LETTER: Palmer Toxic Dump threat raises its ugly head once again

To the editor:

Central Monofil (CMS) has successfully appealed the MSB Planning Commissions vote against their dump application. Their application will be thrown back into the lap of the Planning Commission for vote on December 5th. This Anchorage based company plans on dumping Anchorage trash, ground up rubble, and materials from old demolished buildings filled with asbestos, lead, and numerous other toxic chemicals right in our FRONT YARD like we are VALLEY TRASH! We continue to fight the Central Monofil (CMS) permit for a private dump at mile 38.3 of the Glenn Hwy because it presents threats & hazards to the local surrounding areas; drinking water, lakes, fish, environment, natural habitat, wild life, air quality. It will be an eye sore, reduce property values in the region, and detriment to the Glenn Hwy. Nat ional Scenic Byway. It poses devastating impacts in the event of an earthquake or fire.

The dump site sits just a few feet on top of a massive aquifer and is close to open ponds that pour into the aquifer which feeds directly into residential wells and local lakes. The Kepler/Bradley Lakes Recreation, Palmer Hay Flats, and surrounding area will be under threat of irreversible contamination to fragile habitat harming fish, waterfowl, birds of prey and wild life. The site is in a wind tunnel with winds up to 80 mph which blow trash and pollutants in the region and along the highway.

This will cause a health problems and negative impact on tourism by trashing the quality of the Glenn Hwy. National Scenic Byway and polluting our pristine recreation fishing and camping region.

Cancer from asbestos and health problems from the other toxic chemicals are a grave concern. It will be cost pro hibitive to pay borough staff to monitor dumping practices leaving the dump without responsible oversight. The bond CMS has will not scratch the surface to cover the potential risks for damage to health, environment and economic impacts.

The MSB PLANNING COMMISSION will hear PUBLIC COMMENT at 6 pm on DECEMBER 5THat the MSB Assembly chambers. Please come and oppose this toxic dump. For more information visit FaceBook page “PALMER TOXIC DUMPING” and website at http://palmertoxicdumping.org.

— Geri & Kevin McCann

Talkeetna