Eco-Justice

Last semester we visited the mayor of Galena, Kansas to find out current efforts by the residents through local programs and larger political goals based on the effects of over 100 years of coal, lead, and zinc mining. At the time, Galena residents were pushing to get subsidence (when large pits, sometimes 80 feet deep, open unexpectedly at the surface based on underground tunnels and mine shafts) insurance so that they will be protected if their house or other property is affected. See pictures.

This has recently gathered statewide and national attention when local politician succeeded in having representatives from the state and the Environmental Protection Agency to come see with their own eyes the issues and problems that need to be addressed. The LJWorld recently did special on Treece, KS and several other towns and includes video interviews and pictures of the damage. Included is the map of the Kansas Superfund Site, but there are Superfund sites in both Missouri and Oklahoma.

Here is a rosy history of the mining in the area, link.

K-State site about Galena.