Burned: The Controversy Surrounding the Starr Manuel Garcia Incinerator

Burned: The Controversy Surrounding the Starr Manuel Garcia Incinerator

The Starr Manuel Garcia Incinerator, located in the small town of To’hajiilee, New Mexico, has been at the center of a heated controversy for years. The incinerator, which was built in 2008, was designed to burn hazardous waste from nearby military bases and other facilities. However, since its inception, the incinerator has faced opposition from local residents, environmental groups, and tribal leaders, who claim that it poses serious health and environmental risks.

History of the Incinerator

The Starr Manuel Garcia Incinerator was built by a private company, URS Corporation, under a contract with the US Department of Defense. The incinerator was designed to burn hazardous waste, including toxic chemicals and explosives, from nearby military bases, including the Kirtland Air Force Base and the Sandia National Laboratories. The facility was touted as a state-of-the-art incinerator that would safely dispose of hazardous waste, reducing the risk of environmental contamination.

Concerns and Controversy

However, since the incinerator began operating, local residents and environmental groups have raised concerns about its safety and environmental impact. The incinerator is located near the To’hajiilee Navajo Chapter, a Native American reservation, and residents have reported a range of health problems, including respiratory issues, cancer, and birth defects. Many believe that the incinerator is the cause of these health problems, citing the toxic chemicals and particulate matter that are released into the air during the incineration process.

Environmental groups, such as the Sierra Club and the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, have also raised concerns about the incinerator’s impact on the environment. They argue that the facility is not equipped to handle the types and quantities of waste that it is burning, and that it is releasing toxic chemicals, including dioxins and furans, into the air and water. These chemicals have been linked to a range of health problems, including cancer and reproductive issues.

Tribal Opposition

The To’hajiilee Navajo Chapter has been particularly vocal in its opposition to the incinerator. Tribal leaders have argued that the facility was built without their consent or input, and that it poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of their community. They have also raised concerns about the cultural and spiritual impacts of the incinerator, citing the sacred nature of the land and the importance of protecting it for future generations.

Regulatory Issues

The Starr Manuel Garcia Incinerator has also faced regulatory issues, including allegations of non-compliance with state and federal environmental regulations. In 2019, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) issued a notice of violation to the incinerator’s operator, citing failures to properly monitor and report emissions. The NMED also imposed a fine of $100,000 on the operator, which was later reduced to $50,000.

Community Action

In response to the controversy surrounding the incinerator, local residents and environmental groups have taken action to raise awareness and push for change. In 2020, a group of community members filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense and the operator of the incinerator, seeking to shut down the facility and clean up the surrounding area. The lawsuit alleges that the incinerator is operating in violation of federal and state environmental regulations, and that it poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of the community.

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The controversy surrounding the Starr Manuel Garcia Incinerator highlights the complex and often contentious issues surrounding environmental justice and public health. While the incinerator was built with the intention of safely disposing of hazardous waste, it has ultimately become a source of concern and controversy for local residents and environmental groups. As the community continues to push for change and accountability, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the Starr Manuel Garcia Incinerator and the people who live and work nearby. One thing is certain, however: the fight for environmental justice and public health will continue, and it will require the active engagement and participation of community members, government agencies, and private companies.