Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Neighbors,
You've probably seen some environmental issues in our district pop up in the news lately. In 2019, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) confirmed elevated levels of long-lasting industrial chemicals that have harmful health effects, called PFAS, in foam at two creeks in Washington and Ramsey Counties. I've been working closely with the MPCA and the Department of Health, which are working to ensure continued safe drinking water. 


Battle Creek is one of the impacted areas 
Beginning in the 1950s, 3M produced PFAS compounds in the eastern Twin Cities for decades. Waste containing PFAS chemicals was legally disposed of in landfills in the eastern metro area, where the chemicals seeped into the groundwater, and contaminated the drinking water supplies of several communities.
As part of a $850 million settlement with 3M, the MPCA is investigating how a large project completed in the late 1980s is contributing to PFAS. So far, PFAS have been found in Raleigh Creek in Washington County and Battle Creek in Ramsey County.
Low concentrations were found in Battle Creek surface water, and extremely low concentrations were found in Battle Creek Lake - it is the foam that is more dangerous because it contains a higher concentration of PFAS. 
State officials are warning people to avoid the contaminated foam, to wash thoroughly if they come in contact with it and to keep their pets away from water where they see it.
You can read more from the Star Tribune here and MPR here. 


Though not all foam contains PFAS, foam in the impacted areas is more likely than surface water to contain the harmful chemicals. 
The next steps are to:

• Notify residents that live where PFAs were found on Raleigh Creek
• Continued investigation to understand how PFAS are transported in groundwater and surface water in the East Metro
• 3M Oakdale Disposal Site cleanup - 3M is required to submit an improved strategy to contain these chemicals within 45 days

Minnesotans deserve safe drinking water and to be able to use our creeks and natural spaces for recreation without fearing contamination for their children and their health. I will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as I have them. We need to hold not only 3M, but all companies that recklessly damage the environment and public health accountable. 
I am working with Senator Foung Hawj and Representatives Tou Xiong and Steve Sandell to host a community town hall on the issue and am advocating for the MPCA and Department of Health to send notifications to people living around Battle Creek so that our community can have the most up-to-date information available. 
Sincerely,
Rep. Jay Xiong

Saturday, January 04, 2020

Neighbors,
The vandalism which occurred the week of weekend of December 21 at the Darul Iman Mosque is an unacceptable hate crime. It was clearly motivated by bias and the individual or individuals responsible should be held accountable.
The East Side of St. Paul has always been a welcoming home for immigrants and continues to be a home to our newest American neighbors, which happen to include many Muslim people from around the world. We draw strength from our diversity and I condemn this act of hate and violence. I have spoken to the faith leaders at the mosque as well as the St. Paul Police, and I want the whole community to know that we stand against hatred, and will work hard to bring the perpetrators to justice.
I also want to thank my legislative colleagues Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein, Rep. Mike Freiberg, and Assistant Majority Leader Jamie Long for joining me Friday afternoon to show solidarity.


If you are able, I hope you will considering making a donation to a GoFundMe for the Darul Iman Mosque to help repair the damage. 
Sincerely,
Rep. Jay Xiong