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Show Is it the county's responsibility? The San Juan Commission [except Commissioner Maryboy] seemed unconcerned. It either didn't know any thing or didn't want to discuss the problems. . Both are serious transgressions. Is it the State's responsibility? The Department of Environmental Quality and other agencies were set up precisely to serve its citizens but officials have not acted there with dispatch either. Is it the federal's job? There is an obligation of the government through its collective power, to step in and protect its citizens and especially to protect those that can't protect themselves due to age, condition, or illness. Is it International Uranium Corporation's responsibility? I feel that the company should have immediately reported these serious mistakes to the public and to the Radiation Control Board. The track record of this company needs to be known. Public disclosure would certainly increase the company's accountability, and there would likely be fewer mistakes. A good neighbor policy would be the ideal, but it is lacking in performance. ‘KEELERS My Dog... Moab’s Canoe Specialists We need to push for more studies concerning the incidence - Dog of the Month. ‘Next Issue... and prevalence of cancer in our communities. Or all the clothes come off. 702 South Main Street There are far too many people being inflicted. 259-7122 (800) 753-8216 Ultimately society pays the price for injuries and deaths. And there is the tragic loss of those victims' contribution to society, the cost of treating injuries, and the cost of supporting victims’ families. Compensation should be readily available. We need to push county, state and federal officials to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) concerning this urgent matter. None has yet been prepared. Commissioners Lewis and Redd refused to even ask for any environmental or health studies. Passing the buck, they said the state and federal agencies could handle the problems. We need to push for more studies concerning the incidence and prevalence of cancer in our communities. There are far too many persons being inflicted. We need an epidemiological cancer study to be conducted by an independent entity. We need to know just what relationship radiation has to the occurrence of these cancers. The cumulative effect of so much radiation, I fear, is taking its toll on our people. Our cultural and spiritual heritage plays a great part toward our happiness and welfare. So often this is overlooked, especially as it relates to our Native American peoples. The White Mesa mill is located on aboriginal lands and in an archeological zone in which there are many Indian burials. Several sacred sites have already been disturbed. New cultural and archeological studies need to be accomplished with Native American ideas. An Engineering Report accomplished with the W.R. Grace amendment request was contracted to Harold Roberts, P.E.,a former employee and a head officer of IUC. The study should have been accomplished by an independent engineering firm not associated in any way with IUC. Mr. Roberts however does admit that “in the past, calculations have been done utilizing undocumented or sometimes inaccurate data and assumptions, resulting in conflicting answers and uncertainty in the reliability of the final information.” Critics of IUC have been saying this for years. He further writes: “Efforts have been taken in preparing this report to ensure that historical records and references were verified for accuracy, instances of conflicting information were resolved, and the basis of the conclusions in this report is documented with calculations, assumptions and references.” We hope such efforts were taken, but doubt creeps in. His report was far from complete. For instance, nothing was said of the need for the extensive and costly cultural and archeological reports that will need be done. Nothing was said of the need for or the preparation and cost of a new Reclamation Plan or Final Decommissioning Plan. At the very least, no additional toxic and radiological materials should be accepted at the White Mesa mill until all of the proper environmental and health studies have been accomplished. Better still, let's keep it out! KZMU...Comim (89.7 & 106.1 FM) {2 IT'S ABOUT MUSIC! Jazz, rock, blues, latin, celtic, african, reggae, native american, bluegrass, children, big band, oldies, classical country... We ooo00 cover the Spectrum. Nelson's Heating Kyle & Carri Bailey's & Refrigeration "Serving Moab since 1962" Overnight A Full Kit Away from noj “COmodations chen Units sy Main S, (435) 259-8997 as SHR You'll need more than a pith helmet a ra Ma to stay cool | this summer... CALL US! 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