The Environmental Protection Agency’s inspector general started an investigation Monday into how one of its contractors caused the release of toxic chemicals that polluted waterways in three states.
EPA Assistant Inspector General Carolyn Copper sent a memo to the head of the agency that oversees activities for the region that includes Colorado, where 3 million gallons of toxic wastewater were spilled. The memo was also sent to EPA’s head of solid waste and emergency response.
“The Office of Inspector General … for the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to begin preliminary research on the cause of, and the EPA’s response to, the August 5, 2015, release from the Gold King Mine in Colorado,” reads the memo.
The memo says the “project” is being initiated based on a request from Congress. The spill sparked criticism by both Democrats and Republicans for the cause of the incident and the EPA’s lackluster response to local, state and tribal authorities in assisting their response to the crisis.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, the chairman of the House Overnight Committee, has said his panel would pursue its own investigation. The Republican chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Rob Bishop from Utah, also said last week that he would be holding hearings.
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., the chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, said he also would be looking into the incident.
The incident occurred at an abandoned gold mine in Silverton, Colo. But before it was over, a plume of toxic sludge had made its way through the Animas and San Juan rivers and into three states — Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
Copper said the plume of toxic debris contained a number of hazardous chemicals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury.
“In carrying out this work, the [the Office of the Inspector General] will take all reasonable efforts to minimize disruption to the EPA’s ongoing response work,” said Copper, but advised that the inspector general’s work would be thorough.
Copper said the inspector general will be requesting documents, conducting interviews with managers and staff members in the locations where the spill took place, but elsewhere if required. That means EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy may be questioned.
“Your offices may receive joint [Office of the Inspector General] office requests for meetings and information, as well as individual … requests for meetings and information. The [inspector] may also issue subsequent notification memos as our work progresses,” Copper’s memo reads.
