For Immediate Release
September 30, 2005
Contact: Douglas Moore
(202) 225-6531
404-433-5561 - cell

Congressman Jim Marshall Announces $1.7 Million for Camp Wheeler Clean-up

(Washington, D.C.) –In a meeting early this morning with Army Corps of Engineers representatives in his office, Congressman Jim Marshall was informed that the Corps of Engineers will spend $1.7 Million in FY 2005 to remove unexploded ordnance at the site of the former Camp Wheeler, with an additional $400,000 allocated for the clean-up effort in FY 2006. A written announcement from the Corps of Engineers will be released to Members of Congress later today.

“The Department of Defense has identified 9,730 sites nationwide that are contaminated as a result of prior military activities. Since the FY 2005 clean-up budget only includes $266 Million, it is gratifying that we were able to secure this much funding for Camp Wheeler. On the other hand, that the Corps was willing to give the Wheeler clean-up such priority indicates that there is a danger to residents in the area. Everybody should be aware of the danger and make sure that kids don’t play with any strange objects they find on the ground. Any unusual metal should be reported immediately to local authorities or my office so that we can report it to the Corps,” said Marshall.

Since this issue emerged as a safety concern for the residents of the former Camp Wheeler area, Congressman Marshall and his staff have been working with the Corps to implement and fund a comprehensive clean-up effort, publicize the potentially dangerous areas to residents, accelerate the clean-up process, and ensure the safety of families living in the area.

“Unfortunately some landowners in the area selected for immediate cleanup have not given permission for the Corps to come onto their property. I think this is a big mistake and I would ask that these landowners reconsider this position for the safety of kids for generations to come,” said Marshall.

At this morning’s meeting, the Corps of Engineers gave Congressman Marshall a report on the history of the former Camp Wheeler, an update of the clean-up efforts in the residential neighborhoods at most risk, and discussed the methods used to clean up the unexploded ordnance.