Hey below isn't a product of UMD studios--but I found it on youtube and thought the legislative history was interesting.
In March of 2000, during the last days of the Clinton administration, the EPA decided coal ash was a hazardous waste. Then, two months later, it flipped. If the EPA had stuck to its guns, the Kingston Coal Ash disaster in Tennessee might have been averted. Now, momentum is building to federally regulate coal ash. Will the EPA make the same mistake twice?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
ANALYSIS SHOWS EXPOSURE TO ASH FROM TVA SPILL COULD HAVE 'SEVERE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS'
The results from Duke University are in. Here they are.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009
CONTACT: Tim Lucas
(919) 613-8084
tdlucas@duke.edu
ANALYSIS SHOWS EXPOSURE TO ASH FROM TVA SPILL COULD HAVE 'SEVERE HEALTH
IMPLICATIONS'
Note to editors: Avner Vengosh can be reached at (919) 681-8050 or
vengosh@duke.edu. Photos of the research area can be viewed at
http://news.duke.edu/mmedia/hires/coalash_ruhl.jpg
and
http://news.duke.edu/mmedia/hires/coalash_plant.jpg
.
DURHAM, N.C. -- A report by Duke University scientists who analyzed
water and ash samples from last month's coal sludge spill in eastern
Tennessee concludes that "exposure to radium- and arsenic-containing
particulates in the ash could have severe health implications" in the
affected areas.
"Our radioactive measurements of solid ash samples from Tennessee
suggests the ash has radiation levels above those reported by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for typical coal ash," said Avner
Vengosh, associate professor of earth and ocean sciences at Duke's
Nicholas School of the Environment. "Preventing the formation of
airborne particulate matter from the ash that was released to the
environment seems essential for reducing possible health impacts."
More than a billion gallons of sludge coal waste spilled from a holding
facility at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston coal-burning power
plant on Dec. 22. The ash-laden waste flooded more than 400 surrounding
acres and spilled into a tributary of the Emory River, which converges
with the Clinch River and flows into the Tennessee River, a major source
of drinking water for many communities in the region. The spill was so
large it partly dammed the tributary of the Emory River, turning it into
a standing pond.
Vengosh's team found that the combined content of radium-228 and
radium-226 - the two long-lived isotopes of radium - in the solid ash
samples they collected from the TVA spill measured about 8 picocuries
per gram. That's higher than the average 5-6 picocuries per gram
reported by the EPA in most bottom and fly ash samples. The curie is a
standard measure of the intensity of radioactivity.
Radium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that decays from
uranium and thorium elements in coal. When the coal is burned, it is
concentrated in the ash. The EPA classifies radium as a Group-A
carcinogenic material, which means exposure to it could cause cancer.
Water samples collected and analyzed by Vengosh and Duke graduate
student Laura Ruhl found high levels of arsenic, measuring 95 parts per
billion, in water from the dammed tributary where coal ash has
accumulated. Only low concentrations were found in the Emory and Clinch
rivers. The EPA has set the arsenic standard for safe public drinking
water at 10 parts per billion.
Arsenic is a toxic metal that can occur naturally in the environment or
as a by-product of some agricultural and industrial activities.
According to the EPA, the effects of long-term chronic exposure to
arsenic can include increased risk of certain types of cancer, as well
as skin damage and circulatory problems.
"The good news is, we detected only trace amounts of arsenic in waters
beyond the dammed tributary," Vengosh said. "The data suggests that in
less than three weeks since the spill, river flow has diluted the
arsenic content. The river is clean, but the water from areas like the
dammed tributary, where the coal ash has accumulated, still contains
high arsenic levels."
Vengosh is an internationally cited expert on the chemistry of
radioactive elements in surface and ground waters. He has conducted
extensive research on radon and radium contaminants in the ground waters
of western North Carolina and the Middle East.
He and Ruhl collected the water and solid ash samples at sites affected
by the TVA spill on Jan. 9. Duke research scientist Gary Dwyer analyzed
the water samples for trace metal content using inductively coupled
plasma mass spectrometry. Following preliminary analysis, the solid ash
samples were incubated and underwent more detailed analysis of their
radioactive content using gamma spectrometry.
Vengosh's team collected the samples from the TVA spill after being
contacted by United Mountain Defense, a nonprofit environmental group
based in Tennessee. The Duke researchers received no funding from the
group or any other external party. All funding was provided by the
Nicholas School, Vengosh said, "to maintain total impartiality in our
analysis."
"The TVA spill is one of the largest events of its kind in U.S. history.
It raises questions concerning the safety of storing coal ash and the
potential effects of coal ash on environmental and human health,"
Vengosh said. "We hope our analysis will help provide some answers."
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009
CONTACT: Tim Lucas
(919) 613-8084
tdlucas@duke.edu
ANALYSIS SHOWS EXPOSURE TO ASH FROM TVA SPILL COULD HAVE 'SEVERE HEALTH
IMPLICATIONS'
Note to editors: Avner Vengosh can be reached at (919) 681-8050 or
vengosh@duke.edu. Photos of the research area can be viewed at
http://news.duke.edu/mmedia/hires/coalash_ruhl.jpg
http://news.duke.edu/mmedia/hires/coalash_plant.jpg
DURHAM, N.C. -- A report by Duke University scientists who analyzed
water and ash samples from last month's coal sludge spill in eastern
Tennessee concludes that "exposure to radium- and arsenic-containing
particulates in the ash could have severe health implications" in the
affected areas.
"Our radioactive measurements of solid ash samples from Tennessee
suggests the ash has radiation levels above those reported by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for typical coal ash," said Avner
Vengosh, associate professor of earth and ocean sciences at Duke's
Nicholas School of the Environment. "Preventing the formation of
airborne particulate matter from the ash that was released to the
environment seems essential for reducing possible health impacts."
More than a billion gallons of sludge coal waste spilled from a holding
facility at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston coal-burning power
plant on Dec. 22. The ash-laden waste flooded more than 400 surrounding
acres and spilled into a tributary of the Emory River, which converges
with the Clinch River and flows into the Tennessee River, a major source
of drinking water for many communities in the region. The spill was so
large it partly dammed the tributary of the Emory River, turning it into
a standing pond.
Vengosh's team found that the combined content of radium-228 and
radium-226 - the two long-lived isotopes of radium - in the solid ash
samples they collected from the TVA spill measured about 8 picocuries
per gram. That's higher than the average 5-6 picocuries per gram
reported by the EPA in most bottom and fly ash samples. The curie is a
standard measure of the intensity of radioactivity.
Radium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that decays from
uranium and thorium elements in coal. When the coal is burned, it is
concentrated in the ash. The EPA classifies radium as a Group-A
carcinogenic material, which means exposure to it could cause cancer.
Water samples collected and analyzed by Vengosh and Duke graduate
student Laura Ruhl found high levels of arsenic, measuring 95 parts per
billion, in water from the dammed tributary where coal ash has
accumulated. Only low concentrations were found in the Emory and Clinch
rivers. The EPA has set the arsenic standard for safe public drinking
water at 10 parts per billion.
Arsenic is a toxic metal that can occur naturally in the environment or
as a by-product of some agricultural and industrial activities.
According to the EPA, the effects of long-term chronic exposure to
arsenic can include increased risk of certain types of cancer, as well
as skin damage and circulatory problems.
"The good news is, we detected only trace amounts of arsenic in waters
beyond the dammed tributary," Vengosh said. "The data suggests that in
less than three weeks since the spill, river flow has diluted the
arsenic content. The river is clean, but the water from areas like the
dammed tributary, where the coal ash has accumulated, still contains
high arsenic levels."
Vengosh is an internationally cited expert on the chemistry of
radioactive elements in surface and ground waters. He has conducted
extensive research on radon and radium contaminants in the ground waters
of western North Carolina and the Middle East.
He and Ruhl collected the water and solid ash samples at sites affected
by the TVA spill on Jan. 9. Duke research scientist Gary Dwyer analyzed
the water samples for trace metal content using inductively coupled
plasma mass spectrometry. Following preliminary analysis, the solid ash
samples were incubated and underwent more detailed analysis of their
radioactive content using gamma spectrometry.
Vengosh's team collected the samples from the TVA spill after being
contacted by United Mountain Defense, a nonprofit environmental group
based in Tennessee. The Duke researchers received no funding from the
group or any other external party. All funding was provided by the
Nicholas School, Vengosh said, "to maintain total impartiality in our
analysis."
"The TVA spill is one of the largest events of its kind in U.S. history.
It raises questions concerning the safety of storing coal ash and the
potential effects of coal ash on environmental and human health,"
Vengosh said. "We hope our analysis will help provide some answers."
###
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Lawyers being interviewed at end of Jan 3rd community meeting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=596yPVRHSPo
A bunch of lawyers wanted to speak at the last community meeting UMD helped organize--so at the end they were all put on stage and questioned by the community. Otherwise they were banned from handing out cards, participating in the community small group discussions or recruiting clients. Here is a segment.
A bunch of lawyers wanted to speak at the last community meeting UMD helped organize--so at the end they were all put on stage and questioned by the community. Otherwise they were banned from handing out cards, participating in the community small group discussions or recruiting clients. Here is a segment.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Widows Creek data
http://www.datafilehost.com/download-86f4cd99.html
Here is the raw data from the samples we took at widows creek the day of and day after the spill.
http://www.datafilehost.com/download-86f4cd99.html
Hey Chris, The EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act standards are here:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/
I don't know what levels of protection widows creek is afforded in Alabama, but based on the SDWA, the Thallium (2 ug/L) is in violation as is the Aluminum (50 - 200 ug/L). Aluminum is a secondary standard which is non-enforceable because they "cause cosmetic effects (such as skin or tooth discoloration) or aesthetic effects (such as taste, odor, or color) in drinking water."
The Arsenic is over the Goal level, but not the enforceable limits. I think that's it, but it's worth a double and triple check.
unitedmountaindefense.org
Here is the raw data from the samples we took at widows creek the day of and day after the spill.
http://www.datafilehost.com/download-86f4cd99.html
Hey Chris, The EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act standards are here:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/
I don't know what levels of protection widows creek is afforded in Alabama, but based on the SDWA, the Thallium (2 ug/L) is in violation as is the Aluminum (50 - 200 ug/L). Aluminum is a secondary standard which is non-enforceable because they "cause cosmetic effects (such as skin or tooth discoloration) or aesthetic effects (such as taste, odor, or color) in drinking water."
The Arsenic is over the Goal level, but not the enforceable limits. I think that's it, but it's worth a double and triple check.
unitedmountaindefense.org
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Federal, State, Roane County Elected Officials, Governement Agencies Contacts
http://governmentcontactsforroanecounty.blogspot.com/
Jan 23 2009 flyover Strip Mining
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhtk1vD5O3g
This is a video shot from a plane (Thanks Southwings!) Jan 23 2009 of strip mining on the Cumberland Plateau in Claiborne, Scott, Campbell, and Northern Anderson Counties. UMDs primary work the last few years has been working against Strip mining.
Highland Watersheds that would produce clean drinking water for a million more years are being blown up for coal. The green golf course looking strips you see is hydroseeded grass on top of huge piles of rubble from blown up mountains mashed against a highwall. Here is "clean coal".
This is a video shot from a plane (Thanks Southwings!) Jan 23 2009 of strip mining on the Cumberland Plateau in Claiborne, Scott, Campbell, and Northern Anderson Counties. UMDs primary work the last few years has been working against Strip mining.
Highland Watersheds that would produce clean drinking water for a million more years are being blown up for coal. The green golf course looking strips you see is hydroseeded grass on top of huge piles of rubble from blown up mountains mashed against a highwall. Here is "clean coal".
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Jan 23 2008 flyover of Ash slide
Buffalo Mountain New River Watershed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXvlE82I1is
Friday we flew around the ash spill--but went to monitor the strip mines UMD monitors and get fresh high res pics. On the way to Claiborne County from the Kingston community airport we went across buffalo mountain where the windmills are.
Please forgive the bouncy nature of this footage--the reason the turbines were turning so energetically was because of wind = turbulance. But I thought it might be unique and that in the midst of the cost of the 19th century technology of coal its important to see what could be the more elegant less destructive future.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Jan 15- Jan 23, 2009 United Mountain Defense Updates Air Quality monitoring, MSDS sheets, independent contractors, and dump trucks
Jan 23, 2009 Friday
Dear folks,
(please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
United Mountain Defense volunteers have been waiting to get new carpet put in the UMD volunteer house since we had an indoor flood on sunday night. We've still been helping organize between vacumming water and working with carpet specialists, and the insurance man.
So we have also been hounding TVA about the Material Safety Data Sheets AND WE FINALLY GOT A COPY OF IT TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The copies that we have are for Class F fly ash and for bottom ash. The main chemicals listed are aluminum oxide, iron oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, titanium oxide, and inorganic arsenic at varying ranges. We will try to get these sheets up on UMD's website and this blog.
We have also spent the day working on figuring out the air quality thing. WE HAVE GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Swan Pond community is so much further ahead than other communities because of all their documentation, diaries, doctor's visits, and keeping track of their symptoms. The community listserve serves as a historical document because people keep posting their health issues there.
We have been working on formulating an air quality monitoring program. We want to bring down the Bucket Brigade? These are low volume air monitors that each citizen could recieve training to use. We could set them up inside local houses and also outside. We are looking into Summa containers to test for Volitile Organic Compounds and other gases. We are also looking into high volume air monitors and TEOM infra red scanning particulate monitors. CTEH/ TVA and TDEC are only testing to PM10 which is okay but we want to test for Total Suspended Particles which will give us a fuller air quality picture.
We have learned that TDEC has still not installed the two high volume air monitors they promised on Jan 15, 2009 but instead only installed one on Lake shore Drive. Can anyone verify that a big loud vaccum air monitor is plugged in to an electrical outlet out on Lakeshore drive with a smaller CTEH monitor next to it?
Yesterday I tried to find the air monitor on Berkshire Drive and only saw and video taped the small low volume CTEH/ TVA monitors. Is there a big air monitor plugged in to an electrical outlet there on Berkshire? So CTEH/ TVA is using low volume air monitors that would typically be used for indoors. The equipment they are using can not show compliance or non compliance with the EPA ambient air quality standards. Basically their equipment is too small. If you are so inclined you should call Tom Welborn of EPA at (404) 562 9354 and tell him that TVA is using low volume monitors to say they are achieving EPA ambient air quality standards. Request more high volume air monitoring equipment now. TELL HIM ABOUT THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF THE COMMUNITY including nose bleeds and respiratory problems. The air is also turning gold and silver jewelery black. Ask to file an official complaint.
Also call TDEC at (615) 532 0562 and tell them they need to order TVA to install more high volume air monitors as per the EPA's and TDEC's monitoring and reporting requirements. TDEC is the lead enforcement agency right now so we should focus our energies on them. Tell them about your communities health. Call TDEC and file a complaint, ask them to install more high volume air monitors.
Also we made a call today to OSHA about the fact that a lot of the independent contractors did not give TVA's MSDS sheets to their workers. These workers aren't informed about the toxins they are working with and their employers are not supplying them with the appropriate safety equipment. We called Phillip Harrell of OSHA at (615) 232 3803. OSHA needed to know the names of the contractors so that they could follow up on getting MSDS sheets out to the workers. Either call OSHA with the names of the contractors or email us and we will call them for you.
Also about the dump trucks tracking coal fly ash out onto the roads. We need to be more diligent about the trucks because we witnessed trucks traveling out of the disaster site without being washed. We were able to identify them because they had mud caked up on the sides, back, and wheel wells of the trucks. This has and will continue to be an ongoing problem for your community, but we can put a stop to it by reporting the dirty trucks. The following is a breif history of the dirty dump truck situation. On Jan 6, 2009 Mr. Graves first recorded and made official complaints to the TN Highway Patrol, TDEC, EPA, TVA, and Howie Rose of Roane County Emergency Management Agency. On Jan 9, 2009 we reported dirty dump trucks. On Jan 12, 2009 Howie Rose told me TVA had purchased three truck washers to be installed. On Jan 15, 2009 we told Gill Francis of TVA not to forget the truck washers. On Jan 22, 2009 we called to report dirty dump trucks. As of Jan 23, 2009 TVA had still not installed the truck washers and Howie Rose said TVA will be installing them by this coming Tuesday Jan 27, 2009. This means that all of these agencies and TVA have knowingly been tracking coal fly ash out onto your roads for more than 17 days. This is unacceptable.
Please call TDEC (865) 594 6035
EPA (404) 562 9354
TN Highway Patrol (865) 594 5793
Howie Rose Roane County Emergency Management (865) 250 7347
TVA (865) 717 4006
File official complaints and make a paper trail for these injustices.
Alright, thanks for hanging in there.
I thank you for your help, support, courage, and kind words.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 22, 2009 Thursday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Today started out as we facilitated an interview between a community member and GQ magazine. As we were driving up to the road block on South Swan Pond Rd we were halted even though we had a community resident pass. The TVA police officers questioned us about our intentions for driving onto the public road. Of course the rolling video camera may have had some impact on the situation. Our license plate was radioed in and we were allowed to enter this distressed community. For the most part the corporate media has not reported the stories of many of the residents living on this portion of Swan Pond Rd because they don’t have coal fly ash in their front yards though they did drink tap water impacted by the coal ash disaster for nearly 10 days.
This particular resident was more than happy to share her story about how she got blisters on the roof of her mouth on Dec 24, 2008 after boiling and drinking the tap water and cooking Christmas Eve dinner with it. She was very happy to receive the 10 gallons of bottled water we delivered for her today.
After the interview United Mountain Defense volunteers headed to the citizen’s press
conference at the Harriman community center. This press conference garnered more media attendance than any of the TVA press conferences attended by Independent Media outlets. There were at least four television stations including the Jim Lehrer News Hour and more than four news papers with large readerships including GQ, the Tennessean, and the Chattanooga Times Free Press. The main topics of the citizen’s press conference detailed the health concerns of the community members and exposed TVA’s cover up of the doctor ordered evacuations due to negative health impacts. To this point TVA has said that everything is fine with the air quality in the area while paying to temporarily relocate families living next to the coal ash disaster. The people are in respiratory distress because of TVA’s coal ash disaster.
After the successful citizen’s press conference United Mountain Defense volunteers traveled down to Swan Pond Circle Dr to do an interview with the Jim Lehrer News Hour. It was very productive and we used the time to record TVA’s changes to the disaster site. After the interview we visited a local volunteer who had recently gotten home from the hospital, and then we headed home.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 21, 2009 Wednesday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Today volunteers for United Mountain Defense traveled to Harriman, TN for a media messaging workshop. There were a few local residents who attended the media training. It was a very effective session where the residents crafted their message for the press conference and worked on their sound bites.
United Mountain Defense volunteers made follow up phone calls to the media that received press releases about the citizen’s press conference. We also called other media outlets that were not on the email list.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 20, 2009 Tuesday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
It has been interesting and hard to continue working on the TVA coal ash disaster while taking care of the flooded United Mountain Defense volunteer house as well. None the less United Mountain Defense volunteers set up a media messaging workshop and a citizen’s press conference in Harriman, TN.
United Mountain Defense volunteers emailed out a press release announcing the citizen’s press conference to all the media outlets that have been reporting on the TVA coal ash disaster.
Hey we need independent air quality monitoring!!!! Local residents are reporting that their gold and silver jewelry is being turned black and the tarnish can not be removed. They are reporting that they and their animals are having uncontrollable nose bleeds. There is one report of one dog’s black nose turning red. Local residents are missing work because of respiratory distress. They are reporting shortness of breath. As soon as they travel out of the immediate disaster area some of these resident’s symptoms clear up. I got a phone call yesterday from a lady who lives in Rockwood about 10 miles southwest of the disaster site. Rockwood is located in the path of the prevailing winds. The woman has an evacuation notice from her doctor because of respiratory distress.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 19, 2009 Monday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Happy MLK day!! So as the United Mountain Defense volunteers were vacuuming water logged carpets a lively statewide protest against TVA was occurring. There were protests in Johnson City, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, TN.
There was an incredible amount of media coverage on the Chattanooga protests. There have been two Youtube videos created about the Knoxville protests. The Nashville protesters infiltrated the MLK Day March and distributed information about TVA’s coal ash disaster.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 18, 2009 Sunday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
United Mountain Defense’s Harriman field team traveled to Knoxville for a board meeting that also served as a planning meeting for the next week. It was good to see our Knoxville friends and catch up on the latest news from the BIG city.
Later in the evening we traveled to the United Mountain Defense volunteer house to discover that a minor flood had occurred inside the house. We found a copper pipe fitting that had come loose and had been flowing for an untold number of days. There was about 3 inches of water in the wall to wall carpet. It has added another level of disaster to our list of tasks. We got 4 hours of sleep this night.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 17, 2009 Saturday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
United Mountain Defense volunteers awoke to good news when we found out about receiving a $3,000 Technical Assistance Grant from the Appalachian Community Fund for heavy metal screenings for local residents impacted by TVA’s coal ash disaster. We want to thank the Appalachian Community Fund for all of the support they have given us over the past year including supporting the Portrait Story Project and the Harriman Resident Heavy Metal Screening. Thank you Appalachian Community Fund!!!
There was a volunteer meeting set up for local residents who wanted to get started working on projects. The meeting agenda was made by the people who showed up for the meeting. Topics of discussion included water monitoring, air monitoring, truck traffic, rock quarry blasting, and human health. The meeting lasted for an hour and there were a few break outs/ workshops that followed the meeting. The workshop groups included email listserve moderator training, water quality monitoring training, and media training.
Two volunteers signed up to be moderators of the community email listserve and received training to do this job effectively.
The media workshop decided to hold a citizen press conference on January 22, 2009 to mark the one month anniversary of TVA’s coal ash disaster. The main theme of the press conference would be the health concerns and evacuations ordered by local doctors.
The water monitoring workshop saw the creation of a new citizen monitoring team. The new monitoring team made a plan to gather four gallons of polluted water to be shipped to Colorado for testing.
This volunteer meeting was very productive. It was conducted without an organizational structure. There was a facilitator that kept the meeting flowing in an orderly fashion.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 16, 2009 Friday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
United Mountain Defense volunteers spent the day on the phone and doing much needed computer work. At 10 AM United Mountain Defense full time volunteer staff person, Matt Landon, participated in a conference call with TN and national environmental groups. He was able to give a detailed update from the front lines. There were some strong resolutions and plans of action charted that may help bring some positive results to the coal impacted community of Harriman and other such communities across the country.
Another United Mountain Defense volunteer spent the day informing Swan Pond community members about the volunteer meeting on Saturday and checking in with residents who got tested for heavy metals.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 15, 2009 Thursday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Volunteers from United Mountain Defense went down to the American Legion and opened the doors at 10 AM to gather the samples from the Tuesday Jan 13, 2009 human heavy metal screening. The doors opened there was a steady trickle of locals who dropped off their samples. UMD volunteers stayed at the American Legion until nearly 3 PM.
At 3 PM we closed shop and began preparing for the TVA Open House at the Roane County Community College. A representative of the Knoxville Independent Media took his camera and began going from table to table asking hard questions of each of the representatives. The floor of the gym was divided up into different areas including air quality, water quality, independent contracting, TVA activities, TN Department of Environment and Conservation, TN Department of Health, and EPA.
The Knoxville Independent Media representative made an effort to go to each table and speak with and video tape all of the participants. The most interesting interviews came from the corporation doing the air monitoring and the TDEC air quality specialists. I learned from TDEC that the air quality monitors that CTEH Corporation was using were “low volume” air monitors which would not provide a definitive compliance or non compliance measure for EPA’s Ambient Air Quality Standard. Knoxville Independent Media has the TDEC official on video tape making this statement. TVA has been passing off this less than adequate information to the EPA, TDEC, the public, and the media to say that the air is safe to breathe. There is no monitoring for VOC’s or indoor air quality. TDEC installed two “high volume” air monitors on Jan 14, 2009 along the northern and northeastern edges of the coal ash disaster that would provide parallel samples of CTEH’s low volume equipment. It has been 24 days since TVA’s coal ash disaster occurred and the state of TN is finally installing air monitors. What a joke.
So when the Knoxville Independent Media representative asked about additional monitors the TDEC official said they would not be necessary based on the present locations of the existing air monitors.
A member of United Mountain Defense and the Knoxville Independent Media representative attended the TVA open house from 4 PM- 8 PM and recorded about two and half hours of video tape.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Dear folks,
(please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
United Mountain Defense volunteers have been waiting to get new carpet put in the UMD volunteer house since we had an indoor flood on sunday night. We've still been helping organize between vacumming water and working with carpet specialists, and the insurance man.
So we have also been hounding TVA about the Material Safety Data Sheets AND WE FINALLY GOT A COPY OF IT TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The copies that we have are for Class F fly ash and for bottom ash. The main chemicals listed are aluminum oxide, iron oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, titanium oxide, and inorganic arsenic at varying ranges. We will try to get these sheets up on UMD's website and this blog.
We have also spent the day working on figuring out the air quality thing. WE HAVE GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Swan Pond community is so much further ahead than other communities because of all their documentation, diaries, doctor's visits, and keeping track of their symptoms. The community listserve serves as a historical document because people keep posting their health issues there.
We have been working on formulating an air quality monitoring program. We want to bring down the Bucket Brigade? These are low volume air monitors that each citizen could recieve training to use. We could set them up inside local houses and also outside. We are looking into Summa containers to test for Volitile Organic Compounds and other gases. We are also looking into high volume air monitors and TEOM infra red scanning particulate monitors. CTEH/ TVA and TDEC are only testing to PM10 which is okay but we want to test for Total Suspended Particles which will give us a fuller air quality picture.
We have learned that TDEC has still not installed the two high volume air monitors they promised on Jan 15, 2009 but instead only installed one on Lake shore Drive. Can anyone verify that a big loud vaccum air monitor is plugged in to an electrical outlet out on Lakeshore drive with a smaller CTEH monitor next to it?
Yesterday I tried to find the air monitor on Berkshire Drive and only saw and video taped the small low volume CTEH/ TVA monitors. Is there a big air monitor plugged in to an electrical outlet there on Berkshire? So CTEH/ TVA is using low volume air monitors that would typically be used for indoors. The equipment they are using can not show compliance or non compliance with the EPA ambient air quality standards. Basically their equipment is too small. If you are so inclined you should call Tom Welborn of EPA at (404) 562 9354 and tell him that TVA is using low volume monitors to say they are achieving EPA ambient air quality standards. Request more high volume air monitoring equipment now. TELL HIM ABOUT THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF THE COMMUNITY including nose bleeds and respiratory problems. The air is also turning gold and silver jewelery black. Ask to file an official complaint.
Also call TDEC at (615) 532 0562 and tell them they need to order TVA to install more high volume air monitors as per the EPA's and TDEC's monitoring and reporting requirements. TDEC is the lead enforcement agency right now so we should focus our energies on them. Tell them about your communities health. Call TDEC and file a complaint, ask them to install more high volume air monitors.
Also we made a call today to OSHA about the fact that a lot of the independent contractors did not give TVA's MSDS sheets to their workers. These workers aren't informed about the toxins they are working with and their employers are not supplying them with the appropriate safety equipment. We called Phillip Harrell of OSHA at (615) 232 3803. OSHA needed to know the names of the contractors so that they could follow up on getting MSDS sheets out to the workers. Either call OSHA with the names of the contractors or email us and we will call them for you.
Also about the dump trucks tracking coal fly ash out onto the roads. We need to be more diligent about the trucks because we witnessed trucks traveling out of the disaster site without being washed. We were able to identify them because they had mud caked up on the sides, back, and wheel wells of the trucks. This has and will continue to be an ongoing problem for your community, but we can put a stop to it by reporting the dirty trucks. The following is a breif history of the dirty dump truck situation. On Jan 6, 2009 Mr. Graves first recorded and made official complaints to the TN Highway Patrol, TDEC, EPA, TVA, and Howie Rose of Roane County Emergency Management Agency. On Jan 9, 2009 we reported dirty dump trucks. On Jan 12, 2009 Howie Rose told me TVA had purchased three truck washers to be installed. On Jan 15, 2009 we told Gill Francis of TVA not to forget the truck washers. On Jan 22, 2009 we called to report dirty dump trucks. As of Jan 23, 2009 TVA had still not installed the truck washers and Howie Rose said TVA will be installing them by this coming Tuesday Jan 27, 2009. This means that all of these agencies and TVA have knowingly been tracking coal fly ash out onto your roads for more than 17 days. This is unacceptable.
Please call TDEC (865) 594 6035
EPA (404) 562 9354
TN Highway Patrol (865) 594 5793
Howie Rose Roane County Emergency Management (865) 250 7347
TVA (865) 717 4006
File official complaints and make a paper trail for these injustices.
Alright, thanks for hanging in there.
I thank you for your help, support, courage, and kind words.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 22, 2009 Thursday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Today started out as we facilitated an interview between a community member and GQ magazine. As we were driving up to the road block on South Swan Pond Rd we were halted even though we had a community resident pass. The TVA police officers questioned us about our intentions for driving onto the public road. Of course the rolling video camera may have had some impact on the situation. Our license plate was radioed in and we were allowed to enter this distressed community. For the most part the corporate media has not reported the stories of many of the residents living on this portion of Swan Pond Rd because they don’t have coal fly ash in their front yards though they did drink tap water impacted by the coal ash disaster for nearly 10 days.
This particular resident was more than happy to share her story about how she got blisters on the roof of her mouth on Dec 24, 2008 after boiling and drinking the tap water and cooking Christmas Eve dinner with it. She was very happy to receive the 10 gallons of bottled water we delivered for her today.
After the interview United Mountain Defense volunteers headed to the citizen’s press
conference at the Harriman community center. This press conference garnered more media attendance than any of the TVA press conferences attended by Independent Media outlets. There were at least four television stations including the Jim Lehrer News Hour and more than four news papers with large readerships including GQ, the Tennessean, and the Chattanooga Times Free Press. The main topics of the citizen’s press conference detailed the health concerns of the community members and exposed TVA’s cover up of the doctor ordered evacuations due to negative health impacts. To this point TVA has said that everything is fine with the air quality in the area while paying to temporarily relocate families living next to the coal ash disaster. The people are in respiratory distress because of TVA’s coal ash disaster.
After the successful citizen’s press conference United Mountain Defense volunteers traveled down to Swan Pond Circle Dr to do an interview with the Jim Lehrer News Hour. It was very productive and we used the time to record TVA’s changes to the disaster site. After the interview we visited a local volunteer who had recently gotten home from the hospital, and then we headed home.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 21, 2009 Wednesday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Today volunteers for United Mountain Defense traveled to Harriman, TN for a media messaging workshop. There were a few local residents who attended the media training. It was a very effective session where the residents crafted their message for the press conference and worked on their sound bites.
United Mountain Defense volunteers made follow up phone calls to the media that received press releases about the citizen’s press conference. We also called other media outlets that were not on the email list.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 20, 2009 Tuesday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
It has been interesting and hard to continue working on the TVA coal ash disaster while taking care of the flooded United Mountain Defense volunteer house as well. None the less United Mountain Defense volunteers set up a media messaging workshop and a citizen’s press conference in Harriman, TN.
United Mountain Defense volunteers emailed out a press release announcing the citizen’s press conference to all the media outlets that have been reporting on the TVA coal ash disaster.
Hey we need independent air quality monitoring!!!! Local residents are reporting that their gold and silver jewelry is being turned black and the tarnish can not be removed. They are reporting that they and their animals are having uncontrollable nose bleeds. There is one report of one dog’s black nose turning red. Local residents are missing work because of respiratory distress. They are reporting shortness of breath. As soon as they travel out of the immediate disaster area some of these resident’s symptoms clear up. I got a phone call yesterday from a lady who lives in Rockwood about 10 miles southwest of the disaster site. Rockwood is located in the path of the prevailing winds. The woman has an evacuation notice from her doctor because of respiratory distress.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 19, 2009 Monday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Happy MLK day!! So as the United Mountain Defense volunteers were vacuuming water logged carpets a lively statewide protest against TVA was occurring. There were protests in Johnson City, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, TN.
There was an incredible amount of media coverage on the Chattanooga protests. There have been two Youtube videos created about the Knoxville protests. The Nashville protesters infiltrated the MLK Day March and distributed information about TVA’s coal ash disaster.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 18, 2009 Sunday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
United Mountain Defense’s Harriman field team traveled to Knoxville for a board meeting that also served as a planning meeting for the next week. It was good to see our Knoxville friends and catch up on the latest news from the BIG city.
Later in the evening we traveled to the United Mountain Defense volunteer house to discover that a minor flood had occurred inside the house. We found a copper pipe fitting that had come loose and had been flowing for an untold number of days. There was about 3 inches of water in the wall to wall carpet. It has added another level of disaster to our list of tasks. We got 4 hours of sleep this night.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 17, 2009 Saturday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
United Mountain Defense volunteers awoke to good news when we found out about receiving a $3,000 Technical Assistance Grant from the Appalachian Community Fund for heavy metal screenings for local residents impacted by TVA’s coal ash disaster. We want to thank the Appalachian Community Fund for all of the support they have given us over the past year including supporting the Portrait Story Project and the Harriman Resident Heavy Metal Screening. Thank you Appalachian Community Fund!!!
There was a volunteer meeting set up for local residents who wanted to get started working on projects. The meeting agenda was made by the people who showed up for the meeting. Topics of discussion included water monitoring, air monitoring, truck traffic, rock quarry blasting, and human health. The meeting lasted for an hour and there were a few break outs/ workshops that followed the meeting. The workshop groups included email listserve moderator training, water quality monitoring training, and media training.
Two volunteers signed up to be moderators of the community email listserve and received training to do this job effectively.
The media workshop decided to hold a citizen press conference on January 22, 2009 to mark the one month anniversary of TVA’s coal ash disaster. The main theme of the press conference would be the health concerns and evacuations ordered by local doctors.
The water monitoring workshop saw the creation of a new citizen monitoring team. The new monitoring team made a plan to gather four gallons of polluted water to be shipped to Colorado for testing.
This volunteer meeting was very productive. It was conducted without an organizational structure. There was a facilitator that kept the meeting flowing in an orderly fashion.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 16, 2009 Friday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
United Mountain Defense volunteers spent the day on the phone and doing much needed computer work. At 10 AM United Mountain Defense full time volunteer staff person, Matt Landon, participated in a conference call with TN and national environmental groups. He was able to give a detailed update from the front lines. There were some strong resolutions and plans of action charted that may help bring some positive results to the coal impacted community of Harriman and other such communities across the country.
Another United Mountain Defense volunteer spent the day informing Swan Pond community members about the volunteer meeting on Saturday and checking in with residents who got tested for heavy metals.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Jan 15, 2009 Thursday
Dear folks,
(Please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Volunteers from United Mountain Defense went down to the American Legion and opened the doors at 10 AM to gather the samples from the Tuesday Jan 13, 2009 human heavy metal screening. The doors opened there was a steady trickle of locals who dropped off their samples. UMD volunteers stayed at the American Legion until nearly 3 PM.
At 3 PM we closed shop and began preparing for the TVA Open House at the Roane County Community College. A representative of the Knoxville Independent Media took his camera and began going from table to table asking hard questions of each of the representatives. The floor of the gym was divided up into different areas including air quality, water quality, independent contracting, TVA activities, TN Department of Environment and Conservation, TN Department of Health, and EPA.
The Knoxville Independent Media representative made an effort to go to each table and speak with and video tape all of the participants. The most interesting interviews came from the corporation doing the air monitoring and the TDEC air quality specialists. I learned from TDEC that the air quality monitors that CTEH Corporation was using were “low volume” air monitors which would not provide a definitive compliance or non compliance measure for EPA’s Ambient Air Quality Standard. Knoxville Independent Media has the TDEC official on video tape making this statement. TVA has been passing off this less than adequate information to the EPA, TDEC, the public, and the media to say that the air is safe to breathe. There is no monitoring for VOC’s or indoor air quality. TDEC installed two “high volume” air monitors on Jan 14, 2009 along the northern and northeastern edges of the coal ash disaster that would provide parallel samples of CTEH’s low volume equipment. It has been 24 days since TVA’s coal ash disaster occurred and the state of TN is finally installing air monitors. What a joke.
So when the Knoxville Independent Media representative asked about additional monitors the TDEC official said they would not be necessary based on the present locations of the existing air monitors.
A member of United Mountain Defense and the Knoxville Independent Media representative attended the TVA open house from 4 PM- 8 PM and recorded about two and half hours of video tape.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and real time web cams.
If you are a resident impacted by TVA's coal ash disaster please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then ,matt landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
A new video of TVA hard a work with LEAF BLOWERS AND NO MASK. TVA is not taking the health of their workers seriously.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCydgnFnJrA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCydgnFnJrA
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Jan 13 2009 heavy metal clinic 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7Mt79t1J-4
UMD found out that apparently there is a window from which after initial exposure to arsenic and heavy metals will no longer appear in the blood, urine etc. UMD found out about this window and put together a clinic with a professional lab to come and draw blood, nails, etc. The nails set a baseline for exposure in the previous two months which is important as well.In 3 days the enviro community kicked down $13,000 to make sure that families already damaged economically by their land values plummeting and unexpected disaster related expenses would not have to be further burdened by having to come up with $500 for test. TVA did not contribute a thin dime.
As of today TVA has offered no free comprehensive medical examinations for heavy metal exposure to the impacted residents of its disaster.
UMD found out that apparently there is a window from which after initial exposure to arsenic and heavy metals will no longer appear in the blood, urine etc. UMD found out about this window and put together a clinic with a professional lab to come and draw blood, nails, etc. The nails set a baseline for exposure in the previous two months which is important as well.In 3 days the enviro community kicked down $13,000 to make sure that families already damaged economically by their land values plummeting and unexpected disaster related expenses would not have to be further burdened by having to come up with $500 for test. TVA did not contribute a thin dime.
As of today TVA has offered no free comprehensive medical examinations for heavy metal exposure to the impacted residents of its disaster.
A Press Release/ Post from local Roane County Resident, Rick Cantrell
Rick Cantrell
For Immediate Release: January 1, 2009
(865)376-1040 RECThe1@aol.com
The Largest Environmental Disaster in U.S. History
It has been less than a month since the massive coal waste disaster in Kingston Tennessee from a failed levee that held the ash in retaining ponds. TVA continues to call this a “spill”. What they will not say is that it is the largest environmental disaster in U. S. history. There are a few things that both amaze and anger me at the same time. Let me first say that I am not associated with any environmental group. My concern is with this community. This community is being misled and lied to.
First, let me give you a few facts that are not being relayed to any of us. TVA told a Senate committee that this “spill” covered about 275 acres. Other estimates say 300 to 400 acres. If not for the hills and coves of the river, there was enough contamination to cover 3000 acres with a foot of sludge.
We are continually told that there is no danger to the public “at this time”. If that is the truth, then why is it that residence from the most affected areas now being evacuated and given places to live?
I was there the morning after this tragedy happened. I could not even have imagined what I was looking at. I was there again this morning to look at what TVA says is "cleaning it up". What I saw was a joke. First of all, the straw that they air-dropped only covered about 25% of the mess. And, in the cove that I visited, they are dredging the center of it to let a natural spring flow. I know this area as well as anyone. I have spent many hours fishing there. There are many springs that flow underground and come to surface in the coves when the water is at summer levels. Right now the area is covered up with 10 to 12 feet of mud, sludge, and trash. TVA does not plan on digging the coves out. So, these springs will eventually find a way to flow to the surface. Then they make their way to the river. Covering it up will never take away the contamination. Let me say that again. COVERING IT UP WILL NEVER TAKE AWAY THE CONTAMINATION!! When TVA tells us it isn't contaminated and will be cleaned up, they are severely misleading you. If you do the research you will find that arsenic cannot be changed or diluted. Its molecular structure always remains the same. It is in the water from this disaster. It will remain there until TVA cleans it out. In the Swan Pond area, the arsenic levels were extremely elevated. It is in the mud and trash. And the only way to remove the arsenic is to remove all, and I mean ALL, of the mud it is mixed in, even in the coves.
Smaller, but just as tragic levee breaks have happened in Kentucky , and Pennsylvania . The people that live in these areas are still trying to cope with it. Did TVA clean it up? No! they covered it up. In Kentucky there are coves that once had water in them that are now fields. The contamination is still there. In Pennsylvania , some homes have the dried sludge in the crawl spaces of their homes. So why should Roane County , Tennessee expect any different approach?
I listened to Mr. Kilgore tell this community that it was not a time that TVA could hold its head high, but he promised to make it right. Well, TVA and its officials should hide their heads because of the way they are planning to handle this. They are doing whatever will cost them the least. How about taking some of your unearned bonuses to help pay to clean this up right?
What I cannot understand is why our elected officials, both local state, and national, are staying quiet. The mayors of each town should have their city councils pass resolutions demanding that the clean-up be done right. Our State Representative and State Senator should be on the floor in Nashville demanding that TVA get it right. Our US Representatives and our US Senators should be on the floor in Washington demanding that Congress hold TVA accountable and make them clean it up, not just cover it up. Even the news media has gone silent. This cover up should have the media speaking loudly. It is not the time for silence. Even if you do not live in this area, it's time to show the entire nation what is really going on. There are retention ponds like the one that gave way here, all over the nation. You think it will not happen to your community? Maybe it will not. But the risk is there. So please, wake up. We need your voice in this area. And we need your voice all over the nation.
There is no regulation on how to store the ash from coal burning plants. The EPA has suggested on three occasions that this stuff is contaminated. But, for some reason, they changed their mind on each occasion. But you have to realize one fact. The coal companies contribute more money to candidates than even the oil companies do.
Now allow me to go back to this community. I have heard people say that this is the largest natural disaster of its kind in US history. I would like to correct that statement. It is the worst national disaster in our history. The levee was manmade. So, it cannot be a natural disaster.
This will affect the local economy in the months and years to come. Much of our economy is based on our rivers and lakes. I will mention just two events. During the Fourth of July weekend, people from all over the Southeast come here to let their families enjoy the water and watch our fireworks. They are some of the best in the US. Professional bass fishermen hold tournaments here. Are they still going to show up if they even think the rivers and lakes are contaminated? I wouldn't. I will be the first to say that my children and granddaughter will not even get close to this water as it is.
Mayor Beets, Mayor Miller, Mayor Mason, it's time to stop standing by the side of TVA officials and start standing up for the community. Representative Ferguson and State Senator Yeager, it's time to take charge and represent the people here. US Senators Alexander and Corker, Washington needs to make sure this is cleaned up right and that it never happens again. Governor Bredeson, this sludge is not safe as you said in public.
TVA can explain things in their terms that make it sound good. But, if you take them for their word, it helps to cover this disaster up. We as a community, a state, and a nation need to not only speak out, but shout out, enough is enough!
The sad thing is that TVA does not realize this is a time in which they could shine. They could dig this all out. Yes, it would take time and money. However, they could make this devastated area look even better than it did. They could remove the contamination and restore this area; make it even more beautiful than before. Then they could hold their heads high and be proud. But if they think the direction they are taking is something to be proud of, then they are not only trying to fool us, but themselves as well.
I am no reporter, journalist, environmentalist, or anyone that is “important”. I am no public speaker or professional writer. I am just a man who loves his community. I am a man who has many wonderful memories provided in the area that has been destroyed. And I am a man who would love to be able to have the opportunity to enjoy more memories. Please, do not allow this to be covered up. Please speak out. News media please help keep this alive. I am but one voice. But as long as I have a voice, I will keep it alive. And if just one paper prints this for others to read, it is one small step to fixing our community, and keeping it from happening to others. We have a long way to go, and a long and rough road to travel. But, the journey is easier when you have the company.
Rick Cantrell
Kingston, Tennessee
For more information please contact Rick Cantrell (865) 376-1040 or RECThe1@aol.com
### END###
For Immediate Release: January 1, 2009
(865)376-1040 RECThe1@aol.com
The Largest Environmental Disaster in U.S. History
It has been less than a month since the massive coal waste disaster in Kingston Tennessee from a failed levee that held the ash in retaining ponds. TVA continues to call this a “spill”. What they will not say is that it is the largest environmental disaster in U. S. history. There are a few things that both amaze and anger me at the same time. Let me first say that I am not associated with any environmental group. My concern is with this community. This community is being misled and lied to.
First, let me give you a few facts that are not being relayed to any of us. TVA told a Senate committee that this “spill” covered about 275 acres. Other estimates say 300 to 400 acres. If not for the hills and coves of the river, there was enough contamination to cover 3000 acres with a foot of sludge.
We are continually told that there is no danger to the public “at this time”. If that is the truth, then why is it that residence from the most affected areas now being evacuated and given places to live?
I was there the morning after this tragedy happened. I could not even have imagined what I was looking at. I was there again this morning to look at what TVA says is "cleaning it up". What I saw was a joke. First of all, the straw that they air-dropped only covered about 25% of the mess. And, in the cove that I visited, they are dredging the center of it to let a natural spring flow. I know this area as well as anyone. I have spent many hours fishing there. There are many springs that flow underground and come to surface in the coves when the water is at summer levels. Right now the area is covered up with 10 to 12 feet of mud, sludge, and trash. TVA does not plan on digging the coves out. So, these springs will eventually find a way to flow to the surface. Then they make their way to the river. Covering it up will never take away the contamination. Let me say that again. COVERING IT UP WILL NEVER TAKE AWAY THE CONTAMINATION!! When TVA tells us it isn't contaminated and will be cleaned up, they are severely misleading you. If you do the research you will find that arsenic cannot be changed or diluted. Its molecular structure always remains the same. It is in the water from this disaster. It will remain there until TVA cleans it out. In the Swan Pond area, the arsenic levels were extremely elevated. It is in the mud and trash. And the only way to remove the arsenic is to remove all, and I mean ALL, of the mud it is mixed in, even in the coves.
Smaller, but just as tragic levee breaks have happened in Kentucky , and Pennsylvania . The people that live in these areas are still trying to cope with it. Did TVA clean it up? No! they covered it up. In Kentucky there are coves that once had water in them that are now fields. The contamination is still there. In Pennsylvania , some homes have the dried sludge in the crawl spaces of their homes. So why should Roane County , Tennessee expect any different approach?
I listened to Mr. Kilgore tell this community that it was not a time that TVA could hold its head high, but he promised to make it right. Well, TVA and its officials should hide their heads because of the way they are planning to handle this. They are doing whatever will cost them the least. How about taking some of your unearned bonuses to help pay to clean this up right?
What I cannot understand is why our elected officials, both local state, and national, are staying quiet. The mayors of each town should have their city councils pass resolutions demanding that the clean-up be done right. Our State Representative and State Senator should be on the floor in Nashville demanding that TVA get it right. Our US Representatives and our US Senators should be on the floor in Washington demanding that Congress hold TVA accountable and make them clean it up, not just cover it up. Even the news media has gone silent. This cover up should have the media speaking loudly. It is not the time for silence. Even if you do not live in this area, it's time to show the entire nation what is really going on. There are retention ponds like the one that gave way here, all over the nation. You think it will not happen to your community? Maybe it will not. But the risk is there. So please, wake up. We need your voice in this area. And we need your voice all over the nation.
There is no regulation on how to store the ash from coal burning plants. The EPA has suggested on three occasions that this stuff is contaminated. But, for some reason, they changed their mind on each occasion. But you have to realize one fact. The coal companies contribute more money to candidates than even the oil companies do.
Now allow me to go back to this community. I have heard people say that this is the largest natural disaster of its kind in US history. I would like to correct that statement. It is the worst national disaster in our history. The levee was manmade. So, it cannot be a natural disaster.
This will affect the local economy in the months and years to come. Much of our economy is based on our rivers and lakes. I will mention just two events. During the Fourth of July weekend, people from all over the Southeast come here to let their families enjoy the water and watch our fireworks. They are some of the best in the US. Professional bass fishermen hold tournaments here. Are they still going to show up if they even think the rivers and lakes are contaminated? I wouldn't. I will be the first to say that my children and granddaughter will not even get close to this water as it is.
Mayor Beets, Mayor Miller, Mayor Mason, it's time to stop standing by the side of TVA officials and start standing up for the community. Representative Ferguson and State Senator Yeager, it's time to take charge and represent the people here. US Senators Alexander and Corker, Washington needs to make sure this is cleaned up right and that it never happens again. Governor Bredeson, this sludge is not safe as you said in public.
TVA can explain things in their terms that make it sound good. But, if you take them for their word, it helps to cover this disaster up. We as a community, a state, and a nation need to not only speak out, but shout out, enough is enough!
The sad thing is that TVA does not realize this is a time in which they could shine. They could dig this all out. Yes, it would take time and money. However, they could make this devastated area look even better than it did. They could remove the contamination and restore this area; make it even more beautiful than before. Then they could hold their heads high and be proud. But if they think the direction they are taking is something to be proud of, then they are not only trying to fool us, but themselves as well.
I am no reporter, journalist, environmentalist, or anyone that is “important”. I am no public speaker or professional writer. I am just a man who loves his community. I am a man who has many wonderful memories provided in the area that has been destroyed. And I am a man who would love to be able to have the opportunity to enjoy more memories. Please, do not allow this to be covered up. Please speak out. News media please help keep this alive. I am but one voice. But as long as I have a voice, I will keep it alive. And if just one paper prints this for others to read, it is one small step to fixing our community, and keeping it from happening to others. We have a long way to go, and a long and rough road to travel. But, the journey is easier when you have the company.
Rick Cantrell
Kingston, Tennessee
For more information please contact Rick Cantrell (865) 376-1040 or RECThe1@aol.com
### END###
Friday, January 16, 2009
New NLM page on TVA Kingston Fossil Plant Coal Ash Spill
National Network of Libraries of Medicine
Southeastern Atlantic Region
New NLM page on TVA Kingston Fossil Plant Coal Ash Spill
On December 22, 2008, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Kingston Fossil Plant's retention pond failed, creating a tidal wave of water and fly ash which destroyed several homes and ruptured a major gas line in a neighborhood located adjacent to the plant in Harriman, Tennessee. It is estimated that approximately 3.1 million cubic feet of fly ash and water were released on to land adjacent to the plant and into the nearby Clinch and Emory River.
There's concern about the potential effects of this spill on the quality of water, air and soil in the region. From its extensive environmental health and toxicology resources, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) has compiled a Web page of links to chemical information on fly ash and medical journal articles on the ash's possible human health effects, http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/coalashspill.html.
These resources provide background information on fly ash, also known as coal ash, which is a by-product of burning coal in power plants to generate electricity. Links to public health information from local and federal authorities responding to this incident are also included. For more information on TOXNET and other NLM environmental health and toxicology resources, please visit http://tox.nlm.nih.gov
Southeastern Atlantic Region
New NLM page on TVA Kingston Fossil Plant Coal Ash Spill
On December 22, 2008, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Kingston Fossil Plant's retention pond failed, creating a tidal wave of water and fly ash which destroyed several homes and ruptured a major gas line in a neighborhood located adjacent to the plant in Harriman, Tennessee. It is estimated that approximately 3.1 million cubic feet of fly ash and water were released on to land adjacent to the plant and into the nearby Clinch and Emory River.
There's concern about the potential effects of this spill on the quality of water, air and soil in the region. From its extensive environmental health and toxicology resources, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) has compiled a Web page of links to chemical information on fly ash and medical journal articles on the ash's possible human health effects, http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/coalashspill.html.
These resources provide background information on fly ash, also known as coal ash, which is a by-product of burning coal in power plants to generate electricity. Links to public health information from local and federal authorities responding to this incident are also included. For more information on TOXNET and other NLM environmental health and toxicology resources, please visit http://tox.nlm.nih.gov
Thursday, January 15, 2009
TVA straight piping coal ash scum into Emory River
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqgmFRtJzF0
This is a video of one of the UMD field persons showing how TVA is straight piping coal ash scum directly into the Emory River. It really makes no sense that they would go to the trouble of putting a boom up to keep the scum from getting into the river then they pump it directly into the river from where they catch it. Go TVA!
This is a video of one of the UMD field persons showing how TVA is straight piping coal ash scum directly into the Emory River. It really makes no sense that they would go to the trouble of putting a boom up to keep the scum from getting into the river then they pump it directly into the river from where they catch it. Go TVA!
Jan 10- Jan 14, 2009 United Mountain Defense Updates from TVA coal ash disaster
Jan 14, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Today was spent preparing a trip for two local coal impacted residents to Washington D.C. United Mountain Defense received an offer from a PR firm that is working to counter the “Cl*** Coal” campaign of 2008. The PR firm learned that $55 million was spent on the false ad campaign. United Mountain Defense volunteer attorney, Chris Irwin had a brilliant idea to use the term "Filthy Coal" and the PR firm had a bunch of black ball caps printed using the phrase. They are sure to be the fashion fad of the year.
United Mountain Defense volunteers had all kinds of details to work out including securing boarding for Sarah’s dog. This evening United Mountain Defense volunteers set up a media messaging workshop for Tom Grizzard and Sarah McCoin so they could learn how to use sound bites to get their message across. After the hour long workshop both of these coal impacted residents felt more prepared for their whirlwind trip to Washington D.C. We learned that they would be meeting with a few of their elected officials including TN Senators and Congressmen. I do wish them the best of luck. It was really nice to hear their kind words about United Mountain Defense’s work over the past three and half weeks. They stated that the community would have been lost and spinning its wheels without the help that United Mountain Defense and yall have given to them.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and biometric testing of impacted residents.
If you are a resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Jan 13, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
This was the second day of heavy metal screenings here in Harriman, TN. When we arrived at the American Legion Hall it was even colder than the first screening day the previous Thursday. United Mountain Defense set up a welcome table and helped get the expert staff of Internal Balance set up as well. The clinical screening was performed by a Brentwood, TN corporation called Internal Balance. Internal Balance assembled a skilled team of physician’s assistants who worked under the guidance of a licensed physician, Dr. Daniel Kalb, MD. The owner of Internal Balance, Tamara Mariea is a biochemical nutritionist and a detoxification specialist.
There was a total of 29 coal impacted residents tested at no cost to them with money that you donated to United Mountain Defense. Thank you so much. We are eternally grateful for your kindness. At the end of the day there was one scholarship left and after calling all of the residents on our list twice we gave it to United Mountain Defense volunteer Tom Swinford. Tom has been a dedicated volunteer here on the ground since day one. Tom is the father of Bonnie, UMD’s volunteer coordinator, and has recently moved to Knoxville, TN from Indianapolis, IN. He had a full spectrum of blood work done one year ago and has been breathing in the Harriman air just like many local residents for three weeks now. He is willing to speak with the media about the his testing experience and will be sharing his test results as soon as they come back. Thank you Tom and Bonnie for all your hard work.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and biometric testing of impacted residents.
If you are a resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Jan 12, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
It was nice to wake up in my own bed this morning though I as I laid there I couldn’t figure out if I was in Knoxville or Harriman. It was one of those moments when I was trying to decide to be happy about breathing the air or not. I actually got to sleep in a bit today and fully awoke by 10 AM.
This morning I spent more time taking care of my “Regular Life.” A disaster is such a weird thing. I am surrounded by people whose lives are still going on. A new Harriman friend is getting married on Friday. A new Harriman friend has a new granddaughter.
I went and finalized the details for a teaching position which I am to fill one day a week at a local highschool as I also have an art education degree. I will be teaching Fire Performance. We will create a Fire Sculpture which we hope to enter into the Dogwood Arts Festival in April.
Through the power of gasoline we were majically transported back to TVA’s coal ash disaster for a meeting of the Roane County Commissioners this evening. It was located in the Kingston City Courthouse. This was the most confusingly advertized meeting I have ever seen. In the same paragraph it was advertized as a “Public Hearing” and a “Public Meeting.” I have been a to a bunch of public hearings and I have never seen one like this. I think that only thing that made this a public hearing was the fact they had a court recorder and audio taped the hour long question and answer session. Mr. Tom Kilgore graced us with his presence along with the Roane County Commissioners and other elected officials of Kingston. There was a shot taken at the media by the Kingston Mayor for portraying the coal ash disaster in a negative light. He didn’t mention that TVA wants to pay for a PR firm to polish the image of Kingston and Roane County by down playing the dangers of coal fly ash.
I think that it is ridiculous that WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY REAL PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THIS DISASTER YET!!!!! If you are reading this please call the EPA and request a public hearing on this disaster. Please call TDEC and request a public hearing on this disaster.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and biometric testing of impacted residents.
If you are a resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Jan 11, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
United Mountain Defense’s dedicated volunteer staff finished and submitted a technical assistance grant to the Appalachian Community Fund today. The Appalachian Community Fund has been very supportive of United Mountain Defense’s work in TN and Appalachia and we look forward to working with them in the future as well.
The world has its eyes focused on Harriman, TN and United Mountain Defense right now and the reason for this is all of the ground work that our dedicated volunteer force has put into helping during this disaster. United Mountain Defense is an all volunteer organization and although we have had volunteers on the ground since day one we have also had a dedicated volunteer force in Knoxville, TN working to put all of our video footage on the internet. The Knoxville support crew has also been on the conference calls, helping wrangle the media, and fundraising like never before. So this is a big shout out the Knoxville support crew, United Mountain Defense would be lost without yall. I also want to give a shout out to all of the folks out there who are helping out in whatever ways you are. I know that your prayers are with us and the folks of Harriman and everyone living downstream and downwind.
The United Mountain Defense field crew got to touch base with the Knoxville support crew today. It was good to see our friends. We also got to tie up loose like paying those pesky utility bills for the United Mountain Defense volunteer house.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and biometric testing of impacted residents.
If you are a resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Jan 10, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Volunteers with United Mountain Defense took Dr. Avner Vengosh and graduate student, Laura Ruhl of Duke University out into the field again today to gather more water and coal ash samples. We mainly focused our efforts along the Emory and Clinch Rivers downstream of the disaster site. We also located a whole bunch of springs previously buried by the coal ash which had emerged from their coal ash graves within the last few days. These springs had washed the coal ash away and their waters were cutting new channels in a meandering pattern through the gray muck. We also gathered a sample of a Swan Pond Circle Dr. spring that many residents had been drinking from for years which had been roped off with “Caution” tape two and half weeks after the coal ash disaster. In addition to the coal ash and river water samples we also gathered a sample of Harriman city water from a Swan Pond Circle Drive resident’s home tap.
On this day we observed and recorded a helicopter dropping hay on the coal ash to help control the dust.
When you are operating in a natural disaster such as this there is a tendency to run full blast 24 hours 7 days a week. Well United Mountain Defense volunteers have been on the ground since day one of TVA’s coal ash disaster. As we finish week three of the disaster the United Mountain Defense volunteers decided to take the rest of the day for ourselves which basically meant that we were answering the phones, checking emails, and writing a grant. Well someone has got to do it. Thank you for your support.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and biometric testing of impacted residents.
If you are a resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Dear folks,
(please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Today was spent preparing a trip for two local coal impacted residents to Washington D.C. United Mountain Defense received an offer from a PR firm that is working to counter the “Cl*** Coal” campaign of 2008. The PR firm learned that $55 million was spent on the false ad campaign. United Mountain Defense volunteer attorney, Chris Irwin had a brilliant idea to use the term "Filthy Coal" and the PR firm had a bunch of black ball caps printed using the phrase. They are sure to be the fashion fad of the year.
United Mountain Defense volunteers had all kinds of details to work out including securing boarding for Sarah’s dog. This evening United Mountain Defense volunteers set up a media messaging workshop for Tom Grizzard and Sarah McCoin so they could learn how to use sound bites to get their message across. After the hour long workshop both of these coal impacted residents felt more prepared for their whirlwind trip to Washington D.C. We learned that they would be meeting with a few of their elected officials including TN Senators and Congressmen. I do wish them the best of luck. It was really nice to hear their kind words about United Mountain Defense’s work over the past three and half weeks. They stated that the community would have been lost and spinning its wheels without the help that United Mountain Defense and yall have given to them.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and biometric testing of impacted residents.
If you are a resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Jan 13, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
This was the second day of heavy metal screenings here in Harriman, TN. When we arrived at the American Legion Hall it was even colder than the first screening day the previous Thursday. United Mountain Defense set up a welcome table and helped get the expert staff of Internal Balance set up as well. The clinical screening was performed by a Brentwood, TN corporation called Internal Balance. Internal Balance assembled a skilled team of physician’s assistants who worked under the guidance of a licensed physician, Dr. Daniel Kalb, MD. The owner of Internal Balance, Tamara Mariea is a biochemical nutritionist and a detoxification specialist.
There was a total of 29 coal impacted residents tested at no cost to them with money that you donated to United Mountain Defense. Thank you so much. We are eternally grateful for your kindness. At the end of the day there was one scholarship left and after calling all of the residents on our list twice we gave it to United Mountain Defense volunteer Tom Swinford. Tom has been a dedicated volunteer here on the ground since day one. Tom is the father of Bonnie, UMD’s volunteer coordinator, and has recently moved to Knoxville, TN from Indianapolis, IN. He had a full spectrum of blood work done one year ago and has been breathing in the Harriman air just like many local residents for three weeks now. He is willing to speak with the media about the his testing experience and will be sharing his test results as soon as they come back. Thank you Tom and Bonnie for all your hard work.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and biometric testing of impacted residents.
If you are a resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Jan 12, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
It was nice to wake up in my own bed this morning though I as I laid there I couldn’t figure out if I was in Knoxville or Harriman. It was one of those moments when I was trying to decide to be happy about breathing the air or not. I actually got to sleep in a bit today and fully awoke by 10 AM.
This morning I spent more time taking care of my “Regular Life.” A disaster is such a weird thing. I am surrounded by people whose lives are still going on. A new Harriman friend is getting married on Friday. A new Harriman friend has a new granddaughter.
I went and finalized the details for a teaching position which I am to fill one day a week at a local highschool as I also have an art education degree. I will be teaching Fire Performance. We will create a Fire Sculpture which we hope to enter into the Dogwood Arts Festival in April.
Through the power of gasoline we were majically transported back to TVA’s coal ash disaster for a meeting of the Roane County Commissioners this evening. It was located in the Kingston City Courthouse. This was the most confusingly advertized meeting I have ever seen. In the same paragraph it was advertized as a “Public Hearing” and a “Public Meeting.” I have been a to a bunch of public hearings and I have never seen one like this. I think that only thing that made this a public hearing was the fact they had a court recorder and audio taped the hour long question and answer session. Mr. Tom Kilgore graced us with his presence along with the Roane County Commissioners and other elected officials of Kingston. There was a shot taken at the media by the Kingston Mayor for portraying the coal ash disaster in a negative light. He didn’t mention that TVA wants to pay for a PR firm to polish the image of Kingston and Roane County by down playing the dangers of coal fly ash.
I think that it is ridiculous that WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY REAL PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THIS DISASTER YET!!!!! If you are reading this please call the EPA and request a public hearing on this disaster. Please call TDEC and request a public hearing on this disaster.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and biometric testing of impacted residents.
If you are a resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Jan 11, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
United Mountain Defense’s dedicated volunteer staff finished and submitted a technical assistance grant to the Appalachian Community Fund today. The Appalachian Community Fund has been very supportive of United Mountain Defense’s work in TN and Appalachia and we look forward to working with them in the future as well.
The world has its eyes focused on Harriman, TN and United Mountain Defense right now and the reason for this is all of the ground work that our dedicated volunteer force has put into helping during this disaster. United Mountain Defense is an all volunteer organization and although we have had volunteers on the ground since day one we have also had a dedicated volunteer force in Knoxville, TN working to put all of our video footage on the internet. The Knoxville support crew has also been on the conference calls, helping wrangle the media, and fundraising like never before. So this is a big shout out the Knoxville support crew, United Mountain Defense would be lost without yall. I also want to give a shout out to all of the folks out there who are helping out in whatever ways you are. I know that your prayers are with us and the folks of Harriman and everyone living downstream and downwind.
The United Mountain Defense field crew got to touch base with the Knoxville support crew today. It was good to see our friends. We also got to tie up loose like paying those pesky utility bills for the United Mountain Defense volunteer house.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and biometric testing of impacted residents.
If you are a resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Jan 10, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Volunteers with United Mountain Defense took Dr. Avner Vengosh and graduate student, Laura Ruhl of Duke University out into the field again today to gather more water and coal ash samples. We mainly focused our efforts along the Emory and Clinch Rivers downstream of the disaster site. We also located a whole bunch of springs previously buried by the coal ash which had emerged from their coal ash graves within the last few days. These springs had washed the coal ash away and their waters were cutting new channels in a meandering pattern through the gray muck. We also gathered a sample of a Swan Pond Circle Dr. spring that many residents had been drinking from for years which had been roped off with “Caution” tape two and half weeks after the coal ash disaster. In addition to the coal ash and river water samples we also gathered a sample of Harriman city water from a Swan Pond Circle Drive resident’s home tap.
On this day we observed and recorded a helicopter dropping hay on the coal ash to help control the dust.
When you are operating in a natural disaster such as this there is a tendency to run full blast 24 hours 7 days a week. Well United Mountain Defense volunteers have been on the ground since day one of TVA’s coal ash disaster. As we finish week three of the disaster the United Mountain Defense volunteers decided to take the rest of the day for ourselves which basically meant that we were answering the phones, checking emails, and writing a grant. Well someone has got to do it. Thank you for your support.
There is no shortage of a need for project funding. United Mountain Defense is a 501c3 and we are seeking funding or co-sponsoring organizations to help fund personal protection equipment, bottled water, independent air and water monitoring, and biometric testing of impacted residents.
If you are a resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
United Mountain Defense needs help with air quality monitoring and buying respirators
Dear folks,
Please forward far and wide!
WE NEED INDEPENDENT AIR MONITORS NOW!!!!!!!!!! Bring a hazmat respirator seriously.
United Mountain Defense has been leading the charge for the on the ground response here in Harriman. We have been here since day one gathering more than 80 water and coal samples and more than 50 hours of video footage. Because of your help we have gotten free heavy metal testing for more than 29 local residents impacted by the disaster. The next big push for help that we need is probably the one that will impact you the most, AIR, AIR, AIR. No one is testing the air except TVA and the private corporation that they hired. And guess what they are saying every thing is fine. Please donate hazmat respirators.
They have 5 stationary particulate monitors and a few hand held monitors.
Well if you could feel the back of my throat and the hear the hacking coughs that eminate from DEEP in these folks lungs you would second guess about the data coming from TVA. TVA has lied about the water and they are currently lying about the air. People are being evacuated by doctor's orders because of respiratory damage due to fly ash. Doctors are prescibing respirators.
United Mountain Defense volunteers are wearing double filter respirators that filter lead, asbestos, and some fine particulates. It is still getting through these respirators. All of the reports are saying that the ash is wet and it is safe to breathe here. It is a lie. There was a little boy here who had fly ash flushed from his nasual cavity. It is in the air.
United Mountain Defense is requesting independent air monitors to show up and hang out for a day, the weekend, a week or longer. I don't know anything about air monitoring as I have been focused on water for the past 10 years but my sore throat and burning eyes tell me we need air monitors. We have been trying to mobilize the Bucket Brigade but they say $10,000 before they can come. We need testing for VOC's and particulates. PLEASE HELP!!!!!! We have spaces for you to stay for free and possibly gas money.
If you come down to monitor you are helping United Mountain Defense and we will help you write and distribute your results through press releases and online at our website, we don't need lone stars or cowboys down here. We know the areas that need testing and already have permission from land owners to install the monitors. PLEASE HELP, cough, cough.
Thank you, contact me directly at 865 689 2778 or 865 292 1710.
Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense on the ground of TVA's worst coal disaster since DEC 22, 2008
Please forward far and wide!
WE NEED INDEPENDENT AIR MONITORS NOW!!!!!!!!!! Bring a hazmat respirator seriously.
United Mountain Defense has been leading the charge for the on the ground response here in Harriman. We have been here since day one gathering more than 80 water and coal samples and more than 50 hours of video footage. Because of your help we have gotten free heavy metal testing for more than 29 local residents impacted by the disaster. The next big push for help that we need is probably the one that will impact you the most, AIR, AIR, AIR. No one is testing the air except TVA and the private corporation that they hired. And guess what they are saying every thing is fine. Please donate hazmat respirators.
They have 5 stationary particulate monitors and a few hand held monitors.
Well if you could feel the back of my throat and the hear the hacking coughs that eminate from DEEP in these folks lungs you would second guess about the data coming from TVA. TVA has lied about the water and they are currently lying about the air. People are being evacuated by doctor's orders because of respiratory damage due to fly ash. Doctors are prescibing respirators.
United Mountain Defense volunteers are wearing double filter respirators that filter lead, asbestos, and some fine particulates. It is still getting through these respirators. All of the reports are saying that the ash is wet and it is safe to breathe here. It is a lie. There was a little boy here who had fly ash flushed from his nasual cavity. It is in the air.
United Mountain Defense is requesting independent air monitors to show up and hang out for a day, the weekend, a week or longer. I don't know anything about air monitoring as I have been focused on water for the past 10 years but my sore throat and burning eyes tell me we need air monitors. We have been trying to mobilize the Bucket Brigade but they say $10,000 before they can come. We need testing for VOC's and particulates. PLEASE HELP!!!!!! We have spaces for you to stay for free and possibly gas money.
If you come down to monitor you are helping United Mountain Defense and we will help you write and distribute your results through press releases and online at our website, we don't need lone stars or cowboys down here. We know the areas that need testing and already have permission from land owners to install the monitors. PLEASE HELP, cough, cough.
Thank you, contact me directly at 865 689 2778 or 865 292 1710.
Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person for United Mountain Defense on the ground of TVA's worst coal disaster since DEC 22, 2008
Monday, January 12, 2009
Coal Ash Association presentation after disaster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPYV0D0-wpw
This is from the Coal Association presentation they rushed to put on after the disaster.
This is from the Coal Association presentation they rushed to put on after the disaster.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Dr. Conrad (Dan) Volz speaking at Jan 3rd meeting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-wx7tF_0pc
Dr. Volz is an Assistant Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) at the Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH), University of Pittsburgh; he is also the Director for the Center for Healthy Environments and Communities at the Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH), University of Pittsburgh; and Director of the Environmental Health Risk Assessment Certificate Program
Dr. Volz is an Assistant Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) at the Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH), University of Pittsburgh; he is also the Director for the Center for Healthy Environments and Communities at the Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH), University of Pittsburgh; and Director of the Environmental Health Risk Assessment Certificate Program
Lisa Graves-Marcucci addressing community
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us_NRU2pkoE
On Jan 3rd 2008 220 impacted residents of the TVA disaster met and hear a speaker from a community which had been flooded with ash in 2005
This speaker is
Lisa Graves-Marcucci lisagmarcucci@gmail.com
On Jan 3rd 2008 220 impacted residents of the TVA disaster met and hear a speaker from a community which had been flooded with ash in 2005
This speaker is
Lisa Graves-Marcucci lisagmarcucci@gmail.com
UMD Widows creek on the ground
http://s423.photobucket.com/albums/pp311/laserjuice/Widows%20Creek%20TVA/
United Mountain Defenses scouts just got back from Widows Creek. Video soon, here are the first pics.
http://s423.photobucket.com/albums/pp311/laserjuice/Widows%20Creek%20TVA/
January 10th, 2009
Day two of our work at Widows Creek yielded more samples, photographs, and confrontations with security. James and I arrived in Stevenson, AL around 2:30pm and, remembering our paths from yesterday, took a labyrinth of back roads to bypass police blockades. A security truck followed us for a couple of miles as we drove straight to the private drive leading to our new friend's house, on private land bordered by Widows Creek and TVA property.
The area was crawling with security vehicles, patrol boats, and helicopters. We were met by the owner's brother-in-law, who had just returned from an unsuccessful hunting trip in the nearby woods. He said a helicopter had followed him as he walked and had hovered directly overhead, dangerously close to the treetops, watching him for several minutes as deer and all other wildlife quickly abandoned the area. They seemed suspicious of him despite his obvious hunting outfit, with a bright orange cap and rifle.
"I wish they would just leave us alone," he sighed. Pointing toward the two guards stationed on a ridge overlooking his land, the owner joked, "I motioned for those police to come down here for a closer look, but I guess they didn't want to."
His brother-in-law chimed in, "I should get my binoculars out and watch them the same way they're watching us."
By 3:30 we were geared up and trudging through the mud behind a horse pasture to get water samples from a pond between the house and the TVA embankment that is closer to the dam but not in the direct flow of the creek. The horses we curious about us but were clearly disturbed by the constant pump truck and overhead helicopter noises. This cacophony was consistent from the time we arrived until the time we left.
Our next stop was in Widows Creek, much farther upstream than yesterday's expedition, about 300 yards from the dam. James took six samples from three different points in the creek, about 20 feet from the bank. He saw a thick, gritty coating of grayish slime on the surface of the water as well as adhering to the trees. The slime stretched out in a band, coating everything within 70 feet of the channel. He took some photographs of this while I remained at the tree line and captured video of patrol boats and helicopters zooming around, amidst the sounds of water pumps, dump trucks, and other heavy machinery.
We thanked our helpful friend for the use of his property and showed him the photographs of the slime. He said he didn't expect us to find any heavy metals in the water samples, but is curious to find out about the composition of the contaminants.
On our way out, we were flagged down by the two police officers who had been watching us as we worked in the horse pond. We were questioned, asked for identification, and given a verbal warning for their "reason to believe" that we had trespassed on TVA land. One officer was courteous but the other grew belligerent, threatened to arrest us, and refused to give his name or badge number. As he stormed away from our car after copying the tag information, the first officer said, "Look, we're concerned about the spill and the environment too, but you have to understand we're just doing our jobs. I won't argue with you over whether coal is the best way to get energy, but you have to stay out of TVA property."
It sounds like someone has been doing their homework on which organization is conducting independent water tests at TVA disaster sites.
Yesterday's and today's samples are on ice, labeled, documented, and ready to be sent to the lab. Results will be released as soon as possible. Our photographs are already up and video is on its way.
Peace,
Amanda
Heavy metal testing interview Jan 8 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1_EEeAwx-U
Hey United Mountain Defense organized a clinic to test impacted residents of the TVA disaster for heavy metals. The lab worked with us and got the cost down to $500 per person. We didn't want community members already burdened with unanticipated expenses as a result of the TVA disaster to also have to cough up $500 for a test they needed.
In 3 days the environmental community donated over $13,000 to enable 26 local residents to get tested on scholarships. No government agency helped, lifted a finger or paid a dime to help--this was paid for by contributions from folks.
Tues we are hosting a second clinic--we have room for 8 people that we can do a complete screening for free. This number will go up as people send in donations.
Hey United Mountain Defense organized a clinic to test impacted residents of the TVA disaster for heavy metals. The lab worked with us and got the cost down to $500 per person. We didn't want community members already burdened with unanticipated expenses as a result of the TVA disaster to also have to cough up $500 for a test they needed.
In 3 days the environmental community donated over $13,000 to enable 26 local residents to get tested on scholarships. No government agency helped, lifted a finger or paid a dime to help--this was paid for by contributions from folks.
Tues we are hosting a second clinic--we have room for 8 people that we can do a complete screening for free. This number will go up as people send in donations.
Jan 8, Jan 9, 2009 United Mtn Defense TVA coal ash disaster update
Jan 9, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to any and all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Today volunteers with United Mountain Defense took Duke University Dr. Avner Vengosh, and Duke University graduate student, Laura Ruhl, out into the disaster site to gather samples of water and coal ash. They took water samples at five locations which had previously been sampled so that we could see the changes to these sites over time.
While United Mountain Defense volunteers were sampling water in the disaster area we met representatives of the TN Department of Health for the first time since the coal ash disaster began. These two representatives were driving around asking questions to local residents about their health concerns. We were very happy to see that the TN Department of Health was handing out some of the same safety documents that United Mountain Defense has been handing out for two and half weeks now. We also learned that there were representatives of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry from the Center of Disease Control in Atlanta, GA on the site today interviewing coal impacted residents.
While in the field United Mountain Defense volunteers learned about another TVA disaster in North East Alabama and sent a volunteer down there to monitor the water quality and document the event with video. He was not able to get very close to the disaster site but was able to gather some samples of a local creek that was impacted by the event. TVA has stated that one holding pond burst into another holding pond. Fortunately the second pond held although an unknown amount of the coal ash did overflow into a near by creek. Please check out the report back below on dirtcoaltva.blogspot.com
After a full day of water monitoring the United Mountain Defense volunteers attended a presentation by Erin Brokovich at the Roane State Community College gym. It was a very informative presentation and Brokovich was able to present a lot of the information that the groups on the ground had been gathering for the past two and half weeks. They chose to show the “Montage” that was created by a local youth who lived across the Emory River from the disaster site.
United Mountain Defense set up a table in the lobby and distributed more than 1000 copies of the public education materials that we had previously printed.
After the lawyer’s presentation the microphone was opened to questions from the audience and comments from non profits that had been working in the area. United Mountain Defense volunteer staff person, Matt Landon, addressed the crowd to update them about the progress that United Mountain Defense had made with the Swan Pond community.
United Mountain Defense volunteers asked Erin Brokovich if she would be willing to make a donation to help pay for the heavy metal testing of the coal impacted residents. She agreed and United Mountain Defense will be following up with her tomorrow to find out how to get the check.
If you are a concerned resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Jan 8, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to any and all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
United Mountain Defense fundraised $13,000 to pay for heavy metal screening of the coal impacted residents of the Swan Pond community in Harriman, TN. Twenty-one local residents showed up for testing today. The testing was performed by a Nashville company called Internal Balance owned by Tamara Mariea. Check out www.internalbalance.com
We need to raise at least $50,000 more dollars to pay for the testing of many other locals who can not afford to pay for the screenings which cost $500 a person. These tests are creating a baseline of data for the past and present exposure of these residents to heavy metals. The testing consists of whole blood analysis, hair samples, urine, and fecal samples. The staff of trained nurses also performed routine medical procedures including checking the heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
The results will take 7 days to come back from the lab. The next round of metal testing is set up for Tuesday and is open to anyone with $500. If you pay for your testing you MAY be able to receive a refund from your insurance company afterwards. The next round of testing will be Tuesday and we need to raise $50,000 for the number of residents that want and need to be tested. Many of these residents drank well water/ spring water, or live in the areas directly impacted by the coal ash disaster and may have been inhaling this coal ash since the disaster.
United Mountain Defense volunteers helped prepare the indoor space for the heavy metal screening space at 9:30 AM. There were 5 employees of Internal Balance who stayed from 10 AM until past 7 PM. Everyone showed a lot of patience and worked very hard to help the community on this day.
If you are a concerned resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Dear folks,
(please repost to any and all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Today volunteers with United Mountain Defense took Duke University Dr. Avner Vengosh, and Duke University graduate student, Laura Ruhl, out into the disaster site to gather samples of water and coal ash. They took water samples at five locations which had previously been sampled so that we could see the changes to these sites over time.
While United Mountain Defense volunteers were sampling water in the disaster area we met representatives of the TN Department of Health for the first time since the coal ash disaster began. These two representatives were driving around asking questions to local residents about their health concerns. We were very happy to see that the TN Department of Health was handing out some of the same safety documents that United Mountain Defense has been handing out for two and half weeks now. We also learned that there were representatives of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry from the Center of Disease Control in Atlanta, GA on the site today interviewing coal impacted residents.
While in the field United Mountain Defense volunteers learned about another TVA disaster in North East Alabama and sent a volunteer down there to monitor the water quality and document the event with video. He was not able to get very close to the disaster site but was able to gather some samples of a local creek that was impacted by the event. TVA has stated that one holding pond burst into another holding pond. Fortunately the second pond held although an unknown amount of the coal ash did overflow into a near by creek. Please check out the report back below on dirtcoaltva.blogspot.com
After a full day of water monitoring the United Mountain Defense volunteers attended a presentation by Erin Brokovich at the Roane State Community College gym. It was a very informative presentation and Brokovich was able to present a lot of the information that the groups on the ground had been gathering for the past two and half weeks. They chose to show the “Montage” that was created by a local youth who lived across the Emory River from the disaster site.
United Mountain Defense set up a table in the lobby and distributed more than 1000 copies of the public education materials that we had previously printed.
After the lawyer’s presentation the microphone was opened to questions from the audience and comments from non profits that had been working in the area. United Mountain Defense volunteer staff person, Matt Landon, addressed the crowd to update them about the progress that United Mountain Defense had made with the Swan Pond community.
United Mountain Defense volunteers asked Erin Brokovich if she would be willing to make a donation to help pay for the heavy metal testing of the coal impacted residents. She agreed and United Mountain Defense will be following up with her tomorrow to find out how to get the check.
If you are a concerned resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Jan 8, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to any and all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
United Mountain Defense fundraised $13,000 to pay for heavy metal screening of the coal impacted residents of the Swan Pond community in Harriman, TN. Twenty-one local residents showed up for testing today. The testing was performed by a Nashville company called Internal Balance owned by Tamara Mariea. Check out www.internalbalance.com
We need to raise at least $50,000 more dollars to pay for the testing of many other locals who can not afford to pay for the screenings which cost $500 a person. These tests are creating a baseline of data for the past and present exposure of these residents to heavy metals. The testing consists of whole blood analysis, hair samples, urine, and fecal samples. The staff of trained nurses also performed routine medical procedures including checking the heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
The results will take 7 days to come back from the lab. The next round of metal testing is set up for Tuesday and is open to anyone with $500. If you pay for your testing you MAY be able to receive a refund from your insurance company afterwards. The next round of testing will be Tuesday and we need to raise $50,000 for the number of residents that want and need to be tested. Many of these residents drank well water/ spring water, or live in the areas directly impacted by the coal ash disaster and may have been inhaling this coal ash since the disaster.
United Mountain Defense volunteers helped prepare the indoor space for the heavy metal screening space at 9:30 AM. There were 5 employees of Internal Balance who stayed from 10 AM until past 7 PM. Everyone showed a lot of patience and worked very hard to help the community on this day.
If you are a concerned resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
4th report back from community meeting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI-3gMD1WfE
On Jan 3rd 2008 220 impacted residents of the TVA disaster gathered together to meet. During the meeting they broke into small groups so every single person got a chance to talk about their experience. They picked 1 person from each group to report back to the entire group. This is group number 4.
On Jan 3rd 2008 220 impacted residents of the TVA disaster gathered together to meet. During the meeting they broke into small groups so every single person got a chance to talk about their experience. They picked 1 person from each group to report back to the entire group. This is group number 4.
field report from Widow Creek blowout
James and I arrived in Stevenson, AL at the Widows Creek TVA plant around 4p.m. and were met by police blockades at all access roads. The only vehicles passing through were security vehicles and pump trucks. We took a side route and asked directions to the creek from a resident who had not been informed of the rupture. We explored the area on foot to get a better idea of the layout of the creek and decided to attempt to drive in closer.
From a nearby hill, we could see excavators, dump trucks, and water trucks out in full force. Helicopters flew constantly overhead, either patrolling or giving media tours of selected areas. We were briefly followed by two security vehicles then questioned by a police officer at a fork in the road. One led to TVA property and one led to private property.
We took the private property route and met a very helpful landowner whose farm stretches for 100 acres around the creek, right up to the edge of TVA property. He guided us to the best entry point to access the center flow of the creek for sampling, about 300 yards from the dam. The property owner said he regularly tests the creek water but hadn't taken any samples since the dam began leaking. He said he hadn't noticed anything strange during his hunting walks near the creek. According to him, TVA hadn't released any information to local residents, but from what he could tell, the spill is "nothing like what happened in Kingston" and he had heard the ash was escaping through a sinkhole.
With little daylight left, James stripped down and waded 100 yards from the bank up to the edge of the strongest current. He immediately noticed a consistent coating of grayish, gritty dust on the surface of the water. Nearby trees were banded by five rings of the light gray substance, the highest band measuring 6" above the surface of the water. He collected nine water samples that contained a large amount of the debris.
As the sun set and the last sample was being taken, we heard the pump trucks start up nearby. It was clear they intended to work through the night. We thanked the landowner and got permission to return the next day to take photographs and hike closer to the edge of his property to take samples further upstream. On our way out, we were followed to the highway by an unmarked police car.
We have just secured a pair of chest-high waders and several more sample jars and intend on returning to the creek in the next couple of hours. We will try to take samples further upstream and also at the point where Widows Creek enters the Tennessee River.
From a nearby hill, we could see excavators, dump trucks, and water trucks out in full force. Helicopters flew constantly overhead, either patrolling or giving media tours of selected areas. We were briefly followed by two security vehicles then questioned by a police officer at a fork in the road. One led to TVA property and one led to private property.
We took the private property route and met a very helpful landowner whose farm stretches for 100 acres around the creek, right up to the edge of TVA property. He guided us to the best entry point to access the center flow of the creek for sampling, about 300 yards from the dam. The property owner said he regularly tests the creek water but hadn't taken any samples since the dam began leaking. He said he hadn't noticed anything strange during his hunting walks near the creek. According to him, TVA hadn't released any information to local residents, but from what he could tell, the spill is "nothing like what happened in Kingston" and he had heard the ash was escaping through a sinkhole.
With little daylight left, James stripped down and waded 100 yards from the bank up to the edge of the strongest current. He immediately noticed a consistent coating of grayish, gritty dust on the surface of the water. Nearby trees were banded by five rings of the light gray substance, the highest band measuring 6" above the surface of the water. He collected nine water samples that contained a large amount of the debris.
As the sun set and the last sample was being taken, we heard the pump trucks start up nearby. It was clear they intended to work through the night. We thanked the landowner and got permission to return the next day to take photographs and hike closer to the edge of his property to take samples further upstream. On our way out, we were followed to the highway by an unmarked police car.
We have just secured a pair of chest-high waders and several more sample jars and intend on returning to the creek in the next couple of hours. We will try to take samples further upstream and also at the point where Widows Creek enters the Tennessee River.
Widow Creek photos from air
http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/creekkeeper_2008/Widow%20Creek%20Ash%20Spill/
Here are pictures from a plane of the blowout.
Here are pictures from a plane of the blowout.
Friday, January 9, 2009
3rd report back
On Jan 3 2008 220 impacted residents came together to discuss among themselves the TVA's disaster. They broke into small groups and then picked one person to report back to the larger group. This is from the third group, part 1 and 2. Watch the videos and you see the themes.
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mV0ZxnXqBI
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrU0nVYeW3I
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mV0ZxnXqBI
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrU0nVYeW3I
Thanks everyone !
Baby getting tested for heavy metal and arsenic poisoning. The environmental community provided $13,000 for 26 scholarships so folks already burdened financially by their land values being totaled and unexpected expenses from TVA's disaster would not have to have an additional $500 burden to get immediate testing for heavy metal poisoning.
Thank you for everyone that contributed to make this possible--thought you might like to see some pictures of what your money was used for.
Tuesday we have a second clinic set up for free testing--at $500 per person we have raised enough for 3 more so far. This tuesday clinic will still be in the window.
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Video 2 of community meeting reportback
Over 220 people came to the community meeting on Jan 3rd 2008 regarding the TVA disaster. They broke into small groups and for the first time sat and talked about the disaster with each other as a group. Then they picked on person each group to report back. This is the second one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_VxVGW2_8c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_VxVGW2_8c
UMD Donation Page now active on Facebook
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/189206
If you would like to donate to United Mountain Defense, you can now also use our Facebook Causes page ("United Mountain Defense: Support the Swan Pond Recovery!") at the link above.
If you would like to donate to United Mountain Defense, you can now also use our Facebook Causes page ("United Mountain Defense: Support the Swan Pond Recovery!") at the link above.
Second Ash Spill
hot - can people please post any news links ASAP
http://tennessean.com/article/20090109/GREEN02/90109016
Second TVA coal ash pond ruptures
By ANNE PAINE • Staff Writer • January 9, 2009
Alabama environmental officials were on their way as of 10:15 a.m. Central Time to an spill at TVA's Widows Creek coal-fired power plant in northeastern Alabama.
TVA confirmed an ash-related spill at a second TVA plant, this time at its Widows Creek plant in northeastern Alabama.
“I had heard that that’s the case,” confirmed Barbara Martocci, TVA spokesman who was at the Kingston plant in Tennessee.
Scott Hughes, spokesman for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management said, “The only thing we’ve got right now is that there was a release from a gypsum treatment operation.”
“We do understand that some of the material has reached Widows Creek.”
The creek from which TVA’s coal burning plant gets its name, crosses the plant property. Gypsum is one of the byproducts when special filters capture and treat ash. It can be sold for use in wallboard, but markets have been slow and it like more standard ash can build up in waste ponds.
“We’re in the process of gathering more info and getting a full report."
Kingston is the scene of a TVA ash pond that ruptured: Early on the morning of Dec. 22, more than a billion gallons of sludge flowed out of the pond, damaging a dozen homes and creating environmental havoc along the Emory River.
The Widows Creek Fossil Plant is located on Guntersville Reservoir on the Tennessee River. It has eight coal-fired units and was completed in 1965. The plant consumes about 10,000 tons of coal a day. The ash from that coal was in the pond that broke there.
http://tennessean.com/article/20090109/GREEN02/90109016
Second TVA coal ash pond ruptures
By ANNE PAINE • Staff Writer • January 9, 2009
Alabama environmental officials were on their way as of 10:15 a.m. Central Time to an spill at TVA's Widows Creek coal-fired power plant in northeastern Alabama.
TVA confirmed an ash-related spill at a second TVA plant, this time at its Widows Creek plant in northeastern Alabama.
“I had heard that that’s the case,” confirmed Barbara Martocci, TVA spokesman who was at the Kingston plant in Tennessee.
Scott Hughes, spokesman for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management said, “The only thing we’ve got right now is that there was a release from a gypsum treatment operation.”
“We do understand that some of the material has reached Widows Creek.”
The creek from which TVA’s coal burning plant gets its name, crosses the plant property. Gypsum is one of the byproducts when special filters capture and treat ash. It can be sold for use in wallboard, but markets have been slow and it like more standard ash can build up in waste ponds.
“We’re in the process of gathering more info and getting a full report."
Kingston is the scene of a TVA ash pond that ruptured: Early on the morning of Dec. 22, more than a billion gallons of sludge flowed out of the pond, damaging a dozen homes and creating environmental havoc along the Emory River.
The Widows Creek Fossil Plant is located on Guntersville Reservoir on the Tennessee River. It has eight coal-fired units and was completed in 1965. The plant consumes about 10,000 tons of coal a day. The ash from that coal was in the pond that broke there.
Community meeting Jan 3rd 2008
Over 220 people came to the community meeting on Jan 3 2008 regarding the TVA disaster. They broke into small groups and for the first time sat and talked about the disaster with each other as a group. Then they picked on person each group to report back. This is the first one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA_XwsKQkjA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA_XwsKQkjA
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Jan 6, Jan 7, 2009 United Mtn Defense Updates from TVA Coal Ash Disaster
Jan 7, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to any and all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Today was spent documenting flooding that occurred during last night. We witnessed one farm with flooding so bad that a barn had been overtaken and the house was being threatened by the flood as well. United Mountain Defense volunteers witnessed and documented what we thought were illegal discharges of contaminated water from a slue between Lake Shore Drive and Swan Pond Circle Dr directly into the Emory River. We saw a huge diesel pump moving water through a 12 inch pipe. This pipe was leaking water along the way thereby spreading the coal ash contamination. It was pretty crazy to see this discharge into the river. I interviewed a few TWRA employees about whether they knew about the discharge and if they knew if it was illegal and they would not comment on the situation. I understand that this is a disaster situation and there was the risk of flood waters rising but is this the best practice for the health and safety of all residents downstream?
We witnessed TVA contractors in amphibious machinery digging a trench to channel the backed up water directly into the Emory River as well. The channel was nearly complete and this tainted water would soon be flowing into the drinking water source for millions of downstream residents.
We met another resident, a Vietnam veteran, who had been ordered by his doctor to evacuate his home due to the coal ash disaster.
Just before the TVA claims office closed a United Mountain Defense volunteer went to file a claim about his health concerns from delivering bottled water and distributing free information to these coal impacted residents for two and half weeks now. He like many residents of Swan Pond had a scratchy throat, almost a sore throat. He also had a few headaches over the past week. He requested that TVA pay for heavy metal exposure testing for all of the residents who felt impacted by the coal ash disaster. The TVA representative was very polite and typed in the volunteer’s info but could not tell him when TVA would contact him or what the next steps would be to relieve the situation. The funniest thing happened after we left the building as one TVA employee ran around the office with his hand up to his eye like a telescope mimicking the camera that was taping the whole interaction at the TVA claims office. Obviously the stress of their job is to much for these TVA employees to handle and I am glad to see that they can find humor in our work.
I just learned that these folks were employed by an independent contractor and are not TVA employees. I also learned that due to lack of public participation that they may be shutting down the office after less than a week of being open. Thanks, TVA!
If you are a concerned resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Jan 6, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to any and all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Mr. Graves called early to inform me about the dump trucks hauling fly ash off of the disaster site along Swan Pond Rd. He stated that the operators had not been washing the ash off of the trucks before leaving the disaster site. He stated that he knew for a fact that this was not up to regulations for hauling material out of an area that contained hazardous waste, such as a land fill. He also stated that the trucks were traveling uncovered. I instructed him to document the trucks through photographs or video and to call TDEC, TDOT, and the THP and file an official complaint. We got off the phone and began the day’s work.
We worked to consolidate a media caravan which consisted of a reporter from the Chattanooga Times Free Press, national NPR, and two independent press members.
We set up interviews with local coal impacted residents and gathered some coal ash samples. We spoke with residents who voiced concerns for their health and that of their families. We spoke with one lady who had to evacuate her grandson following a doctor’s orders. She couldn’t return to her home and TVA had not secured housing for her past Jan 9th.
Later in the evening United Mountain Defense volunteers attended both the TVA Town Hall Meeting at the Harriman United Methodist Church and the 2nd emergency meeting of the Kingston City Council.
The TVA Town Hall meeting was fairly interesting. Howie Rose of the Roane County Emergency Management Agency spoke first about the latest updates on the disaster situation. He answered questions from the audience. When asked about the ash coming off the tires of the dump trucks he stated that the trucks would begin to be decontaminated from here on out. When a follow up question asked what the trucks were contaminated with he stated, fly ash. When asked if fly ash was a contaminant he stated that it was just mud.
Next up was Tom Kilgore, TVA’s CEO. Kilgore faced an edgy audience as these coal impacted residents moved into week three of the spill. Their nerves were becoming frayed as TVA had broken promise upon promise in helping to deal with the clean up in a responsible way. A joke was made about Kilgore being a lot better off if he had retired last year. He laughed. Kilgore seemed to back peddle on the promise of “making like it was before” by stating that TVA was considering leveling and sculpting the coal ash and capping it off with soil and grass. He suggested that the area would be a pleasant park with a few streams flowing through it. What he didn’t explain was that this park would continue to pollute the Emory River and the surrounding ground water supply for hundreds of years if left in place.
There were a few audience members who asked some very good questions that were to hard for Kilgore to answer. Kilgore seemed to dance around many of the questions and stated that he didn’t know or refused to answer many others. When an audience member asked if TVA would pay for community members to be tested for heavy metal exposure, Kilgore stated that any resident would need to go to the TVA claims office and TVA would decided if they had been impacted. When Kilgore was asked how TVA would define "impacted" he stated that it would be the people living closest to the spill site. Kilgore quickly passed the microphone to someone else as the crowd began to bear down on him. If I didn’t know any better I would say that this community meeting would have broken out into a boxing match if there had not been Harriman police on the scene. I guess that it also helped that it was held in a church. So Kilgore was pretty smart in that he passed all questions of water quality to the EPA representatives.
After the meeting I had a chance to speak with a representative of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation about when they would have any public hearings on the discharges that TVA was making into the Emory River. I was told that a few of the permits had been issued under special emergency permitting powers. I was told that there had never been an “Emergency Aquatic Resources Alteration Permit” issued in TN at least that this TDEC official could remember. When I asked if the citizens could get a public hearing after a permit was issued he looked at me with a puzzled face. Of course I was being serious. So I was also questioned about why United Mountain Defense had moved out of the mountains to begin working in this community. I explained that since we had had so much success working with coal mining communities over the past 5 years and that we had been training over that span of time for such an event that it made sense for us to travel 30 minutes to lend a hand.
The success that United Mountain Defense has been able to have in helping facilitate the development of local leadership is directly attributed to our training and on the ground experience. We did not come in like cowboys and cowgirls with guns non violently blazing. We came to Harriman with a very humble approach and a very simple message. We want to test all of this coal ash and water and we want to learn from the locals so that we can help educate and protect the health of the community and the environment. Simple message and simple organizing.
If you are a resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Dear folks,
(please repost to any and all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Today was spent documenting flooding that occurred during last night. We witnessed one farm with flooding so bad that a barn had been overtaken and the house was being threatened by the flood as well. United Mountain Defense volunteers witnessed and documented what we thought were illegal discharges of contaminated water from a slue between Lake Shore Drive and Swan Pond Circle Dr directly into the Emory River. We saw a huge diesel pump moving water through a 12 inch pipe. This pipe was leaking water along the way thereby spreading the coal ash contamination. It was pretty crazy to see this discharge into the river. I interviewed a few TWRA employees about whether they knew about the discharge and if they knew if it was illegal and they would not comment on the situation. I understand that this is a disaster situation and there was the risk of flood waters rising but is this the best practice for the health and safety of all residents downstream?
We witnessed TVA contractors in amphibious machinery digging a trench to channel the backed up water directly into the Emory River as well. The channel was nearly complete and this tainted water would soon be flowing into the drinking water source for millions of downstream residents.
We met another resident, a Vietnam veteran, who had been ordered by his doctor to evacuate his home due to the coal ash disaster.
Just before the TVA claims office closed a United Mountain Defense volunteer went to file a claim about his health concerns from delivering bottled water and distributing free information to these coal impacted residents for two and half weeks now. He like many residents of Swan Pond had a scratchy throat, almost a sore throat. He also had a few headaches over the past week. He requested that TVA pay for heavy metal exposure testing for all of the residents who felt impacted by the coal ash disaster. The TVA representative was very polite and typed in the volunteer’s info but could not tell him when TVA would contact him or what the next steps would be to relieve the situation. The funniest thing happened after we left the building as one TVA employee ran around the office with his hand up to his eye like a telescope mimicking the camera that was taping the whole interaction at the TVA claims office. Obviously the stress of their job is to much for these TVA employees to handle and I am glad to see that they can find humor in our work.
I just learned that these folks were employed by an independent contractor and are not TVA employees. I also learned that due to lack of public participation that they may be shutting down the office after less than a week of being open. Thanks, TVA!
If you are a concerned resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
Jan 6, 2009
Dear folks,
(please repost to any and all news sources)
Check out www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Check out http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
Check out http://www.roaneviews.com/
Check out Swan Pond Resident: http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com/
Mr. Graves called early to inform me about the dump trucks hauling fly ash off of the disaster site along Swan Pond Rd. He stated that the operators had not been washing the ash off of the trucks before leaving the disaster site. He stated that he knew for a fact that this was not up to regulations for hauling material out of an area that contained hazardous waste, such as a land fill. He also stated that the trucks were traveling uncovered. I instructed him to document the trucks through photographs or video and to call TDEC, TDOT, and the THP and file an official complaint. We got off the phone and began the day’s work.
We worked to consolidate a media caravan which consisted of a reporter from the Chattanooga Times Free Press, national NPR, and two independent press members.
We set up interviews with local coal impacted residents and gathered some coal ash samples. We spoke with residents who voiced concerns for their health and that of their families. We spoke with one lady who had to evacuate her grandson following a doctor’s orders. She couldn’t return to her home and TVA had not secured housing for her past Jan 9th.
Later in the evening United Mountain Defense volunteers attended both the TVA Town Hall Meeting at the Harriman United Methodist Church and the 2nd emergency meeting of the Kingston City Council.
The TVA Town Hall meeting was fairly interesting. Howie Rose of the Roane County Emergency Management Agency spoke first about the latest updates on the disaster situation. He answered questions from the audience. When asked about the ash coming off the tires of the dump trucks he stated that the trucks would begin to be decontaminated from here on out. When a follow up question asked what the trucks were contaminated with he stated, fly ash. When asked if fly ash was a contaminant he stated that it was just mud.
Next up was Tom Kilgore, TVA’s CEO. Kilgore faced an edgy audience as these coal impacted residents moved into week three of the spill. Their nerves were becoming frayed as TVA had broken promise upon promise in helping to deal with the clean up in a responsible way. A joke was made about Kilgore being a lot better off if he had retired last year. He laughed. Kilgore seemed to back peddle on the promise of “making like it was before” by stating that TVA was considering leveling and sculpting the coal ash and capping it off with soil and grass. He suggested that the area would be a pleasant park with a few streams flowing through it. What he didn’t explain was that this park would continue to pollute the Emory River and the surrounding ground water supply for hundreds of years if left in place.
There were a few audience members who asked some very good questions that were to hard for Kilgore to answer. Kilgore seemed to dance around many of the questions and stated that he didn’t know or refused to answer many others. When an audience member asked if TVA would pay for community members to be tested for heavy metal exposure, Kilgore stated that any resident would need to go to the TVA claims office and TVA would decided if they had been impacted. When Kilgore was asked how TVA would define "impacted" he stated that it would be the people living closest to the spill site. Kilgore quickly passed the microphone to someone else as the crowd began to bear down on him. If I didn’t know any better I would say that this community meeting would have broken out into a boxing match if there had not been Harriman police on the scene. I guess that it also helped that it was held in a church. So Kilgore was pretty smart in that he passed all questions of water quality to the EPA representatives.
After the meeting I had a chance to speak with a representative of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation about when they would have any public hearings on the discharges that TVA was making into the Emory River. I was told that a few of the permits had been issued under special emergency permitting powers. I was told that there had never been an “Emergency Aquatic Resources Alteration Permit” issued in TN at least that this TDEC official could remember. When I asked if the citizens could get a public hearing after a permit was issued he looked at me with a puzzled face. Of course I was being serious. So I was also questioned about why United Mountain Defense had moved out of the mountains to begin working in this community. I explained that since we had had so much success working with coal mining communities over the past 5 years and that we had been training over that span of time for such an event that it made sense for us to travel 30 minutes to lend a hand.
The success that United Mountain Defense has been able to have in helping facilitate the development of local leadership is directly attributed to our training and on the ground experience. We did not come in like cowboys and cowgirls with guns non violently blazing. We came to Harriman with a very humble approach and a very simple message. We want to test all of this coal ash and water and we want to learn from the locals so that we can help educate and protect the health of the community and the environment. Simple message and simple organizing.
If you are a resident of the Swan Pond community please contact us at 865 689 2778.
If you can make a donation of money or other resources please send a check to United Mountain Defense P.O. Box 20363 Knoxville, TN 37920 or use our PayPal account at www.unitedmountaindefense.org
Till then, Matt Landon full time volunteer staff person United Mountain Defense
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