By DENNIS CHASE

Over the years, I have been involved with a wide variety of controversial environmental issues. A lot of those issues were not settled in favor of the environment. Occasionally there were some positive results and, all things in perspective, I understand that is how the system works. But recently, what began as a potential chemical spill quickly became a reality check of what government can do to their citizens.

Several weeks ago, I was asked to look into a problem in South Fulton County, a half mile or so from the Fayette County line. I quickly found a number of disturbing problems indicating damage to our environment. But the damaged environment rapidly paled in comparison to the fact that a large number of people in that area were experiencing significant health problems, possibly from the release of toxic chemicals into the air.

This newspaper has done an outstanding job of reporting the details of the toxic release and the many health impacts that people in that area have suffered and continue to suffer.

But in the last 10 days, things have gotten even worse for them, and for all of us, as this could happen to any neighborhood.

For some unexplained reason, our state and federal government agencies, those with authority to help, have refused to do anything.

Well, that’s not totally true, because they are working hard to make it look like the problem lies with the people who are sick and that these people are trying to make the government look bad.

Among the problems we are dealing with is the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s (EPD) unbelievable efforts to exonerate and protect the company that probably released the chemicals.

For the 10-plus years the company has been in business in South Fulton County, there were no required reports filed with EPD.

When the citizens began to complain about unexplained sickness from the toxic cloud, EPD, rather than taking strong decisive action, struck a deal with the company whereby the company paid a $100,000 fine to the state, and EPD now says the company is operating safely. Hush money if I have ever heard of it.

Another issue is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and their irritating and very condescending treatment of the hundreds of citizens who went to EPA for help.

EPA told them they were not sick from chemicals because the tests performed did not show evidence of a chemical release, and EPA knows all about people elsewhere in this country who think they are sick from toxic spills.

They say it hasn’t proven to be the case elsewhere, so obviously it isn’t the case here. So I assume since our federal government hasn’t given anyone permission to be sick so these people must be imagining what they are going through!

Finally, there is the total lack of assistance from our elected officials to help the citizens who have been affected by this situation.

This is not directed at our city and county politicians as they have tried their best to help. Many have sponsored resolutions demanding that the facility be closed.

Rather those who are derelict in doing their jobs are Congressman Lynn Westmoreland and a couple of our state representatives.

To date, Congressman Westmoreland has said it is a problem that EPD is handling, and since it didn’t happen in his district, it must be Congressman David Scott’s job to listen to the upset citizens.

He conveniently ignores the fact that the chemicals contaminated the homes and lives of hundreds of his constituents, constituents who live just a mile or two to the east of Westmoreland’s [former] home in Tyrone. But rather than help, he ran for cover.

Over the years, I have discovered just how pathetic EPD can be when it comes to taking enforcement action against violators of environmental regulations.

I have heard every excuse imaginable as to why the damages caused by a spill, or from failure to protect a valuable ecosystem or some other action, are not a problem.

Their lack of a positive response is not what you expect from an agency whose name includes environmental protection. Instead, they are being good little bureaucrats who do the bidding of the Georgia Legislature.

It is that group, the Georgia Legislature, who has demonstrated a lack of interest in protecting the natural resources of this state. Our legislature is determined to keep businesses happy. I’m not very optimistic that situation will change anytime soon.

My experiences with EPA are less frequent and only a bit more encouraging. On other issues, EPA has made some attempts to do the right thing since environmental protection is taken a little more seriously on the federal level.

But this current situation is an exception with poor results. Their recent reactions to this issue have been hindered by significant reductions in their regulatory budgets which reduces them to a mere shadow of their former selves.

But in this instance, when it is about protecting the lives of Georgia citizens, I expect more from them.

Except by reputation as a very good friend of the developers, I don’t know Congressman Westmoreland. I do know it is absolutely unacceptable for him or any other elected official to turn away from his neighbors and cause these people to face the company involved, EPD and EPA on their own.

These families have been living in nearly unlivable conditions for months, are afraid to let their children play outside, have watched their pets die, and are facing a wide variety of health problems.

They have no idea of how to get the stench out of their carpet, their drapes, their lungs, their lives. They live in fear of what the future may bring because of the long-term effects from this toxic cloud.

Some of these citizens may have voted for Westmoreland because they thought he would actually come to their aid if they needed him. I doubt they will vote for him again.

Our neighbors didn’t do anything to deserve this. Like you and me, they are trying to live quiet happy lives. But for some of them, that chance for a happy life is gone and our government and some of our politicians don’t seem to care. You could, and perhaps should, look at what our government has done to make matters worse.

So far, efforts of [Democrat] Congressman David Scott and [Democrat] state Representative Virgil Fludd have been helpful, but they may not be enough.

There is not a lot that citizens can do about EPA and only a limited amount we can do about EPD. But clearly there is something we can do at election time about officials who run and hide. Remember, this could happen to any of us!

Where are you, Congressman Westmoreland? I would be surprised if even your staunchest supporters would agree with your stance on this one.

Dennis Chase, now retired, was a fish and wildlife biologist with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for more than 26 years. Since retiring, he has worked as a consultant for Fayette County on environmental concerns, is a volunteer with the Line Creek Association of Fayette County, and has published numerous newspaper columns.