Mercury waste going to Hanford!?
US DOE has announced a search for a storage site for as much as 11, 000 tons of the nation’s waste mercury. Seven sites have been selected for consideration. Beginning in 2013, the export of mercury is banned under the Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008, which stated that mercury is highly toxic to humans, wildlife and the environment.
Hanford likely storage site.
Hanford Nuclear Reservation in central Washington is positioned as a likely storage site. Hanford already is the site for much of the nation’s nuclear waste, waste which is moving into the Columbia River.
Thousands of trucks on Oregon highways!
The movement of up to 11,000 tons of mercury from private sources will mean thousands of trucks on Oregon highways. Colorado Governor Ritter has stated the risk of thousands of trucks carrying this waste though Colorado poses too large a risk of ground and surface water contamination. If Gov. Ritter doesn’t want it in his state, why should Oregon allow it to be transported on our highways?
Mercury waste should not be stored.
Mercury waste should be treated on site and then transported for safe disposal. A process for turning mercury into pellets has been developed and is currently in use. This is the proper method for handling this waste instead of transporting and storing it for 40 years as US DOE has proposed.
Oregon and Washington governors have said nothing!
Idaho and Colorado governors have expressed opposition to mercury waste storage sites. However, Oregon and Washington’s governors have stated no positions. Please call their offices and tell them you oppose the transport of mercury waste on Oregon and Washington highways. Mercury waste should be treated in place. Hanford should be cleaned up first before more waste is taken there.
Oregon Governor Kulongoski: 503.378.4582(p), 503.378.6827 (f)
Washington Governor Gregoire: 360.902.4111 (p), 360.753.4110 (f)
ATTEND THE HEARING! MAKE A COMMENT!
Thursday, August 13 beginning at 5:30 PM
5:30-6:30: Pre-meeting workshop with Heart of America Northwest
6:30-9:30: Presentation by USDOE & Public Comment
Red Lion Portland-Convention Center
1021 NE Grand Avenue
Portland, OR 97232
Comment may be made to
Electronic: http://www.mercurystorageeis.com/comment.asp
Written: Mr. David Levenstein
EIS Document Manager
U.S. Department of Energy
P.O. Box 2612
Germantown, MD 20874
Fax: 1-877-274-5462
The above text is available as a flyer at http://www.afd-pdx.org/Mercury/8-09.pdf
David e. Delk, Alliance for Democracy – Portland Chapter503 232 5495www.afd-pdx.org
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