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We need to mention that this proposed ESD comment period came in very challenging times when our Duwamish Valley community members (an Environmental justice community), are already facing many difficult challenges and inequities reflected in the pandemic. We asked the EPA to be especially attuned to our concerns and patient with our needs during these trying times. Our Duwamish River must be recovered to standards that support our community and fishing for future generations. It will be wholly unfair and inequitable to trade a .33% cleanup cost reduction for increased human health risks. In light of this uncertainty about the toxicity of carcinogens BaP and other cPAHs, DRCC expressed its concern. To us, it appears that EPA is taking a large risk that could affect human health in an environmental justice community for such a small change (0.33% or $1,117,000) in the overall cleanup costs. We demand health justice, especially for community members who have been historically marginalized, silenced, and burdened disproportionately with the legacy pollutants giving rise to this cleanup. For more information about our letter and the ESD please find here. For more information, please email contact@duwamishcleanup.org
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