2012 Coal Tar Freedom Review: American Emancipation Continues

2012 marked advancements in our understanding of the science of coal tar sealant pollution, greater legislative restrictions on its use and more extensive media coverage of the topic in popular press. Interestingly this week also commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln back in 1862. More on that after we look at the top milestones.

Here are my choices for the top 13 events of 2012:

New Coal Tar Sealer Ban in Texas Dwarfs "Big D" in Area

Details of November's decision by the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) to ban coal tar based sealants in sensitive areas are becoming a bit clearer now. Covering an area more than Big "D" Dallas itself and including approximately 60,000 citizens, this ban is the 4th largest in land area in the US to date. The ban covers portions of Comal and Hays Counties and portions of the communities of New Braunfels, Wimberley, San Marcos, and Canyon Lake.

Shorewood, MN's Coal-Tar-Free Gift to Lake Christmas Delayed

Last night, Shorewood, Minnesota delayed making a final vote on a coal tar sealant ban in order to tighten up the language of the ordinance.  Shorewood, Minnesota includes much of Christmas Lake, interestingly named after one of the original surveyors of Minneapolis.  The community, with a population over 7,000, is well known for its year-round outdoor activities and access to nature. For the officials of Shorewood, check out my article on A Worry-Free Guide to Implementing a Coal Tar Sealant Ban for some thoughts about implementing a ban. 

If passed, Shorewood would become the 27th jurisdiction in Minnesota to pass a ban of coal tar sealants. The first was White Bear Lake in the spring of 2010. Also on deck is the nearby community of Woodland that is reported to be one of the top 50 wealthiest communities in the United States, but with a population of about 700. Their first reading of a ban was yesterday too.

The proliferation of these kind of local actions is a tribute to the appropriate coupling of science, politics, economics and community values within the greater Minnesota community. I look forward to more communities across Minnesota considering the impact of coal tar sealant pollution is to their communities.

"Nasty Surprise" Awaits Communities with Coal Tar Sealant Pollution

Expensive cleanup costs of stormwater ponds throughout Minnesota constitute a "nasty surprise" according to one Minnesota League of Cities' official.   A recent Minneapolis Star-Tribune article exposed more details about the billion dollar cleanup expected if just 10% of the region's stormwater ponds are contaminated with coal tar sealants.  The State of Minnesota found that 9 out of 15 had high levels of the chemical associated with coal tar sealer wear-off.

The number of ponds in the Twin Cities area where local governments are responsible for the cleanup is estimated to be 20,000, but that does not include the vast number of facilities which have private association or corporate maintenance.  Obviously the overall community cost could rise even higher.