The U.S. Forest Service
refuses to let the town of Tombstone, Arizona repair its water lines.
In 2011, the Monument Fire ripped through the Huachuca Mountains in Arizona—land belonging to the U.S. Forest Service. Following the fire, floods and torrential mudslides destroyed mountain spring water lines to the town of Tombstone.
Approximately one year later, “The Town Too Tough To Die,” is still unable to fix its water lines, affecting 1,500 residents and more than 400,000 annual visitors.
Due to the location of the springs being on a government wild land area, Tombstone residents cannot use the heavy machinery necessary to fix its water supply—Forest Service rules won’t allow it.
It gets worse:
The crisis doesn’t end there. Because of the damaged water supply, an element called arsenic is running through Tombstone resident’s tap water at a higher level than allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Not only are residents and tourists alike stuck with a damaged water supply but a contaminated one as well. By EPA standards, the federal government is poisoning its own citizens because they refuse to allow them to fix the pipelines that bring them safe drinking water.
How long before the EPA begins to fine the town?
"Forgiveness is easier to obtain than permission."
ReplyDeleteGo do it, then pay the fine.
The Federal government has more than it's fair share of idiot employees, most of whom gravitate to environmental or regulatory enforcement. I know, I deal with these creatures daily.
ReplyDeleteMojo.....I am certain that the USFS has regular patrols of that location. Or at least stool pigeons with the appropriate USFS number on speed dial. So any unauthorized digging will result in an armed response reminiscent of Waco.
Thus, they will need a diversion before they can dig there without undue interference.
"...a government of the people, by the people, and for the people..."
ReplyDeleteI forget...what country was that?
I think the country was Middle-Earth. Certainly not the country I grew up in. Thanfully, that area will have a conservative congressman come November 6th.
ReplyDeleteDeborah Leigh said...This is as idiotic as the story I heard this morning (Glenn Beck) of the man who tried to rescue a whale from fishing nets. He was fined for not contacting the authorities to get proper permission, and for interacting with an endangered species. Never mind that it was a matter of life and death. Guess he won't make that mistake again. Poor Willie.
ReplyDelete