‘Toxic dust’ at center of Terrebonne housing project debate
After 10 years in the works, a housing project near Terrebonne is still on the drawing boards, and a topic of intense debate. Residents, developers, and attorneys squared off Wednesday at a hearing before Deschutes County commissioners.
They each argued their side as to whether 19 homes should be allowed on a piece of the potentially toxic site; another 47 could come later.
Property in the Lower Bridge area west of Terrebonne, by the Deschutes River, is a former mining and toxic waste disposal site.
At Wednesday’s meeting, neighbor after neighbor lined up to express their concern about toxic dust on the site of the proposed housing project.
“I have seen a lot of documentation about carcinogens present on that site,” said Terrebonne resident James Taylor. “I’m concerned about the dust blowing, because it exposed under-layments which may be carcinogenic.”
Residents surrounding the development site are concerned that dust contains a mineral called cristobalite, which has similar effects as asbestos when inhaled and can eventually lead to lung cancer.
“Before anything goes on, it needs to be thoroughly tested, and not this surface scraping they’re doing,” Taylor added.
Developers argued that the cristobalite presence is minimal and the land is safe for residential use.
“I think as far as what’s in the dust, there’s nothing in the dust that exceeds any DEQ residential standards,” said one developer.
They say that if they control the dust, the crystals aren’t a problem. While they say the dust is not a health concern, it is a nuisance residents will have to get accustomed to.
But the neighbors don’t buy that argument.
“The other side wants to make money. Everybody wants to make money. I don’t blame them,” Taylor said. “But it’s not the county commissioners’ job to make that happen for them.”
Commissioner Tammy Baney said half the audience was concerned about the toxic dust, the other half was not, and it’s the commissioners’ job to decide.
After the long debate and lots of testimony, commissioners were not ready to make a decision on the complex issue. They plan to visit the site on Jan. 15 , Commissioners will accept comments through Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. and hope to decide on the proposal in March or April..
