Legislation introduced on Wednesday by U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) would require the EPA to compensate communities impacted by the Gold King Mine spill.
The EPA took responsibility of the Gold King Spill near Silverton, Colo., in August. While excavating an old adit, pressurized water leaked above the mine tunnel and 3 million gallons of water spilled into a local tributary, according to the EPA.
The Gold King Accountability and Compensation for Taxpayers Act, S. 2950, would require the EPA to fully reimburse communities impacted by the spill for associated costs.
“The EPA-born Gold King Mine disaster financially burdened families, businesses, tribal communities and local governments not only in Colorado, but also neighboring states,” Gardner said. “The EPA is wholly accountable and therefore should be held to the same standard as private companies, and the Gold King Act makes sure of it. I’ll continue to fight to ensure all of those affected by the Animas River spill are made whole, and encourage my colleagues to join Senator Hatch and me in rejecting Washington’s double standard and holding the EPA fully liable.”
There are currently 60 federal tort claims against the EPA related to the Gold King Mine spill totaling nearly $5 million. The agency has said that it is not preparing to process emergency response actions after Oct. 31, 2015.
“Last year the EPA inadvertently spilled millions of gallons of waste into the Animas River in Colorado, exposing the waterways and surrounding environment to toxic heavy metals,” Hatch said. “This spill had a significant adverse impact on many downstream communities and businesses throughout multiple Western states — including Utah. The EPA must be held accountable for this travesty, and those that were impacted by this man-made disaster should be justly compensated. I am proud to join Senator Gardner in introducing legislation that will accomplish both these goals.”
The bill would direct the EPA to pay claims filed after Oct. 31, 2015, so long as the claims are consistent with standard emergency response costs defined under federal law.
The bill would also direct the EPA to work with states and tribes to develop and implement a long-term water quality-monitoring program for the Animas River.