DeGette Calls for Immediate Action to Address Contaminated Mine Cleanup

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01) joined with her colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy and questioned witnesses from the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Defense, Government Accountability Office, and Department of Energy about their response to the Animas River spill and called for a stronger approach to cleanup at abandoned mines in Western states.

"We all play a vital role in ensuring America's lands including the thousands and thousands of sites like Gold King Mine across the West are clean and safe for future generations," said Rep. DeGette. "It is past time we overcome the roadblocks that have slowed cleanup of abandoned mines and work to provide the EPA and other agencies the resources and authority to properly oversee cleanup at contaminated sites. The Gold King Mine spill was an environmental disaster, and if we do not act, this will happen again. Leaks and spills on a smaller scale are happening every day. I stand ready to work with my colleagues and ensure this does not continue."

On August 5, 2015, the Gold King Mine spill released three million gallons of contaminated water into the Animas River. Water tested in the Animas River shortly after the spill registered at 12,000 times the normal level of lead but has since come down in response to coordinated cleanup efforts. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, Rep. DeGette helps to regulate all matter related to soil and water contamination including Superfund, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act.

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