the fox should be guarding the hen house here. They created the situation.

Dilution is not the solution; and that is what the EPA's term of cleanup is.

Some of the people who have looked at this area say the 1872 mining law and its supervision of mining is some of the most lax public oversight of any industry.

I have demanded that the EPA react with urgency to protect our health and safety and to repair the damage inflicted on this watershed.

Thank you, Chairman Barrasso.

I would urge you, as Senator Bennet said, to talk to the local communities.

Unfortunately, until we find a mechanism for cleaning this stuff up and actually get serious about issues like 1872 Mining Act reform, I can pretty much guarantee that someday this is going to happen again because it has happened in the…

Who says they should be able to pollute drinking water that our two States use on a daily basis?

This can be done if we put our heads together and work with each other.

It is urgent that EPA address this and address it now because there is another disaster of this proportion ready to happen.

For far too long, Indian Country has been left to fend for itself in dealing with the impacts of mining.

The Federal Government must own up to this tragedy.

We cannot let history repeat itself over and over and over again.

I would like to get your commitment here at the hearing that EPA is dedicated to prioritizing funding and resources for long term monitoring of the river and for compensation for those impacted.

The President of the Navajo Nation has requested that EPA designate the Upper Animas District as a Superfund site. I support this and believe it should be a priority for funds and remediation.

Mistakes have been made. We need to do everything in our power to make sure they are not made again.

I demanded that the EPA act with urgency to protect our health and safety and to repair the damage inflicted on this watershed.

The Native American community across the Country uses this Committee as a great oversight entity.