EPA commits to continuing clean-up efforts in Libby
Libby 'a tragic public health situation'
by Duane Williams, KLCB 1230 AM Libby News Radio
June 18, 2009
Wednesday was a historic day for Libby and the Environmental Protection Agency.
During a press conference Wednesday morning (June 17), in which KLCB participated, Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester along with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, announced the declaration of a Public Health Emergency for Libby.
"This is a truly historic day for Libby, justice, and government standing up for what is right, the Declaration of a public health emergency," said Baucus.
Libby will get an additional $6 million in cleanup and medical assistance under the public health emergency. The money will go to local health care providers Center for Asbestos Related Disease, Lincoln County Community Health Center, and St, John's Lutheran Hospital to screen, diagnose and treat asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestos related cancer.
Reportedly another $125 million will go into cleanup, in addition to the $17 million a year already spent since 1999.
"This is a great day for Libby. This is a town that was poisoned by W.R. Grace, then had to wait year after year as the last administration failed to determine that public health emergency exists. But today is a new day," said Baucus. "Today is the day that Administrator Jackson did the right thing and made this vital determination. Today is the day that Secretary Sebelius declared that people in Libby will get the health care they need. Today is the day that after years of work we were able to succeed in getting this done. Yet, we won't stop here. We will continue to push until Libby has a clean bill of health," said Baucus
"This is a long-overdue, common-sense decision that will go a long way for Libby and the thousands of folks who were poisoned there," Tester said. "This decision will help make quality health care more accessible and it will open the door to get new resources on the ground. We still have a long way to do right by the folks in Libby. Working together with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency, we're making very good progress.", said Senator John Tester.
"This is a tragic public health situation that has not received the recognition it deserves by the federal government for far too long. We're making a long-delayed commitment to the people of Libby and Troy. Based on a rigorous re-evaluation of the situation on the ground, we will continue to move aggressively on the cleanup efforts and protect the health of the people," said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. "We're here to help create a long and prosperous future for this town. Senator Max Baucus has been a tireless advocate for the people living in Libby and Troy who have confronted this public health tragedy for generations and we commend him for his work. We look forward to working with him and Senator Tester who has been working diligently since being elected to the Senate to bring much needed support to these communities, Jackson said."
This is the first time in the history of the EPA it has made such a determination under the Superfund law requiring the clean up of contaminated sites since the Superfund law went into effect in the1980s.
Congressman Denny Rehberg said, "I'm glad the EPA has finally recognized what folks in Libby have known for some time - that the federal response was not nearly good enough. I will continue to do whatever I can to help, and I can only hope that this designation will finally get the much needed resources to those who have suffered for too long," Rehberg said.
There will be a public meeting in Libby June, 22 to provide details.
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Story by Duane Williams, KLCB 1230 AM Libby News Radio, www.todaysbestcountryonline.com.
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