Tainted water began long ago in Libby

To the Editor:

Concerning Mike Crill's latest letter, in which Mike says: "I would like to respond to the concerns about the contamination of all three aquifers beneath the town of Libby because it seems funny to me, that this issue is a concern today when years ago I, no one else, tried to address the issue ……" "No one else!"? Come on Mike, take a deep breath and get it together.

In the late 50s, early 60s, Dr. Cairns had no swimming signs up at the J. Neils log pond, and everyone knew one shouldn't (Actual warnings started in the 20's, but I was a kid in the late 50's-early 60's). But on nice summer days, when the golf course was plugged with Women's League play, a bunch of us would get our BB guns and go down to the Snake Pit and shoot snakes and frogs and occasionally each other. But Swim? We knew better………

Today, the aquifers under Libby are being cleaned under Superfund laws, although time will break down the long chain hydrocarbons better than gee-whiz "gismo," unless there is a break through that actually works. But beware, that Missoula aquifer also has a lot of 1940-50-60's "Out of sight, out of mind" crapola in it.

Hydrocarbons break down into benign parts in 75 years, when there is no sunlight. So check where your bottled water is being pulled from.

Rob Uithof

Libby