Ayotte Continues to Advocate for Constituents and Hold Pentagon Accountable as Air Force Submits Groundwater Treatment Designs to EPA

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today issued the following statement regarding the Air Force submission of remedial designs to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for two large-scale groundwater treatment systems to protect drinking water supply wells on or near Pease:

"I appreciate the steps the Air Force has taken to begin to clean-up the mess it made-which now includes the submission of groundwater treatment systems designs to the EPA. This is an important step forward, but there are more issues to resolve as soon as possible. As Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee that oversees Pentagon environmental cleanup programs, I look forward to reviewing those designs, while continuing to advocate for my constituents and monitor the Air Force's actions closely," said Senator Ayotte.

The Haven Well at Pease was closed in 2014 after tests performed by the Air Force revealed high levels of perfluorochemicals (PFCs). Research has associated exposure to these chemicals with certain types of cancer. The contamination is due to the Air Force's use of fire-fighting foam at Pease.

Ayotte serves as the Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, which has specific oversight authority for Department of Defense environmental programs and cleanup. Since 2014, working in a bipartisan manner with Senator Shaheen, Ayotte has utilized meetings, letters, legislation, and hearings to advocate for those impacted and to hold the Air Force accountable to clean up the Haven Well contamination.

Ayotte worked to include language in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 National Defense Authorization Act Report requiring the Air Force to submit a plan detailing its efforts to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to PFCs while stationed at Pease.

When the Air Force suggested that the service was not complying with this direction from the Senate Armed Services Committee, Ayotte worked with Senator Shaheen to send a bipartisan July 9, 2015, letter to the Air Force reminding the Air Force of its responsibility to comply with the language. On July 24, 2015, Senators Ayotte and Shaheen wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force calling for the service to immediately comply with the EPA administrative order that requires the cleanup of PFCs that contaminate the Haven Well in Portsmouth.

Ayotte again raised the issue with the Pentagon in a November 2015 hearing. In March 2016, Ayotte specifically pressed the Secretary of the Air Force to fulfill the service's obligations. In response to Ayotte's questions, Secretary James reaffirmed the Air Force's commitment to clean up the water supply.

In April, the City of Portsmouth and Pease Development Authority announced an agreement related to the contamination clean-up of the Smith, Harrison and Haven Wells.

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