EPA regional chief FINALLY resigns over Flint crisis – 22 months after residents first started complaining about the high levels of lead in the water

Friday, January 22, 2016
By Paul Martin

Susan Heman will step down on February 1 as a result of the scandal
U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah has said the move is ‘way overdue’
High levels of lead have been detected in the city’s water since April 2014
Some children’s blood levels have tested positive for lead

DailyMail.com
22 January 2016

A regional director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has resigned in connection with the drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan.

Susan Hedman, the head of the agency’s regional office in Chicago whose jurisdiction includes the state, will step down on February 1 so the government can focus solely on the crisis in the city.

High levels of lead have been detected in the impoverished city’s water since officials switched from the Detroit municipal system and began drawing from the Flint River as a cost-saving measure in April 2014.

Some children’s blood has tested positive for lead, a potent neurotoxin linked to learning disabilities, lower IQ and behavioral problems.

While much of the blame has been directed at Gov. Rick Snyder and state officials, particularly the Department of Environmental Quality, some have faulted the EPA’s Region 5 office for not acting more forcefully.

The order issued Thursday acknowledges the state notified EPA officials in April 2015 that Flint was not treating the river water with additives to prevent corrosion from pipes.

It says Hedman and others in the regional EPA office voiced concern to state and city officials over the next few months. But it wasn’t until October 16 that EPA established a task force to provide technical help — the day Flint switched back to the Detroit water system.

‘Mismanagement has plagued the region for far too long and Ms. Hedman’s resignation is way overdue,’ said U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz of Utah, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

The EPA said McCarthy had sent a memo to all staff members establishing a policy assessing and responding to ‘critical public health issues.’
The agency also released a letter from McCarthy to Snyder outlining terms of the emergency order, which says that city and state responses to the water crisis have failed.

The EPA ‘is deeply concerned by continuing delays and lack of transparency,’ the letter said, describing the measures as ‘essential to ensuring the safe operation of Flint’s drinking water system and the protection of public health.’

The Rest…HERE

Leave a Reply

Join the revolution in 2018. Revolution Radio is 100% volunteer ran. Any contributions are greatly appreciated. God bless!

Follow us on Twitter