Navajo Nation Vows to Sue EPA Over Toxic Mine Spill

downloadBy Amy R. Connolly. The Navajo Nation vowed to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over a toxic wastewater spill into waterways throughout the Southwest and warned tribal residents to avoid signing the EPA’s compensation form because it will effectively sever their legal and financial rights.

Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye ordered the nation’s Department of Justice to take action against the EPA and signed a directive banning the agency from distributing information about the federal compensation regarding the spill from the Gold King mine, north of Silverton, Colo., into the Animas and San Juan rivers and its tributaries throughout Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch said the federal form “contains offending language that will waive future claims for individuals that sign the form and preclude our people from seeking full compensation for injuries” suffered as a result of the release of some three million gallons of toxic mine waste on Aug. 5.

“The spill has impacted us religiously, emotionally, financially,” Begaye said, adding it has affected more than 100,000 Navajo residents, cutting off drinking water and water for irrigation and farming.

“Relocated farmers now need to buy hay and haul water; others living along the river are forced to drive up to 200 miles to find bottled water. People with an average salary of $12,000 are expending dollars on things that they wouldn’t have,” Begaye said. (Read more from “Navajo Nation Vows to Sue EPA Over Toxic Mine Spill” HERE)

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Mark Levin Hat Tips TGP and Explains EPA Warning Letter Before the Disaster

By Mara Zebest. Mark Levin Hat Tips GatewayPundit on exposing the letter to an editor predicting the Colorado EPA spill one week before the disaster occurred. Levin then reads the letter and in typical Levin style, does a great job breaking down the significance of the letter and the intentions of EPA in this man-made disaster.

(Read more from this story HERE)

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