Editorial: Former mine needs much more testing

The Clark County Commission took the prudent course when it recently put on hold Hollywood Gravel's request to turn the dormant Three Kids Mine into a gravel-producing operation. Nearby businesses and homeowners are worried that the old mine, which once produced manganese to make steel for bombers and bombs, may have contaminated the land and created environmental hazards for current residents.

Environmental officials are concerned that heavy metals and chemicals someday might migrate to the Las Vegas Wash, which empties into Lake Mead, the primary source of drinking water for Southern Nevadans. An even more troubling aspect to these officials, however, is that the dust that may be carried from the site, which is about 1 mile south of the Lake Las Vegas resort, could be laced with diesel fuel and heavy metals. As the Sun's Mary Manning reported Sunday, diesel fuel pollution can cause nervous-system problems and lung irritation, while heavy metals -- such as manganese, lead and arsenic -- can affect the lungs, blood and the brain, including memory and learning.

The company contends the testing it and others have done so far shows that the existing environmental risk is low. Hollywood Gravel also notes that off-road vehicles use the abandoned site for recreation, causing the dust to be carried into neighborhoods and businesses. Once the company secures the site and closes off access, the dust concern should be addressed, according to Hollywood Gravel. But the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection believes exhaustive testing should be completed before the beginning of the project, which would dig and sell gravel for 20 years.

Some of the plants and mines that aided our wartime efforts and assisted our national defense have unfortunately left behind environmental risks that often weren't known at the time. The government shouldn't compound these problems, though, by allowing new uses of these same facilities that can endanger the public health.

On May 5 the County Commission will reconsider Hollywood Gravel's request. The County Commission should deny a use permit until thorough and independent testing by the state is conducted and shows convincingly that the gravel operation will be safe for area residents.

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