Thread: Mexican feds approved toxic waste dump "close" to

I'm no expert in Spanish--maybe someone can translate--but
I believe the attached news article says the "feds" in Messico
have approved the construction of a toxic waste dump about
40 km from border--close to Tuscon. True?

If so, before it is built, how many more illegals will cross the
border to get away from it? If so, after it is built, will Arizona
just have more health cases, or would the illegals cross in
Texas or California?


http://www.laopinion.com/elpais/?rkey=0 ... 0000849510

TUCSON, Arizona (EFE). - To residents and activists in both sides of the border between the states of Arizona and Sonora (Mexico) the possible construction of a waste basket of toxic remainders worries to them that could directly affect the health and the well-being of the residents of this region.

The Mexican federal government or gave the authorization for the construction of the new scavenger, who anticipates itself to locate in the population of Sonoyta, Sonant, within the territory of the indigenous reserve Tohono Or' odham, 40 kilometers to the south of the border with Arizona.

Until the moment, the only organization that has been against the construction of the waste basket is the city of Sonoyta, whose civil employees the past month of July refused to send the corresponding permissions for this project, before the risk to the health and security of its residents.

One calculates that an average of 45 thousand tons of industrial toxic remainders would be deposited annually in the scavenger, who would cover more than 200 acres.

Opponents of the project fear that the project contaminates the potable water of the region, the Earth and he himself air.

The last week, demonstrators blocked the main road towards Port Rocky crag, extremely popular a tourist center between American tourists.

“Our efforts will continue until the Mexican government stops to construct the waste basket”, Ofelia Rivas said, resident of the indigenous reserve, in interview with a local newspaper.

In its opinion, to so construct a toxic waste basket near the region of Quitovac, sacred place for this indigenous community, is “a violation to the beliefs and the form of life”.

The territory of the indigenous nation Tohono Or' odham literally is party in two by the border, and great part of their ceremonial centers is in Mexican territory.

This one not is first time that mounts protests in state Mexican of Sonant before construction of waste basket toxic, since for more than eight years, activists and defenders of environment they have been fighting because it cleans to the Confinement and Treatment of Remainders, known by his abbreviations, CYTRAR, located near the city of Hermosillo.

Because the new waste basket of toxic remainders will be located closely together of the border, it has been requested to the Office of Medio Ambiente (EPA) of the United States, that is pronounced on the project, but this one indicated that still it studies the case.

Recently, the EPA concluded that it does not count on sufficient information to determine the impact that would have in EU the constructed waste basket of the Mexican side.

On the other hand, the government of the indigenous nation Tonoho Or' odham the past approved month of June a resolution in which he is against the construction of the waste basket.

“In our community there is much preoccupation. We do not know what effect can have in our exposed health being to this toxic sweepings”, said to René Santos, resident of Sonoyta.

It indicated that perhaps the effect is not seen immediately, but in the long term.

“This one is a price that our children or our grandsons are perhaps going to pay”, he affirmed.

Saints complained which the Mexican federal government “not even asked” the opinion of the residents of this city before approving the project, and said to be in favor “disappointed” of the little interest that the American authorities have put to him.

On the other hand, Alonso Flores, representative of the EPA of Mexico assured that although the project has the approval of the federal government, will not be able to advance if she does not count on the approval of the municipality of Sonoyta.

He insisted on which the scavenger does not entail any risk for the region, although he could be constructed in an area where the water flows towards the gulf of California and the wind blows towards Arizona.