$14 Million Boost for Tutu Wellfield Cleanup in St. Thomas Announced by EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled a groundbreaking investment of over $1 billion to cleanse more than 100 contaminated locations across the United States, with the Tutu Wellfield in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, standing as a key beneficiary. This funding is a pivotal part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and aims at launching 25 new Superfund projects while advancing work on over 85 existing sites.

The initiative addresses a national crisis where countless sites are blighted by hazardous waste due to historical mismanagement, endangering the health of communities, particularly those predominantly comprised of Black and Hispanic populations.

Lisa F. Garcia, the Regional Administrator, stressed the critical nature of this funding for the Tutu Wellfield, focusing on the eradication of newly discovered pollutants.

Governor Bryan lauded the move, recognizing it as a monumental step towards safeguarding the environment and public health. He expressed profound appreciation to President Biden and his administration for their relentless efforts in bringing this legislation to fruition. “Let us advance with determination, shaping a legacy that champions a pristine, sustainable future. The U.S. Virgin Islands stands at the forefront of this noble journey,” he remarked.

Delegate to Congress, Stacey Plaskett, also voiced her support, underlining the urgent need for continuous environmental cleanup efforts within the Virgin Islands. “The Tutu Wellfield’s longstanding contamination issues are well-known, and its selection for cleanup by the EPA is a commendable decision. This funding is a beacon of hope for the remediation of similar sites throughout our territory,” she stated.

The Tutu Wellfield, historically tainted by the industrial residues of textile and dry cleaning operations, has been an EPA focus since the establishment of a groundwater treatment facility in 2004. With the new $14 million allocation, the agency aims to significantly enhance the site’s cleanup operations.

This latest investment marks a significant phase in the $3.5 billion earmarked for Superfund cleanups under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with over $2 billion already distributed to more than 150 National Priorities List sites to date.

The EPA’s strategy for Superfund cleanups prioritizes environmental justice and equity, ensuring that a substantial portion of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds assist communities facing environmental justice concerns. This approach is in line with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which mandates that 40% of specific federal investment benefits support marginalized and pollution-impacted communities.

These investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are set to rejuvenate communities plagued by enduring pollution, highlighting the administration’s dedication to health, environmental justice, and economic revitalization. It also bolsters the Superfund program’s ability to tackle environmental hazards comprehensively, including initial investigations and community involvement in the cleanup efforts.

Established by Congress in 1980 via the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Superfund program allows the EPA to remediate contaminated sites and pursue responsible parties. In instances where responsible entities are absent or unable to pay for cleanups, the EPA utilizes funds appropriated by Congress, such as those from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to address the resulting health and environmental risks.

For additional details on the Superfund sites benefiting from these new cleanup initiatives or to explore the impact of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding over its initial two years, visit the EPA’s Superfund webpage and the Cleaning Up Superfund Sites: Highlights of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding site.