Cape News

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has criticized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for its handling of radioactive contamination in the St. Louis region. In a letter to USACE General Scott Spellmon and Colonel Andy Pannier, Senator Hawley expressed his concerns about the extent of radioactive contamination beneath residential properties. He stated, "Decades of radioactive contamination have devastated the Coldwater Creek region of St. Louis. And this week witnessed yet another nightmare scenario: your disclosure that this contamination may extend beneath residents’ homes."

Senator Hawley has been a vocal advocate for the cleanup of nuclear radiation in the St. Louis area. He emphasized the need for more comprehensive testing and immediate remediation, saying, "More comprehensive testing and remediation is obviously merited and immediately necessary." Senator Hawley's efforts include pushing for the reauthorization of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to compensate victims of radioactive waste in the St. Louis and St. Charles region.

The letter to USACE also raised questions about the agency's response to the contamination, including why residential properties along Coldwater Creek were not previously prioritized for testing, and when USACE became aware of the contamination and informed residents of the risks. Senator Hawley urged USACE to expedite the clean-up timeline and provide transparency to the community by answering key questions regarding the extent of contamination and planned testing activities.

Residents in the St. Louis region are rightfully concerned about the potential health hazards posed by the radioactive waste buried beneath their homes. Senator Hawley's call for immediate action and increased transparency from USACE highlights the urgency of addressing this environmental and public health issue.