The Honorable J. Phillip Novak
Chairman, Illinois
Pollution Control Board
100 W. Randolph,
Suite 11-500
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Web
Site
http://carelockport.hornestead.com
e-Mail
carelockDort(~,usa.corn
CITIZENS
AGAINST
RUINING
the
P.O.
Box 536
ENVIRONMENT
Lockport,
IL 60441
RECEIVED
CLERK’S OFFICE
April 28, 2005
MAY
022005
STATE OF ILLINOIS
Pollution Control Board
Re: Revisions to
Radium Water Quality Standards: Proposed New
35
Ill.Adm. Code
302.307 and amendments to 35
Ill.Adm.Code 302.207 and 302.525
R04-02 1
Rulemaking —Water
Dear Chairman Novak:
Citizens Against Ruining the Environment (CARE) appreciates the opportunity to
provide further comments
regarding the pollution
control board’s decision to
weaken the
radium water quality standards.
The decision to
increase radioactive
contaminants
into
the environment
is
unwarranted
and
compromises
sound
environmental
policy
and
the
public’s
health
and
safety.
Moreover,
this
weakening
of standards
sets
a
dangerous
precedent,
paving the way
for
polluters and potentially creating future
Superfund sites.
The thorium issue in West Chicago is a prime example ofwhat can happen when toxic
contaminants are discharged into the environment. The contamination stems
from a
former manufacturing site that produced other radioactive contaminants including
radium.
In one ofthe largest environmental cleanups in Illinois
history, more than $500
million will be spent in clean up costs, halfofwhich will be paid for by the federal
government. The cleanup will involve
digging up and drying contaminated
sediments and
shipping to
a federally licensed
disposal site.
CARE
is pleased local,
state and federal officials have worked in cooperation to provide
a clean, environmentally-friendly
and safe solution to the thorium situation.
The radium
disposal issue demands the same coordinated,
thoughtful and sound approach.
We have
the unique opportunity to
prevent an environmental
man-made disaster and
save millions
of dollars in future remediation costs.
In closing, CARE
respectfully requests the Board to uphold the current water quality
standards and prevent further toxic
contamination in Illinois.
Thank you,
Directors
Carol Stark
Ellen Rendulich
Sandy Burcenski
Wendy Vlasak
815-838-1483
815-834-1611
815-838-1442
815-838-0622
cc: Board Member G. Tanner Girard
Board Member Thomas Johnson
Board Member Nicholas Melas
Board Member Andrea Moore
