Haakon County Commission members found their venue filled with citizens concerned that a proposed deep bore hole drilling project would lead to disposal of high-level radioactive nuclear waste affecting the health and safety of people beyond county lines. Photo courtesy Tamra Brennan
Citizens voice concern about radioactive nuclear waste dump in Lakota Territory
By Talli Nauman
Native Sun News Today
Health & Environment Editor
nativesunnews.today PHILLIP –– Haakon County Commission members, meeting here on December 6, convened in a larger room than usual when they found their venue filled with citizens concerned that a proposed deep bore hole drilling project would lead to disposal of high-level radioactive nuclear waste affecting the health and safety of people beyond county lines. More than 100 people from several counties attended the meeting, according to Gena Parkhurst, chair of the Black Hills Chapter of Dakota Rural Action. Most opposed the idea, she said. “Our elders of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and the Oceti Sakowin have sent out a notice that we will stand behind anybody who protects Mother Earth,” said Dakota Rural Action member Carla Rae Marshall. Carol Hayse, another member, wrote a letter to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology president, noting that the project is proposed on land deeded to a former professor from that educational institution based in Rapid City. “I urge you to oppose all bore holes meant to identify areas to dispose of nuclear waste,” Hayse wrote. “No matter where, the bore holes have to cut through vulnerable aquifers, and if waste were to actually be deposited, these could be vulnerable to leakage into the aquifer.
Read the rest of the story on the Native Sun News Today website: Citizens voice concern about radioactive nuclear waste dump in Lakota Territory (Contact Talli Nauman NSNT Health and Environment Editor at talli.nauman@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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