U.S. SENATE — During a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, U.S. Senator Steve Daines secured Administrator Pruitt’s commitment to seek community input at the Anaconda Co. Smelter and Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund sites.
“Montana is home to the most expansive Superfund sites in the country,” said Daines. “It is critical the EPA prioritize these sites and listen to the input of impacted Montanans as we work to clean up these areas.”
During the hearing, Administrator Pruitt committed to lifting the court gag order on the conceptual agreement on a consent decree to address future cleanup at the Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund site reached between Atlantic Richfield Company, EPA, and state and local leadership in Butte and for EPA staff to quickly go to Butte to hear the community’s input once the details of the plan are released.
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Also during the hearing, Administrator Pruitt affirmed that in response to a request from the community of Anaconda, the EPA is working with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to seek appropriate public comment on a health study evaluating the lasting impacts of the Superfund site and that the agency would ensure Anaconda schools are sampled for contaminants and that any additional cleanup at the schools is completed before the next school year.
Watch video HERE.
Download video HERE.
Background:
- On March 19, 2018, Daines sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging them to take into account Lincoln County’s concerns regarding cleanup of the Libby Asbestos Superfund site.
- On April 14, 2018, Daines met with Lincoln County leaders to hear their concerns on the cleanup of the Libby Asbestos Superfund site.
- On January 17, 2018, the EPA met Daines’ request to include the Libby Asbestos and Libby Groundwater Superfund sites in Libby in its list of sites that Administrator Pruitt is targeting for immediate and intense attention.
- On December 8, 2017, the EPA met Daines’ request to include both Montana’s Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area and Anaconda Co. Smelter Superfund sites in its list of sites that Administrator Pruitt targeted for immediate and intense attention.
- On December 4, 2017, Daines sent a letter to Administrator Pruitt urging him to ensure Montana is represented in the Administrator’s new list of Superfund sites to receive the Administrator’s utmost attention.
- On July 25, 2017, the EPA met Daines’ requests in its Superfund Task Force report, incorporating his recommendations.
- On June 27, 2017, Daines sent a letter to Administrator Pruitt that included recommendations for improvements to the Superfund program.
- On February 17, 2017, after Administrator Pruitt’s confirmation, Daines sent him a letter, underscoring the EPA’s responsibility in the environmental cleanup for National Priority List Superfund sites and invited Pruitt to tour a Montana Superfund site and assess the challenges and needs associated with cleanup.
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