Valeriea Holder

Shannon Dickey

Shannon Lisa, program director of EWA responds: “Several statements made at the press conference hosted by the City of Franklin were quite disingenuous at best, and downright negligent of basic science at worst. It is unfortunate that it appears the agencies used the opportunity to address and update the public as a means to deceive the community into believing everything is okay and under control. First, the Mayor’s definitive statement that the citizens of Franklin should know “this is not a widespread problem� does not have basis in what is currently known about the environmental conditions in Franklin. The USEPA has directed Amphenol Corporation to fully delineate the groundwater and find the extent of the contamination plume, but this has not been done yet for over 20-30 years. Without hard data, there is no way of knowing what areas are impacted or how far the plume has migrated. This is especially pertinent given the permeable soil types found in Franklin, which makes it much easier for contaminants to migrate far distances from the source. Where is Mayor Barnett getting his facts? Further, IDEM Commissioner Bruno Pigott’s statements that volatile organic compounds “are not entering people’s homes� and that “there is no cause for concern at the Cochran home for vapor intrusion� is akin to putting a band-aid over a surgical wound. A single round of sampling of one home is not sufficient to characterize residential impacts, due to the inherent variability with vapor sampling due to weather, temperature and other natural factors. At this time, IDEM and EPA have also not traced the PCE/TCE back through the sewer systems to find the source. IDEM measured impacts coming out of the vent on the roof of the Cochran home, but does not know if there are small leaks in the sewer pipe within the home that could discharge contaminants under certain conditions. Until there is a large-scale residential investigation of dozens of homes, as we have been strongly recommending to the agencies for over two months, an unknown number of Franklin families may be getting exposed to environmental risks without their knowledge. EPA not being able to recall if there were tasks that should have been completed 20 years ago that were not completed at the former Amphenol site should re-read the letters, technical reviews, and comment memos that EWA/Mundell have been sharing for months. The agency need look no further than the holes in the administrative record of the site that have yet to be filled. Beyond the complex scientific and technical issues we have been requesting be properly addressed, it takes no talent or effort for the agencies to simply be honest and realistic with the public starting today. The above issues are precisely the problem 20 years ago that got us where we are today – the agencies permitting a rushed and inadequate investigation and cleanup, approving that it was safe and protective of public health and the environment, only to later discover that, in EPA’s own words, major problems were “missed.� There were too many technical issues that were left unresolved for decades under the veil of being safe, but it is unfortunate that it seems USEPA and IDEM have yet to learn from their mistakes. We will be preparing a letter to the USEPA requesting the agency assist the public in the formation of a Community Advisory Group that meets monthly, so that the public is finally able to have regular and meaningful participation in the decisions that affect their homes, schools, and families. EWA is also committed to ensuring data gaps continue to be filled and the community is empowered with up-to-date information, and we are currently arranging for our second round of independent sample collection in areas of concern. The actions – or inactions – taken in Franklin have huge implications for the entire state of Indiana, as well as communities throughout the US. If EPA and IDEM do not follow through, we think it is long past the time that hearings are held in Washington DC on how the City of Franklin has been failed, including the most precious and important resource any community has, their children. The agencies need to clean up both their act and the contamination.�