So now LRI has been given the go ahead to dig Cell 2A almost seven feet deeper over the aquifer. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has concluded that the change does not substantially change the analysis of significant impacts and alternatives in the Environmental Impact Statement and that it will cause no adverse environmental impacts.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has concluded that the change does not substantially change the analysis of significant impacts and alternatives in the Environmental Impact Statement and that it will cause no adverse environmental impacts.
Of course neither they nor the Department of Ecology do any engineering or environmental analysis; they just approved the change. These are the same people who refused to do an independent study requested by CROWD when the daily monitoring of the flow water from the leak detection and collection system (LDCS) indicated an average discharge of approximately 5,000 gallons of water per day. They just rely on LRI's own reports.Of course we shouldn't worry; after all they have a wonderful liner, the supposed impermeable clay and the upward gradient which will certainly keep any leachate from seeping into the aquifer and then there is the leak detection system.
On one hand they talk about the thick layer of till soil which is supposedly impervious. This means water shouldn't pass through it. Then they say the water problems come from groundwater gradually seeping up through the "mostly impervious" till. The engineering correction means they didn't get it right the first time. How many other things didn't they get right to the future detriment of our drinking water? The health department seems to think this is a "minor" problem that doesn't require any kind of public input or independent studies. We wonder what they consider major. Do you feel your public agencies are protecting your interests? The Health Department which is a regulatory agency, entered into a Joint Defense Agreement with LRI in a lawsuit filed against the Health Department by CROWD and the Weyerhaeusers in Pierce County Superior Court last year. Have you ever heard of a public agency joining with a private party? The Health Department is supposed to be working for the citizens. Their mission statement: "To safeguard and enhance the health of the communities of Pierce County".The permit granted to LRI regarding Cell 2 is just another example of the attitude of these agencies. Citizens need to call and question the Health Department's latest decision at (253) 798-6538 or email Andy Comstock at the Health Department andy_comstock@pierce.co.wa.us