Status Update
By Roanoke River Basin
ROANOKE RIVER BASIN ASSOCIATION REACTS TO THE COAL ASH DISASTER ON THE DAN RIVER
Roanoke River Basin Association is a 69 year old non-profit steward of the entire Roanoke system including the Dan River, the site of the recent coal ash release.
Roanoke River Basin Association is a 69 year old non-profit steward of the entire Roanoke system including the Dan River, the site of the recent coal ash release.
From the initial reports of this catastrophe the following are apparent:
1. Neither best practices and planning nor strict regulations can protect the public interest from spills, leaks, or releases of hazardous chemicals, uranium tailings, or similar detrimental materials.
2. Given the nature of material storage and the lack of sufficient funding for oversight, frequently these mishaps are underway days, and sometimes years, before anyone becomes aware.
3. Not only are public water supplies threatened by these mishaps, but so are tourism, fishing, and the water-related recreational efforts by Dan River Basin Association, Roanoke River Basin Association and other groups.
Thus, Roanoke River Basin Association fully supports Dan River Basin Association in its call for Duke Energy to “immediately and safely close out its coal and ash ponds.”
Contact: Andrew Lester, Executive Director, Roanoke River Basin Association 434-766-6727 exdir@rrba.org Gene Addesso, President, Roanoke River Basin Association 919-870-0833 gene@rrba.org
February 4, 2014
