Corps Moves Lead Contamination Clean-Up Forward Carper Praises Corps for ‘Getting Things Moving’

ST. GEORGES, DE – Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) praised the Army Corps of Engineers and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control for kicking-off a new round of comprehensive tests to clean up lead contamination around the St. Georges bridge today. “This is not the final step, but it’s an important step forward in cleaning up these contaminated sites,” Carper said. “Lead in the soil can pose substantial risks to children’s health. It’s good to see the Corps is moving the cleanup along.” Testing conducted in June 2001 revealed 39 residential properties located near the St. Georges Bridge with elevated levels of lead in the soil. This summer, the Corps took steps to safely remove lead paint from the span and to repaint the bridge so that further contamination is averted. But the clean up of contaminated properties is still underway. “I believe Colonel Brown and the Corps are committed to solving this potential health problem and am glad to know they have stepped up their testing process,” Carper said. “They understand how important this is to the families affected. They told my staff they hope to complete their investigation and interim removal by the Spring.” Carper is a member of the Senate’s Government Affairs Committee, which has oversight of the Army Corps.