If you’d come to Eden, Vermont years ago, says homeowner Leonard Prive, you’d be able to admire the clear waters of Hutchins Brook and the many animals that frequented the area. But today, Prive says, thanks to a nasty legacy left by the now-defunct Vermont Asbestos Group’s quarries on Belvidere Mountain, the area has turned into a dangerous asbestos wasteland.

The gravel around his property is now asbestos-laced, Prive says in an article published in The Burlington (Vt.) Free Press, eroded from piles of crushed rock that sat on the land above his cabin. The crushed rock is 90 years worth of waste from the asbestos mine, he notes.

Prive recently forged a suit against Vermont Asbestos Group for 1 million dollars. While he awaits either the trial or a settlement, contractors for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are attempting to stop the flow of asbestos by building berms and digging ditches. While they work, they wear head-to-toe protective gear to keep from inhaling asbestos dust.

When the Belvidere mine closed, the article explains, they left piles and piles of asbestos rock behind. On the southwest side of the mountain, facing the town of Eden, the EPA estimates there is about 12 million tons of asbestos-tainted rock. On the other side, near the town of Lowell, there’s as much as 60 million tons.

“The EPA’s remedial work will redirect most runoff water around the piles. Ponds have been dug or expanded to hold water that continues to drain from the piles themselves,” the article explains.

In the meantime, the debris has coated the bottom of Hutchins Brook and threatens the health of humans and the stability of the environment. “The Vermont Health Department has recommended Prive not use his land if he wants to avoid all risk of asbestos-induced illness,” the article adds.

The land has been visited by asbestos experts from around the country. They shake their heads in disbelief, Prive said. He believes his only recourse will be to eventually sell his land to Vermont Asbestos, even though his lawsuit calls for funds to remediate his 158-acre property.

“Your mouth hangs open when you look at Mr. Prive’s land. It’s unbelievable,” says EPA site manager Gary Lipson.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 at 8:21 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.