In light of a proposal to place the New Idria mercury mine on a
federal cleanup list, Supervisor Robert Rivas read and released the
following statement Tuesday during the San Benito County board
meeting.
In light of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal to place the New Idria mercury mine on a federal cleanup list, Supervisor Robert Rivas during Tuesday’s board meeting read – and also later released to the newspaper – the following statement:
“I would like to take a moment to share some remarks I’ve prepared and to recognize an issue that I’m really concerned about.
Last week, several hundred news sources from around the country and world reported about an environmental catastrophe right here in our own Country.
The (San Jose) Mercury News, National Public Radio, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlanta Journal (Constitution), the Chicago Tribune, The Baltimore Sun and the Los Angeles Times.
The list goes on and on and on. All of these respected news sources published articles about the environmental disaster that has been brewing in South San Benito County at the former site of the New Idria Mercury Mine.
From what I’ve learned, the mine was shut down in 1972 by the (United States) Environmental Protection Agency because of pollution from piles of mine waste.
Finally, after nearly 40 years, federal regulators have recommended adding the site to a list of the nations worst polluted places – which would qualify the site for millions of dollars in federal Superfund cleanup funding.
Let me repeat. The site in San Benito County is one of the nation’s worst polluted places. Yes, right here in our own backyard.
And after 40 years of pollution seeping into the water table and into our water table and into our rivers and streams, the federal government is finally ready to admit it’s a toxic dump site of epic proportions.
I find this shocking.
The EPA closed the site nearly 40 years ago because of the high levels of pollution but are only now declaring that it needs to be cleaned up.
It’s about time. I hat to say this, but something like this would never be allowed to happen in a place like Monterey or Santa Cruz or Santa Barbara. Environmentalists would have fought tooth and nail to make sure that their land was protected.
So how did this happen in San Benito County? How did we get here? Why did it take nearly 40 years to get on the Superfund list? I’ll be really honest, I was shocked when I read the articles.
Why has the board of supervisors not made it a top priority to clean this place up? Have we spoken with the EPA? Have we met with the governor on this issue? Have we reached out to our senators, (Barbara) Boxer and (Dianne) Feinstein, to ask for federal assistance? Have we traveled to Sacramento to meet with our state agencies and leaders?
Have county officials traveled to Washington to meet with members of congress on this issue? Have letters been written? Have tours of the site been given? Have pictures been taken?
Did the county pass a resolution urging state and federal officials for help?
Has the district attorney been involved? If so, what was done?
While I realize I am new to this board and was only sworn in three months ago, believe this issue is of critical importance. I also admit that I just don’t know the history of our involvement – which is why I would like a full report form staff detailing actions taken by San Benito County in regards to the New Idria mine pollution. I need to know the history. I need to be able to explain this to my constituents.
I really hope there is a long history of our involvement on this issue, because if we’ve sat quietly for 39 years, I’m going to be upset. If we’ve sat on our hands and let his happen, we owe taxpayers an explanation.
This is a toxic waste dump that threatens our land, it threatens our residents, it threatens our children, and it threatens our overall quality of life.
We must never allow something like this to go on for nearly half a century. I certainly won’t let it happen on my watch.
For the sake of building a better county government, can we please have a report on this issue?
For a story on the search for the mine owner, go here.
For a story on past efforts to get on the cleanup list, go here.
