Washington, DC – Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Representative Scott Tipton (R-CO) sent a letter today to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, requesting that she visit San Juan and La Plata Counties in Colorado to discuss the damage done by the EPA’s accidental release of contaminated waste water into the Animas River.
The letter reads:
Dear Administrator McCarthy,
We write to request that you visit San Juan and La Plata Counties in Colorado and host a public meeting to help explain the impacts of the Gold King Mine accident on the surrounding communities and listen to our constituents’ concerns. Local residents, recreationalists, and business owners need to know that EPA will commit to a full cleanup of the accident and work to ensure the full environmental and economic recovery of the affected area.
To date, at least 3 million gallons of contaminated waste water from the abandoned Gold King Mine have spilled into Cement Creek and the Animas River in southwestern Colorado. Residents remain uncertain as to the dangers posed by this spill, as well as the timeline and recovery plan EPA intends to execute. Gaining an on-the-ground understanding of the situation is important to EPA’s response and area residents and officials would appreciate your in-person commitment to an expeditious and thorough cleanup and recovery. The individuals, families, and businesses impacted by EPA’s accident deserve nothing less.
We look forward to welcoming you to Colorado and appreciate your prompt response.
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