Protestors brought signs, friends, and their pets to show their support for the EPA. Photo by Morgan James.

Hundreds of people rallied in support of Environmental Protection Agency employees outside of the Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division on Tuesday morning. University professors, local advocates, students, and more protested against the closure of the EPA’s Office of Research and Development and in solidarity with current EPA employees.

“There’s so much bad news, it’s nice to look around and see that you’re not alone and see other people. We might outnumber them actually,” attendee and surfer Bob Pokorney said.

First reported last week by the New York Times, documents reviewed by the Democratic staff of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology stated that the EPA’s Office of Research and Development would be dissolved and up to 75% of workers could be laid off.

This is a part of the EPA’s plan to reduce 65% of the agency’s budget. The result would be the layoff of over 1,000 federal employees and the cancellation of research labs such as the Toxicology and Ecology Division in Duluth. Currently, the Duluth location has over 150 employees.

“The work that they do, the education that they have, to do what they do to keep our water safe, it’s just so important,” attendee Colleen Ferrian said.

Colleen Ferrian (left) and another attendee sit with their signs as the rally continues to grow. Photo by Morgan James.

The Toxicology and Ecology Division does research for the quality of freshwater, habitat restoration, potential stressors on freshwater systems, and water infrastructure. Their current work includes research on PFAS, which is considered a forever chemical that can be found in water, soil, and food.

“I personally get sick when we’re in the water and when there’s a lot of runoff and things like that,” Pokorney said.

One local environmental impact and a key line of research is the impact of runoff from mines in Northern Minnesota. Mike Maleska, a recently retired miner of 42 years, explained that even in legalized mining waterways are still being damaged.

“The environmental laws that are in place are not effective for the mining we are already doing,” Maleska said.

This rally is one of many that have been happening nationwide this month, including San Diego, Dallas, Ann Arbor, and other EPA locations. Attendees explained that their goal is to bring their community together and to stand up against administrative changes.

Duluth community rallies outside EPA research lab amid federal layoffs