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Knowledgeable Praise for Tom Meersman's Talk

Editor's Note: Tom Meersman's Sunday presentation on February 6th stimulated parishioner/reporter Jim Spensley to lend his opinion and expertise on the topic of water. You can read Tom's presentation in our archives.

In spite of the Metropolitan Airports Commission’s oft-repeated pledge to expand Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in an "environmentally responsible manner," they systematically evade meaningful regulation. Tom Meersman’s(right) well-researched StarTribune story (November 24, 2004) about how a massive fuel leak went unreported for months was also about attitudes at MAC. Last Sunday, it was refreshing to hear Tom’s personal commitment to water quality, which led to the insightful article. MAC media spokesperson Pat Hogan’s remarks, reported the next day, recognized the ethical lapse by denying it: “There was no cover-up.” he said.

Well, as Tom reported, airline tenants and MAC staff knew about the fact, and most likely the full extent, of the problem for months before an off-site complaint led the MPCA to investigate. In another role, I inquired at MAC about the situation. I was told several different stories by staff, and most suggested that Meersman’s story was wrong. I interviewed the Chair of the Planning and Environment Committee, who told me MPCA did not require reporting “small” fuel leaks and spills and the committee had approved repairs to the underground fueling system to prevent leaks. It turns out “small” is less than 5 gallons and a condition is internal record-keeping and prompt clean-up. Nevertheless, MPCA found fuel in storm water discharges 17 times in 2004.

Fuel found in the sanitary sewer system suggests a purposeful discharge, unless the sanitary sewer system was negligently damaged during construction projects, or exceedingly poorly maintained in practice by the airport. Any of these are very serious matters. There are no permitted levels of aviation fuel discharges from the airport fueling system to the environment, and discharges from aircraft are prohibited now except during declared emergencies. Safety regulations also require prompt reporting of fuel leaks and spills.

It turns out, the 40,000+ gallons of fuel was leaked underground. Tom quoted a MAC source as saying the fuel leaks “did not pollute ground water used as a public water supply.” My inquiry revealed this quote was misleading. The leaks may have reached the aquifer under Minnehaha Park and supplying Cold Water spring. But the most likely scenario: seasonally MAC uses wells at MSP to draw water for washing equipment, buildings and pavement, or watering plants and grassy areas, for re-filling toilet tanks, and such. The leaked fuel was probably introduced to the surface watersheds and sanitary sewers in this way.

This was eventually discovered, and, according to Pat Hogan, MAC now draws the fuel-water mix from the wells and “disposes of the fuel part properly”. Tom’s story ought to have led to a far wider investigation. Penalties and corrective orders should be much more demanding than doing necessary work on the fueling system and minor fines for (unmeasured) pollution. MAC should have solicited recovery assistance and taken preventative measures immediately instead of continuing to use the fueling system. MAC, you see, is its own “responsible governmental unit” and they are supposed to oversee and regulate the airlines and other corporations operating at MSP by contract agreement with MAC, as well as all MAC operations and employees.

Jim Spensley has been a St. Joan's regular since 1980. He is an electrical engineer and product management consultant. He took up digital photography in 2001, preparing for a trip to Yunnan Province, China, where his daughter Alys is a Fulbright Research Fellow. Jim and Marilyn have 3 children, now 23, 22, and 17, who joined their parents in various volunteer activities at St. Joan of Arc. Jim is a political activist and sometime DFL candidate. He volunteers in public service, including President of the Minneshaha Creek Watershed District (1986-93) and a Member of the Hennepin County Capital Budget Task Force (1993-2004). Jim is also a Board Member of SMAAC.

As Tom said, we are sad because our public institutions are among the worst polluters and our government policy is to burden future generations with the consequences. MAC wears the hypocritical “environmentally responsible” shawl while negotiating politically sheltered confidential agreements to go and sin not so much – without accounting for most of the supposedly cleaned up fuel.

God, have mercy! How we spoil your beautiful world in the name of commerce. But thank you Tom Meersman.

More information can be found at http://www.quiettheskies.org/smaachome.htm.