On April 28, 2021

How to claim your right to know 

Dear Editor,

Imagine, for a few moments, Vermont’s future 50 years from now. What do our communities look like? How is our food grown? How happy are we in the places where we live, work, and play? How central are public health concerns, equity, and justice in our legislation and decision-making processes? And what are we doing to take steps today—right now, in fact—to achieve that vision as we emerge gradually from the Covid-19 pandemic? 

I ponder this often in my study of the human relationship to our environment. I think Vermonters would agree that what most of us do not envision is a state that allows environmental toxins to be released into our communities under the radar. This is what H.299 aims to correct as a bill that takes seriously our right to know when such events occur.  

H.299 contains four commonsense measures to require public notice of public health threats from environmental toxins. 

Firstly, it ensures our right to know when pesticides are applied to right-of-way areas—that is, railroads, underneath power lines, around oil and gas pipelines, and along highways and bike paths. Secondly, the bill would hold institutions accountable through public notice when they are not complying with water quality standards, or if they are exempt from those standards. Thirdly, it gives us the right to know when biosolids or septage are applied to the land in our communities. Finally, it requires regular monitoring for the presence of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in waters under the state’s jurisdiction, as well as more complete public notice when its presence is a potential threat to our health. 

I urge you to consider how H.299 impacts you in particular and the trajectory of Vermont that you imagine during life’s quiet moments. Although geopolitical boundaries have caused us to forget, every person does, in fact, live in a watershed; the health and recreational opportunities of those downstream are determined by the presence of pollution upstream. Yes, we could probably find out, with a concerted effort and research. But do we not all have a right for our bodies to be free of toxins? Do we not have the right to protection from the disposal of wastes that threaten our right to clean water, soil, food, and air?  

As you consider these points, I strongly encourage all Vermonters to email Chairwoman Sheldon (asheldon@leg.state.vt.us) of the Committee on Natural Resources to urge her to take up H.299 for testimony. 

If this bill is taken up and passed, Vermont can pride itself on setting a wise precedent that can be drawn from in other states or communities. And it is entirely possible to achieve this — but only if regular citizens use their political will to interact with lawmakers and ensure they consider the common good.

Furthermore, if policy makers wish to attract people to Vermont for the purpose of economic prosperity, being fully transparent about our exposure to toxins and the state’s progress with mitigation can help new arrivals make informed decisions about where to live and how to safely engage with nature in our beautiful state. H.299 is a step in the process of informing our communities, holding polluting entities accountable, and finding an equitable way forward.

Anna Beach is a junior at Saint Michael’s College majoring in environmental studies and political science. 

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Before school budget talks turn to slashing expenses

November 20, 2024
By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the owner and publisher of the Addison Independent, a sister paper of the Mountain Times.  With 2024-25 education property tax rate hikes well into double digits last year, it’s little doubt school boards will be primed for holding costs to a minimum for their upcoming budgets. Already…

Keep pets safe this trapping season

November 20, 2024
Dear Editor, The recreational trapping season in Vermont begins on the fourth Saturday of October each year and lasts through March 31st. For some animals, like otters and beavers, this season lasts for five long months. There are no limits on the number of animals a trapper may kill or on the number of traps…

‘You belong here’

November 20, 2024
Dear Editor, A Latin teacher from junior high school once told me that the word “trivia” comes from roots, meaning three roads. The idea was that people would come together where roads meet to exchange small pieces of information — trivia. Here in Vermont, we certainly swap news on street corners, and I’ve had my…

Welcoming new Americans will strengthen Vt’s economy

November 20, 2024
By Mike Pieciak, Vermont State Treasurer As Vermont’s Treasurer, I am committed to growing Vermont’s economy and building a more inclusive future for our state. To keep our economy on a positive track, we must address our demographic challenges and grow our workforce. I regularly hear from employers about the difficulty of finding workers —…