We have all heard the classic class-action lawsuit commercial starting with, “have you or your loved ones been affected by” followed by a long range of exposures and symptoms. Soon, those phrases may become more of reality for those living near multiple bodies of water. As a result, Thursday, February second 2017 should be noted by all Chattanoogans. On this day, six-hundred miles away, Congress voted to overturn the Stream Protection Rule, which sought to tighten regulations to “ensure that land disturbed by mining operations” would be restored to a state “capable of supporting the uses that it was capable of supporting” before operations began (Geuss, Regulations.gov). This congressional action should strike fear within the Chattanooga community and here is why.

     Chattanooga carries a heavy history involving coal dumping, starting with the Chattanooga Creek, just west of downtown. Companies such as Tennessee Products, Chattanooga Coke and Chemical, Riley Tar, and Southern Wood Piedmont filled the creek with “millions of pounds with coal tar” before environmental legislation existed. By 1995, the EPA listed the creek as a national priority and had already sectioned off part of the creek to prevent public access as it flows through “low-income and minority” communities. Short-term cleaning occurred in 1998 and seven years later a long-term clean-up was established to remove sediment and place it in a landfill (Site Information for Tennessee Products). A time frame of five years cost the federal government twenty-five million dollars and taxpayers “several million dollars” which still did not completely solve the problem (Sohn).

     What is the relationship between the Chattanooga Creek and the Stream Protection Rule? It is evident throughout Chattanooga’s history that the lack of environmental legislation has been costly. If the fact that your taxes could be going to something else, such as education or infrastructure instead of cleaning up after a huge company, does not bother you enough then consider the cost on life when polluting a creek goes beyond the life within it. It negatively impacts communities and their health, but if you are still thinking, “I do not live next to the creek,” or “I am not sick,” then take a moment. To this day, the Tennessee government states that fish should not be eaten out of the creek and contact with the water of the Chattanooga Creek itself should be avoided due to chlordane and PCBs, but what are these chemicals and why do they matter (United States of America)? Both chlordane and PCB, polychlorinated biphenyls, are man-made chemicals which cause damage to nervous, digestive, immune, reproductive, and endocrine systems (Learn about Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Substance Portal-Chlordane).

     More often than not, these chemicals result in cancer. Exposure to these chemicals through build up in the fatty tissues of fish or being in the creek affects at risk populations such as women who may become pregnant, those who are pregnant, elderly, and children (Contaminants in Fish). With the creek flowing through low socioeconomic areas, this presents the question of how do those who are most impacted afford treatment if exposed? Not including health insurance premiums, medication and chemotherapy for cancer can range from ten to thirty thousand per month (Glover). Additionally, with Chattanooga having one of the “fastest rates of ‘gentrification’” minorities are being moved at an alarming rate to areas such as those around the Chattanooga Creek (Walton). With the overturning of the Stream Protection Rule, Chattanoogans lose protection over the nine bodies of water alone within the Chattanooga limits (City Of Chattanooga). If dumping is not carefully regulated soon every Chattanoogan will feel it’s devastating effects through its exposure to chemicals along with costs on human life and medical expenses.

     So, how can we keep the Scenic City, scenic? Here are four things one can do now and in the long term. First, call, email, and speak to our representatives. Our elected officials work for us and depend on our votes. Congressional representatives and senators can be found here along with their contact information. Tennessee state representatives and senators can be found here. A collective group of tips for making the most out of your call can be found here. Second, find a local organization working toward environmental justice. Groups like Green Spaces work toward education and advocacy for advancing the “sustainability of living, working, and building in Chattanooga” (What We Do). They are looking for volunteers and do outreach education to Chattanooga’s low-income areas and if volunteering is not your thing, they are always willing to receive donations. Are you a social butterfly? Take to the streets with the next election to canvas for a candidate that supports environmental protection laws. Last, but most important, vote. Through each vote we have the opportunity to voice our opinion to our government and more often times than not, we also speak for those who cannot vote including our future generations, our children, and those who cannot make it out to vote due to lack of access to transportation or voting laws. Chattanooga is in the hands of those who act. How will you choose to?

March 20, 2017

Works Cited

“City Of Chattanooga.” City Of Chattanooga. City of Chattanooga, n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.

“Contaminants in Fish.” Contaminants in Fish – TN.Gov. Tennessee Department of Environmental and  

Conservation, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2017.

Geuss, Megan. “Relaxing coal pollution, methane flaring rules: This week in Congress.” Ars Technica.

Ars Technica , 02 Feb. 2017. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.

Glover, Lacie. “Oncologists Worry About Rising Costs of Cancer Treatment.” U.S. News Health Care.  

U.S. News, 1 July 2015. Web. 4 Feb. 2017.

“Learn about Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).” EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 15 Sept. 2016

Web. 04 Feb. 2017.

“Regulations.gov.” Regulations.gov. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 20 Dec. 2016. Web. 06

Feb. 2017.

“Site Information for Tennessee Products.” EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 20 Feb. 2014.

Web. 06 Feb. 2017.

<https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/dsp_ssppSiteData1.cfm?id=0403765>.

Sohn, Pam. “Chattanooga Creek still threatened.” Timesfreepress.com. Times Free Press, 12 Nov. 2010

Web. 03 Feb. 2017.

“Substance Portal-Chlordane.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, 21 Jan. 2015. Web. 04 Feb. 2017.

United States of America. Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency.

Technical Information on Development of Fish Consumption Advice . By Amy D. Kyle, Emily Oken, and

Andrew E. Smith. N.p.: n.p., 2016. Print.

Walton, Judy. “Census data notes racial shifts in Chattanooga neighborhoods.” Timesfreepress.com.