[1]Image source: NYdailynews.com
A retired geologist wrote a letter to the editor one week prior to the EPA disaster on Colorado’s Animas Rivera that some say predicted the catastrophe would occur.
In the letter [2] published in the Silverton Standard & The Miner on July 30, retired geologist Dave Taylor accused the EPA of orchestrating a disaster in an attempt to get funding for a $100 million cleanup project. The newspaper has verified that the letter indeed was printed prior to the disaster.
“Based on my 47 years’ experience as a professional geologist, it appears to me that the EPA is setting your town and the area up for a possible Superfund blitzkrieg,” Taylor wrote.
Silverton is the historic Colorado mining town near the Gold King Mine. On August 5, a crew working for the EPA accidentally broke a dam, releasing 3 million gallons of highly contaminated water [3] into Cement Creek, which runs into Animas River. The water contains toxic heavy metals, including a level of lead that is 12,000 times the acceptable standard, CNN reported. The release turned the Animas and San Juan Rivers in orange.
“I would recommend that anyone who owns a home, property water well or spring in the Cement Creek drainage take water samples ASAP to protect themselves from groundwater changes that may be caused by the EPA [4] plugging operation,” Taylor wrote.
Taylor contended that the Environmental Protection Agency knew that its intended capping of the dam would not work. Even before [6] the disaster, the site was leaking polluted water at a rate of 500 gallons per minute. Taylor said that even by plugging the leak, that rate of leakage would return.
The EPA was working to plug the leak.
“Following the plugging, the water will be retained behind the bulkheads, accumulating at a rate of approximately 500 gallons per minute,” Taylor wrote. “As the water continues to migrate through and fill interconnected workings, the pressure will increase. Eventually, without a doubt, the water will find a way out and will filtrate uncontrollably through connected abandoned shafts, drifts, raises, fractures, and possibly from talus on the hillsides.”
He then added, “But make no mistake, within seven to 120 days all of the 500 gpm flow will return to Cement Creek. Contamination may actually increase due to disturbance and flushing action within the workings.” (Read the full text of the letter below.)
The EPA then would demand funding for a cleanup project, Taylor predicted.
“Gee, ‘Plan A’ didn’t work so I guess we will have to build a treatment plant at a cost to taxpayers of $100 million to $500 million (who knows),” Taylor wrote, mocking the EPA.
Following is the full text of Taylor’s letter:
I came to Silverton this summer to enjoy my retirement, appreciate nature and prospect the mountains for unique minerals. I came here to enjoy a simple life with no TV and no politics, but unfortunately, that has changed. Your EPA dilemma has caused my blood to boil.
Discover The Only Way Back To True Freedom And Liberty In America… [7]
Based on my 47 years experience as a professional geologist, it appears to me that the EPA is setting your town and the area up for a possible Superfund blitzkrieg.
In regards to your meeting with the EP on June 23, Mr. Hestmark’s (EPA representative) statement “we don’t have an agenda” is either ignorant naivety or an outright falsehood. I am certain Mr. Hestmark’s hydrologists have advised him what’s going to happen when the Red & Bonita portals [are] plugged and the “grand experiment” begins with unknown and foreseeable results and possible negative consequences.
[8]Image source: Durango Herald
Here’s the scenario that will occur based on my experience:
Following the plugging, the exfiltrating water will be retained behind the bulkheads, accumulating at a rate of approximately 500 gallons per minute. As the water backs up, it will begin filling all connected mine workings and bedrock voids and fractures. As the water level inside the workings continue to rise, it will accumulate head pressure at a rate of 1 PSI per each 2.31 feet of vertical rise.
As the water continues to migrate through and fill interconnected workings, the pressure will increase. Eventually, without a doubt. The water will find a way out and will exfiltrate uncontrollably through connected abandoned shafts, drifts, raises, fractures, and possibly from talus on the hillsides. Initially it will appear that the miracle fix is working.
“Hallelujah.”
But make no mistake, within seven to 120 days all of the 500 gpm flow will return to Cement Creek. Contamination may actually increase due to disturbance and flushing action within the workings.
The “grand experiment” in my opinion will fail. And guess what Mr. Hestmark will say then?
Gee, ‘Plan A’ didn’t work so I guess we will have to build a treatment plant at a cost to taxpayers of $100 million to $500 million (who knows).
Reading between the lines, I believe that has been EPA’s plan all along. The proposed Red & Bonita plugging plan has been their way of getting a foot in the door to justify their hidden agenda for construction of a treatment plant.
After all, with a budget of $8.2 billion and 17,000 employees, the EPA needs new, big projects to feed the best and justify their existence.
I would recommend that anyone who owns a home, property water well or spring in the Cement Creek drainage take water samples ASAP to protect themselves from groundwater changes that may be caused by the EPA plugging operation.
God bless America, God bless Silverton, Colorado, and God protect us from the EPA.
What is your response to Taylor’s letter? Share your thoughts in the section below:
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