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<br />.- <br />...:J <br />t,) <br />-.J <br /> <br />Arkansas and South Platte river basins. The need for standards for other river <br />basins in the State are being examined by the Water Quality Control Commission. <br /> <br />Finally, the presence of the Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Powerplant at Platteville, <br />just north of the Denver Metropolitan Area, and the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons <br />Plant, on the northwest fringe of the Denver metropolitan area, require <br />constant vigilance by both the plants' operators and by State and Federal <br />regulatory agencies to minimize the possibility of accidental releases of <br />radioactive materials into the environment. Effective and up-to-date emergency <br />response plans must be maintained for both facilities to protect the public <br />from exposure to radiation should a release occur. <br /> <br />6. <br /> <br />Environmental Emergency Incidents <br /> <br />Environmental emergency incidents occur frequently in Colorado. These <br />incidents may involve hazardous material that has toxic, flsmmable, reactive, <br />or corrosive biological or physical properties. Environmental emergency <br />incidents may involve pipeline breaks, truck and rail transportation accidents, <br />and accidental releases of toxic or hazardous materials from chemical and <br />industrial facilities. These incidents range in severity requiring varying <br />levels of response. The incidents may be severe enough to warrant a "Disaster <br />Declaration" by the Governor. They may be less severe and only require an <br />"Emergency Response" or may merely constitute an "Environmental Incident." The <br />emergency may be limited to a single facility or, involve a wide ares. <br /> <br />There have been significant improvements in the integrity of operations and <br />accident prevention capabilities of hazardous materials processors and shippers <br />in recent years. Still accidental releases into the environment must, as a <br />practical matter, continue to be expected. The State has response plans for <br />dealing with the wide range of possible emergencies that could occur. To <br />contain these emergency situations, close cooperation between owners or <br />operators, local governments, and State and Federal agencies is essential to <br />facilitate rapid response and effective action. <br /> <br />7. Pesticides and Toxics <br /> <br />Pesticides are used for a variety of purposes in both the urban and rural <br />environment. They are used extensively in agriculture, forests, buildings, <br />yards and gardens, and along rights-of-way. <br /> <br />Pesticides benefit the agricultural community and the general public by <br />improving the quality and quantity of crops, protecting public health, and <br />helping maintain aesthetic qualities in urban environments. The misuse of <br />pesticides may create problems such as human poisonings and contamination of <br />livestock and human water supplies. Similarly, the improper disposal of <br />surplus pesticides and residues containing pesticides may endanger public <br />health, safety and the environment. The Health Department provides technical <br />assistance and laboratory services to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, <br />local health departments and others in dealing with pesticide problems. <br /> <br />-12- <br />