CACC News – Page 21 – Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination

In the current issue of the CACC News, CACC congratulated Bill Freese and the Huron Environmental Activist League, HEAL, for what appeared to be a substantial court victory by a national coalition (including HEAL and their long-standing fight to stop cement kiln air pollution – and also pollution from dirty coal plants.) Unfortunately, the victory is a bit mixed, and congratulations came a little soon, as

Bill Freese, HEAL Director, explains here:

I have to say that spending the winter in Florida was one of the best decisions we have made in quite some time, especially this past winter. Except for a few days that you northerners left the doors open, it was perfect. Lots of warm days and the pool temperature was about 88 degrees, most of the time.Much nicer than what we heard most of you had to put up with.

We were able to keep up with all that was happening with our suit against the EPA. We did have a win although it was not as complete as we had hoped. The U.S. Court of Appeals agreed with us and denied the loophole that would have exempted cement kilns from penalties and violations for exceeding emission during upsets. Upsets are a common occurrence at cement plants and those emissions add a

lot of pollutants when they happen. This ruling, plus Lafarge complying with the consent order in November, will reduce emissions from that facility here in Alpena, Michigan by over 90 percent. I have many calls from those watching the stacks, of only seeing steam. The orange, brown and dark emissions have not been seen.

We had thought that cases that had been taken to the Court of Appeals that had been ruled in our favor and violated by the EPA would be back before the same Justices. Not so, and we now know that thereare some Justices that are not as pro-environment as others. That is why there was a split decision that gave the EPA until, we hope no longer, than September of 2015 to set the rules for the Clean Air Act.

We will be back in court on another suit probably before October of this year. It is the CISWI air toxics challenge against the USEPA. CISWI stands for Commerci

al Industrial Solid Waste Incineration and whatit boils down to, is that the USEPA would allow just about every type of facility to incinerate its own hazardous wastes. With the lax enforcement of the USEPA and our own MDNR & DEQ this is a real can of worms.

This is Just another poor decision of the USEPA which reward polluters. The burn-to-earn facilities are really pushing for this to be approved. They tried this in 2007 and it was denied by the Court then. Environmental Protection should not be included in their name.

photos by Kay Cumbow Click the photo for a larger view You may also see more Great Lakes Health Banner panels in our photo album here and here. Contributions toward this project will be appreciated and are tax deductible under IRS rules. A contribution of $12 or more will underwrite a square for the Banner. Donate now, using PayPal. You may donate with your credit card using PayPal, a PayPal account is not required. Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination 8735 Maple Grove Road Lake, MI 48632-9511 Please note Great Lakes Health Banner on the check. Thank You!

More about the Great Lakes Health Banner Project

The magnificent Great Lakes Health Banner, representing environmental health concerns of approximately 80 diverse Great Lakes organizations was inspired by the first Health Banner, which was created by the Environmental Health Network, a national group based in Louisiana. The Great Lakes Health Banner was formally introduced at CACC’s Backyard ECO-Conference in 1991. This powerful visual speaks for the protection of the health of our communities and the Great Lakes Watershed. Gretchen Michaels, CACC Director, has teamed with Maryann Stroup of Families for Environmental Health Awareness, the project’s original director, to bring new life to this important grassroots art project. Contributions toward this project will be appreciated and are tax deductible under IRS rules. A contribution of $12 or more will underwrite a square for the Banner.

Mission Statement

The Great Lakes Health Banner Project seeks to promote and protect the health of people of Michigan by demanding and implementing institutional change, reform and accountability of the Michigan Department of Public Health, the Legislature and the Governor. These agencies and individuals have constitutionally and legislatively imposed duty to protect the health of Michigan citizens under the Michigan Constitution and the Michigan Public Health Code. We will do this by inviting citizens throughout the Bioregion to join together for the mutual goals of:

Preventing environmental disease and death
Empowering communities to have an impact on decisions that effect environmental health by providing tools to achieve institutional change
Increasing public awareness of illness and death associated with environmental health hazards

Origin of the Health Banner Project – 1989

Linda King, Director of the Environmental Health Network (nat. Org. based in Louisiana) saw tremendous health needs in workers and communities at large that should have been acknowledged not ignored, addressed not dismissed. State after state she confirmed that public health laws were not being enforced by local, state and federal agencies or were superficial at best in so many cases. Community organizations throughout Louisiana were tired and frustrated by “environmental policies” which were not protecting the people, while allowing air, land, and water pollution to continue. They created the first Health Banner and took it to Baton Rouge to present “The Louisiana State of the Health Report” to their health department.

Great lakes Health Banner Project –1991

This wonderfully conceived grassroots art project was formally introduced at C.A.C.C.’s Backyard Eco Conference in 1991. Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination recognized the value of the Great Lakes Health Banner immediately. Thanks to the core group of volunteers, The Banner Project continues to provide a strong visual statement of determination and unity in our Bioregion. The Original Team included:

Maryann Stroup–Director of the project – Families for Environmental Health Awareness
Florence Wessel – Maryann’s mother and seamstress
Liz Davies– Writer and Communications expertise
Joan D’Argo – Greenpeace International
David Dempsey & Lawton Jackson- Clean Water Action
Tracy Easthope – Ecology Center, Ann Arbor
Carol Rames & Lorraine Kulhanek- TRACC
Paul and Judy Vandenberg
Butch and Sally Lamphear
And numerous others.

Growth, Travels, Hibernation, Re-immersion

The Banner Project has grown and now represents more than eighty diverse organizations, environmental groups, communities, clubs, and a broad variety of creative thinkers from our Bioregion. These groups have been adding 3 foot panels which have been sewn on to each other. The Banner is impressive in its message, size, and authenticity. It has survived disappointment, apathy and denial by many politicians, industries, and those of our species in general. Responsible groups have displayed The Banner at Rallies, Civic Events, Ecology Centers, Conferences, Schools, Earth Day Celebrations, State Capitals, Health Departments, Shorelines and gatherings of many kinds.

Update 2012

Gretchen Michaels is the C.A.C.C. representative who has recently been working with Maryann Stroup to update, inventory and expand the exposure of The Banner Project. Maryann and Gretchen encourage your group to display all, or portions of, The Banner at events in your area. They also support and coordinate efforts to add more panels. If your organization would be interested in adding a 3 foot panel representing your local environmental concerns, materials and further details can be provided. CONTACT: Gretchen at 248-628-7463 Kay at 810-346-4513 email Kay Cumbow Contributions toward this project will be appreciated and are tax deductible under IRS rules. A contribution of $12 or more will underwrite a square for the Banner. Donate now, using PayPal. You may donate with your credit card using PayPal, a PayPal account is not required. You also may contribute by sending a donation in the form of a check payable to: Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination 8735 Maple Grove Road Lake, MI 48632-9511 Please note Great Lakes Health Banner on the check. Thank You!