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Speak now about Holcim or forever hold your breath

By Elin Hert

The Trident Cement Plant in Three Forks has just been granted a draft permit by the DEQ to burn tires for fuel at its plant. This will be done in its cement kiln, built in 1917 for the specific purpose of making cement. The multi-national corporation, Holcim, stands to make an additional $200,000 annually, while downwind, citizens and business owners of Three Forks, Manhattan, Belgrade and Bozeman stand to lose.


 Studies show that burning tires in cement kilns increases emissions of dioxins, furans, mercury and other heavy metals. Cement kilns lack the technology necessary for destruction of these toxic byproducts. Holcim, notorious for its poor emissions compliance record, experienced more than 400 malfunctions at the plant in 2002, and exceeded its permitted emissions limits during more than 5 percent of its operating time.

As a mother of two young children, with a job in the travel industry promoting our pristine state, and a strong supporter of locally grown and raised products, such as meat, bread, produce and dairy, I wonder what's in this for me, my family, my community and the common good. Except, perhaps, a higher risk of cancer.

Please take the time to look into this, and if you feel that you too have everything to lose and nothing to gain, let the DEQ hear your voice! Demand that an EIS be done! Visit the local Montanans Against Toxic Burning Web site (notoxicburning.org) to learn more, or attend a public information meeting April 22 at the Emerson. The comment period ends May 9. Speak now, or forever hold your breath.

Elin Hert

216 S. 10th Ave.

Bozeman

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