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EPA Places Three Missouri Sites on the Federal Cleanup Priorities List

Release Date: 03/19/2008
Contact Information: Dianna Whitaker, (913) 551-7598, whitaker.dianna@epa.gov

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Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., March 19, 2008) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced its decision to place three Washington County, Mo., sites on the federal Superfund National Priorities List. The NPL is a list of the nation's hazardous waste sites with the highest priority for cleanup. These sites are eligible for extensive, long-term response action money authorized by Congress under the Superfund program.

The three new NPL sites in Missouri are the Washington County Lead District-Potosi Site, the Washington County Lead District-Old Mines Site, and the Washington County Lead District-Richwoods Site. Washington County is in Missouri's Old Lead Belt. Mining activities in Washington County have contributed to elevated levels of lead in soil and ground water in this area.

"The dangers of lead exposure to young children are well-known," said Regional Administrator John Askew. "The placement of these three Washington County sites on the Superfund priority list ensures additional federal resources will be available to protect Missouri's children from high concentrations of lead in soil and drinking water."

EPA wants to help affected communities understand the technical information related to these sites. EPA's Technical Assistance Grant Program provides up to $50,000 for a qualified citizens group to hire independent technical advisors. The advisors can help citizens interpret complex environmental data, understand site hazards, and critique various cleanup technologies. For additional information about the Technical Assistance Grant Program, contact Dianna Whitaker (see contact information above).