WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins will lead a delegation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on a tour of Treece, Kans. on Thursday, August 20, to see contamination and subsidence issues a century of mining left in the community.

“This is a critical step forward in our efforts to help the folks in Treece,” Jenkins said. “I am hopeful once EPA sees firsthand the irreparable damage mining has done in Treece, they will agree a clean-up alone is not enough.”

The EPA has committed to use Stimulus funds for soil remediation, but Congresswoman Jenkins, Senator Pat Roberts and Senator Sam Brownback are working to secure a $3.5 million federal buyout for Treece. Picher, Okla., less than one mile from Treece, has already received a federal buyout. The tour will include stops at multiple stops in Treece and Picher, Okla.

Jenkins will lead Mathy Stanislaus, Assistant EPA Administrator, Bob Sussman, EPA Senior Policy Counsel, and William Rice, Acting Region 7 EPA Administrator. Also on the tour will be Roderick Bremby, Secretary of Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), State Senator Dewayne Umbarger, State Representative Doug Gatewood, representatives from Governor Parkinson’s office and Treece residents.

Senator Roberts will not attend the tour Thursday because he is recovering at home from a bout with pneumonia. Doctors have asked him to curtail his schedule for the near term.

“I want to thank Administrator Jackson and the EPA for its quick action in sending very senior personnel to see the situation at Treece first-hand. I appreciate their efforts to help us find a solution and want to thank Congresswoman Jenkins for leading the tour,” said Senator Pat Roberts.

A community listening session at 11:15 a.m. at the Treece City Hall will give the residents of Treece a chance to hear from Congresswoman Jenkins as well as the officials from EPA.