Save The Arkansas River: Mayor Feigns Outrage Over Disaster

Mayor Feigns Outrage Over Disaster
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Save The Arkansas River on 18 February, 2008
 
NEW! On Newsradio 850 KOA
State Senator Tom Wiens and Leadville Mayor Bud Elliott take opposing sides on
the Leadville Drainage Tunnel. (2/25/08)
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February 25, 2008 -- Rocky Mountain News reported today that Leadville's mayor,
Bud Elliott, accused Lake County commissioners and Senator Tom Wiens of
'staging' an emergency over the threat of an imminent toxic mine pool blowout in
Leadville.
The paper claims that "Lake County's dramatic declaration nearly two weeks ago"
-- on February 13, 2008 -- "was not a move made in haste."
"For days, Lake County commissioners worked behind the scenes with state Sen.
Tom Wiens, a Castle Rock Republican, to lay the groundwork for the emergency
announcement," the story goes on to say, "Wiens even set up a Web site -
savethearkansasriver.org - four days ahead of the emergency declaration."
However, the mayor failed to disclose a crucial -- and damning -- piece of
information: the Lake County commissioners had already been voicing their
concerns for months, and the story broke into print on February 4, 2008, a full
9 days before they declared a state of emergency.
Mayor Elliott does not account for his response to the Leadville crisis from
February 4 to February 13.
On the other hand, the February 4 story led to a videotaped investigation by
Sen. Wiens, who represents Lake County in District 4, as well as an open public
hearing in Leadville just prior to the reading of the declaration of emergency.
Meanwhile, a separate television investigation was being conducted by NBC 9News
Wants To Know.
The NBC report was particularly disturbing to Sen. Wiens as it probed
bureaucratic lack of response to the Leadville disaster alert. "There's an
interview in there with the Bureau of Reclamation that sent a chill up my
spine," said Wiens.
News Story Chronology:
February 4, 2008: Lake County worried by water contamination, Pueblo Chieftain
February 13, 2008: VIDEO - Seeping water is sign of looming disaster, NBC 9News
Wants To Know
February 25, 2008: \'Disaster\' releases cascade of dissent, Rocky Mountain
News
CONCERNS BY LEADVILLE RESIDENTS CANNOT BE IGNORED
By Senator Tom J. Wiens
As recent news reports have highlighted, Leadville faces a potential
environmental disaster that could lead to loss of lives and completely
unthinkable damage to the Arkansas River ecosystem. With decision makers at
every level of government now finally seeking a solution, local residents
deserve an honest assessment of where we are in the process.
A Monday Rocky Mountain News report neglected such an opportunity, instead
opting to merely repeat the accusations of County Commissioner Candidate and
Leadville Mayor, Bud Elliott, who is now complaining that he was left out of a
decision-making process that culminated with the Lake County Board of
Commissioners declaring a local state of emergency.
While I'm sympathetic to Elliot's concerns, I also know firsthand that we
cannot spare a second for "political" conversations if we want to avert a
disaster. Federal and State agencies have spent too much time meeting, studying
and trying to reach understandings with themselves, instead of acting. Inaction
has led to the current situation and we must act now to avoid disaster.
As the Rocky correctly reported, the decision by the board -- and the publicity
surrounding it -- was not one made in haste. The conscientious Lake County
Commissioners worked with concerned officials at every level, including myself,
to draw awareness to the fact that over a billion gallons of contaminated, heavy
metal-laden water is now creating a wall of water nearly 200 feet high inside
the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel. The tunnel, operated by the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation since World War II, continues to age and suffer internal collapses.
As a result of years of endless studies and bureaucratic buck passing, the
threat of an environmental catastrophe to the Arkansas River and the surrounding
community builds by the day.
Elliot, who has had countless opportunities to attend public hearings in recent
months and years, is concerned that the negative news surrounding the tunnel
will hurt Leadville's image. While it's troubling that tourists may rethink
vacation plans and real estate deals may be delayed, we have much greater
concerns to deal with. Namely, the fact that people could die, and that the
environment could sustain damage that could permanently alter the natural
landscape that draws tourists from around the world to Lake County in the first
place.
As for my contribution to the effort, and as also reported in the Rocky, I
funded the creation of a Web site, www.SaveTheArkansasRiver.org, as a way to
raise awareness about the ongoing crisis at the headwaters of the Arkansas
River. This web site, created with the input of local Lake County residents, was
designed to force officials in Washington, after endless studies and talk, to
finally act. Government works best when the light of public accountability
shines brightest.
Our awareness campaign -- in response to years of neglect -- appears to be
working. Just last week, at a State Capitol hearing I hosted, authorities
finally came together to craft the beginnings of a solution, only this time with
actual timelines and money attached.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency agreed to begin pumping water from the
LMDT to a federal water treatment plant within 12 weeks (a timeline we hope to
accelerate). The BOR has agreed to treat the water and now seems fully engaged
in the process. Our own Colorado Department of Health and Environment is now
focused on water quality issues and solutions to blockages in the Canterbury
Tunnel. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has met with Lake County and
Leadville officials to see to it that Leadville takes the proper action to
qualify it for federal flood insurance. We still have a long way to go to create
a permanent solution, but the public attention focused on this issue over the
past few weeks seems to be producing results.
As Colorado's District 4 state Senator, Leadville is part of my district. I
refuse to be distracted by those who desire to do anything other than find a
solution. We must hold responsible those federal and state agencies culpable for
this situation. We must continue our collaborative effort among local, state,
and federal authorities to ensure that not another moment is wasted on
infighting. Help us in the cause and sign our citizen petition at
www.SaveTheArkansasRiver.org. We have no time to lose.
Tom J. Wiens (tom@tomwiens.com), R-Castle Rock, serves as Colorado's District 4
state Senator.