Army Corps Failed to Give Adequate Notice of Tonight’s Public Meeting
Additional Meeting Will Allow Public to Ask Questions, Help Residents Stay Informed
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called on the U.S. Army Corps (USAC) to hold an additional public meeting on the Shallow Land Disposal Area (SLDA) in Armstrong County after constituents expressed concern that a meeting scheduled for this evening was not sufficiently noticed.
Many members of the public will not be able to attend tonight because USAC did not provide adequate notice in advance of the meeting. As a result, members of the community with questions about the cleanup at the SLDA will be unable to receive answers.
Senator Casey wrote, “The remediation of the SLDA remains a matter of grave concern to me and to the local community. I request that you schedule and hold an additional public meeting in the coming weeks in order for community members to ask questions directly to the Corps and hear about progress first hand. Sufficient advanced notice is imperative so that community members and local officials are able to schedule and prepare for the meeting.”
The full text of Casey’s letter can be seen below:
Colonel William Graham
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District
2200 William S. Moorhead Federal Building
1000 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Dear Colonel Graham:
It has come to my attention that several members of the community, including local elected officials, were not given adequate notice about the public meeting tonight on the Shallow Land Disposal Area (SLDA).
The remediation of the SLDA remains a matter of grave concern to me and to the local community. I request that you schedule and hold an additional public meeting in the coming weeks in order for community members to ask questions directly to the Corps and hear about progress first hand. Sufficient advanced notice is imperative so that community members and local officials are able to schedule and prepare for the meeting.
As the Corps continues its work on the SLDA, I urge the Corps, under your leadership and the next Commander’s, to strengthen its communication with the local community. Much work still remains and the public has a right to know what to expect in terms of activity at this site. The safety and peace of mind of my constituents is of the upmost importance to me. I stand ready to assist you in the planning of the next public meeting and appreciate your continued efforts on the clean-up of the SLDA.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
###
