Chemical Weapons Working Group
P.O. Box 467; Berea, KY 40403
606-986-7565 606-986-2695 (f)
for more information contact:
Evelyn Yates : 870-247-9484
Brainard Bivens: 870-541-0596
Bob Guild, Esq. : 803-252-1419
Melissa Tuckey: 606-986-0868
for immediate release: June 29, 1999
PINE BLUFF CITIZENS FILE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
COMPLAINT AGAINST ARMY INCINERATOR
A Pine Bluff citizens group, Pine Bluff for Safe Disposal, was joined by the Chemical Weapons Working Group in filing discrimination complaint against the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) for permitting a chemical weapons incinerator in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The complaint invokes President Clinton's Executive Order on Environmental Justice which requires all recipients of federal funds to take steps to reduce the amount of pollution and to identify and seek to avoid projects that disproportionately impact "low income and minority" communities. Pine Bluff has a population consisting of 65% African-American and 28% below the poverty level.
The complaint states that Pine Bluff is already overburdened with toxic pollution and that permitting a chemical weapons incinerator only adds to existing problems. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, "nearly two million pounds of chemicals are released into JeffersonCounty's air each year, ranking it in the top 20% of all US counties for
cancer hazards, non-cancer hazards and air releases of recognized carcinogens. It also ranks in the top 20% on water releases of recognized carcinogens, and air releases of suspected carcinogens." Complainants charge that ADEQ failed to consider the cumulative impact of these chemicals on the health of the community of Pine Bluff in permitting this additional source of pollution.
ADEQ also fails to consider how additional exposures will impact low income people who may not have adequate health care or nutrition. It also fails to adequately consider the impact of these chemicals on those who are most vulnerable to toxic exposures: infants and children. Complainants state that safer technologies are available which do not result in the release of toxic chemicals into the air or water. These technologies are moving forward in Maryland and Indiana. Additionally, a program to demonstrate safer technologies for assembled chemical weapons is moving forward and these safer technologies will likely be used in Kentucky and Colorado.
"The children of Pine Bluff deserve the same level of protection as the children of Kentucky, Colorado, Indiana or Maryland. We don't need another source of pollution and more problems in our community." Evelyn Yates of Pine Bluff for Safe Disposal explained.
Activist Brainard Bivens added, "It's not simply an issue about class or race, it's an issue of fairness for a community which has faithfully supported the Pine Bluff Arsenal for years...The Army's incineration program is years behind schedule and has a history of accidents and nerve agent releases. We want a safer method."
-30-
Click here to access "Complaint of Discrimination" filed with the EPA by Pine Bluff citizens. Information about toxics in Pine Bluff at: Environmental Defense Fund's
Web Site: <www.scorecard.org>.
 CWWG Home Page |
Contact us: |