Huffman Says Uncertainty Shrouds California Coal Tar Sealer Ban Demise

Assemblymember Jared Huffman described today's backroom termination of California's first attempt to pass a coal tar sealant ban as "unfortunate" and "frustrating."   The bill would have more than tripled the number of Americans under a ban of this toxic material.  The motivations that ended the bill were uncertain to the Assemblymember since it appeared that all reasonable objections to the finer points of the legislation had been addressed.

EPA Announces Historic, June 14th, Free Webinar on Coal Tar Sealants

The US Environmental Protection Agency today announced an upcoming, online seminar about coal tar sealant pollution as it relates to stormwater management.

While the EPA says that the opinions of the presenters do not necessarily reflect an endorsement by the Agency, merely hosting the webinar is one of the strongest acknowledgements of coal tar sealant pollution yet.  The EPA previously published a study that stated a ban of coal tar sealants may be the most effective means of dealing with this pollution source.  A review of the report is here.  Perhaps the next step by the EPA is to endorse the nationwide ban legislation by Congressman Lloyd Doggett that has been introduced in Congress.

Surprising New Info on California Coal Tar Sealant Use

The La Brea Tar Pits aren't the only place with tar in California.

Accompanying the discussions of a ban of coal tar sealants in California, the next question is "how much is really used in the State?"  In a previous post, I gave the following data points of what we know:
 

• In spite of studies showing the toxic and carcinogenic effects of coal tar sealants, contractors in California have continued to deceive the public by advertising this substance as "environmentally-friendly" and "non-toxic." Consumer Alert: Contractor Deception on the Rise

Newport News: 20th Minnesota Sealant Ban Passed!

The City of Newport, Minnesota (population 3,435) became the 20th community in Minnesota to pass a ban of coal tar sealers.  Last week's passage of the ban was confirmed earlier today by Renee Helm, the Executive Analyst for Newport.  The community is just a 15 minute drive to Minneapolis and is primarily residential.

Coal Tar Sealants Are An Environmental Justice Issue For Nation's Largest Land Owner

Brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) from Ashumet Pond, Cape Cod, Massachusetts,
with body-surface and oral lesions from USGS

The nation's largest land owner, the US Department of the Interior, has a different, but accurate take on the problem of coal tar sealant pollution: it can be an injustice to the nation's poor through their cultural or subsistence use of our natural resources.

The US Department of the Interior (DOI), the parent department overseeing the National Park Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation, has control over more than 25% of the United States land area and includes enough roads to circle Earth more than 8 times.  They are also the overseer department of the United States Geological Survey, which has done the bulk of scientific research into this area.

In a report released in March 2012 (report link), the DOI has begun to fulfill a federal requirement to address possible adverse impacts to minority or low-income communities.  Their vision statement says the goal is "to  provide outstanding management of the natural and cultural resources entrusted to us in a manner that is sustainable, equitable, accessible, and inclusive of all populations."

Coal tar sealant pollution injustice is mentioned as part of Goal #3:

The Department will, on its own or in collaboration with partners, identify and address environmental impacts that may result in disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority, low-income, or tribal populations.

The report acknowledges coal tar sealant pollution in urban centers across the US, but specifically mentions the Anacostia River in and around Washington, DC.  Here some species, like the bullhead catfish pictured above, have cancer at a rate of 2 out of every 3 fish and therefore are not recommended to eat.  Only 8 ounces per month is recommended for large mouth bass!  If this was your only affordable protein source, you can see how this negatively affects the poor.

The big question here is this: will this behemoth of an organization decide to eliminate the use of this product through all of its sub-departments and if so how effectively will this be communicated?

Waconia Springs 19th Minnesota Ban Into Effect

With a history of recreation and outdoor beauty, the City of Waconia, Minnesota (population 10,697) passed a ban to preserve the rich environment that surrounds it.  Situated on the shores of a clear 3,000 acre lake, it has been a recreational destination since the 19th century.

At their April 16th meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to pass a ban of coal tar pavement sealants making it the 19th community to pass a ban in the State of Minnesota.

This location has been added to the Interactive Map of US Coal Tar Sealant Bans & Government Restrictions at this link: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211259233898219765587.0004bec3609047daca9fc&msa=0


View US Coal Tar Sealant Bans & Government Restrictions in a larger map

Wanted: A Few More Sam Sisisky's Please

Yes, that is what we need in this country, some more people with energy, drive and passion for others and not just themselves.  Who is Sam Sisisky?

I never met Sam, we only corresponded via phone and email, but let me tell you why we need more folks just like him.

Eden Prairie, One of the Nation's Best Places, Just Got Better

Eden Prairie, Minnesota tonight voted to ban coal tar pavement sealants.  The close-in suburb of the Twin Cities (population over 60,000) has a history of high marks for quality of life.  This action marks the 18th community in Minnesota to pass a ban since White Bear Lake became the first.