November, 1997
Table of Contents
Children’s Cancer On the Rise
Adults also ThreatenedKidney Island and Bayport Concerns
It’s Not Enough to Study the Problem
PCBs Dissolve in WaterCampaign Finance Reform
PCBs Become Airborne
Kidney Island Leakage
Bayport Drainage
War Chests Runneth OverWeak Rules Passed For Pulp & Paper Industry
Know the Code
Road Builders Map Path to Political Influence
Governor’s Club Drives Thompson’s 1998 Campaign
Thompson Donors
Newspaper Reports Money & Influence On Thompson
What You Can Do
Threats to Workers and Public HealthCranberry Rules Changed to Allow Wetland Destruction
Industry Resistance
Local Impacts
A Brief History
Citizen Support is NeededForest Subsidy
Mining Moratorium Goes to January Vote
Public Meetings on Fox River Clean-up
Great News! Campaign Finance Reports Improve
Children’s Cancer On the Rise
According to a recent report from the National Cancer Institute, the
incidence of cancer among U.S. children has been steadily increasing over
the past 20 years, at roughly 1% each year.
More than 8,500 new cases occur annually among children under the age
of 15.
The most commonly occurring cancers are leukemia and brain cancer,
up 30% and 40% from the 1970s, respectively, according to Dr. Philip Landrigan,
pediatrician at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and senior advisor to the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on children’s health.
Dr. Landrigan stresses that the cause of these increases are not known,
but may very well be attributable to environmental factors. Likely culprits
include some of the 75,000 synthetic chemicals produced over the past 50
years, including pesticides, PCBs, plastics, and auto emissions. Only 3%
of these 75,000 chemicals have been tested for cancer-causing tendencies
in humans, and even fewer for toxicity and cancerous effects in children.
In addition, changes in lifestyle, especially diet, alcohol and smoking,
may play a role in the increase.
[Editor’s Note: Diet has been heavily targeted as a cause of
cancer, particularly the consumption of meat and dairy products, but many
experts question whether it’s the food itself, or the toxic chemicals which
have accumulated in the meat and dairy products through environmental pollution.]
Although the death rate from childhood cancer has decreased over the
past 20 years, it remains the most common fatal childhood disease, responsible
for about 10% of deaths.
To combat the cancer increases, the EPA and the U.S. Public Health Service are seeking large-scale health studies and toxic assessments of chemicals that take into account the unique vulnerability of children to toxins.
In addition, a national education campaign is needed, as much of the cancer attributable to environmental factors can be prevented. (from the New York Times 9/29/97)
By Rebecca Leighton Katers
About 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer sometime in their
lives, yet most of the established medical and research community seems
focussed on finding only cures, treatments or improved detection methods.
Few medical people are getting involved in preventing toxic pollution
problems or changing American diet patterns.
In my 15 years of experience, I can count on the fingers of one hand
the number of local medical experts who have testified in favor of strict
health standards at local pollution permit hearings.
Clearly, more doctors, nurses and other medical personnel need to take
up the cause of pollution prevention and toxic site clean-ups.
It’s Not Enough to Study the Problem
Unfortunately, the government tendency to call for “more study” doesn’t
address our concerns.
A rat study for cancer costs around $400,000. This means one study
of each of the 75,000 chemicals could cost $30 billion. And one study is
usually not enough --- most scientists require several studies before reaching
conclusions, especially when studies have conflicting results. And that’s
just for cancer --- even less is known about chemical damage to the nervous
system, immune system, lungs, skin, heart, reproductive organs, behavior,
intelligence, etc.
In addition, individual studies of individual chemicals won’t tell
us anything about the combined impacts of all these chemicals at once.
Most of us carry thousands of different man-made chemicals in our bodies.
Scientists have no idea how this affects us.
As a result, many scientists believe we must reverse the burden of
proof and reverse our assumptions. Chemicals should be considered toxic
until proven safe, and pollution prevention should be the norm. Industries
wishing to dump their chemicals into our water and air should be required
to prove the chemicals’ safety first.
Industry often calls for “sound science,” so they should be happy to
back their claims of safety. But in doing so, our families should not be
used as their guinea pigs.
Kidney Island and Bayport Concerns
Two Green Bay projects raise serious concerns about the methods DNR
uses to design, monitor and enforce the disposal of PCB contaminated sediments
from the Fox River.
The projects deal with sludges from the Green Bay Harbor shipping channel,
not concentrated Fox River hotspots, but the chemicals are the same and
some muds in the shipping channel have significant PCB levels.
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study released in August confirms that
PCBs dissolve in water, and discusses efforts to measure the rate. They
discovered variability depending on the exact make-up of different sediments.
Some bottom muds hold PCBs more tightly than others.
This is significant because DNR staff frequently argue that landfills
to hold PCB contaminated sediments are totally safe, because all the PCBs
stick to the sediment and won’t get into the groundwater. But, the Corps
study shows this “stickiness” argument doesn’t work with PCBs. (or with
numerous other toxic chemicals found in the sediments. PCBs aren’t the
only issue.)
Clean Water members have argued that sediments should be treated and
detoxified to the extent possible, not just dumped elsewhere for future
generations to deal with.
A series of research papers by the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant
Institute show that significant quantities of PCBs do evaporate (or more
precisely, volatilize --- like perfume rising out of a bottle.) They estimate
that nearly 4,000 pounds of PCBs volatilize off the surface of Green
Bay and Fox River each year, spreading downwind.
The Corps’ Waterways Experiment Station has shown that when contaminated
sediments are exposed to air, the rate of volatilization increases. Prior
to volatilization, many of the PCBs are already dissolved in the water.
Kidney Island Leakage
Clean Water members have alerted DNR and County staff to our concerns
about extensive leakage from the existing Kidney Island, which is full
of PCB contaminated sediments.
The 1985 Final Environmental Impact Statement for the island expansion
says, on page 34:
“The existing CDF [Kidney Island] was designed to let all water filter
through the dikes until filled and then to filter through the sand weir.”
Four dye-tracer studies by the Corps in 1985 at similar harbor facilities
in Manitowoc, Kewaunee, Milwaukee, and Kenosha found that more than 90%
of water leaked out directly through the walls --- the filtered outlets
were obviously not effective, except as window dressing. The Corps was
required to seal several of these leaking dikes.
No dye-tracer study was done in Green Bay and no repairs have been
planned, but the Corps used exactly the same construction design for Kidney
Island.
A key concern for local and state taxpayers will be long-term maintenance
of Kidney Island. When the Corps finally caps-off Kidney Island over the
coming year, they will turn it over to local governments. If the island
is defective, local taxpayers could be stuck with millions of dollars of
expensive repairs.
Local and state DNR staff acknowledge that it’s well-known that Bay
water flows freely in and out of the Kidney Island disposal site and it’s
likely that chemical contaminants are leaking as well --- but they haven’t
decided yet what they can do.
Meanwhile, the wastewater discharge permit for the existing island
expired years ago and the Corps failed to perform the required annual monitoring
and testing of discharges. Incredible as it may seem, DNR staff have only
one set of sample data from the island’s official discharge pipe, from
all the years of the Kidney Island operation, stretching back into the
1970s.
Is it any wonder that DNR’s credibility as an enforcement agency seems
questionable at times?
The Bayport Project is the new 30-50 year sediment dump site which was
pushed through the permitting process last year without any public hearing.
It’s located just west of the mouth of the Fox River.
Kyle Strauss, a University of Wisconsin Student Intern with Clean Water
Action Council this semester, has done some digging and uncovered serious
problems with the final design of this landfill.
Ordinarily, landfills require clay liners underneath, thick clay caps,
and the pumping and collection of all the contaminated water which leaches
through the wastes, to make sure the water is treated.
The Bayport design includes none of these protections.
The landfill will have no liner underneath and will have only a 6 inch
layer of topsoil on top, hardly enough to prevent toxics from coming to
the surface with earthworms and other natural processes.
An even more alarming aspect is the plan to install five discharge
pipes under the landfill, allowing water to drain through the sediment
and flow directly to the Bay without any treatment.
This is the same kind of discharge which required filters,detailed
Wastewater Discharge Permits, public notices and public comment opportunities
on the other side of the Bay, at the Kidney Island Expansion.
DNR staff acknowledge the Bayport situation is unusual and said they
were unaware of these pipes. Apparently, only the solid waste department
has the information and the water quality staff weren’t consulted.
Clean Water members have faxed detailed diagrams of the Bayport site
to DNR water quality staff, and we’ll be watching to be sure this issue
is addressed quickly.
We only hope this level of confusion and disorganization isn’t a preview
of problems we’ll see during the many Fox River clean-up and disposal operations
to come.
Up to Top
Campaign Finance Reform
Many environmentalists believe that until elections are separated from money, our environment will not be safe.
War Chests Runneth Over
Even with all the talk of campaign finance reform in the Capitol, it
remains business as usual. Though the 1998 elections are still over a year
away, Wisconsin’s elected officials were busy raising money to the tune
of $1,686,803 in the first 7 months of 1997.
The leading money raiser was Gov. Thompson who added $868,460. Much
of the money raised went to pad war chests: Gov. Thompson’s at $1,507,097,
Sen. Michael Ellis (R) at $121,878, and Rep. Spencer Black (D) at $97,462.
More than $4.4 million was raised through individual contributions of
$100 or more in 1995 and 1996. These contributions represent 60% of the
approximately $6.3 million spent by legislative candidates in 1996.
Were these contributions from average citizens from throughout Wisconsin?
No. The WDC found that donors in just 12 zip codes contributed $1.1
million.
Did the money go to the candidates from the area? No. This money
went to targeted races through the state. Apparently, the old adage “One
person, One vote” is not how Wisconsin’s political system really works.
None of these zip codes were located in Northeast Wisconsin. They were
in Milwaukee’s “Gold Coast” up into Mequon, the West side of Madison and
Maple Bluff, and Elm Grove and eastern Brookfield.
Road Builders Map Path to Political Influence
Wisconsin’s road builders contributed more than $134,000 in 1995 and
1996 to legislative candidates and campaign committees. Very little of
the amount contributed from individuals associated with the five main road
building companies went to their own representatives. This pattern of giving
--- to leadership and to candidates they cannot vote for --- is common
among those seeking influence with the legislature. Meanwhile, the legislature
votes on a $3 billion transportation budget where small changes in transportation
policies can mean millions for the road building industry.
Governor’s Club Drives Thompson’s 1998
Campaign
Gov. Thompson has raised $2.4 million since January 1, 1995, spent $1.6 million, and has a cash balance of $1.5 million in his campaign account. This importance of the $500 contribution, the amount required to become a member of the Governor’s Club, in the overall fund raising strategy of the committee is striking: 2,522 people made a contribution of exactly $500, bringing in $1,261,000. A full 82% of the money raised from individuals came in amounts of $500 or more. Four individuals have contributed $10,000, the maximum allowed.
The top six interest categories of contributors to Gov. Thompson from 1/1/95 to 6/30/97 were:
Construction
$305,049
Manufacturing &
239,994
Distributing
Banking & Finance
190,682
Lawyers, Law Firms 176,781
& Lobbyists
Business
161,118
Real Estate
119,325
Newspaper Reports Money & Influence On Thompson
Last week, the Milwaukee Journal finished a 4-day series on the apparent connections between campaign contributions, elite friendships, and the Governor’s decisions. The whole report is available, with background documents, on Internet at this address: http:/ www.jsonline.com/governor/
1. Write to your Senator and Assembly Representative and tell them what you think. (If you don’t know who your elected representatives are, call the Legislative Hotline 1-800-362-9472 on weekdays.)
State Rep. (Last Name, A thru L)
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708
State Rep. (Last Name, Mc thru Z)
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
State Senator
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
Write a “Letter to the Editor” of your local newspaper expressing your views (Look up their address in the Yellow Pages under “Newspapers.”)
Weak Rules Passed For Pulp & Paper Industry
The long-awaited pulp & paper “Cluster Rule” will be signed soon
by President Clinton, but it is a severe disappointment.
The rule has taken the weakest form possible by endorsing only the
substitution of chlorine dioxide for elemental chlorine gas in pulp and
paper mills.
Threats to Workers and Public Health
Many health and environmental advocates worldwide had pressed for a
total phase-out of all chlorine and chlorine compounds, because such processes
unavoidably produce toxic chemicals like dioxin and other chlorinated organics
like chloroform, furans, chloramines, chlorinated resin acids, and other
toxic and/or persistent pollutants.
The switch to chlorine dioxide only reduces chlorinated pollution by
60%, it doesn’t eliminate it. This means persistent toxins like dioxin
will continue to build up in the food chain from these industries. In addition,
chlorine dioxide poses safety hazards for workers. The new gas is odorless
--- by the time workers can smell the chemical it has already passed toxicity
health thresholds. Therefore, leaks are much more dangerous. In addition,
chlorine dioxide is much more explosive than pure chlorine gas.
Numerous new technologies have proven that paper mills can operate competitively,
while maintaining jobs and worker safety, by substituting less toxic chemicals
in the paper making process.
Unfortunately, the American Forest & Paper Association, the Chlorine
industry, and other vested interests spent four years blocking and lobbying
against the passage of these rules, and they succeeded completely in their
work. (It would be interesting to correlate campaign contributions
with this decision....) The companies don’t want to make the capital
investment needed to switch processes.
The rules were far from comprehensive, only affected certain kinds of
paper making. Only about 10 of Wisconsin’s 50 mills were impacted by the
rules. Paper recyclers, which dominate the scene in Northeast Wisconsin,
were largely untouched by this rule. EPA expects to address them next.year.
A Brief History
December 1993: EPA proposed “Cluster Rule to regulate air and water discharges, especially dioxin, from pulp and paper mills, citing human health concerns “particularly for people who depend on fishing as part of their ethnic culture or if they are low-income. EPA recommended oxygen instead of chlorine dioxide in the delignification process, a first step toward a totally chlorine-free, dioxin-free process, and predicts the rule would take effect by 1995.
September 1994: The EPA’s Draft Dioxin Reassessment reports that “average” Americans already carry levels of dioxin in their bodies “at or near” the levels at which health impacts have been observed in laboratory animals and wildlife. There is no known “safe” level of dioxin exposure. Because of their low body weight, children receive disproportionately high doses of dioxin from food and breast milk.
July, 1995: President Clinton issues an Executive Order on Environmental Justice requiring the EPA to consider disproportionate impacts of its policies on low income and minority populations.
July, 1996: EPA modifies the proposed “Cluster Rule,” adding a second option that would permit the continued use of chlorine dioxide. This essentially endorses current practices with a federal regulation, with the effect that most mills will not achieve dioxin-free production.
Thereafter, the paper industry floods EPA with comments in favor of
the chlorine dioxide option. Former EPA Administrator for Reagan, Lee Thomas,
and former Asst. Administrator Tom Jorling lead the effort on behalf of
the top two chlorine dioxide users, Georgia Pacific and International Paper,
respectively.
April, 1997: President Clinton issues an Executive Order on the Protection
of Children From Environmental Risks and Safety Risks, which requires EPA
to “ensure that its ... standards address disproportionate risks to children
that result from environmental health risks....”
April-May, 1997: The National Tribal Environmental Council and the Tribal Operations Committee of the American Indian Environmental Office of the EPA, and the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council pass resolutions and write to EPA, urging phase-out of chlorine and chlorine compounds in the pulp and paper industry.
May, 1997: The EPA abandons its 1993 “Cluster Rule” proposal and embraces the paper industry’s chlorine dioxide proposal, ignoring the letter and spirit of the two Executive Orders listed above.
July, 1997: The EPA sends the new “Cluster Rule” to the White House for approval by the Office of Management and Budget.
July, 1997: Time magazine and McDonalds join other businesses such as Ben & Jerry’s and Kinko’s in calling for a stronger rule.
November 1997: White House affirms EPA’s pro-industry proposal. Mill workers and the public will have continued exposure to toxic chlorine compounds.
Cranberry Rules Changed to Allow Wetland Destruction
Despite widespread public concerns and hundreds of citizen letters in
opposition, Gov. Thompson’s new DNR has weakened wetland protection rules
to accommodate cranberry growers. The growers will be able to construct
new cranberry beds over valuable wetlands without ruling out the possibility
of better alternative sites. Thousands of acres of Wisconsin wetlands could
be destroyed.
Cranberry growers have been big donors to Gov. Thompson’s re-election
campaigns.
Wisconsin’s Recycling Market Development Board has given FEECO International
of Green Bay a $150,000 grant to test the use of Fort Howard Corporation
(Fort James) waste sludge as a “fertilizer coating” for grass seed.
A development team, which includes researchers from Fort Howard, is
looking at additives to provide the fertility and make the sludge stick
to the seed.
In other words, the sludge doesn’t provide the fertilizer, it’s just
there for the ride. It’s a fancy way of eliminating a disposal problem
and potential liability from toxic contaminants present in the sludge.
Once the product is sold on the market, how will anyone be able to track
the dispersed pollution?
How many people would knowingly spread this contaminated seed on their
lawns where their kids are playing? The only reason this product might
succeed is that “fertilizer” ingredients are not well regulated,
other than to ensure the basic presence of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
--- the key ingredients in commercial fertilizers. The “carriers,” in this
case Fort Howard sludge, would not require any labeling.
The Market Development Board, appointed by Gov. Thompson, has provided
a number of questionable grants this year, including a $250,000 grant to
subsidize the 1,000 ton per day Minergy Corporation incinerator in downtown
Neehah.
The grants are supposed to get companies into “recycling markets,”
and can cover up to 50% of the cost of research projects --- but the grass
seed and incinerator projects don’t fit the normal definition of “recycling.”
And they don’t address serious issues about public exposure to toxic pollutants.
These grants are also using tax dollars to subsidize huge corporations
who can afford to pay the bill themselves.
Not surprisingly, Gov. Thompson has received large campaign contributions
from representatives of these corporations.
Our September newsletter focussed on the excessive fertilization of
Lake Winnebago, Little Lake Butte des Mort, the Fox River and Green Bay
--- which resulted in gross quantities of algae decaying and choking these
waterbodies. The odors were horrendous.
As part of the article, we listed possible solutions and specific state
legislation which might actually make the problem worse. (If you’d like
a copy, call 920-437-7304.)
In particular, the state budget proposed by Gov. Thompson and Republicans
legislators included serious program changes and limits on funds which
threatened the viability of Priority Watershed Projects and other non-point
programs.
Luckily, during extended budget negotiations with Democrats, some of
the changes were blocked and some funds were restored.
For example, Republicans had proposed to make construction site erosion
from large subdivisions exempt from non-point pollution control standards
--- even though these sites can be large sources of polluted runoff. Democrats
prevented this change from passing.
Despite the greatly increased needs for Priority Watershed Projects
across Wisconsin, funding levels have been cut and stagnated over the past
3 budget cycles.
$18 million was cut from the contingency bonding appropriations (like
a “savings account” set aside) for the non-point pollution program four
years ago. Two years ago, $4.7 million was cut from the $6.4 million non-point
program and $4 million in bonding was cut from Priority Projects. As a
result, a $5 to $7 million shortfall in Priority Projects this biennium
loomed.
This year, Republicans took away the $10 million raised through the
$7.50 non-point pollution motorist user fees which had helped pay for non-point
programs over the past several years. (They gave this money to the Dept.
of Transportation, which already has a grossly inflated budget.) But in
the final hour, the Democrats managed to ensure that equal amounts of General
Purpose Revenue were allocated for the non-point program. (though this
funding is more vulnerable to future budget cuts.)
In all, Democrats successfully pushed for an additional $4 million
in funding authorizations, more than half the $6.8 million in increased
funding provided for non-point grants in the budget.
Overall, the non-point budget has survived the worst of the proposals
--- but the final outcome is that Priority Watershed Projects, the most
desperate areas needing clean-up, all face a 10% cut over the coming two
years. This has a direct impact on several projects in Northeast Wisconsin.
Worse yet, many of these projects would have been cut by 25% if not
for creative shifting and cutting of other budgets within the non-point
program. All contingency funds will be used up in the coming 2 years, leaving
the programs much farther behind than the budget appears.
This means the next budget cycle will be critically important to the
survival of the non-point program. --- yet DNR staff are already planning
for significant cuts in the next biennium.
Citizen Support is Needed
Our algae problems show that our current non-point pollution programs are too weak and underfunded. This is not a time to cut the budget, but to increase the budget and enforcement mechanisms, to achieve the clean water we all depend on. Please contact your state legislators and the Governor to let them know your feelings.
Last year, the U.S. Forest Service failed to account for $200 million in road building costs and $257 million in payments to counties. $90 million slated for reforestation was illegally transferred to pay administrative costs.
Baird Creek Heights is a gorgeous 34 acre woodland filled with large
oaks, maples and hemlock. Although this land had been on the city map for
years as an intended addition to the Baird Creek Parkway system, a developer
purchased it and has been putting pressure on the Green Bay Mayor and City
Council to rezone it to allow development with exclusive high-priced housing.
Now, a private foundation has formed to raise $200,000 towards the
purchase of the 34 acres, and has already raised $75,000. The city has
pledged another $200,000 and finally the state’s Stewardship Fund has offered
$500,000 towards the $1 million which the assessors claim the property
is now worth.
If you’d like to help the Baird Creek Parkway Preservation Foundation
meet it’s final goal, please send donations to “City of Green Bay “Baird
Creek Trust Fund” c/o Jim Blumreich - City Finance Director, 100 N. Jefferson
St., Green Bay, WI 54301.
For more information, call Paul Abrahams, at 920-465-3693.
Mining Moratorium Goes to January Vote
The Assembly Environment Committee voted on Tuesday, Nov. 11 to forward
the Mining Moratorium Bill to the full Assembly. The vote was 6 to 4, with
all four Democrats, and Republicans Hahn and Johnsrud voting in favor.
Chairman Marc Duff’s weakening amendment failed 5 to 5, and Rep. Spencer
Black’s amendment likewise failed 6 to 4.
The bill goes on to the Assembly for a vote (along with a mining “reform” bill by Rep. Lorraine Seratti). On the floor, SB3/AB70 could still be weakened by amendments. Contact your Assembly Reps and tell them how you fell about this.
Public Meetings on Fox River Clean-up
Watch your newspapers and reserve December 9 & 10 for public meetings
on the Fox River Clean-up. The agencies are planning a series of programs
and may finally allow citizen statements from the floor (not just questions.)
The agency & industry negotiating is reaching a critical decision-making
point. If they can’t reach agreement by February 1, EPA is committed
to follow through with Superfund listing of the river.
Great News! Campaign Finance Reports Improve
Over $100,000 was included in the recently passed state budget for electronic
filing of campaign finance reports. State Representative Tammy Baldwin
(D) was responsible for inserting this provision during the bipartisan
negotiations on the budget in the State Assembly. On October 11, the Governor
signed the budget, guaranteeing the funding.
The State Elections Board will use this money to develop the software
candidates need to file their campaign reports and to build a web site
that will permit direct and immediate citizen access to them. (Citizens
can still get paper copies.)
This change will greatly improve the timeliness and the ability to
sort through all the data in these reports. The old paper system was cumbersome
and difficult to analyze, and reports were often available only after elections
occurred, making it impossible for voters to evaluate candidate funding
sources until it was too late to affect their votes.
Some candidates had made the reports even more difficult to study.
For example, Gov. Thompson’s paper reports for each election fill a couple
of feet of file space, and his assistants have deliberately randomized
the listings to make it impossible for most people with limited time to
analyze the donations.
The candidates will file the reports, which disclose all contributions
and expenses, by submitting a computer disk to the Elections Board. The
reports will be loaded directly onto the web site. And then, sitting in
front of your computer at home or by going to any public library and logging
on to the Internet, you can review this important information on the sources
of support for candidates.
Electronic filing will not be mandatory for candidates in 1998, but
the very fact that the system will be operating in time for the 1998 elections
ensures that many candidates will use it. The voters are certain to demand
that candidates file their reports on disk and the new software will make
preparing and filing the reports simpler for candidates.
The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign (of which Clean Water is a member)
will be working with the Elections Board to test the software and to ensure
that the web site is geared toward disclosing information most helpful
to voters.
This improvement is the first step towards true campaign finance reform.
We should all be encouraged!
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