No reason to choose between economy, environment

By Stephanie Rose and Nicholas A. Klinefeldt

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Fifty years ago, America was just waking up to the reality of environmental pollution: Rachel Carson had published Silent Spring, raising America's consciousness about the impact of DDT pesticide use on the environment and public health.

In 1969, Cleveland's Cuyahoga River caught fire due because of the oil-soaked debris consuming it and the country's then-largest oil spill occurred in Santa Barbara, Calif.

The culmination of these events inspired the call for a national day promoting environmental education and led to the creation of the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970.

This movement led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Richard Nixon. Further legislation soon followed to address the nation's drinking water supply, hazardous waste management and toxic waste cleanups.

Enforcement of these laws has transformed rivers from oily waste streams into waterways teeming with fish and wildlife habitats. It has made the air we breathe and the water we drink cleaner. In conjunction with industries' many voluntary efforts, enforcement has also jump-started innovation, providing greater economic benefits with fewer environmental costs.

Still, there are a staggering number of high-risk hazardous sites - 13 of these EPA designated “Superfund Sites” are in Iowa.

Just south of downtown Des Moines within the flood plain of the Raccoon River, there is a site that has been monitored and subject of various remedial efforts since 1976, when it was discovered that Dico Company had disposed of solvent wastes containing trichloroethylene (TCE) (a carcinogen) on the site, contaminating ground water and various buildings. Monitoring of ground water continues.

In Dubuque, the Peoples Natural Gas Co. site, containing waste products from coal gasification is still being monitored and remediated. The site threatens health of individuals who may accidentally ingest the contaminated soil or water. It also poses a risk to the wetlands and wildlife and fish refuge by runoff from the site. EPA required study of alternative technology in treatment of the site after a 2011 study showed that present measures had been unsuccessful.

Sadly, there are many more similar examples. If the environmental laws some take for granted today had existed 100 years ago, perhaps Iowa wouldn't be in this economic and environmental predicament.

The U.S. Attorney's Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa and the U.S. Department of Justice are working to protect the environment and enhance the quality of life by pursuing those corporations and individuals who fail to comply with environmental regulations.

During the past three years, the DOJ's environmental division has secured nearly $21.1 billion in corrective measures through court orders and settlements in civil enforcement cases, and more than $1.9 billion in penalties, cost recoveries, natural resource damages, and other civil monetary relief.

Over the past four decades, environmental laws and enforcement have improved our nation's health and environment, and made the United States a world leader in this area. The call for responsible and rational regulation is a legitimate debate we can have, but there is no reason Iowans must choose between a healthy environment and a healthy economy.

The U.S. Attorney's Offices for the Northern and Southern District of Iowa and the DOJ are committed to the continued enforcement of environmental laws that protect our citizens and our Earth.

Links: www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/

Stephanie Rose is U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Iowa; Nicholas A. Klinefeldt is U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Iowa. Comments: Nick.Klinefeldt@usdoj.gov