Bill Summary for Bill Number Public Health & Environment Superfund Presentation

Date: 12/15/2006

Final
Public Health & Environment Superfund Presentation

COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

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02:02 PM

The committee recessed.

02:09 PM -- Presentation by the Department of Public Health and Environment on the Status of the Superfund Cleanup Program

Mr. Baughman briefed the committee on the status of the Superfund cleanup program in Colorado. Committee members received copies of the department's Powerpoint presentation (Attachment N). Mr. Baughman provided background on the operation of the Superfund program. Mr. Baughman then discussed the various Superfund sites throughout the state and the current disposition of these cleanup efforts, including sites where the cleanup is complete and sites where cleanup continues.

02:23 PM

Mr. Baughman continued to brief the committee on the status of Superfund cleanup efforts in the state. During the presentation, Mr. Jeff Deckler, Remedial Programs Manager for the DPHE's Hazardous Materials Waste Management Division, and Mr. Baughman responded to questions regarding the cleanup timeline for the California Gulch site, and the time frame involved in cleaning up a contaminated site in general. Mr. Baughman explained the amount of cleanup work that remains and the funding sources for cleanup, and responded to questions regarding the potential for a future change in the level of federal funding for Superfund projects in the future.

02:42 PM

Mr. Baugman further explained Superfund cleanup work yet to be done in the state and the time frame for completion of this work. Mr. Baughman responded to questions regarding the potential for identifying additional Superfund sites in the future, and further clarified the source of the state's share of funding for cleanup. Discussion ensued regarding the recovery of cleanup costs from parties responsible for site contamination, and bonding requirements for active mines. Discussion followed regarding the uniformity of laws governing mining activity between Colorado and neighboring states.