[CPEO-MEF] REUSE - "CSWAB Wants Better Cleanup at Badger [WI] before Transfer"

[Lenny Siegel <lennysiegel@gmail.com>]

 From Laura Olah info@cswab.org

PRESS RELEASE
Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger
February 11, 2008

CSWAB Wants Better Cleanup at Badger before Transfer

In written comments submitted today, Citizens for Safe Water Around 
Badger (CSWAB) is challenging the U.S. Army and the Wisconsin DNR to 
require additional environmental cleanup at the closing Badger Army 
Ammunition Plant before portions of the property are transferred to the 
State.

"For the majority of contaminated sites at Badger, the WDNR and the Army 
are not looking at potential risks to wildlife or risks to humans 
through the food chain," said Laura Olah, Executive Director of CSWAB. 
"Our goal is to assure that agricultural research, wildlife and 
grassland bird habitat, managed grazing, and other planned future uses 
are successful."

The group found that additional steps are needed to eliminate certain 
contaminant sources, such as wood preservatives, paints, pesticides, and 
road oil, as potential ecological and environmental health concerns. 
"Certain contaminants such as DDT, PCBs, and mercury are persistent 
bioaccumulative toxins that may have long term implications for the 
local ecology and human health," Olah said.

In anticipation of transfer of portions of the closing base to new 
owners, the Army has invited public comment on documents that describe 
the environmental condition of the property. Known as the Finding of 
Suitability for Transfer, the document discusses lead, asbestos, 
explosives, and other environmental toxins that may be present at the 
plant.

The Army report says that there is no further environmental cleanup 
necessary on about 1,188 of the roughly 1,800 acres that the WDNR will 
soon own. The area extends from the northeast corner of the plant from 
Devil's Lake State Park south to the Dairy Forage Research Center.

  "Our understanding of the potential harm caused by exposure to 
environmental toxins is much different than years ago – now we know 
better," Olah added. "By accomplishing the best possible cleanup now, we 
assure that future generations enjoy a safe, healthy, and productive 
future."

A complete copy of CSWAB's comments is available on their website at 
www.cswab.org. Community members will have until Feb. 15 to offer their 
comments on Army documents.

END
-- 
Laura Olah, Executive Director
Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger
E12629 Weigand's Bay South
Merrimac, WI  53561
(608)643-3124
Email: info@cswab.org
Website: www.cswab.org

-- 


Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org



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