[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE OMBUDSMAN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 15, 2000

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Ombudsman 
Reauthorization Act of 2000. This legislation is a companion to S. 
1763, which was introduced last year by Senator Allard of Colorado. The 
bill reauthorizes the Office of the National Solid Waste and Superfund 
Ombudsman within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
  I have experienced first-hand the important work of the National 
Superfund Ombudsman in connection with the Stauffer Chemical Superfund 
Site, which is located in my congressional district in Tarpon Springs, 
Florida.
  I fought tirelessly with my constituents for years to have the 
Stauffer site designated as a federal Superfund site. In 1994, the 
Stauffer site was finally included on the National Priorities List. It 
has been a long and tedious process since then. After six years, we are 
still waiting for the cleanup to begin. Clearly, this process is taking 
too long. The Supefund program must be streamlined to make it work 
within reasonable time frames--consistent with public expectations.
  All of my constituents agree on the need for prompt cleanup of the 
Stauffer site. The question is how and when this will be accomplished 
in a manner consistent with protecting the public health and safety.
  I joined with many of my constituents in repeatedly urging the EPA to 
carefully consider the unique geography of the Tarpon Springs area, 
with a particular focus on our sources of drinking water. In 1996, I 
was pleased to help secure funding for the Pinellas and Pasco County 
Technical Assistance Grant (Pi-Pa-TAG) to monitor cleanup activities at 
the Stauffer site. Throughout the years, I have sponsored several 
public meetings and written many letters regarding necessary standards 
for the cleanup of the site.
  The process of selecting a remedy that is both cost-effective and 
protective of the public health and safety has been extremely 
difficult. The affected parties have different opinions regarding the 
most appropriate solution to the problem, and many area residents feel 
that they have been ``shut out'' of the process.
  Mr. Speaker, if anyone deserves to have their voice heard in the 
debate on cleanup of a hazardous waste site, it should be the local 
citizens who live in the surrounding neighborhoods.
  At my request, the National Superfund Ombudsman, Robert Martin, has 
launched an independent review of the EPA's proposed cleanup plan for 
the Stauffer site. To date, Mr. Martin has participated in two public 
meetings I have sponsored, which were held on December 2, 1999, and 
February 12, 2000.
  These discussions have provided an opportunity for local residents, 
technical experts, Stauffer company representatives, and federal, state 
and local officials to express their concerns directly to the 
Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is continuing to gather additional information 
and will not make recommendations until the investigation is completed.
  During the course of the public meetings, it has become apparent that 
certain hydrogeological issues were not addressed before the proposed 
cleanup plan was advanced by the Stauffer Management Company and the 
EPA. For example, no studies regarding the possibility of sinkholes 
were conducted prior to the proposal of the remedy outlined in the 
Record of Decision. Because of Florida's unique environment, sinkholes 
pose a serious concern for the residents of the surrounding community. 
If contaminated soil collapses into the groundwater, more than 30 
contaminants could be introduced into the area's drinking water supply.
  The effect of contaminants from the site on local groundwater is an 
issue that demands further scrutiny. There has been conflicting 
evidence regarding the direction of groundwater flow, and it is 
critical that more comprehensive studies be undertaken to identify the 
potential for groundwater contamination.
  Mr. Speaker, without the involvement of the Ombudsman, my 
constituents' concerns about sinkholes and groundwater would not have 
received the attention they deserve.
  My constituents have welcomed the Ombudsman's participation in 
discussions about the proposed cleanup plan. Many of them have renewed 
confidence that their concerns will be seriously considered in this 
process. The Ombudsman has been their advocate, giving a voice to those 
who might otherwise have limited input in the design of a remedy for 
the site.
  The Ombudsman has worked effectively and aggressively to uncover the 
facts surrounding the Stauffer site, as well as other Superfund sites 
around the nation. In fact, he has been so successful that EPA 
officials are considering eliminating his office. This cannot be 
allowed to occur. Without the Ombudsman's investigation of the Stauffer 
site, the residents of Tarpon Springs would have been left in the dark 
and without a voice. I applaud the Ombudsman for his advocacy on their 
behalf and for bringing integrity back into the process.
  The Ombudsman Reauthorization Act will ensure that the Ombudsman is 
allowed to continue his critical work. This bill reauthorizes the 
office for ten years, allowing the Ombudsman to carry on the fact-
finding investigations that lead to better solutions for communities 
burdened with Superfund sites.
  Mr. Speaker, our constituents benefit enormously from the advocacy 
efforts of the National Superfund Ombudsman. I urge my colleagues to 
cosponsor and support passage of this important legislation.

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