Recap on the fight - where things stand right now [Feb 2020]
/We really were not sure exactly where to start because so much has happened in the past three weeks.
There is so much to catch up on that, rather than bore you with minutiae, we're going to try to summarize, give you links to all of the information, and celebrate the Mighty Margaret all at the same time! So here goes:
On January 22, FRRACS and a lot of our allies paid a visit to DEP in Lakeville due to three months worth of unanswered emails and phone calls regarding questions on the PIP, the RAM, and contamination.
On January 23, our Mighty Margaret caught Gov. Baker on WGBH radio with Jim and Margery and asked him about the promised air quality monitor. Baker responded that Margaret would receive a follow up phone call from his office in "a couple of days." She didn't receive that call until February 1.
On January 23, FRRACS received correspondence from Millie Garcia-Serrano, Regional Director-DEP Southeast Region indicating that a meeting would be possilbe.
On January 29, Prof. Nathan Phillips begin a hunger strike to highlight the DEP's inaction and to shame them into action on the deconamination of the trucks leaving the site, asbestos testing, and on the placement of the promised air quality monitoring station from Gov. Baker and the DEP. Many thanks to Nathan for putting himself on the line for all of us.
On January 30, Nathan received this communication from DEP Commisioner Martin Suurberg giving details on the temporary and permanent air quality monitoring station. WBUR followed up on this with Sen. O'Connor.
On February 7, FRRACS, Nathan, and allies met with the DEP in Lakeville.
On February 7, Sen. O'Connor, Reps. Murphy, Mariano and the rest of the South Shore Delegation (senators and representatives) sent an email to Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack and MBTA GM Steve Poftak requesting a long overdue risk assessment of the bridge and the MBTA bus routes in case of an accident at the proposed compressor station site.
On February 10, the legislators were sent this email from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs parroting the official statement on asbestos, truck decontamination, and the air quality monitor. Nothing to see here....move along.
On February 10, FRRACS' attorney Michael Hayden received notice of a civil suit being brought against FRRACS and the Town of Weymouth. Essentially, Enbridge is running scared that we will prevail on one or more of our court appeals and that we or the Town will file an injunction to stop construction at the time of such a positive court decision. Also known as a SLAPP Suit (strategic lawsuit against public participation), we're pretty sure that Enbridge is trying to cost us money while practicing law by Minority Report (the movie!) attempting to prevent us from doing something we haven't done. Are we having fun, yet?
On February 11, FRRACS received this email response to the February 7 meeting from Director Millie Garcia-Serrano.
On February 13, the Mighty Margaret got to speak to Gov. Baker once again on WGBH radio with Jim and Margery. Asking specifically for valid asbestos testing, Gov. Baker said that this would happen. The DEP is saying it won't happen. They really need to get their act together.
Oh February 13, FRRACS sent this response to Ms. Garcia-Serrano's email of the 11th.
In the meantime, DEP has visited the site multiple times since February 7. We have some results that we will share with you soon. We want you to breathe for a moment first.
Whew! We are so sorry to pile this on you all at once, but we haven't been able to catch our breath since Christmas.
The asbestos issue is one that we would like to emphasize. Asbestos is a forever "toxin." It will not break down. The microscopic fibers that would be released from the fire brick (called "friable condition") and potentially from soil where asbestos wrapping from pipes in the Edgar furnaces and furnace seals were dumped could pose an immediate hazard to all who are in the area of the digging and the dry street sweeping. FRRACS member Mike Lang warned the DEP of this issue in October at the PIP meeting held at the Abigail Adams School. Is it unconscionable that this was not addressed by the DEP when the boring wells were operational. It is unconscionable that this issue is still being ignored when the ablility to test at depth is still possible.
What can you do?
Call Governor Baker and ask him when he is going to direct the DEP to do asbestos testing at depth (that part is important--it means going down 3-8 feet and testing) on soil and fire brick. 617-725-4005
Call Commisioner Suuberg and ask him why the DEP is refusing to do simple soil and fire brick testing at depth. 617-292-5500, extension for messages: #71098
Donate to FRRACS legal defense fund. We will be answering Enbridge's SLAPP suit, as well as continuing the air quality, waterways, and CZM court appeals.
Join us on Wednesday February 19 for a big Protectors Rally from 8 AM to 2:00 PM.
As always, thank you for all that you do. We couldn't do this work without your support!
In Solidarity,
The FRRACS Team