Washington, Feb 28, 2008 -

 LAMBORN INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO PROTECT 
CITIZENS OF LEADVILLE
Lamborn and Udall announce new legislation to immediately address the LMDT situation

Today, Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) together with Congressman Mark Udall (CO-02) announced new legislation, H.R. 5511 the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Remediation Act of 2008, which addresses the problems associated with the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel (LMDT).

"Congressman Udall and I have worked together to draft legislation that will move the Bureau of Reclamation to prevent a tunnel failure by providing the direction necessary for the Bureau of Reclamation to act immediately and appropriately to relieve the water pressure in the LMDT and repair the collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville. I have been working diligently with local leaders to pursue all options to prevent a blowout in the LMDT, to stop toxic seepage, and to reduce the water backup. This legislation will force the Bureau of Reclamation to take proper responsibility, and it will ensure the immediate and long-term concerns are properly addressed." Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

Congressman Lamborn has taken a number of steps to address the LMDT situation in order to prevent a human and ecological catastrophe. He has met with local leaders and with federal agencies, including the Bureau of Reclamation and the Environmental Protection Agency, has petitioned President Bush, and now, has introduced legislation to formulate short-term and long-term solutions to the LMDT situation while addressing the environmental concerns associated with the contaminated water in the LMDT.

“I will work with Rep. Lamborn on winning approval of this bipartisan legislation. This problem of the tunnel’s physical blockage has been made worse because there’s been a legal blockage that’s resulted in the Bureau of Reclamation, EPA and the State of Colorado being unable to reach an agreement on a long-term solution. The bill aims to resolve that so the agencies will stop pointing fingers and get this work done.”  – Congressman Mark Udall (CO-02)

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