I said I would post the last letter I sent out to an agency. It was in their possession yesterday and I must say it was so surprising and enjoyable to talk to someone who actually was willing to help. I know there are some really good people working for the State. Wish City would send a few for PR. training? In any case my last request for information and/ or help for the folks in Vienna who maybe besides myself cannot seem to get answers out of Council?
Department of Environmental Protection
Kanawha Mall Shopping Center, 601
57th St. S.E
Charleston WV. 25304
24 July 2015
To Whom It May Concern;
I writing to voice my concerns on the potential Health Issues/ Dangers in an area purchased and annexed by the City of Vienna. This property is the old John Mansville Plant site located at the West end of the City and abutting the Ohio River. It consists of some 37 acres divided into an approximate 18 acre Park designation down by the river and the 19 acres where the old Plant stands.
I was recently allowed to review a 2008 document by some very big players in the MOV on the contaminants that might be on/in the property with a 1995 review that was inserted into the newer review.
What I noted was that there use to be an area in the Northwest Quadrant of the Park area that was a 40' to 50' deep ravine area. Some decades back, that ravine was used to discard old Chromium Bricks from when the Plant Smoke Stacks needed to be relined. Now it is stated that some compositions of Chromium Bricks are carcinogenic. This alleged to include of course the dust from the bricks.
There is currently an old baseball diamond that is on or adjacent to this ravine. It is supposedly no longer used?
In the information that I have been able to find from the City, there has been numerous drill holes done on the area. These have apparently been mostly done on the old parking lot area where it is alleged a lot of waste was buried over the years?
The above referenced review(s) referenced the ravine and the Chromium bricks somewhat but it appeared little or no testing was done at that time on the ravine contents that might be there with the bricks?
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As we all know, the standards for what was acceptable in 1950 or 1960 and even 1995 are not what we must deal with today?
After all, look at how long it took to get the Love Canal properly documented? And closer to home the C8 lawsuits that have just started the Court Trial Stage? Also the recent releases on Manganese and its possible Neurological Effects on the human brain; most especially children? It is well known we have lots on Manganese in our local environment. One can find little black things in the water that are supposedly manganese according to past Mayor David Nohe. Than and it was just seven years ago it was not a problem. Again, times change reality.
I asked the City Administration in my Blog to have that ravine examined more fully in sure the safety of anyone who would be there in a Park like usage. As of the City Council meeting last night the City appeared to dismiss my concerns.
While many dismiss the claims of those who themselves worked there up to its final closing. And whose fathers, uncles, brothers, and other relatives were there over the decades and claim of the waste burials. I believe there is too much smoke to totally dismiss the allegations and their subsequent dangers?
Before whomever in the Fairfield Office sings off on this development; I for myself and most importantly those yet to come request, that the referenced ravine be thoroughly checked for any possible contaminants
Humbly
Lawrence Wilson
1312 10th St.
Vienna WV. 26105
304.295.4801
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