To: Secretary Deb Haaland
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington DC 20240
CC: Joseph R. Biden, 46th
President of the United States
Date: November 13th,
2022
Subject: Request for Intervention under Title 43/Chapter 34 Trans
Alaska Pipeline
Severity: *HIGH*
Dear Honorable Deb Haaland;
In Alaska, due the fact that
there exists an ongoing Dire Emergency with respect to negligent
generation of “Benzene” as an air pollutant, through this correspondence in
request that the Secretary of the Interior immediately intervene. In
efforts to address and therefore arrest this “emergency” condition, wherein
that position of authority granted the “Secretary” finds the power to
act, through Congressional approval to perform such an intervention - even if
in action it is considered interference by others through their inaction. Such
action is required, due that inaction condoned by others through negligence
that which is causing health regard harm to the population base those in harm’s
way this “emergency” situation, with respect to the well-known adverse health
effects from “Benzene” exposure fallout – both short-term and what appears to
be the sad reality coming to light the effect of long-term over-exposure as a condition
of gainful employment. And if left unchecked by the authorities having
jurisdiction to combat such an ongoing atrocity, most likely it will find an
additional cause & effect destructive pathway, upon subsistence ways and
means, the livelihood of many Alaskans that rely on such to survive. Especially
in Prince William Sound, wherein this “Benzene” is being generated and will no
doubt target the natural habitat relied upon by fish and wildlife. Such
targeting can only deliver devastation as an end result. One wreck in the
“Sound” was enough(EXXON Valdez), the environment should not be chastised again
through this “Benzene” poisoning, when it is but for “Big Alaskan Oil”
profiteering.
This action in request for
intervention upon the above concern is consistent with the authority granted
the Secretary under Title 43 Public Lands – Chapter 34 Trans Alaska
Pipeline and for the record is so recited with special attention to what is
outlined under (b); “Control and removal of pollutants at expense of right-of-way
holder”:
~~~~~
§1653. Liability for damages
(b) Control and removal of pollutants at expense of right-of-way holder
If any
area in the State of Alaska within or without the right-of-way or permit area
granted under this chapter is polluted by any activities related to the
Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, including operation of the terminal,
conducted by or on behalf of the holder to whom such right-of-way or permit was
granted, and such pollution damages or threatens to damage aquatic life, wildlife,
or public or private property, the control and total removal of the pollutant
shall be at the expense of such holder, including any administrative and other
costs incurred by the Secretary or any other Federal or State officer or
agency. Upon failure of such holder to adequately control and remove such
pollutant, the Secretary, in cooperation with other Federal, State, or local
agencies, or in cooperation with such holder, or both, shall have the right to
accomplish the control and removal at the expense of such holder.
Please honor this urgent request
for “Intervention” to force the perpetrator, the Alyeska Pipeline Service
Company, to “Total Removal” of the “Benzene” pollutant that it generates in
Valdez, Alaska. That mandate for this “Total Removal”, be it bold and heavy
handed no other options, it was a condition established by Congress, when the
interest to build the Trans-Alaska-Pipeline came to be and the interests did
not challenge its restrictiveness - so it remains a “Law of the Land” in Alaska
any “polluting” activities consistent with the pipeline’s operation. It meant
the Congress was looking out for those that may be placed in harm’s way, yet
many citizens and workers are today in that harm’s way pathway. It is time
overdue wherein this “Total Removal” be demonstrated, else the Secretary
should dismiss the Right-of-Way permit and thus “cease” the operation of the
TAPS, until such time “We the People” can breathe a sigh of relief without
“Benzene” interfering in our health.