We applaud Houston and Harris County for announcing intent to sue over site that may be...
Delores Peterson, front, and Dianne Sutton Osborne join a group of Fifth Ward residents protesting environmental pollution by Union Pacific outside a rail yard along Liberty Road Monday, Feb. 28, 2022 in Houston.Even the most righteous environmental lawsuits can take years, if not decades, to get results. So, why should Houston be excited thatBecause the mere threat of a lawsuit, says environmental lawyer Jim Blackburn, is sometimes enough to prompt real action.
Residents today can recall playing in a lagoon near the west side of the site where it’s now believed contamination from unlined pits flowed for years. Families got sick. Loved ones died. At the urging of concerned residents, testing by the state health department finally confirmed what so many suspected: the presence of elevated levels of cancers in both adults and kids and, per the city health department, a toxic plume that spans for blocks beneath their homes.
Now with the city and county on board, this relatively unorthodox legal strategy has the support it needs to move forward. The city, for example, has already set aside some $950,000 for legal fees but said it will commit what’s needed to pursue the case vigorously.the approach is needed in a state where regulatory bodies often tend to favor business interests. “What we’ve seen is an unwillingness to take the meaningful action that we’re looking for,” he said.
Cleanup at the Union Pacific site won’t be easy. The chemicals are difficult to work with. And cleanup is just one part of justice for a community that is confronting years of impacts.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Editorial: Will creative strategy spur Union Pacific to clean up Fifth Ward creosote? We hope so.We applaud Houston and Harris County for announcing intent to sue over site that may be...
Consulte Mais informação »
Harris Co. Attorney, city of Houston taking action against Union Pacific regarding contamination in Fifth WardThe statement says that Harris County Attorney Christian D Menefee, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will submit notices of intent to sue.
Consulte Mais informação »
City of Houston; Harris County intend to sue Union Pacific over creosote contaminationThe yearslong fight to get justice for neighbors in Houston's cancer cluster is taking a big step. 'You're not going to come in here and keep poisoning us,' a resident said.
Consulte Mais informação »
5th Ward residents rejoice over county, city plans to sue Union PacificTuesday’s announcement that both Harris County and the city of Houston each plan to pursue legal action against Union Pacific Railroad over long-standing contamination in Houston’s Fifth Ward was welcome news among residents who have long fought for accountability.
Consulte Mais informação »
Disney Elevates Kristen Finney to EVP Content Curation for International GroupThe executive will manage content strategy in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Asia Pacific and India.
Consulte Mais informação »
Editorial: The fate of DACA should be up to Congress, not the Fifth CircuitEditorial: The fate of DACA should be up to Congress, not the courts
Consulte Mais informação »