“Unfortunately, rather than stop the problem, the DEP and the towns are continuing to approve and authorize systems that are known to pollute and don’t work on the Cape,” Kilian said.
“People come to the Cape from throughout the world because of its amazing natural resources and water quality,” Kilian said. “The unfortunate reality is that we’re killing the goose that laid the golden egg.”
“For years, our state and local leaders have allowed wastewater systems to cause the scourge of toxic algae in Cape Cod’s bays and ponds,” said Christopher Kilian, Vice President of Strategic Litigation at CLF. “It’s time to turn off the tap and stop the flow of wastewater pollution into the Cape’s waters. Residents and visitors deserve to enjoy healthy bays and ponds, and officials need to solve this problem once and for all”
“With our nation’s waters under siege from polluters, today’s announcement is a step in the right direction,” said Heather Govern, Director of CLF’s Clean Air and Water Program. “But the Biden Administration must move quickly to officially overturn Trump’s irresponsible dirty water rule. Officials need to get to work redefining Waters of the United States to ensure clean water for current and future generations.”
Melissa Paly, the Great Bay-Piscataqua Waterkeeper with the Conservation Law Foundation, said it didn’t help that for years, towns and stakeholders fought over who was responsible and who should pay. Now, they’re finally ready to get to work on more ambitious solutions.
The Conservation Law Foundation called for state officials to “prohibit or suspend distribution and use of Anvil, Mavrik, Permanone, and any other pesticides shown to contain PFAS” and to develop a plan to test all pesticide products registered in Rhode Island for PFAS contamination.
“It’s likely the tip of a toxic iceberg in terms of how many pesticides have this issue of PFAS contamination,” said Colin Antaya, a legal fellow with Conservation Law Foundation.
Toxic PFAS have been found in some pesticides – where they’re not supposed to be. We’re demanding state leaders take immediate action to curb this toxic threat.
“Millions of acres across New England are being blanketed with toxic forever chemicals,” said CLF President Bradley Campbell. “It is all but certain that dangerous PFAS are leaching into groundwater and threatening to poison communities that depend on that water to drink. Leaders across New England need to step up and protect public health by stopping the use of PFAS-laden pesticides until we’re certain they aren’t poisoning our food and water.”
“The legislature has taken a major step forward to protect communities and firefighters from toxic forever chemicals,” said Jen Duggan, Vice President and Director of CLF Vermont. “PFAS wreak havoc on our health and they have no place in products we use every day. Vermont has the opportunity to lead the nation in protecting people from PFAS, and Governor Scott must sign this bill into law.”
