OCR Text |
Show The brown cloud of smog ( sulfur) that covers the lake could pose some air quality problems in regard to management of aquatic organisms and other wildlife. This requires further study and coordination with USGS and EPA. Data should be shared between agencies and with industry. For instance meteorological data collection should be coordinated between the agencies and possible the brine shrimp industry who work on the lake. Toxicology data and studies should be coordinated between the agencies and other entities who might want to collect the data including citizen's groups and industry. Oversight and regulation of releases of pollution to air, water and soil are under the jurisdiction of EPA and DEQ. Significant oversight of industrial air pollution sources near GSL is part of DAQ continuing operations. DAQ's Compliance Section visits KUC and Magcorp on a regular basis. During these visits, it is determined whether these industries are running their plants in accordance with their legal operating permits which specify amounts of pollution allowable for daily operations. DAQ also evaluates potential health problems associated with air pollution from these and other sources. Operating permits are designed to protect the environment and public health and to set allowable pollution levels based on engineering, computer models of pollution dispersion in the air, known health effects of air- borne pollutants and public comment which is taken at hearings before an operating permit is granted. The DAQ Air Pollution Inventory Group evaluates the overall impact of air pollution emissions from industries and cars, and EPA reviews the data from DAQ to determine whether additional regulation is required to protect the environment and public health. It is not clear what the term " significant oversight" is intended to mean in the above comment. DAQ believes significant oversight already exists, at least from the standpoint of EPA and DEQ. If, however, " significant oversight" means that DNR should seek regulatory jurisdiction in addition to EPA and DEQ, that is a matter for federal and state lawmakers. If the comment is suggesting that DNR should routinely review EPA and DEQ regulations and actions taken, DEQ will keep DNR informed of its actions. DAQ is willing to cooperate with the planning team and DNR. The specific nature of that cooperation is yet to be defined. Tests conducted on samples taken from a waste- water drainage ditch and holding pond last September confirmed that dioxins and furans are produced in Magcorp operations. DAQ and Magcorp are engaged in an aggressive study to determine whether, or to what extent, the dioxins produced in the manufacture of magnesium contaminate water and sediments in GSL. Tests on samples of soil, water and lake sediments taken since September confirm that dioxins have not contaminated soils beyond the drainage ditch and holding ponds and there is no dioxin contamination in solid wastes or commercial products. Dioxins do not dissolve in water to any significant extent, but they can become attached to dirt particles that are carried in water. We now know that the principle dioxin pathway at 300 |