[CPEO-IRF] More about South Weymoutn West gate landfill

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Another message on former South Weymouth Naval Air Station's West Gate 
Landfill to the South Shore Tri-Town Development Corporation from Dave 
Wilmot <DCatbird37@aol.com>:

September 27, 2006

Mary & Mr. Fancher,

I appreciate you providing me with your  07-26-06  letter to the Navy 
stating you agree with my opinion that capping of the West Gate Landfill 
CERCLA Fund site at this time has not been proven sufficiently to be 
"properly protective of human health and the environment long term".

I myself, don't believe anything short of complete removal of the toxic 
landfill will afford responsible protection of public health, but our 
government demands proof that I'm correct in that well-founded 
assumption rather than them providing anything to prove me wrong.

Public health in this country and around the world is sacrificed for the 
financial bottom line. I don't believe this is right at all, but that's 
the way it is. The Department of Defense controls public health 
initiatives in this country, and that's that.

The cleanup levels of military toxins at this air station, as they are 
at all national former military facilities, are controlled by the 
Department of Defense.

It is no surprise to me at all that the Agency for Toxic Substances and 
Disease Registry (ATSDR) has completely disengaged themselves from 
monitoring this base cleanup process. Their existence itself, although 
touting themselves as protectors of public health, is much more 
concerned with protecting military interests, than getting to the bottom 
of the environmental illnesses that are plaguing the western world.

I am glad to learn the Development Corporation (SSTTDC) has some regard 
for public health as regards this landfill.

I was completely taken aback by the Navy's approved capping of the 
previously carried out Rubble Disposal Area (RDA) CERCLA site landfill. 
Giving the proximity of wetlands abutting Old Swamp River, and that 
feeding the city of Weymouth's primary drinking water source, I couldn't 
believe you and other governing factors would allow such insanity.

I was sure that any hopes for potable water preservation from 
base-shared acquifers, were hopeless at that point.

Hearing now of your concern for protecting potable water is a great 
relief, from one citizen whose town is so water starved we find 
ourselves under constant water bans.

I was sorry that your correspondence arrived "snail mail" as I had hoped 
to keep a shared correspondence going on email, as I believe in this 
case it could be helpful to those involved with public health on and 
surrounding the base, as well as the EPA water people (Bill Brandon & 
USGS team) as well as involved public health officials (Rick Sugatt of 
EPA, and Suzanne Condon, Dr Knorr and their office at Massachusetts 
Department of Public Health) are apprised of your health concerns .Local 
Watershed people should also be involved.

I believe the "Public Process" much touted during this long BRAC process 
needs to become just that.

Thank you for your comments to the Navy.

It is far beyond time that those appointed to Defend us (those being the 
Department of Defense) do just that. .

regards, dave wilmot

--


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org


_______________________________________________
Installation_Reuse_Forum mailing list
Installation_Reuse_Forum@list.cpeo.org
http://www.cpeo.org/mailman/listinfo/installation_reuse_forum