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Letter From US EPA - November 14, 2000
Letter fomr US EPA - September 5, 2000
Letter From US EPA - November 1, 2000
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United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(435) 678 - 2187
November 14, 2000
SENT BY FAX TO PAT SELTZER OR
SHELLY BEGAY, MONUMENT VALLEY
HIGH SCHOOL, (435) 678 - 2187
Dear Ms. Begay:
This will confirm the discussion that we had last Monday, November 6, 2000 at your home in Monument Valley. At that meeting, we talked about your desire (and our recommendation) that the hogan belonging to your aunt, Mary Holiday, be removed because of high levels of radiation from the stones used in construction. Andy Bain, the EPA project manager, Dan Suter, the EPA on-scene coordinator (the man who will be in charge of removing the hogan) and George Padilla and Stanley Edison of Navajo EPA were in attendance with me to discuss this issue with you. I appreciate the fact that Mr. Francis P. Shorty, Sr. was able to help translate in place of Mr. James Adakai.
Per your request, we will try to have the hogan removed before Christmas. As you know, this will depend on the status of the EPA's budget (we do not have one approved by Congress yet), but we will do our best to take care of this as quickly as possible. In addition to removing the hogan, we discussed replacing it with a pre-fabricated wooden or metal shed, and your request was for one made of wood. Our plans are to provide that for you in place of a hogan.
I have sent you a standard agreement form along with this letter which will give EPA permission by you and your aunt to do the work that I have just described. After both signatures are on it, you can fax a copy back to me (fax number: 415-744-1796) and keep the original for us to pick up when we come to do the work. You will be given a copy as well.
As for any additional surveying for radiation or attention to nearby waste piles, EPA will be talking to both Navajo EPA and the Navajo Abandoned Mine Lands program to see what might be done in those areas. Dan Suter will, however, take a look at the mining cables that are on the ground near your property, and if he can safely remove and dispose of those cables, he will.
It was nice meeting with you, Elsie, and I wish the best for you and your family.
Sincerely,
Vicki Rosen
Community Involvement Coordinator
Enclosure
cc: Andy Bain, EPA project manager; Dan Suter, EPA on-scene investigator; George Padilla, Navajo EPA; James Adakai, Oljato Chapter; Jeff Spit
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Elsie's situation is not unique in the Southwest. There are many Native and non-Native families who live near abandoned uranium mines. They are not covered by the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act which currently includes the following individuals....uranium miners, millers, transporters, on-site atomic test observers, downwind communities (including Monument Valley, Utah)
If you would like information about current organizing efforts focusing on the health concerns of families living near abandoned uranium mines, email your comments or questions to this site.
If you would like to make a contribution to Elsie and her family, please make your check payable to her and send it to her directly at the address below. THANK YOU.
Elsie Mae Begay
PO Box 360080
Monument Valley, UT 84536
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Articles regarding the issue
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New Federal Radiation Policy
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