Congressman José E. Serrano
Representing the Fifteenth District of New York
Washington, DC – June 9,
2014 – Today, Congressman José E. Serrano announced that two provisions
he inserted into the annual Defense Appropriations bill will force the
Department of Defense to
submit reports of the plan for the final clean up on the islands, and
also a full listing of the types of explosives used over the years, and
what remains. Long an advocate for the full restoration of Vieques and
Culebra, Congressman Serrano felt the clean
up was falling behind schedule, that information was lacking, and that
full accountability on both was needed.
"While I am glad this
legislative language will move the clean up forward, I am disheartened
that it continues to take Congressional action to ensure the Defense
Department complies with its promises,"
said Congressman José E. Serrano. "The areas used by the
military in Vieques and Culebra suffered extreme environmental
degradation in their years as Defense Department property. Since the
agreement was reached to restore them and return them to a state
of environmental health, Puerto Ricans have waited for an expected date
when the work will be over. I hope that through this legislative
language we might have a final plan and end date.
“I also believe that the
report on the type and quantity of ordnance used, and an estimate of
what remains to be cleaned up, will give us a better idea of what risks
there might be and what has
been dealt with. This is particularly important in terms of potential
health risks. We must know what explosives and chemicals islanders were
exposed to, and what risks those pose for current and future health
issues.
“I do thank the Defense
Department for their efforts thus far, and I believe that we actually
have the same goal. I am certain they want to turn over an environment
that is restored and poses
no ongoing risk to residents and visitors. We all can work together for
that goal and look forward to a day in the not-too-distant future when
it is achieved."
The report language contained in the report accompanying the FY 2015 Defense Appropriations Bill is as follows:
The
Committee remains concerned about the pace of environmental restoration
on the islands of Vieques and Culebra. Therefore, the Committee
directs the Secretary of
the Navy, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, to submit a
report to the congressional defense committees not later than 60 days
after the enactment of this Act detailing a plan and schedule for the
completion of the clean-up of the contaminated
areas of Vieques and Culebra.
The
Committee also notes that there are gaps in information about types and
amounts of ordnance used on Vieques and Culebra and potential links
between such ordnance
used and present threats to public health. The Committee further
directs the Secretary of the Navy, in coordination with the Secretary of
the Army, to submit a report to the congressional defense committees
not later than 90 days after the enactment of this
Act that details the types of weapons deployed on these islands, as
well as the estimated level of use of these types of ordnance at these
two sites. Finally, the Committee also urges the Secretary of Defense
to make the relevant documents available to the
public.
Congressman
José E. Serrano has represented The Bronx in Congress since 1990. He is
a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.
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