Sludge Safety Project: In Pursuit of the Truth

You may have noticed the Sludge Safety Project (SSP), a cooperative project of OVEC, Concerned Citizens of Mingo County, and Coal River Mountain Watch, was quieter than usual this legislative session.

This time last year we were in the halls of our states capitol every week. We were rushing in and all but tackling some legislators who tried to ignore us. We demanded their attention and support. We were equipped with jars of black well water, hats and even some homemade Sludge Safety Project T-shirts.

Now we are busier than ever. Though not roaming the hallways, we are meeting with each other, meeting with experts and allies, and planning our next steps.

We are pushing the Department of Environmental Protection to make last years hard-won SCR15 coal sludge study as useful as possible.

We want to know the truth about coal sludge

contamination. After the Legislature passed SCR 15 in March 2007, we knew it was up to us to make the most of the study. SCR 15 "Senate Concurrent Resolution 15" mandates that the DEP study underground injection of coal sludge and how it affects our health and our water in West Virginia.

We formed a citizen committee and have met with the DEP semi-regularly. DEPs been very cordial and it was a first in terms of collaboration between the DEP, Office of Surface Mining, and the Sludge Safety Project. By winning the study legislation, we had demonstrated our power and won respect.

We wanted the official study to include a site of our choosing; DEP agreed and has tested in Cabin Creek, Kanawha County. We wanted samples of the sludge and nearby water tested by independent scientists; now, the DEP splits and mails the samples to an independent scientist. The DEP also allowed one of our members to observe a collection on site and take pictures.

DEP secretary Timmermeyer told the legislature in Winter 2006 that the DEP would have no problem completing the sludge study in one year, but the DEP has asked for and received a six-month extension. As it turns out, in the entire year they had to conduct the study, DEP tested only two underground sludge injection sites.

Of course, with only one woman in the state employed to regulate and enforce laws on underground injection of coal waste, it is clear that DEP doesnt have the capacity to meet the needs of the people. See page 4 for what you can do to build DEPs capacity and hold the agency accountable.

Before SSP pursues more avenues legislatively, we need to see the conclusions of the study. No telling how much information will come from this study, so SSP is also seeking the truth through other sources.

SSP has formed an seven-person Learning Committee to continue our own research and understanding of the chemical and physical processes of underground sludge injection. Pushing for better policies and enforcement of state laws that protect people is only half of what we have been doing. We continue to meet with and support communities dealing with the dangerous impacts and threats of sludge contamination and sludge impoundments. We connect people to resources and tools to take action and make change.

Contact Patricia Feeney at (304) 235-2618 or patricia@sludgesafety.org for more information.