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

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

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

I believe in the principle of polluter pays.

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.

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

You have urged the EPA to designate the upper Animas as a Superfund site. That is something I support.

Those on the Navajo Nation and others affected by this spill must be compensated.

The Federal Government must own up to this tragedy.

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

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

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.