Shaken faith in environmental protection-Daily Herald Editorial

Daily Herald Newspaper Editorial
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Published May 4, 2008

Shaken faith in environmental protection


It is a terrifying moment when people find out their homes or nearby land may be contaminated.

And it is at these times they turn to government for support and counsel. They put their faith that those hired to protect the environment and the public will put forth their best efforts to keep them from harm, or assure them there is no risk to their health.

If that faith has been shaken in DuPage County, it's understandable.

A few years back, many people in unincorporated areas near Lisle and Downers Grove were caught by surprise when they found out their well water had become contaminated by a potentially toxic chemical. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency didn't immediately notify residents of this. People shouldn't have had to be drinking bad water for years before finding out there was something in it that could harm them. Indeed, this led to the adoption of a new state law aimed at ensuring that people who live next to a contaminated site are effectively and promptly notified of such.

Now the IEPA is under fire again. This time, the criticism centers around its handling of methane gas leaks from the Mallard Lake landfill near Hanover Park.

Last week the IEPA issued a violation notice to BFI Waste Systems, which runs the landfill, noting the company failed to report problems including high methane levels, though officials say no homes or residents are at risk. The agency has asked BFI to submit a plan outlining how it will solve these problems. BFI said it is working with the state.

But an attorney representing residents who live by Mallard Lake said such action should have been taken long ago.

"The enduring disappointment is how nonexistent the government's response has been," Naperville attorney Shawn Collins said.

The IEPA was aware of methane leaks above safe levels around Mallard Lake in 1994 and 2000. That's why residents -- who are suing both BFI and the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, which owns the landfill -- are so angry.

It is also interesting to note that in both the instance of the contaminated wells, and now the landfill, the IEPA maintained that it did not get full notification from companies when looking into complaints of alleged pollution. If that is indeed true, then the logical follow-up would determine if there needs to be any changes in laws or regulations to assure prompt and complete notification from companies.

The IEPA also stated it has taken enforcement actions against the landfill operators in the past. Then why hasn't that worked to resolve problems in the present?

We know the IEPA has to juggle many things in acting on complaints. It can't be alarmist and must expect full cooperation from a company while at the same time not unduly putting that company's reputation at risk.

But nor can it come off as a bureaucracy not living up to its primary mission -- protecting the public and being a watchdog over the environment.

Note..Congratulations to the Daily Herald on their dynamic editorial.

One more note.....How about the Illinois EPA addressing a noxious, harmful, toxic, and deadly airborne emission that is harmful to the environment and killing people....wood smoke!!!!!!