THE GOLD KING MINE SPILL HAPPENED A MONTH AND A HALF AGO. BUT NEW MEXICO ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY RYAN FLYNN TELLS 770 KKOB THERE’S STILL A LOT STATE OFFICIALS DON’T KNOW ABOUT ITS LONG-RANGE EFFECTS.
HE SAYS, MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACTS OF THE SPILL ON THE REGION FOR THE LONG TERM TO ENSURE THE STATE IS ADEQUATELY COMPENSATED FOR THE MESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HAS MADE.
FLYNN SAYS THE MAIN CONCERN IS SEDIMENT CONTAINING LEAD, ARSENIC AND OTHER METALS LEFT BEHIND BY THE SPILL IN THE ANIMAS AND SAN JUAN RIVERS. HE’S ALSO CRITICAL OF THE EPA’S RESPONSE, SAYING THE AGENCY GAVE OUT INFORMATION INTENDED TO DOWNPLAY THE SEVERITY OF THE INCIDENT.
