Letters to the editor -
I happened upon an article from a U.S. paper regarding environmental cleanup of arsenic and lead contaminated soil in a community (Ruston/North Tacoma, Washington) where the American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) had run a copper smelter from the 1920s to the 1980s.
Environmental cleanup is underway by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but what is really interesting, is that, as part of bankruptcy proceedings, ASARCO, owned by Grupo Mexico, has agreed to fund environmental clean-up for affected communities in the United States.
The EPA's resolve to finish the job was strengthened further last month by an agreement in ASARCO's bankruptcy proceedings. The judge in the case approved a deal in which ASARCO, purchased by Grupo Mexico, will pay all of its environmental liabilities in the United States, including the Ruston site. Read more: http://www. thenewstribune.com/2010/01/24 /1041785/news-brief-24asarcog. html#ixzz0sOZTe8C2
As a former citizen of Buchans, I feel angry that ASARCO has not also been held accountable for their Canadian environmental liabilities. Will the allocated taxpayer funds be enough to cover the cost of clearing the environmental mess left by ASARCO and their associates? How will we know?
Joanne Hodder
Edmonton
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