Allard Questions EPA Administrator at Senate Hearing Over Leadville Mine

Press Release

ALLARD QUESTIONS EPA ADMINISTRATOR AT SENATE HEARING OVER LEADVILLE MINE

U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Tuesday questioned U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen Johnson on the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel during a hearing on the agency's budget needs.

"I would like your word, Mr. Johnson, that your agency will continue to work toward a long-term solution for this situation so that the residents of Lake County can rest easy," Allard told Johnson at the hearing.

In response to Allard's questions, Johnson informed Allard that the temporary pump they are currently using to relieve pressure on the mine shaft will be replaced by Friday, March 7th with a more permanent pump. Johnson also said that the water pumped from the tunnel to this point has not shown contamination levels that present any environmental concerns.

Last month Allard called federal agency representatives together at the Colorado State Capitol Building to address the ongoing situation in Leadville and continues to work with Lake County and federal representatives to find solutions to ease the pressure at the mine and is collecting additional questions from elected officials and citizens for Allard to submit to the EPA concerning the tunnel.

Allard's staff will participate in an ongoing series of conference calls with Lake County elected officials and representatives from the EPA, the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to address any questions or additional concerns regarding the tunnel. The next conference call will occur this Thursday afternoon.

During the hearing, Johnson also commended Allard for his efforts in support of "Good Samaritan" legislation that would authorize the many willing volunteers who frequently offer their assistance in cleaning up the nearly 500,000 abandoned mines in the United States.

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