Betsy Markey Chooses Politics Over Coloradans – Again
Betsy Markey Chooses Politics Over Coloradans – Again
Votes Against Much Needed Relief for Colorado’s Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel
Washington– With Congress back in session, Democrat Betsy Markey couldn’t wait to play party politics. When offered an opportunity to vote for a bill to provide relief to Colorado’s dire mine drainage tunnel problem, Markey instead sided with her Democrat party bosses. Apparently, the possibility of a billion gallons of acidic mine drainage bursting from the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel and seeping into the Arkansas River – which provides water and irrigation to Markey’s 4th congressional district- wasn’t enough for her to vote for the Republican sponsored bill.
“Leave it to Betsy Markey to play partisan politics at the expense of her constituents,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Rather than bite the bullet and vote for a Republican-sponsored bill which could protect thousands of Coloradan families, Markey left them hanging out to dry. Markey had a chance to solve a serious problem that could ultimately contaminate the irrigation and drinking water for countless Coloradans, but she instead voted along with her party bosses yet again in an attempt to please her puppeteer, Nancy Pelosi.”
According to a Congressional Research Service summary, the legislation offered in the House by Republican Doug Lamborn and in the Senate by Mark Udall, would direct the Secretary of Interior to act through the Bureau of Reclamation in addressing the issues caused by the collapsed drainage tunnel:
“The House then rejected, 206-191, legislation from Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), H.R. 3123 that would have made the Bureau of Reclamation responsible to fix the blockage in Colorado’s Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel.”
“Should the pipe burst, it could flood the mountain town with as much as 1 billion gallons of water laden with high levels of cadmium, manganese and zinc. A similar bill passed the House by voice vote last year but was never taken up by the Senate.” (Eric Bontrager, “House rejects Ariz. heritage area, Colo. cleanup bills,” Environment and Energy News, 9/09/2009)
Fears of Colorado’s Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel bursting have been an ongoing concern for Coloradoans, forcing officials to declare a state of emergency in February 2008:
“Lake County officials have feared a catastrophic blowout of a blocked mine-drainage tunnel for years, but they declared a state of emergency only amid this winter’s heavy snows and a recent revelation that federal officials share their concerns.
“Metals-contaminated water already is seeping out of fissures and reaching the Arkansas River, officials say, and the risk is growing of a life-threatening flood and environmental disaster if the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel bursts.
“‘What were trying to avoid here is a catastrophe,” county director of emergency management Jeff Foley said Thursday during an emergency conference call with state and federal officials. ‘That’s why we’re acting now instead of acting when there is a blowout.’” (Steve Lipsher, “Feds fear toxic blowout, flood in Leadville,” The Denver Post, 2/15/2008)
Unfortunately for Coloradans, after a decade of waiting, the fear of flooding and contamination throughout Colorado still exists. And with Betsy Markey in Congress, it looks like Coloradans will continue to wait if Markey continues to play politics at the expense of her constituents.
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