8/12/2014 PRESS RELEASE FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY UTAH OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Declaration of Emergency Regarding the San Juan River in San Juan County San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman has signed a Declaration of Emergency regarding the contamination of the San Juan River by the significant spill that occurred at the Gold King Mine North of Silverton, Colorado on Wednesday, August 5th, 2015. WHEREAS, beginning on or about 8/9/2015, A water emergency in the form of contamination from the Gold King Mine in Colorado has occurred in San Juan County, Utah; and WHEREAS, as a result of this contamination there now exists the following conditions: the communities of San Juan County have been affected by having their water system jeopardized by the contamination. Farther reaching conditions are the contamination of the San Juan River and the residents of the county and livestock not being able to utilize water from the San Juan River. Also there is the economic impact to the County in the form of recreation on the river and at Lake Powell being at risk; and WHEREAS, The Public Health Officer for the San Juan Public Health Department, and the Emergency Manager for San Juan County has strongly advised a precautionary emergency declaration, recognizing that the health of our citizens and visitors to San Juan County, Utah is our first and highest responsibility; and WHEREAS, The San Juan Public Health Departments Environmental Quality Director has been regularly testing water quality, and indications are that, while threat appears to be minimal, the reality that the short-term and long-term effects could be serious, even catastrophic, extreme caution is appropriate until further information is available; and WHEREAS, The San Juan Public Health Department does not have adequate resources to sample water quality at all locations affected; and WHEREAS, Agencies providing services to the elderly, disabled and emergency services have limited service capability due to the above conditions; and WHEREAS, San Juan County Emergency Management operations are continuing throughout the County and are severely straining all responding agencies and the emergency operations plan is in effect; and WHEREAS, these conditions have the potential to worsen and immediate attention is necessary to combat the threat to the safety, health and welfare of the citizens of San Juan County; NOW THEREFORE, it is declared that a State of Emergency exists due to the aforesaid San Juan River contamination in San Juan County and such area is declared to be a disaster requiring aid, assistance and relief available pursuant to the provisions of local and state statutes. DATED this 12 day of August, 2015.As more information becomes available, updates will be sent out via media releases and on Facebook at the following locations: San Juan County Emergency Management San Juan County Sheriffs Office