Stay UP-TO-DATE on the EPA in the Black Hills
We try to keep you informed on the most time-sensitive volunteer work you can participate in - on this page.
Saturday, Oct 5th
MEULLER CENTER
Public Input Hearing
Volunteer to give public comment to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the changes to the updated 2019 draft permit for Powertech/Azarga Uranium to mine in the Black Hills area and here is a history and 2017 contentions against the 2017 draft permit.
01. Talking Points - of Contention
You can view the 2019 issue points listing why a lot of people are opposing the updated draft permit for uranium mining at the Dewey-Burdock site.
For Example:
- They removed the requirement for the mining company to "notify the EPA within 24 hours of any detectable seismic event within two miles" and replaced it with, "report seismic events on a quarterly (3 month) basis within 50 miles." - meaning: IF a seismic related disaster happens to the mining operation, they can't be held nearly as accountable (as they would have been in 2017) for any possible negligence and/or improper response to a catastrophic environmental pollution event - because the EPA wont even know about the disaster for up to 3 months (instead of the 24 hour standard). This is ridiculous!
- They took away the 2017 requirement for down gradient (down 'hill') pollution monitoring - meaning: WHEN (not 'if') the mine springs a toxic waste leak (which is very common) it will be HARDER to determine the real-life impact on the effected area(s). They claim their new virtual computer models are good enough, but nothing can replace REAL ACTUAL TESTING of the down gradient water flow for decades to come. The mining company should do BOTH virtual modeling AND down gradient pollution monitoring - not one or the other!
Learn more: 2019 issue points
02. Get to the Public Hearing - and Help Transport Others
The Black Hills Clean Water Alliance is doing a great job of coordinating volunteers to get volunteers to the hearing, inform them on how to best participate, and feed folks during the lunch break. Learn More
03. Dakota Rural Action
For years, this organization has been accumulating and presenting all kinds of science to teach the public about the hazards of the proposed uranium mining project at the Dewey-Burdock site. Here are their issue points.
