We, the voters and citizens of North Idaho, do hereby ask that you make a firm, clear public stand against the PacWest Newport Smelter. We ask this in concern for our health; welfare; our children; future generations; our tourism industry; our ecology; and, to protect the beauty and recreation that is the reason we live, recreate, and love this area.
The one smelter of this kind in the world is located in Reykjanes, Iceland and has been shut down after tests revealed the arsenic in the air was over 400 times the maximum “safe level”; breathing causes burns of mucous tissues; children and adults stay indoors as the air is too toxic to go out; and, this is not even taking into account the fallout, the nitric acid in the rain and waters, the greenhouse gases, or any of the other myriad risks.
To allow this smelter to be built would endanger lives; destroy our beautiful Pend O’Reille and Priest Lake; devastate wildlife; and, decimate our tourist-based economy.
For these and other reasons, we ask that you stand with us to stop this smelter.
Why is this important?
This smelter will destroy our beautiful lives; homes; waters; recreation; and the health of our children.
