The front page story in the Sept. 20 Herald reports on a meeting where property values in Silverton were discussed, should the town be declared a Superfund site. Such concerns about a town with a population of 800 summer and 200 winter residents pale when compared to the millions of people in at least four states who are adversely affected by pollution of the Animas River.
The Animas does not even run through Silverton, as its headwaters are south of town limits. The offending mines are north of Silverton, and the creeks that carry the pollution to the Animas skirt town to the east and west. In other words, Superfund status for the offending mines should be regarded as none of Silverton’s business.
On the other hand, the polluted Animas runs directly through Durango, and the Animas serves as an auxiliary water source for the city’s water system. So the concern should be what do Durangoans think of Superfund status for the offending mines and waterways, and what is this pollution doing to property values in Durango?
There are no sources of pollution within the Silverton town limits, and no areas within those limits that are impacted by the mine pollution. Silverton gets none of its city water from the Animas or the polluted tributary creeks.
Therefore, Silverton does not, in the first place, qualify for Superfund status, and should not be accorded it. Superfund status is a step in obtaining funds to stop pollution at its source and to clean up that pollution where it has traveled. The town limits of Silverton do not contain a pollution source nor any areas where the pollution has traveled. And the pollution is not impacting that town’s water system.
While the polluting mines, the tributary creeks and the Animas River should be given Superfund status immediately, the town limits of Silverton should not be included in the Superfund area. Simply stated: There is no pollution within the Silverton town limits to stop or clean up.
It would appear that Silverton residents have no dog in the hunt.
Richard Ruth
Durango
