Dear Editor,
Anyone who has been paying attention to the Nestlé 1041 permit saga has heard excellent, and statistically-backed arguments against the Ruby Springs “suck and truck” operation. However, the format of newspaper and spoken comments have left opposers open to accusations of unsupported claims, yet unable to provide links or references. Thank you for the opportunity to respond to comments, like Mr. Dils’ Nov. 16th letter, in this digital, clickable format to set the record straight.
Rather than rehash Mr.Dils’ arguments, I would like to point you to the “conversation” section of www.NestLEAVE.org that has clearly cited references for each point of contention. I have heard Mr. Dils’ tired arguments over and over again from Nestlé. Their bottled water playbook is the same in every town they enter: convince local players they need wha tNestlé is selling, and use pandering and legal arguments to get what they want.
I find the claim that our community “needs Nestlé help” incredibly patronizing. This county, is full of dedicated volunteers working to take care of our public lands and organizations. When faced with a pressing local issue, people get together and find solutions for the common good. Look at the trails, community dinners, and neighborhood programs put together just within the last five years. There is no question we can find alternative solutions to protect bighorn sheep and trout habitat without sacrificing our water security. Based on their actions in other communities, Nestlé does not value ecosystems over profits.
The only organization claiming Nestlé is good for the environment is Nestlé’s marketing department. In fact, I question Mr. Dils’ affiliation with any of the environmental groups he claims to “carry a card” for, as they have all come out in strong opposition of Nestlé. Jennifer Morgan, Executive Director of Greenpeace, recently announced an active campaign against Nestlé, saying, “Together with our allies in the Break Free From Plastic movement, we named Nestlé as one of the top companies whose plastic packaging was found polluting beaches, waterways and communities across six continents.” Taking equally firm action is The Sierra Club standing up against operations in Canada, and the NRDC opposing Nestle’s decimation of trout habitat in Michigan.
It turns out that 350 Central Colorado has a lot more in common with these organizations than Mr. Dils lets on. As our chapter’s local volunteer coordinator, I would like to personally invite him, and readers, to our volunteer Zoom meetings to learn how we work against all aspects of fossil fuel pollution, including single-use plastics. We have direct support from Bill McKibben, our nationwide organization’s founder, statewide group: 350 Colorado, and organizations worldwide – we’re a very dynamic group. Our goal is to build coalitions of people working to protect our local environment, and regret if anyone has felt left out. We have minimized our public events due to COVID-19, however, we publish volunteer opportunities and links to our volunteer sign-up form on Facebook. Join us!
Sincerely, Bighorn Sheep and Trout enthusiast,
Angie Thompson, Howard, CO
Good to know but who is “Mr Dils”? Does he have a full legal name? I think the incomplete identifier slanders others by a broad inclusion!
If its the “Mr Dils” I know of in Chaffee County who used to build condo’s across from the fairgrounds on CR 120 I think there may be more
to his opposition than just principle! I suggest a study of his business interest both direct and indirect.
Motives matter!
The Nov. 16th letter in question is from Reed Dils which you can find here: https://arkvalleyvoice.com/letter-to-the-editor-a-response-to-350-centrals-opposition-the-nestle-waters-north-america/ Interesting point, on background and previous work… worth looking in to!