Eden/Lowell, Vermont - The state of Vermont has finally reached an agreement with the owners of a now-defunct asbestos mine that has been a constant threat to the health of those who live in and near the towns where it’s located.
According to a story on Vermont Public Radio, the state was seeking money to pay for the clean-up of the inactive mine, which is located in the towns of Lowell and Eden. The civil suit was filed against the mine’s owners to address the remaining asbestos ore at the mine, which – some say – could cost hundreds of millions of dollars to mitigate and clean up.
Vermont Assistant Attorney General Thea Schwartz says the settlement reflects the fact that the mine’s owner, the Vermont Asbestos Group, doesn’t have many financial resources remaining.
“The federal government looked at the company’s finances and reviewed them and the settlement is based on their ability to pay,” Schwartz says, inferring that the number is fairly low. The company, however, will turn to its insurers to help secure the funds to fulfill the agreement.
So far, say the experts, the work being done at the Lowell and Eden mine involves mostly erosion control; really just short term measures says John Schmeltzer, an environmental analyst with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
“I believe there’s going to be a point in time where they are no longer going to be effective and we’re either going to have to replace them or do something different. The challenging part of that is that does take resources,” says Schmeltzer.
However, Schmeltzer complains, some work simply can’t wait. “There is one building that is holding about 17,000 cubic yards of dry asbestos ore, and the roof is peeling off. We’re concerned that all that dry ore could potentially be released to the environment,” he says.
If fibers are released, they may potentially circulate through the air where they can be inhaled by anyone in the vicinity. As a result, those individuals suffering asbestos exposure could eventually develop mesothelioma cancer.
Last year, the towns of Eden and Lowell rejected a proposal to designate the mine a Superfund site, making it eligible for federal money. Most were concerned that the Superfund designation would seriously affect their property values.
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