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Merck & Co., Inc.
Letter from Betty Sellers to Carol Browner and Richard Wilson
December 29, 1996
Route 4, Box 245
Elkton, VA 22827
Ms. Carol Browner
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
Mr. Richard D. Wilson
Deputy Assistant Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
Dear Ms. Browner & Mr. Wilson:
Yesterday, I received a copy of the letter that Mr. David Carr, Staff
Attorney with Southern Environmental Law, mailed to you. I felt it imperative
that I relay my thoughts to you immediately concerning representation
at the Merck XL five year reviews by public interest groups such as
Mr. Carr's.
First, I need to communicate to you a basic problematic fact, that while
the Merck XL Project invites community representation to the process,
the project does not provide in any way any kind of technical assistance
specific to community needs. May I also point out that such a situation
creates a very risky and lax community representation for projects such
as these. I personally have had to spend an inordinate amount of time
in the library in an attempt to represent my community intelligently.
This final Merck XL product would have been considerably weaker in its
protection of the community and environment if we had not had the vital
technical, balanced assistance Mr. Carr and his public interest representation
contributed generously to the Merck XL Project. I must further point
out that Merck's permanent permit", as Mr. Carr refers to it, dictates
a critical need for the local community to be alert at these five year
reviews. Given the fact that Merck is a multi billion dollar company
that will soon have unprecedented flexibility, please allow our community
the added protection of needed technical representation at these critical
review periods. Mr. Carr's group has provided that service.
Throughout this project, Mr. Carr's committed involvement has contributed
largely in allowing the project to accomplish its intended goals - increased
industrial flexibility without endangerment in the future to the environment
and community.
In conclusion, I would greatly encourage EPA on behalf of my community
to please provide for a public interest stakeholder in the Merck XL
Project who will have a consensual voice at the five year reviews. Regarding
my previous letter to you, I would again restate a plea on behalf of
my community that EPA reinstate the ability of the three community representatives
to have a true voice in any future permit changes.
Any consideration EPA gives to my requests will truly be appreciated.
Again I highly support the extremely commendable environmental goals
your project wishes to accomplish. I applaud Robin Moran and Cecil Rodrigues
for all their efforts they have put into the project. If you should
wish to speak to me on those matters, please feel free to speak to me
at your convenience at 540-298-9992.
Sincerely,
Betty S. Sellers - Community Representative Merck XL Project