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Solve mine issue before we fall asleep

As one of those who has been dozing with regard to the toxins entering the Animas daily, I worry about the area’s residents falling back to sleep. The surge of yellow through Durango broke everyone’s heart – to learn in the pages of the Herald that 200 to 600 gallons of the same stuff enters the river system every minute was an eye-opener. The 3 million gallon yellow parade through town really got our attention, but we dare not forget that the river has been, and will continue be, contaminated by volumes surpassing this surge every week. Because daily contributions of metals to the river occur in a slower yet constant manner, we do not see obvious evidence here in Durango. I would prefer a cleaner river – one we can take our grandchildren to and swim in. The river water-column has already cleared and will appear to be wonderfully inviting and pure when the “yellow boy” is covered by high-water sediments. But we now know, if we did not know before, what is in waters here, and especially upstream. Who would not support a cleaner Animas River? The town of Silverton, and even the state of Colorado, cannot fund the clean up and continued treatment of such volumes of discharge – only the feds have such resources. We need to support and listen to the people who reside in Silverton, and look for win-win solutions to support their economy. But this issue needs to be resolved before we all fall asleep again, only to be startled by the next toxic event. Downstream residents (in three states!) have a right to demand faster resolution.

Bill Karls

Durango



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