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(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06) today issued a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting a public briefing for Ringwood, New Jersey residents on a recent study conducted on the Ringwood superfund site.
The report, “Limited Investigation Led to Missed Contamination at the Ringwood Superfund Site,” was published September 27 in response to a letter sent by the three federal legislators requesting an examination of the cleanup decisions, oversight and actions at the Ringwood Mines/landfill Superfund site.
Today’s letter, issued to Bill Roderick, Acting Inspector General at the EPA, said the report “determined that there were several areas in which the Environmental Protection Agency did an incomplete job or did not comply with existing regulations.”
The letter seeks a: “public meeting regarding this most recent investigation and report on EPA oversight of the cleanup. Area residents have asked for our assistance in securing a community briefing on this new report and to be given the opportunity to address questions to its authors."
A copy of the full letter follows
Mr. Bill Roderick
Acting Inspector General
Office of the Inspector General
US Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (2410T)
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Acting Inspector General Roderick,
We are writing regarding your office’s recent investigation and report on the Ringwood Superfund site in New Jersey. This report titled “Limited Investigation Led to Missed Contamination at Ringwood Superfund Site,” determined that there were several areas in which the Environmental Protection Agency did an incomplete job or did not comply with existing regulations.
As you know, your office conducted a prior investigation into this site, regarding whether environmental justice issues played a role in its incomplete cleanup. Following the release of your report "Environmental Justice Concerns and Communication Problems Complicated Cleaning up Ringwood Mines/Landfill Site,” your agency agreed to brief the community on your findings. Several of your staff who had been involved in the investigation came to Ringwood, NJ to review the report and answer questions from residents. This community briefing was extremely helpful in addressing outstanding questions and was very much appreciated by the attendees.
We are writing to request that your agency conduct a similar public meeting regarding this most recent investigation and report on EPA oversight of the cleanup. Area residents have asked for our assistance in securing a community briefing on this new report and to be given the opportunity to address questions to its authors.
We urge you to provide the community of Ringwood with this briefing and look forward to your reply.
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