Do you know what a Sacrifice Zone is? It is an area that is targeted for onerous or toxic land uses in order to protect areas considered more worthy from these uses. Sacrifice zones often get the toxic land uses but do not get the benefit from these uses. They do not share in the wealth created.
The term originally came from cattle management. Cattle often gather at watering holes or watering tanks. The land nearby becomes trampled, muddy and not fit for grazing, but cattlemen do not try to save this land because they want to keep the cattle from trampling and destroying good pasture land. They sacrifice the gathering area to preserve the green grassy areas.
The coal areas of Carbon County and elsewhere have become sacrifice zones. These areas are targeted for toxic land uses that would not be acceptable in wealthier, more pristine areas of our state. Just look at the Panther Valley. In one narrow valley you can find the following:
Panther Creek Power Plant which emits air pollution including the microscopic particulates that are very damaging to human lungs and hearts. This plant also gobbles up a lot of electricity making our electricity more expensive---all for cryptocurrency.
Panther Creek ash ponds where the toxic ash from the power plant is deposited. This ash contains toxins including Mercury which drains directly into the Lehigh River (one of the Top 10 most at-risk rivers in the U.S. https://whyy.org/articles/lehigh-river-endangered-watershed-conservation/).
The Tonelli Battery Recycling Active Super Fund Site is still being overseen by the EPA because the soil is full of lead (not good for our ground water).
The Alpha Bio-Med medical waste disposal site. This site is estimated to process 123 tons of medical waste on a daily basis.
Two huge active open pit coal mines are in operation. One is between Lansford and Nesquehoning, the second is just over the county line in Coaldale. These mines put coal dust (that is particulates) into our air.
And lastly, the deep mine coal industry ended approximately 75 years ago but left us with Culm Banks that create Acid Mine Drainage as water flows through them, creeks with Acid Mine Drainage, and areas of land stripped of all vegetation.
What does Carbon County get from this pollution aside from high cancer rates? A few jobs are created but the wealth created by these uses does not reside in Carbon County.
One of the reasons Save Carbon County exists is to protect our county from being an easy target for these toxic land uses. When we fight back we are less attractive as a sacrifice zone. When we stay vigilant and identify these proposed uses before they become a reality we are less attractive as a sacrifice zone. Save Carbon County has fought and won against those who see our county as a “throw-away” community. We are done with allowing our community to be a dumping ground!
We want to increase our membership, our ability to protect the Lehigh River, and our impact.
Our annual membership fee is $20 and you can mail a check to Save Carbon County at PO Box 176, Kresgeville, PA 18333 or go online to https://secure.actblue.com/donate/savcc.
WE NEED YOU. Thank you for your support. We are stronger when we work together.
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