Toxic Superfund sites are still with us

Virginia:

“They were the worst of the worst, the most-dangerous toxic-waste dumps in Virginia. Bearing names like Avtex, Kim-Stan and Greenwood, these poisoned plots spawned long-ago headlines and, in at least one case, killed people. Today they are Virginia’s 31 Superfund sites, still with us after years of cleanup — safer but not yet tame.

‘By definition it poses health risks to the public’ if a site sits on the Superfund list, said Noah Sachs, an environmental law expert at the University or Richmond School of Law. The nation’s most hazardous waste sites go on the Superfund list, named for a pool of federal dollars created to help clean the properties.

In Virginia, the federal Environmental Protection Agency has spent or obligated more than $250 million for cleanups at Superfund sites. Many military installations harbor Superfund sites, and the Department of Defense has spent or obligated more than $760 million. The state has kicked in more than $8 million.”

~ Writes Rex Springston of the Richmond Times-Dispatch

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Town Council approves request for EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant, adopts resolution for Lewis Gale Hospital

Town of Pulaski

“Tuesday night’s Pulaski Town Council meeting started off with a request from John White on behalf of the Economic Development Board to endorse the submission of a Brownfield Assessment Grant for 2014. This is the board’s second attempt at requesting permission for the grant, after their initial request was turned down last year. The council moved to endorse this year’s request following White’s presentation.

White pointed out two particular aspects that the grant emphasizes – one being the revitalization of downtown areas, the other being an expressed concern for people with chronic illnesses. The $200,000 grant would allow for environmental assessments throughout Pulaski, and would also fund cleanup and community involvement activities.

White also mentioned that the board would like to reach out to more public and private entities throughout Pulaski to support the proposal.”

~Writes Calvin Pynn of The Southwest Times

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