North Jefferson County News

DENVER—U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) sent a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan calling for improved infrastructure to protect the communities surrounding the Cotter/Lincoln Park Superfund site, located south of Cañon City. In the letter, Pettersen calls for better signage to mark radioactive contamination, improved fencing to contain the site, and the deployment of air quality and radon level monitoring of air and water in the area.

“I am grateful to see a swift response and the continuation of the cleanup of the Cotter/Lincoln Park Superfund site, however more work is still needed to protect the health and integrity of the communities that live alongside the site,” wrote Pettersen in the letter. She continued, “I would also like to respectfully request that the EPA seek the deployment of air quality and radon level monitoring of air and water around the Cotter/Lincoln Park Superfund site. I, along with members of CAG, were rightly concerned about the risk of toxic airborne substances that the Superfund site poses to the surrounding community.”

“The Community Advisory Group appreciates Congresswoman Pettersen’s efforts to correct inadequacies at the Lincoln Park/Cotter Superfund site. We have lived with the uranium mill contamination for decades, and now we’re facing new uncertainties with CLL’s recently declared insolvency,” said Emily Tracy, Chair of the Lincoln Park/Cotter Community Advisory Group. “It is essential that infrastructure improvements be made including signage warning the public of the contaminated site. And the community needs a full array of ongoing environmental monitoring to ensure that nearby residents are not exposed to harmful levels of radiation or other contaminants.”

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear Administrator Regan,

I write to bring your attention to the infrastructure deficiencies at the Cotter/Lincoln Park Superfund site, located south of Cañon City in Fremont County, Colorado. In 1984, the former uranium mill site and the surrounding neighborhood was declared a Superfund site. The site includes the Cotter Corporation (Cotter), its 2,600-acre uranium mill, and areas of mill-associated contamination.

On April 14, I joined EPA Region 8 Director, KC Becker, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff, and the local Superfund Community Advisory Group (CAG) to discuss the recent changes to the oversight of the cleanup of the Lincoln Park/Cotter Superfund site. In February, Colorado Legacy Land (CLL), the company charged with the cleanup of the Lincoln Park/Cotter Superfund site, told the EPA, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and CAG that they would soon be insolvent and could not sustain operations. In March, the EPA and CDPHE said they would take over operations and the CDPHE would hire a contractor to assess the site’s risk. I am grateful to see a swift response and the continuation of the cleanup of the Cotter/Lincoln Park Superfund site, however more work is still needed to protect the health and integrity of the communities that live alongside the Cotter/Lincoln Park Superfund site.

I write to respectfully ask that the EPA invest in needed upgrades to the surrounding infrastructure around the Cotter/Lincoln Park Superfund site. The EPA should install clearly marked and visible signs indicating a Superfund site or radioactive contamination around Cotter Mill. While it is my understanding that the EPA cannot require landowners to install signage, installing visible signage to protect the health and well-being of our communities that neighbor the Superfund site is a necessary investment that would demonstrate an abundance of caution. The EPA should work diligently to find a way to install the appropriate and visible signs.

Additionally, those visiting the Superfund site clearly can see the fencing is in grave need of improvement. I am requesting that the EPA install new fencing surrounding the CLL owned property. I would also like to respectfully request that the EPA seek the deployment of air quality and radon level monitoring of air and water around the Cotter/Lincoln Park Superfund site. I, along with members of CAG, were rightly concerned about the risk of toxic airborne substances that the Superfund site poses to the surrounding community.

Thank you for giving your full and fair consideration in accordance with all applicable rules, regulations, laws, and guidelines.

Sincerely, 

Original source can be found here