“Environmental Racism” - Morales Criticizes Smiley for Dumping Snow in South Providence
GoLocalProv News Team
“Environmental Racism” - Morales Criticizes Smiley for Dumping Snow in South Providence
Morales, who is running against Smiley in the Democratic primary for Providence Mayor this year, issued the statement after GoLocal was first to report that residents were angered that the Smiley Administration was trucking in snow from other parts of city, including Fox Point and downtown.
Morales called it "another careless and disorganized attempt to clean up the lingering impacts of the winter storm two weeks ago."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“South Providence is not a dumping ground,” said Morales “What we’re seeing is just another example of environmental racism, and it must stop. In light of this, I am calling for the resignation of DPW Director Patricia Coyne-Fauge, and urging the Smiley administration to redirect snow removal operations to other city-owned lots and properties.”
The RIDEM states, “As snow melts, road salt, sand, litter, and other pollutants are transported into surface water or through the soil where they may eventually reach the groundwater. Road salt and other pollutants can contaminate water supplies and are toxic to aquatic life at certain levels. Sand washed into waterbodies can create sand bars or fill in wetlands and ponds, impacting aquatic life, causing flooding, and affecting our use of these resources.”
In a statement to GoLocal, the Smiley administration has said the following.
"Previous storms did not require snow to be transported but the severe temperatures that followed last week's storm necessitated it. This is the first time this lot has been used. The City uses multiple locations to transport snow, including lots in parks across the city. The site on Prairie Avenue is the largest city-owned space that can be used to transport snow," said a spokesperson for his office.
The city also confirmed it does not test for contaminants.
Read more here.