In 1994 the EPA proposed listing two Kennecott zones, dubbed north and south, as federal Superfund cleanup areas, which the EPA considers to be among the worst hazardous waste sites in the country. In the north zone, identified as an area in Magna, the EPA reports that more than 2.2 million cubic yards of contaminated soil has been treated, stabilized or removed. Farther south in the Copperton area, the EPA shows that the same efforts have taken place with nearly 35 million cubic yards of polluted soil and "other soil-based media."

In the meantime, Sullivan's property taxes recently went up, and he's certain he wouldn't be able to sell his home for what the county says it's worth. If he doesn't hear what he wants in Thursday's meeting, he'll consider filing a class-action suit against Kennecott.

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard of," said Nielsen, who owns seven buildings in Magna and calls himself a developer.

He said Kennecott has been proactive in recent years with regard to environmental issues in the area. "That's what impresses me about this company," he said.

Nielsen said he isn't trying to stroke Kennecott's ego to further his interests as a developer or as a consultant who specializes in what he called large industrial repairs — Kennecott has never hired him as a consultant.

"What do I have to gain? Nothing," he said. "I have no plans in selling any of my buildings for a minimum of five years." Those buildings, Nielsen added, are valuable as lease properties. Thursday's meeting, coincidentally, will be held in one of his buildings. He thinks people are overreacting to recent news stories about Kennecott's alleged cover-up.

"All of a sudden, there's one article and they start running around, 'The sky is falling, the sky is falling,"' he said about reactions to Kennecott, which he defends. "I have faith in them."

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Superfund profiles for Kennecott on Net

Links to EPA Superfund site progress profiles for Kennecott north and south "zones":

cfpub.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0800636 (north zone)

cfpub.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0800601 (south zone)

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E-mail: sfidel@desnews.com