EPA Estimate for West Lake Radioactive Debris Cleanup
Landfill Cap: $95 Million
Partial Removal: $236 Million
Total Removal: $700 Million
Only now – after years of tears, diseases and deaths – does it seem that there is an acknowledgment of the full extent of the human damage that began when uranium ore came to St. Louis for processing for the manufacture of atomic weapons. And only now does there seem to be a realization of just how costly the cleanup of much of the resulting radioactive contamination will be.
“The truth is that until the last shovel full of this waste is removed from these areas, the region remains at risk,” said Dawn Chapman of Just MomsSTL. “The landfill fire helps people realize and think about all the issues surrounding this radioactive waste — and what can go wrong. It’s also an example of how dragging your feet and passing these issues on down the road leads to damaged health and looming emergency situations that could have been avoided.”
— Excerpted from Don Corrigan’s story in the next issue of Gateway Journalism Review. The story covers the reactions of Just MomsSTL members to the Feb. 1 announcement by EPA about plans to finally address the radioactive landfill at West Lake in North St. Louis County.
Pictured above: Dawn Chapman (Left) and Karen Nickel, co-founders of Just Moms STL.
Just MomsSTL will receive the Whistleblowers Awards from Gateway Journalism Review at its yearly event celebrating journalism in April:
WHAT: Gateway Journalism Review’s yearly event celebration
WHEN: Thursday, April 12, 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. when our speaker will be Carl Bernstein at the Edward Jones HQ, Manchester & Ballas Roads.
WHERE: Edward Jones HQ, Manchester & Ballas Roads, Des Peres.
HIGHLIGHTS: Carl Bernstein of the Washington Post Watergate Investigation will be interviewed live from his New York location.
AWARDS: Three awards to be presented: 2018 Whistle Blower Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2018 Freedom Fighter Award.
To see past coverage and podcast interviews about the West Lake Landfill and Cold Water Creek Radioactive Contamination Issue by Environmental Echo,
please see below:
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The Missouri Coalition for the Environment (MCE) has made it easy to find out what is happening with the current issues surrounding West Lake Landfill. MCE’s website allows one-stop access to information about the EPA’s proposed remedy, to post a public comment, and to view the new HBO documentary Atomic Homefront.
Environmental Echo 