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ACID MINE NATION Ep 6 - EPA Accountability, Restore the Trust

From 2022 - Seven years after the Gold King Mine Spill and six years after Superfund designation, no improvement in water quality, relative to acid mine drainage.

  • Tom Schillaci
    Director
  • Tom Schillaci
    Writer
  • Tom Schillaci
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Environmental
  • Runtime:
    31 minutes 17 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 31, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16x9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Tom Schillaci

In 2001, Tom Schillaci had contacted Dr. Robert Blair, a retired Geology professor in Durango, Colorado. Dr. Blair wanted to start the Center for Mountain Studies, and Tom asked to capture digital images to document the field work.

At that time, there wasn't any money, however, Dr. Blair said, "if you are into environmental video, go see Telluride Mountainfilm Festival. And if you want to help an environmental group, talk to the Aniimas River Stakeholders Group up in Silverton."

Tom was blown away, not just by the films on the screen, but by being at the same table as the explorers, scientists, educators and anthropologists. He was so inspired that he returned to Denver on Tuesday, bought a video camera Wednesday, and was back in Silverton on that Friday, shooting his first environmental video.

Since the Gold King Mine Spill in 2015, Tom has been capturing the aftermath, community perceptions, and the progress or lack thereof, in the Superfund cleanup that the mine spill brought.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I started "ACID MINE NATION" in 2014. It was going to be the little story of how the historic mining town of Silverton, Colorado would go for Superfund or not, to improve water quality in the streams.

Then on August 5, 2015, the Gold King Mine Spill happened. It turned my story upside down. It turned a lot of lives upside down.

Episode 1 was on the history of what led up to the mine spill. Episode 2 is reaction from Colorado.
Episode 3 is reaction from New Mexico.
Episode 4 is reaction from the Navajo Nation.
Episode 5 asks "Is Superfund the right answer?"
Episode 6 asks for EPA Accountability
* Episode 7 WILL BE "If My Mining Company Did THAT..."