State officials met with the on Monday, Aug. 10, to talk about of the San Juan River flowing through tribal land. New Mexico's top environment official had harsh words about the EPA鈥檚 lack of transparency and support.
"We鈥檙e taking this like our lives depend on it, because our lives do depend on this water," said Secretary Ryan Flynn. "And I have been frustrated that I feel like the EPA is not taking this situation like their lives depend on the water."
Flynn said the is providing only limited information, and pointed out that the state is testing the water itself to find out more about what was released into the Animas River.
"The state鈥檚 position is that we expect EPA to fully compensate us for all of the injuries that this has caused and will cause," he said, "and we have no way of truly understanding what the extent of those injuries will be."
The state is concerned about domestic wells in the flood plain of the river and going door-to-door to conduct tests. And Flynn said all of the information New Mexico gets will be immediately shared with the Navajo Nation. The state is also calling on the feds to provide water so farmers can irrigate in the region.
The EPA鈥檚 said the agency is coordinating with local governments to find solutions. "We鈥檙e working with San Juan County, along with New Mexico state officials, and we鈥檙e looking at providing alternative water supply for the livestock in New Mexico."
Curry said the EPA is continuing to monitor the area at nine locations as the spill makes its way past.
