As heavier and heavier impacts are slated for the West Side flats in the southern channel, few, if any, are downtown testifying. My neighbors say things like, "no one cares," or "there's nothing we can do" or "yeah, it's bad but I just don't have time to go to a meeting." Meetings are usually during working hours anyway. And some are angry. The planners/decision-makers aren't bad people (PED, zoning etc), they just don't see or hear the effects of their decisions.
In the past year alone we've dealt with the construction of a huge fertilizer plant, plans for a rock crusher and the wood shredding facility. Cumulative impacts are from planes, trains, Hwy 52, Concord truck route, metal shredding and recycling, garbage transfer facilities, chemical storage tanks and the list goes on. Why? Because the almighty business trumps the needs of a community. Don't we deserve some natural environment and trails to the river?
When Clinton was in office he saw this nation-wide problem and enacted the environmental justice act. The federal government MUST address these social justice issues when developing industrial plans. Unfortunately LGUs (local units of government) are only asked to follow suit and they rarely do. So, it's up to the leaders in our community to stick their necks out.
And what about the health of the protected Mississippi? This riverboat deal this weekend is neat but I can't help but think about how our domination and need to explore and conquer have affected native people and the natural environment. That power dynamic is still in play today.
More money for my neighborhood can pay for more paid staff. These staffers can make more effort to go out into the community with translators and increase public participation. The leaders with the long necks will hear that solicited participation and act courageously. Then, we will be following suit.
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