Colorado Medical Society

Introduced by: Curtis Harlow, MD

Subject: Opposition to Importation of Radioactive and Toxic Waste Materials

Referred to: Reference Committee on Health Affairs

WHEREAS, the Colorado Medical Society (CMS) is aware of the threat facing the health and safety of the citizens of Fremont County because of plans by Cotter Corporation to import radioactive and toxic waste materials from Maywood, New Jersey for disposal in their tailings ponds in Fremont County, and

WHEREAS, the intended waste materials to be disposed of have the potential to remain hazardous for centuries to come because of very long decay half lives, and

WHEREAS, Cotter Corporation has shown a consistent and long-term record as a poor steward of environmental safety, including designation as a federal Superfund clean up site, and

WHEREAS, Cotter Corporation has been operating the Fremont County facility with an expired license, and

WHEREAS, urban expansion and development of Canon City and unincorporated areas of Fremont County have progressed to within one quarter mile of the Cotter facility, the facility poses an ever greater risk to citizens of the surrounding community and a waste repository in such close proximity to housing and development is inappropriate and unsafe, and

WHEREAS, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is the agency designated to uphold the laws of the state in these areas, and the mission of the department is to protect and improve the health and environment of the people of Colorado, and

WHEREAS, the CMS believes that the attempt to import waste materials from Maywood, New Jersey represents a fundamental and unacceptable shift of the function of the Cotter facility from milling of uranium ore to toxic and nuclear waste disposal, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the CMS opposes the importation of nuclear and or toxic waste material from any other state or nation to the State of Colorado. Specifically, the CMS opposes the shipment of soils from Maywood, New Jersey to the Cotter facility in Fremont County, Colorado, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the CMS shall in writing urge the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to uphold their ban on the proposed Cotter Corporation importation activities. The CMS shall also advocate that CDPHE renew the license for Cotter Corporation for the sole purpose of decommissioning and clean up of the Cotter facility in Fremont County, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the CMS supports continued scientific testing of the community to ensure the public health and safety of all residents of Fremont County in light of the previously existing Superfund site. CMS believes that Cotter Corporation and other regulatory agencies should provide the necessary financial resources required for decommissioning.

FISCAL IMPACT: None