RRWPC Response to Dr. William Hearn’s Article
In Sonoma County Gazette on 6-3-10
By Brenda Adelman for Russian River Watershed Protection Committee
June 7, 2010
ONE THING WE SHOULD BE LEARNING FROM THE BP OIL SPILL DISASTER IN THE GULF OF MEXICO IS THAT ALL NEW TECHNOLOGIES HAVING THE POTENTIAL FOR CAUSING HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL HARM OR AFFECTING BENEFICIAL USES, SHOULD HAVE AN EXIT PLAN FOR WHEN THEY GO AWRY.
• THE PLAN SHOULD BE FULLY VETTED BEFORE ANY CONSTRUCTION AND/OR IMPLEMENTATION OCCURS;
• PENALTIES FOR FAILURE SHOULD BE COMMESURATE WITH THE EXTENT OF THE HARM AND,
• ALL WHO SUFFER SHOULD BE FULLY COMPENSATED.
• IN THE CASE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HARM, APPROPRIATE SUMS OF MONEY SHOULD BE ASSIGNED TO THOSE WHO WORK TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEMS THAT RESULT FROM THE FAILURE OF THE PROJECT.