We must ALL act NOW!! The EPA wants all riding and any other activities stopped on the tailings area [sand flats] and also the 2 swimming beaches as well. We need to sign the letters we are sending to our gov't. officials and let them know how we feel. If you don't tell our people in government how you feel, how will the let the EPA know we are not happy with them sticking there noses in where it doesn't belong. The DNR did a "Health Risk Assessment" study in 2003, and guess who signed off on it and gave the park a GREEN light for usage by people like you and I using the park? Can we say EPA!! We need you, the people who use and pay for the park, to tell our officials we don't need the EPA to Make another "Times Beach"out of St. Joe Park. The EPA has done a lot of good things for us, but this is not one that they need to waste our tax dollars on. They need to stand at the waters edge and stop the leaded imported products that are sold to us and used by our children, now that's a real LEAD issue. Thanks, Garry ** our email is
SAVESTJOESTATEPARK@YAHOO.COM** Below is the letters you can print out and sign and mail in**
September 2007
US Representative Jo Ann Emerson % Heather Garner
22 E. Columbia
Farmington, Mo. 63640
Dear Representative Emerson:
I am an avid off road enthusiast at St. Joe State Park and have recently read several newspaper articles regarding the EPA’s attempt to stop riding on the tailings area at St. Joe State Park. The EPA also wants to close down the two swimming beaches. Two articles were published in the Daily Journal (8/22/07 and 8/27/07) and one in the St. Louis Post Dispatch (8/27/07).
Bruce Morrison, with EPA, made several assumptions and numerous statements that contradict the facts. It is evident that it is his mission to stop ATV and motorcycle riding on the tailings at St. Joe State Park. He is doing this despite the fact that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has been testing the area for over twenty-five years.
I am requesting your intervention regarding this matter. Several points one must take into consideration are noted below.
Lead mining has taken place in the area since the early 1700’s. During the first one hundred years, lead was mined from the surface. One only has to look at background samples taken from this area to realize that the lead that is naturally occurring in the soil is higher than those found in the tailings at St. Joe State Park. Due to the fact that more advanced technology was used at the St. Joe State Park site to separate the lead from the ore, the tailings at St. Joe State Park contain less lead than all other tailings areas in the county.
According to EPA reports, sampling performed in 2002, found tailings with lead levels as high as 4,638 parts per million in the beach area and 1,563 parts per million in the riding area. Tests performed by EPA in July 2007 reflected lead levels of 18 – 459 parts per million in the beach area and 369 - 896 parts per million in the riding area.
Bruce Morrison was quoted as stating that “lead exposure is a health hazard at any level and even small amounts of lead contaminated tailings are a concern”. He further stated that “A 2006 study cited was a rationale for lowering the blood lead action level from 10 – 2 ug/dl.” According to the EPA, acceptable residential exposure limits are 400 parts per million, unless you live in Southwest Missouri where they are allowing levels of up to 800 parts per million (Daily Journal 7/2/07). It should be noted that the exposure limits for residential settings are calculated at an exposure time of 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks per year.
A Human Health Risk Assessment was completed in 2003. It was approved by the EPA, the Missouri Department of Health, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and other agencies. The results concluded that tailings pose NO RISK to humans for RECREATIONAL use. The exposure time for recreational use is considerably shorter than that for residential use. In fact, the Park Ranger, his family, and members of the park staff have participated in blood lead level studies for more than fifteen years. These people DO NOT have elevated levels of lead in their blood. These people are at St. Joe State Park more than any other group.
In 1997, a study by state and federal agencies found that 17 % of children living in St. Francois County had blood lead levels that exceeding 10 ug/dl. 2006 data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services showed that 4.48 % of the children tested in St. Francois County had blood lead levels greater than 10 ug/dl. According to the report, several other counties were tested where children had greater than 10 ug/dl including the City of St. Louis (6.99 %), Washington (5.6 %), Iron (5.24 %), and Marion (4.96 %).
Bruce Morrison, EPA, consistently states throughout the articles that the EPA’s approach has to be consistent with those actions taken at the other tailings piles. St. Joe State Park IS different from the other tailings areas. There are numerous recreational activities at the site, over 800,000 people visit the site each year, the park brings a lot of tourist and economic benefit to the area. The Doe Run Company, the owners of the other sites, in their Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis document, negotiated a course of action where the sites were not used for a specific purpose. The sites were closed and the areas were vegetated. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources chose to operate a very popular state park, which contains one of the few off road riding areas in the Midwest.
Park staff have completed projects over the years that address environmental concerns. These projects include a car wash for ATVs and motorcycles, dams to slow water run-off, and they replaced the sand on one of the beaches.
EPA officials have stated that they do not care about the economic impact that the park has on the community. However, the park brings a lot of tourists and money to the community. I care!
A quote by Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers sums it all up when he questions whether the park is held to a higher standard than residential yards where children play. Mr. Childers said “the thing I don’t quite understand is, we clean up residential properties to 400 parts per million. If 400 parts per million is safe 24-7, 365 days a year, what would be the danger to have someone in the park site for a few hours?” (Daily Journal 8/22/07).
I am confident, that if you look at all the testing results and facts, you will find that there is
no health risk from recreational exposure at St. Joe State Park. I am asking for you to investigate EPA’s scare tactics that are being publicized. Please help save a very popular state park.
Sincerely, Sign here:_______________________________________
US Senator Kit Bond % Tom Shulte
339 Broadway
Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701
Dear Senator Bond:
I am an avid off road enthusiast at St. Joe State Park and have recently read several newspaper articles regarding the EPA’s attempt to stop riding on the tailings area at St. Joe State Park. The EPA also wants to close down the two swimming beaches. Two articles were published in the Daily Journal (8/22/07 and 8/27/07) and one in the St. Louis Post Dispatch (8/27/07).
Bruce Morrison, with EPA, made several assumptions and numerous statements that contradict the facts. It is evident that it is his mission to stop ATV and motorcycle riding on the tailings at St. Joe State Park. He is doing this despite the fact that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has been testing the area for over twenty-five years.
I am requesting your intervention regarding this matter. Several points one must take into consideration are noted below.
Lead mining has taken place in the area since the early 1700’s. During the first one hundred years, lead was mined from the surface. One only has to look at background samples taken from this area to realize that the lead that is naturally occurring in the soil is higher than those found in the tailings at St. Joe State Park. Due to the fact that more advanced technology was used at the St. Joe State Park site to separate the lead from the ore, the tailings at St. Joe State Park contain less lead than all other tailings areas in the county.
According to EPA reports, sampling performed in 2002, found tailings with lead levels as high as 4,638 parts per million in the beach area and 1,563 parts per million in the riding area. Tests performed by EPA in July 2007 reflected lead levels of 18 – 459 parts per million in the beach area and 369 - 896 parts per million in the riding area.
Bruce Morrison was quoted as stating that “lead exposure is a health hazard at any level and even small amounts of lead contaminated tailings are a concern”. He further stated that “A 2006 study cited was a rationale for lowering the blood lead action level from 10 – 2 ug/dl.” According to the EPA, acceptable residential exposure limits are 400 parts per million, unless you live in Southwest Missouri where they are allowing levels of up to 800 parts per million (Daily Journal 7/2/07). It should be noted that the exposure limits for residential settings are calculated at an exposure time of 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks per year.
A Human Health Risk Assessment was completed in 2003. It was approved by the EPA, the Missouri Department of Health, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and other agencies. The results concluded that tailings pose NO RISK to humans for RECREATIONAL use. The exposure time for recreational use is considerably shorter than that for residential use. In fact, the Park Ranger, his family, and members of the park staff have participated in blood lead level studies for more than fifteen years. These people DO NOT have elevated levels of lead in their blood. These people are at St. Joe State Park more than any other group.
In 1997, a study by state and federal agencies found that 17 % of children living in St. Francois County had blood lead levels that exceeding 10 ug/dl. 2006 data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services showed that 4.48 % of the children tested in St. Francois County had blood lead levels greater than 10 ug/dl. According to the report, several other counties were tested where children had greater than 10 ug/dl including the City of St. Louis (6.99 %), Washington (5.6 %), Iron (5.24 %), and Marion (4.96 %).
Bruce Morrison, EPA, consistently states throughout the articles that the EPA’s approach has to be consistent with those actions taken at the other tailings piles. St. Joe State Park IS different from the other tailings areas. There are numerous recreational activities at the site, over 800,000 people visit the site each year, the park brings a lot of tourist and economic benefit to the area. The Doe Run Company, the owners of the other sites, in their Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis document, negotiated a course of action where the sites were not used for a specific purpose. The sites were closed and the areas were vegetated. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources chose to operate a very popular state park, which contains one of the few off road riding areas in the Midwest.
The State Park has completed projects over the years that address environmental concerns. These projects include a car wash for ATVs and motorcycles, dams to slow water run-off, and they replaced the sand on one of the beaches.
EPA officials have stated that they do not care about the economic impact that the park has on the community. However, the park brings a lot of tourists and money to the community. I care!
A quote by Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers sums it all up when he questions whether the park is held to a higher standard than residential yards where children play. Mr. Childers said “the thing I don’t quite understand is, we clean up residential properties to 400 parts per million. If 400 parts per million is safe 24-7, 365 days a year, what would be the danger to have someone in the park site for a few hours?” (Daily Journal 8/22/07).
I am confident, that if you look at all the testing results and facts, you will find that there is
no health risk from recreational exposure at St. Joe State Park. I am asking for you to investigate EPA’s scare tactics that are being publicized. Please help save a very popular state park.
sincerely, sign here:________________________________________
US Senator Clair McCaskill
% Ben Byer
339 Broadway
Room 136
Cape Girardeau, Mo 63701
Dear Senator McCaskill:
I am an avid off road enthusiast at St. Joe State Park and have recently read several newspaper articles regarding the EPA’s attempt to stop riding on the tailings area at St. Joe State Park. The EPA also wants to close down the two swimming beaches. Two articles were published in the Daily Journal (8/22/07 and 8/27/07) and one in the St. Louis Post Dispatch (8/27/07).
Bruce Morrison, with EPA, made several assumptions and numerous statements that contradict the facts. It is evident that it is his mission to stop ATV and motorcycle riding on the tailings at St. Joe State Park. He is doing this despite the fact that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has been testing the area for over twenty-five years.
I am requesting your intervention regarding this matter. Several points one must take into consideration are noted below.
Lead mining has taken place in the area since the early 1700’s. During the first one hundred years, lead was mined from the surface. One only has to look at background samples taken from this area to realize that the lead that is naturally occurring in the soil is higher than those found in the tailings at St. Joe State Park. Due to the fact that more advanced technology was used at the St. Joe State Park site to separate the lead from the ore, the tailings at St. Joe State Park contain less lead than all other tailings areas in the county.
According to EPA reports, sampling performed in 2002, found tailings with lead levels as high as 4,638 parts per million in the beach area and 1,563 parts per million in the riding area. Tests performed by EPA in July 2007 reflected lead levels of 18 – 459 parts per million in the beach area and 369 - 896 parts per million in the riding area.
Bruce Morrison was quoted as stating that “lead exposure is a health hazard at any level and even small amounts of lead contaminated tailings are a concern”. He further stated that “A 2006 study cited was a rationale for lowering the blood lead action level from 10 – 2 ug/dl.” According to the EPA, acceptable residential exposure limits are 400 parts per million, unless you live in Southwest Missouri where they are allowing levels of up to 800 parts per million (Daily Journal 7/2/07). It should be noted that the exposure limits for residential settings are calculated at an exposure time of 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks per year.
A Human Health Risk Assessment was completed in 2003. It was approved by the EPA, the Missouri Department of Health, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and other agencies. The results concluded that tailings pose NO RISK to humans for RECREATIONAL use. The exposure time for recreational use is considerably shorter than that for residential use. In fact, the Park Ranger, his family, and members of the park staff have participated in blood lead level studies for more than fifteen years. These people DO NOT have elevated levels of lead in their blood. These people are at St. Joe State Park more than any other group.
In 1997, a study by state and federal agencies found that 17 % of children living in St. Francois County had blood lead levels that exceeding 10 ug/dl. 2006 data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services showed that 4.48 % of the children tested in St. Francois County had blood lead levels greater than 10 ug/dl. According to the report, several other counties were tested where children had greater than 10 ug/dl including the City of St. Louis (6.99 %), Washington (5.6 %), Iron (5.24 %), and Marion (4.96 %).
Bruce Morrison, EPA, consistently states throughout the articles that the EPA’s approach has to be consistent with those actions taken at the other tailings piles. St. Joe State Park IS different from the other tailings areas. There are numerous recreational activities at the site, over 800,000 people visit the site each year, the park brings a lot of tourist and economic benefit to the area. The Doe Run Company, the owners of the other sites, in their Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis document, negotiated a course of action where the sites were not used for a specific purpose. The sites were closed and the areas were vegetated. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources chose to operate a very popular state park, which contains one of the few off road riding areas in the Midwest.
The State Park has completed projects over the years that address environmental concerns. These projects include a car wash for ATVs and motorcycles, dams to slow water run-off, and they replaced the sand on one of the beaches.
EPA officials have stated that they do not care about the economic impact that the park has on the community. However, the park brings a lot of tourists and money to the community. I care!
A quote by Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers sums it all up when he questions whether the park is held to a higher standard than residential yards where children play. Mr. Childers said “the thing I don’t quite understand is, we clean up residential properties to 400 parts per million. If 400 parts per million is safe 24-7, 365 days a year, what would be the danger to have someone in the park site for a few hours?” (Daily Journal 8/22/07).
I am confident, that if you look at all the testing results and facts, you will find that there is
no health risk from recreational exposure at St. Joe State Park. I am asking for you to investigate EPA’s scare tactics that are being publicized. Please help save a very popular state park.
sincerely, sign here:________________________________________
