Comment Log Display

I am a citizen and a community member of the Imperial Valley. I do
volunteer work with the community and have with Comite Civico in
areas that I feel are important to serve the best interest of the
community as a whole. I want you to know that the EPA had urged the
County Supervisors to not approve the SIP originally and also their
were around 12 community people who spoke out at that meeting to
ask the supervisors to do their homework first before the approved
the SIP as is. There were some 4 speakers on the other side voting
to approve as is. Mostly farmer Bureau and other farm people with
interest in representing the farmers. Here you see where clearly
majority of numbers don't count, because the few spoke for their
interest. Which the changes would affect how they do business so to
speak. One of the supervisors clearly stated in another meeting
that he was a farmer for some 20 or more years.
According to the Basta Study that was done this past year the
Imperial Valley has a high incidence of Asthma in children by 20%
and some 13 % could be undiagnose by not having knowledge of the
symptoms to be diagnosed. I feel that the most vulnerable ones here
have to be protected for their health and future. I had a brother
in law die of Cancer at the age of 44 leaving his son and daughter
father-less. He lived here in the valley most of his life. A young
girl Maria Dugan who was only 16 years old, died last year around
the time of field burning that was going on. She had an attack and
died that day at the hospital. The basta study is dedicated in her
memory. Perhaps the Revised Sip should have a dedication to her
memory saying Basta, No more deaths. We are important, we matter.
We have the same rights to breathe clean air and need the equal
chance to have the quality of other places like Joaquin Valley. I
ask you that you please consider all the people who live here in
the valley. We need stricter rules to have less exceedances and
become attainable like other areas. I have grandchildren who I want
to be able to play outside in green grass and be able to breathe
with out asthma, allergies or respitory problems. Please help us
breathe better by listening, and being empathatic to the needs of
health improvements starting with clean air. Think of your
grandkids if they lived here in the valley. Would you not want the
best atmosphere and environment for your own blood. I think that is
what we are asking. Better and we Deserve Better.
Thank you for your considerations of my words.
Respectfully,
Carolina Villa