(~inrnt~juf

CLERK’S

OFFICE

OFFICj~’J~~OARD

AUG

172004

MICHAELW McCOY

Kane 4~~p~nter

630-232-9188

Email:

August 13, 2004

mccoymike@co.kane.iI

Chairman Phil Novak

Illinois Pollution Control Board

State of Illinois

Suite 11-500

100 W. Randolph

Chicago, IL 60601

Dear Chairman Novak:

Several months ago, when more than 100 Illinois municipalities were mandated to

remove radium from their drinking water, I was informed that many communities were

removing the radium from their drinking water by dumping the radioactive solids in the

sewer and spreading the resulting sludge on farms and open land.

As I understand it, the JEPA is now proposing to dramatically weaken the Water Quality

Standards to allow more of this radioactive carcinogen to be discharged into Illinois

waterways.

I am very concerned about how the state is overseeing and regulating communityplans to

clean up the drinking water.

ifl

fact, several months ago I sent a letter to• JEPA Director

Renee Cipriano posing several important questions: including the safety of discharging

radium into the municipal sewei~ systems and the potential public health and

environmental ramifications of such disposal. I also asked if, and if so how, the agency

would enforce restrictions on applying the resulting radium-tainted sludge to open land.

Additionally, I am concerned about municipal sewer workers and other public works

employees who may be exposed to the radioactive wastes without their knowledge or

consent. I would like the IEPA to address the potential long-term implications to workers,

and potential liabilities formunicipalities that treat and handle the sludge.

My constituents, the residents of Kane County, and the citizens of Illinois deserve to

know why the IEPA is allowing communities to clean the drinking water by polluting the

land and waterways.

To date, I have not yet heard back from the agency or the director. As you consider the

proposed rule change, I would ask that you consider these fundamental environmental

and public health and safety questions and reflect on why this makes sense for

communities throughout the state. I respectfully request that, unless there are satisfactory

answers from the agency that prove there are no threats posed to the public and

environment, you reject this proposed rule change. I would also ask that you further

consider any enforcement action the board can make regarding violation ofexisting state

radium disposal standards as part ofwater remediation projects.

The failure to promote and enforce the already existing standards is putting farmers,

families, public works employees and future homeowners at unnecessary risk to exposure

to highly concentrated amounts ofradium.

This issue is of great importance to my constituents along with residents throughout

Illinois. All known and unknown threats must be thoroughly explored to protect the

public and environment.

I appreciate any consideration you can give to my request.

Sincerely,

Chairman