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In August, a crew working for the Environmental Protection Agency accidentally released 3 million gallons of mining waste water into a Colorado creek. The Gold King Mine spill went into the Animas and San Juan rivers, causing major problems for recreation, farming and some water supplies. The water has since cleared and the EPA reports that metal concentration levels are back to the same as before the spill. But the Navajo Nation has criticized the EPA for their response and is pursuing litigation against the agency. What could be the long term impact of the spill on the communities around the San Juan and Animas rivers? Who will be held responsible for this toxic spill?
Guests:
Enrique Manzanilla – director of the Pacific Southwest Superfund Division for the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Duane “Chili” Yazzie (Diné) – Navajo Nation Shiprock Chapter President
Dr. Manley Begay (Navajo) – professor in the Applied Indigenous Studies Department at Northern Arizona University
Mae-Gilene Begay (Diné) – program director for the Navajo Nation Community Health Representatives and Outreach Program in the Navajo Nation Department of Health
Break Music: Touchwood Hills (song) Shakti Hayes (artist) Touchwood Hills (album)
