Re: Army Disbands the Fort Ord RAB

[Levonne <evnjustice@redshift.com>]

Fort Ord Environmental Justice Network

>>Despite our differences, The Fort Ord Restoration Advisory Board is one
>>of the best when it comes to Community members addressing real, hard,
>>tough issues.  As a community member I and other community members have
>>addressed human health issues, property transfers that are contaminated
>>with friable asbestos and lead based paint.  Groundwater contamination,
>>Lead in the soil being transferred to the already heavily contaminated
>>landfill, chemical agent kits, burning of unexploded ordinances, Safety
>>issues and presentations for our schools. We are questioning risk
>>surveys that have not been updated, or inclusive of people of color.
>>
>>Babies, older children and adults  are turning up with more and more
>>respiratory problems.  We know that lead affects African-American
>>children with stunted growth and their ability to learn.  Every culture
>>is affected differently.
>>
>>One very controversial subject is implementing Environmental Justice on
>>The Fort Ord RAB, and in the affected surrounding communities.  I
>>noticed that when I suggested that we use policies and regulations from
>>the Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency to
>>bring people of color on board, and give them equal participation
>>rights, there was lots of angry discussion.  I was proud of the fact
>>that we worked through it and included Environmental Justice in our
>>mission statement and board representation.  A week later, I was
>>informed that we would not have a RAB.
>>
> Thw United States Environmental Protection Agency should be the oversite
> Authority for this contaminated Superfund site.  The Army keeps saying
> that it is the lead agency???  RAB members cannot do their job to
> protect our community from hazardous, cancer causing contaminants,
> USEPA, and State EPA are not allowed to assist the afected
> communities???  What is happening here??
>

Our Congressman should listen to the affected community, not just to City
Hall.  We are the community, taxpayers and constiuents.  Who will benefit
from all of this hurry, hurry, hurry.  The community or those who have
nothing to lose, but everything to gain???

>
>>LeVonne Stone, RAB community member
>>Fort Ord Environmental Justice Network
>>
>evnjustice@redshift.com(831) 883-1254

LeVonne Stone
Fort Ord Environmental Justice Network
evnjustice @redshift .com
P.O. Box 316, Marina CA. 93933
(831) 883-1254