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Local Residents Needed for MMR Impact Area Review

Release Date: 02/19/2008
Contact Information: Jim Murphy, (617) 918-1028

(Boston, Mass. – Feb. 19, 2008) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New England Office announced today that they are seeking new members from the Upper Cape towns to join EPA’s Impact Area Review Team (IART).

EPA established the Impact Area Review Team in 1997 to provide a forum for local citizens to assist EPA in ensuring a thorough and timely investigation and cleanup of Camp Edwards.

The IART provides advice to the EPA, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Environmental Command on the cleanup of groundwater contamination and its sources on or emanating from Camp Edwards on the northern part of the Massachusetts Military Reservation.

“The Impact Area Review Team serves as an important forum for community input, information exchange and education. Cape citizens have clearly played an instrumental role in advancing the investigations and cleanup underway at Camp Edwards,” said Robert Varney, regional administrator for EPA New England. “I encourage area citizens to take a look at the team and consider joining us in our efforts to understand and address the wide range of community concerns about the cleanup going on at the base just beyond their backyards and neighborhoods.“

As members of the IART, citizens can provide feedback on investigation and cleanup decisions, help evaluate the progress of cleanups, and recommend approaches to keep the public informed and involved. A scientific or technical background is helpful, but not required. Town residents from areas adjoining Camp Edwards in Bourne and Sandwich are particularly encouraged to seek membership on the IART.

The IART meets regularly on the fourth Tuesday evening of each month at various locations in the Upper Cape area. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 22 at 6:00 p.m. at the Massachusetts Military Reservation Welcome Center on the base.

If you are a resident of Bourne, Sandwich, Falmouth or Mashpee and would like to become an active member of the IART or attend a future meeting, please contact Jim Murphy, EPA’s Community Involvement Coordinator at 617-918-1028, or toll-free at 1-888-372-7341, extension 81028, or by e-mail at [email protected]