A spill of water tainted with uranium at a Superfund site in southern Colorado has sparked tension between a citizen's group and the agencies responsible for cleaning up the site. The spill, estimated to be 400-500 gallons, occurred at the Lincoln Park/Cotter Superfund site and was quickly contained. However, members of the Community Advisory Group (CAG), which oversees cleanup efforts, expressed frustration at the lack of oversight and transparency surrounding the incident. The spill occurred during a period of upheaval at the site, after the company responsible for cleanup declared insolvency. The EPA and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) have been coordinating efforts to ensure the site remains secure and cleanup continues. However, conflicts of interest have been raised regarding CDPHE's hiring of Ensero Solutions, a company that worked for the insolvent cleanup company, and Ensero's CEO, who is also an executive for the insolvent company. Despite the challenges, plans are being made for the long-term cleanup of the site, with the state's portion set to begin in 2024. Cotter Corp., the original owner and operator of the uranium mill, is expected to retake responsibility for the cleanup efforts. Critics, however, remain skeptical of further delays and are calling for a full cleanup of the contaminated site.
Thu, 20 Jul 2023 09:54:00 GMT | The Colorado Sun