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Five years ago, the Gold King Mine in southern Colorado released tons of toxic waste that turned the Animas River bright orange. The release sent heavy metal-laden wastewater downstream which affected three states and two tribes. Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency finally settled a lawsuit with Utah, providing $360 million for reclamation of abandoned mine sites. Funds from the settlement will address the hundreds of unreclaimed mines in the area, many of which continue to leak heavy metals such as lead and arsenic into the watershed.
While the settlement is a step in the right direction to ensure clean water in the region, many are concerned about how long the process is taking. Lawsuits from New Mexico and Native American tribes are still pending at this point. Senator Tom Udall stated, "It's outrageous that five years after this spill, families in the Navajo Nation and New Mexico have yet to see compensation they deserve. EPA's inaction and refusal to take responsibility have been shameful."
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This election cycle, a lot divides us. But we know public lands unite us now more than ever. In the Mountain West, public lands and the lifestyles they support are bringing people together in a time of isolation, distance, and political tension. As we near November’s historic elections, the outdoor voting bloc is one to watch.”
