Forwarded to webmaster by John Fadden, Onchiota NY
Date: Wed, 03 Feb 1999
Subject: Casino Groundwater Contamination Background Information within the community of
Akwesasne (St. Regis Mohawk Reservation)
Background/History
In November 1998, five wells were drilled at the Casino site in an attempt to provide
water for the casino. Two of the wells were drilled to depths in excess of 200
feet. We hear the wells were drilled to this depth in search of an aquifer that
would yield enough water for the casino. It now appears that some of the wells were
drilled into bedrock and may have been drilled into a pocket of saltwater that was trapped
in the bedrock. There is a 1962 United States Geological Survey report
which indicates that these pockets exist in our area.
Once the saltwater entered the wells, the well driller abandoned them.We know that the
well driller attempted to cap two of the wells with concrete but we do not know which
wells. We also know that the concrete was not the proper way to seal the wells.
Approximately five weeks after the wells were abandoned, residents in the community of
Akwesasne, located in a northeast direction from the casino site began reporting odor and
taste problems in their water. Initial testing by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe's Environment
Division
indicated elevated levels of salinity (saltwater).
To understand what this means. Saltwater from the ocean has a salinity level of
approximately 5.0 parts per trillion (ppt). Water in the gulf of the St. Lawrence
has a salinity level of 3.0 ppt as it is a mixture of saltwater and freshwater. The
levels of salinity in the wells of the residents in Akwesasne are ranging from the 4.0 to
8.0 ppt range.
The measurement of salinity is done with a probe and a digital readout meter. Once
the elevated salinity level is found, a water sample is collected and is sent away to a
laboratory for a more detailed analysis. Approximately 40 different chemical
parameters are being analyzed for. These results have been a cause for concern.
Approximately 12 wells have had the detailed analysis done to date.Preliminary analysis
indicates that barium, strontium, beryllium, magnesium, and sodium levels are exceeding
maximum contaminant levels in several of these wells. For example, the maximum level for
barium in drinking water is 2.0 milligrams per liter. At least one well has a level
of 2.18 milligrams per liter of barium in it.
St. Regis Mohawk Health Services officials have taken the position that all 47 wells that
have been found to be contaminated with salinity should be considered contaminated with
these other chemicals. They have asked the families using those 47 wells to limit
their use of the water to only flushing toilets. They should not drink it, wash
dishes or clothes with it, or take showers in it. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is
paying to have bottled water provided to any residence that requests it
in the affected area. To date, 195 families are receiving bottled water. In
addition, for the families using the 47 wells, they are being provided with $20 per week
for laundry washing at a nearby Laundromat, courtesy of the casino. The casino is
also covering expenses for the families to use the Hart to Heart fitness center for
showers.
Current Activities
The biggest challange right now is to seal the wells at the Casino site. A
contractor has been brought in to assess the wells and to properly seal them. A
bentonite grout must be used to seal the wells.
Tommorrow, a camera will be lowered into each well to see what is in them. There is
a report of a well drill bit being stuck in one of the wells. The wells that were
improperly sealed must be redrilled and then sealed. Additional testing of the water
quality in each well will take place. It is expected that the wells will be sealed by
early next week.
Additional testing of all homes in the affected area will continue. Those that have
positive results for salinity will be sampled for a more detailed analysis. Health
screening are being done for blood pressure.
Longer Term Activities
It appears that the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe will try to extend their public water system to
the affected area. Estimated cost will be about $3-4 million. The Tribal
Council is in Washington, D. C. meeting with Indian Health Services, Bureau of Indian
Affairs and others to get help. We should know by tommorrow afternoon if they are
successful. The Tribe is also looking into installing cisterns to the homes of families
using the 47 contaminated wells. The cost of this service will
be approximately $10,000 to $15,000 per cistern for installation. The Tribe will
then have to continuously replenish the waters in the cisterns.
Other Issues
We have learned that the casino site was used for other purposes prior to being
bought. The previous owner had installed two lagoons on the site. He pumped
out sludge from individual septic tanks and dumped the human waste into the lagoons at
what would become the casino site. The
sludge was tested and it contained elevated levels of 1,2 dichloro-benzene, a known
carcinogen. It is unclear how much of the sludge was contaminated with this
chemical.
When the casino was being built, casino management had the contractor for the landscaping
remove the sludge from the lagoons to the contractor's property in Akwesasne.
Initial testing of the sludge that has been placed in Akwesasne indicates no detectable
levels of the chemical but more testing is underway.
Today, pictures surfaced which showed a number of barrels that were at the lagoon
site. It is unclear what was in those barrels or what happened to them.
In addition, this past fall, approximately 10 acres of wetlands located next to the casino
site were destroyed. This has violated the Clean Water Act as the required permits
were not obtained.
Closing Comments
It is clear that the drilling into the saltwater was an accident. However, the actions
once that happened are full of mistakes and maybe negligence. The Tribal Council has put
the construction of the casino before the interests of the people. The opening of
the casino is more important than following environmental laws. The casino
management and Tribal Casino may have ignored their own environmental staff. Even
now, the Tribal Council is saying that it is more important than ever to open the casino
so that it will pay for the water line extension.
Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force
Akwesasne Mohawk Territory
via: Box 366
Rooseveltown, NY 13683
tel: (518) 358-3381
fax: (518) 358-6201
email: jransom@m2000.net
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