The yellow color of that dominated the river last week as turned a greenish color Aug. 11 along Animas River. (Brent Lewis, The Denver Post)
Re: “EPA chief Gina McCarthy says water quality in Animas back to ‘pre-event conditions’,” Aug. 13 news story.
I’m confused. Three million gallons of highly contaminated water is dumped in the pristine Animas River and a week later the director of the Environmental Protection Agency declares that things had “returned to pre-event conditions.” Based on that amazing assessment, why do we even need an environmental branch of government?
Evidently when the EPA is at fault for an environmental disaster, the healing process takes only a week. I guess we’re fortunate that the disaster wasn’t created by a private company where clean-up would have lasted for years with heavy fines imposed by the government.
Thomas Hertner, Lakewood
This letter was published in the Aug. 18 edition.Re: “Kicking the environmental can down the river,” Aug. 11 Writers on the Range column.
Thanks so much for Allen Bestap column. Best is the only writer so far who addresses the whole historical perspective of mining in Colorado and its impact in the 130 years since the mines were first claimed.
My great-grandfather worked at the Black Bear Mine above Telluride, and another great-grandfather worked at a mine in Bedrock Gulch in the La Platas. For most of my life, these miners have been romantic figures, and I’ve regarded the mines with friendly interest.
But now I’m realizing what the headline on your piece says — these mines and their owners just kicked the can down the road on environmental impact. From now on, when I take mountain hikes past these old mines, I’m going to be worried and thoughtful, not just nostalgic.
Anne Eggebroten, Ophir
This letter was published in the Aug. 18 edition.
