New report shows contamination between DoD site and city’s wells

WASHINGTON – Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo) is demanding the Department of Defense own up to its role in contaminating Cheyenne’s water wells.

 

Barrasso fought for the results of the tests in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report. The report outlines the possible sources of trichloroethylene (TCE) found in Cheyenne’s water supply. A nearby nuclear missile site where TCE was once dumped is currently being cleaned up under the Superfund laws by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Barrasso called for the DoD to take direct responsibility for the contamination during a speech on the Senate floor.

“The Army Corps over the last few years has looked to blame almost any other entity it can for the contamination in the city’s wells. Such claims have included that there might have been a train derailment carrying the contaminant in the area. They have also blamed a handful of nearby oil rigs, and a local shooting range. Anyone but themselves.”

Barrasso noted the clear connection between the nuclear missile site and the nearby Cheyenne water wells.

Applauding the city of Cheyenne and the state of Wyoming for their successful efforts to protect the folks of Cheyenne, Barrasso said, “Let me be clear, the city of Cheyenne’s water is safe.”

Barrasso said that Wyoming taxpayers should not foot the bill. “Untold thousands of local taxpayer dollars have gone to keep TCE out of the water supply. The Army Corps and the U.S. Government has a responsibility to fund the clean up. They have a responsibility to fix the problem. It is time to do so.”

Ranking Member of the Superfund and Environmental Health Subcommittee, Barrasso pushed for testing between the one mile area of the nuclear missile site and the city of Cheyenne’s wells this year.