Members and leaders of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe expressed frustration with the lack of action at a Superfund site.

The St. Regis Paper Company operated a wood treatment plant for 26 years. The site was placed on the Superfund list in 1984 but the Environmental Protection Agency is only now getting around to holding public meetings and hearings.

"I think you better hurry up," Sandra Nichols told an EPA official, The Bemidji Pioneer reported. "It's been a Superfund site since 1984. You guys are destroying this earth. How many more years are you guys going to plan?"

"You guys should have done it right the first time,”"added tribal council member Eugene “Ribs” Whitebird. "I think all of these people want actions. You want comments? I thought you already did that.”

"We'll continue to be humble and patient, but we want to see some action," said Chairman Archie LaRose.

The EPA plans to hold another public meeting before holding a hearing on the cleanup in January 2010.

Get the Story:
St. Regis Superfund site: Citizens want action now (The Bemidji Pioneer 6/24)
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