Residents of Treece may be able to start packing soon.
Late Thursday evening Congress approved legislation to provide the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to buy out the small southeast Kansas community.
“It’s been a long, dusty, chat-covered road,” said U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., in a telephone interview about half an hour after the approval of the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior Appropriations Conference Report.
The language relating to Treece’s buyout was contained within the appropriations report. The amendment dealing with Treece was introduced by Roberts, U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and U.S. Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
After its approval by both chambers of Congress, the bill now heads to President Barack Obama’s desk. Roberts said he expected that the president would sign the bill into law by Saturday.
Federal buyouts were extended earlier to Picher and Cardin, Okla., because of contamination caused by past mining activities. Treece residents, living within a stone’s throw of Picher, had asked for the same assistance.
In August, in response to a request by Roberts, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson sent key officials to Treece. U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., hosted officials through the town and held a town listening session where residents were able to relay their concerns.
In September, at the request of residents, EPA began blood-level and air quality testing in Treece, and it was found that the community had higher lead levels than state and county levels.
Roberts said he applauded the EPA for going the extra mile for residents of Treece, sending representatives to the area and understanding the special hardships faced by those in the community.
“We have all fought very hard on behalf of Treece, and I have a lot of confidence that [EPA] Administrator [Lisa P.] Jackson will use the language in this legislation to help the 100 residents of Treece move on with safer, more healthy lives,” Roberts said. “It has been determined that relocation is the primary option to address their concerns, as it was in Picher.”
In a statement e-mailed to news media, Jackson indicated she was pleased with the passage of the legislation.
“The work of EPA is to protect the health and environment of communities across America,” Jackson said. “After sending a team to meet with residents and local officials, EPA determined that the people of Treece faced a unique and urgent threat from the legacy of pollution in their community. EPA had numerous conversations and worked closely with Senators Roberts and Brownback and Congresswoman Jenkins.”
She confirmed that relocation is the primary option, adding that EPA officials were glad to be responsible to the people of Treece, and provide them with solutions to these exceptionally challenging circumstances.
“It is our hope that this will give them the opportunity to raise their children, run their businesses and get on with their lives free of the burdens of pollution and environmental degradation,” Jackson said.
WASHINGTON —
