neighborhood Association. Si, habla Español. Refreshments will be served.

For more information contact:
Sue Dayton, Citizen Action, (505) 280-1844
or sdayton@swcp.com.


home the co-op events volunteers resources employment newsletter

------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2000 LaMontanita Co-op Supermarket
Reprints by prior permission