[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 82 (Monday, June 26, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORT FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S NATIONAL HAZARDOUS 
                     WASTE AND SUPERFUND OMBUDSMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 26, 2000

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of providing 
additional funds to support the Environmental Protection Agency's 
National Hazardous Waste and Superfund Ombudsman. The Office of the 
Ombudsman has been instrumental in providing further investigation and 
access to information for the public on a number of complicated 
Superfund sites across the Nation.
  There are many communities across the United States impacted by years 
of hazardous waste disposal. The very laws and agencies involved in 
cleaning up these very dangerous sites often become mired in legal 
tangles and bureaucratic inertia. The Office of the Ombudsman has been 
an ally of citizens to further insure that public health and the 
environment remain at the forefront in clean up decisions at Superfund 
sites. The Ombudsman also plays an important role regarding oversight 
of the EPA, ensuring that harmful decisions are corrected and that 
information surrounding Superfund sites is available for the public.
  In my district, the Office of the Ombudsman was useful in 
investigating the Shattuck Waste Disposal Site in Denver. The Ombudsman 
redirected EPA's focus by fostering greater public participation in 
EPA's decision to allow radioactive waste to remain in an urban 
neighborhood. To better protect public health and the environment, I 
believe it is appropriate that the Office of the Ombudsman receive 
adequate funds to sustain their mission of advocating for substantive 
public involvement in EPA decisions.

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