Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation worried about contamination

Wednesday, February 12, 2014  

The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation of Arizona is worried about the long-term effects of a fuel spill that impacted sacred sites and groundwater supplies.

A ruptured United Petroleum Transports tanker spilled 2,300 gallons occurred last November. The break occurred off the reservation but some of the fuel ran onto tribal land.

“As a result of the fuel spill, the nation has incurred expenses for, but not limited to, soil and water chemical analysis and overtime pay for employees,” President Ruben Balderas said in a letter to the company, The Arizona Republic reported.. “Further, it is unknown what long-term monitoring we will need to employ or the long-term effects on the nation without further assessment. Our tribal lands are sacred to the history, culture and future of the Yavapai people.”

The tribe met with the company and the town of Fountain Hills last week to discuss cleanup issues, the paper said.

Get the Story:
Tribe concerned over Fountain Hills fuel contamination (The Arizona Republic 2/10)