LETTERS: WHY IS BOND SUPPORTING LEAD POLLUTION?

To the editor:

U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond has introduced a bill that would override Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon.

Nixon has asked Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt to prohibit lead mining in Mark Twain National Forest because it would contaminate beautiful rivers and springs. Current River, Big Spring, Eleven Point River, Greer Spring, Jacks Fork River, Alley Spring and Round Spring would be polluted by lead.

Doe Run Mining is the company Bond is cheering for. Doe Run has been in violation of lead emissions into the air in Herculaneum since 1992. Doe Run exceeds the 1.5 micrograms allowable by pumping 11.59 micrograms into Herculaneum's air.

Lead damages children's brains. It damages unborn children.

Why would our senator want more lead to contaminate Missouri? Why is Senator Bond seeking to empower Doe Run to ruin the most beautiful and most loved rivers in Missouri? What is he fighting for Doe Run against the outspoken voice of the people of Missouri who are opposed to lead mining in the watershed of our most valuable tourist rivers, springs and fishing areas?

What about the children who swim, fish, go inner-tubing and canoeing and boating and hunting and who gig fish in the Current, Eleven Point and Jacks Fork rivers?

Why not recycle lead car and truck batteries instead of throwing them in landfills?

AUBREY EDGAR-SCHUMACHER

Cape Girardeau