Tester to EPA: Use local Montanans as ‘true partners’ in cleanup of Superior

Senator pushes agency to use Montana workers, resources in cleanup of former mining community

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester is pushing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to partner with local Montanans in the agency’s cleanup of Superior, Mont.

Superior was declared a federal Superfund site in September after high levels of lead and arsenic were found leftover in the town’s soil from the now-defunct Iron Mountain Mine and Mill.  The declaration opened up federal resources for the community’s cleanup.

After learning the EPA is contracting and using resources from outside of Montana, Tester urged the agency to make the local Montana labor force a “true partner” in the cleanup efforts.

“I am disappointed to learn that the EPA is not making the local labor force a true partner in the agency’s cleanup efforts, but is instead contracting and getting resources from outside the local community and Montana,” Tester wrote in a letter to Julie Dalsolgio with the EPA.  “I therefore urge you to take advantage of the tremendous skill and expertise in the local community.  They are as qualified as anyone for this work—and they know the terrain.  They are more committed than anyone else to making sure the clean-up effort is done right.”

Tester also cited the high unemployment rate in Mineral County, where Superior is located.

“Moreover, the unemployment rate for Mineral County, where Superior is located, is more than ten percent – one of the state’s highest.  Using the local labor force, you will not only improve the environment, you will also have an important and profound economic impact on a hard hit part of the state.”

The contamination of Superior, a result of the mine’s operations from 1909 until 1953, is believed to be widespread.

Tester introduced the Level Playing Field Act earlier this year to help Montana’s local small businesses earn government contracting work.

The full text of Tester’s letter to the EPA is available below.

August 5, 2010

Julie Dalsolgio, Director
Montana Operations Office
Environmental Protection Agency
10 West 15th Street, Suite 3200
Helena, MT 59626-9701

Dear Ms. Dalsolgio:

Last year, the town of Superior, Montana was placed on the EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL).  Since then, the EPA has led a critical clean-up effort aimed at remediating high levels of lead, arsenic and other contaminants in the town’s soil and groundwater.  I appreciate your work to improve the community’s environment and public health.

Much of your work requires services and materials, including: sand, gravel, and hauling equipment.  I am disappointed to learn that the EPA is not making the local labor force a true partner in the agency’s clean-up efforts, but is instead contracting and getting resources from outside the local community and Montana.  I therefore urge you to take advantage of the tremendous skill and expertise in the local community.  They are as qualified as anyone for this work – and they know the terrain.  They are more committed than anyone else to making sure the clean-up effort is done right.

Moreover, the unemployment rate for Mineral County is more than ten percent – one of the state’s highest.  Using the local labor force, you will improve the environment, and have a important and profound economic impact on a hard hit part of the state.  You will also help fulfill an EPA pledge to use local resources on the Superior clean-up effort.

I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to working together on this and other matters in the future.

Sincerely,
           
Jon Tester
United States Senator