The Justice Department says the Pentagon can’t fight an EPA order to clean up Fort Meade.
A Dec. 1 letter from the Justice Department obtained by The Washington Post says the Pentagon does not have any legal grounds to challenge the order by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
The EPA issued “final orders” more than a year ago, ordering the Pentagon to remediate Fort Meade, McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey and Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.
The Pentagon questioned whether the EPA had the authority to order the cleanup.
Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works’ Superfund and Environmental Health Subcommittee, said he was pleased with the Justice Department’s action and urged the Defense Department to respond quickly.
– AP
