Contact: (202) 225-4761
Eric Wortman, Communications Director
Rick Palacio, Deputy Communications Director
REP. SALAZAR HOPEFUL RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOR NAVY BUILDING ON FAIRGROUNDS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Rep. John T. Salazar announced that the U.S. Navy has agreed to participate in a discussion to identify cleanup options and areas of responsibility regarding asbestos-contaminated buildings located on the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo.
From 1947 to 1995 the Navy occupied the buildings located at Northern and Acero Avenues on property leased from the Colorado State Fair. The Navy conducted environmental cleanup prior to the termination of their lease in 1999, including friable asbestos removal. The buildings have remained unoccupied since then, and have fallen into disrepair and have become targets of vandalism.
On September 18, 2007, Reps. Salazar and Udall sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asking for an independent evaluation of the buildings on the property to determine the nature and extent of any residual asbestos. The EPA responded by noting that the Navy was a tenant of these buildings and did clean up the easily removable quantities of asbestos under a permit. EPA indicated that it is unclear whether the Navy would be responsible for the rest of the asbestos removal.
In a letter of response, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy said it is their belief that the Navy has met all of its environmental cleanup responsibilities for the property. However, the Navy is willing to participate in a discussion with the Colorado State Fair, the Colorado Department of Health, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help establish the relevant facts and responsibilities for any remaining cleanup.
“The property has become a public health hazard, and the time has come for the responsible agency to further abate the asbestos so demolition can take place and the land can fully be utilized by the State Fair,” Rep. Salazar said. “I’m hopeful that future discussions with the Navy, the EPA, the State and the Colorado State Fair will establish who is ultimately responsible for making this happen.”
###