WASHINGTON - July 17- Nine months into the fiscal year, the Bush Administration has finally provided limited information on a few of the Superfund sites that will receive cleanup funds in FY 2003. No funding information was provided for sites around the country with ongoing cleanup work.
"The Bush Administration is stonewalling the public about funding levels for site cleanups this year. The meager information they have provided shows that only 50% of new cleanups will get funding," said Julie Wolk, an Environmental Health Advocate for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. "The Bush Administration is on its way to its worst year ever in toxic waste cleanup, hiding information from the public, and leaving millions of Americans exposed to dangerous toxic chemicals," said Wolk.
Last year, 46 sites that requested cleanup funds did not receive full funding, resulting in a 45% shortfall in funding. Unfortunately, EPA's announcement does not indicate how much money sites requested for FY03 compared to what they may receive. EPA made public only the list of "new starts" - sites that will receive cleanup funds for the first time. 10 of 20 new starts will receive some funding this year. Of the 10 sites not receiving funding in FY03, 5 also did not receive funding in FY02. These include some of the nation's most toxic waste sites, Atlas Tack (MA), Continental Steel (IN), Jennison-Wright (IL), Jasper Creosoting (TX), and Hart Creosoting (TX). <cut
"The number and percentage of Superfund sites set to receive cleanup funds this year is pathetically low - the Bush Administration's vast under funding of the Superfund program puts more and more Americans at risk of toxic exposure in their own communities," said Wolk. "Congress and the Bush Administration should reinstate Superfund's polluter pays fees to protect public health and make polluters, not taxpayers, foot the bill for cleanups."
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