Fleischmann Welcomes EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to Southside Chattanooga Lead Superfund Site

CHATTANOOGA, TN — Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) released the following statement welcoming Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler to the Southside Chattanooga Lead Superfund Site. During the visit, Administrator Wheeler announced the completion of the Superfund Task Force, an effort to streamline and improve the Superfund Program. The Administrator highlighted EPA's remediation work at the Southside site and praised the early action approach, a key recommendation of the Task Force's report, adopted by the Administration's cleanup efforts. A location designated by the EPA as a Superfund Site signifies a location that contains hazardous waste and substantial environmental risk. In 2018, Southside Chattanooga was placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) after soil samples tested positive for lead contamination. Today, Administrator Wheeler, EPA personnel, and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) officials visited the Site to discuss current successes and future plans.

"The Southside Superfund Site is the perfect location to welcome Administrator Wheeler and highlight the positive impact of the Superfund Task Force," said Congressman Fleischmann. "The EPA's ongoing success in Chattanooga is a testament to their ability to deploy Superfund resources to remediate contaminated sites, protect the health and wellbeing of our communities, and revitalize previously underutilized hubs of economic potential. I am thankful that Southside was added to the National Priorities List and that EPA officials continue to prioritize the safety of area residents. As East Tennessee expands and attracts further economic investments, I thank Administrator Wheeler and the expertise of EPA officials for the work they have done to advance the prosperity of our region."

"Thanks to the hard work of EPA career officials, the Superfund Task Force has strengthened the program in numerous ways, from accelerating cleanups to promoting redevelopment to improving community engagement," said Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "The recommendations generated by the Task Force and applied by the Superfund program have directly improved the health and economic opportunity of thousands of people living near Superfund sites. We are taking concrete steps to ensure that the work of the Task Force continues to enhance the Superfund program moving forward."