Congressman Crow Continues Work to Protect the Safety of Coloradans’ Water Around the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site
AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 leadership on their efforts to contain toxic spread from the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site (LLSS) and to ask questions about EPA’s review of proposed drilling near the site. This follows Congressman Crow’s previous call for EPA to protect Coloradans’ groundwater, which could be endangered by proposed oil and gas development near the LLSS – one of the country’s most contaminated toxic waste sites located in Colorado’s 6th District.
Since EPA designated the LLSS a National Priority in 1980, the EPA – who is charged with protecting human health and the environment – established an extensive remediation network for the Superfund site. This includes long-term monitoring, oversight, and physical containment infrastructure to stop the release of hazardous pollutants and contaminants into the surrounding area.
In light of additional community concerns on the proposed oil and gas development’s potential to harm EPA’s critical remediation network, Congressman Crow asked whether EPA identified a scientifically justified buffer zone around the LLSS that would ensure the safety of the remediation tools and surrounding community. Crow also asked when EPA plans to conduct PFAS “forever chemicals” testing in line with new federal standards and how his office could better serve as a liaison between the public and EPA in our shared goal to ensure Coloradans’ continued access to safe, clean drinking water.
“Local community members remain concerned over the lack of conclusive scientific review regarding an adequate seismic buffer zone to safeguard the LLSS remediation infrastructure. My office has further heard concerns regarding the safety of the Aurora Reservoir Dam and the reservoir itself…,” wrote Congressman Crow.
“...I would like to applaud EPA for their work containing the initial toxic spread emanating from LLSS, overseeing the ongoing remediation efforts, and engaging with my office and the public on this issue. It is clear EPA cares deeply about their charge to protect human health and the environment…I look forward to working with EPA to utilize the full extent of the authorities granted to them by Congress to keep our community safe,” continued Crow.
Congressman Crow has consistently worked to protect the health of Coloradans and address environmental hazards, including protecting water quality at Buckley Space Force Base, reducing harmful PFAS "forever chemicals", and helping pass theInfrastructure Investment and Jobs Actinto law– the largest investment in clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in US history.
Congressman Crow and his office continues serving as a liaison to relay all constituent concerns to the EPA.
A PDF of the letter can be found here, with text appearing below:
Dear Regional Administrator Becker:
I write today regarding the Lowry Landfill Superfund Site (LLSS) and the possibility that proposed oil and gas development in the Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan (CAP) might disrupt the site and local infrastructure. LLSS is located on 507 acres in my congressional district, just east of the City of Aurora. In 1984, it was identified as one of the country’s most contaminated toxic waste sites; and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed it on the agency’s National Priorities List.
Local community members remain concerned over the lack of conclusive scientific review regarding an adequate seismic buffer zone to safeguard the LLSS remediation infrastructure. My office has further heard concerns regarding the safety of the Aurora Reservoir Dam and the reservoir itself; the impact of the CAP on compliance with EPA environmental standards, exposure to hazardous pollutants, and the 3-mile plume; and ensuring nothing threatens the work EPA has done to ensure continued access to safe, clean drinking water across the community.
To start, I would like to applaud EPA for their work containing the initial toxic spread emanating from LLSS, overseeing the ongoing remediation efforts, and engaging with my office and the public on this issue. It is clear EPA cares deeply about their charge to protect human health and the environment. To this end, I respectfully request answers to the following questions:
What tools does EPA possess to ensure the state, county, and private industry use an appropriate, scientifically justified buffer zone when drilling around LLSS?
Has EPA evaluated the risks of the proposed oil and gas development near the LLSS using independent scientific studies? If so, can EPA provide the sources of this information? If not, how can the agency be certain the drilling will not cause fractures and instability that threaten the mitigation strategies EPA has in place at LLSS?
Has EPA considered expanding the boundaries of the Superfund Site to include the 3-mile plume? If so, would this change EPA’s current strategy or allow EPA to better mitigate any toxic spread?
Given EPA’s extensive work to ensure access to safe, clean drinking water across the community, can EPA clarify the use of site specific particle quantitation limit (PQL) of 1,4 Dioxane and how it remains in line with the protection of public health?
Given new EPA drinking water standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), does the EPA plan to conduct PFAS testing of the LLSS and surrounding areas pursuant to these new guidelines? When should we expect this to occur?
Has EPA considered re-evaluating whether a CERCLA removal action may be justified? What factors are considered when completing this review?
What steps is EPA taking to engage with the public and ensure full transparency regarding the safety of the site? How can my office better serve as a liaison between the public and EPA?
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to working with EPA to utilize the full extent of the authorities granted to them by Congress to keep our community safe.
Sincerely,