Congresswoman Ann Wagner, Bridgeton Mayor Terry Briggs Call for Public Meeting to Explain Delays at West Lake Landfill

Washington, D.C – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the House Suburban Caucus, today with Bridgeton Mayor Terry Briggs called on the EPA to hold a public meeting about West Lake Landfill to explain delays and provide a clear timeline to clean up the site.

An excerpt from the letter to the EPA is below:

"Since my first day in Congress, I have worked on this issue with the community, as has Bridgeton Mayor Terry Briggs since he became mayor seven years ago. We've pounded our fists on tables in frustration, demanded answers and accountability and most importantly – we've never given up the fight. Years of delays, inaction and broken promises by EPA gave way to the signing of a Record of Decision in 2018 under the previous administration. Now 3.5 years later, the cleanup of the site is yet to begin.

"Your inaction is stopping historic progress that I and many others fought hard to achieve. My constituents and the entire St. Louis region have waited decades for the EPA to remediate this site, while living with both uncertainty and fear. This is simply unacceptable."

February 28, 2022

Meg McCollister
EPA Region 7 Administrator
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219

Administrator McCollister,

Congratulations on your appointment as EPA Region 7 Administrator. I write to you today regarding the much reported delays at the West Lake Landfill site. I strongly urge you and your team to hold a public meeting in Bridgeton, Missouri to explain delays at the West Lake Landfill and provide a clear timeline to clean up the site.

Just Moms, Dawn Chapman and Karen Nickel, recently traveled to EPA Region 7 offices to meet with you, and they inform me you did not provide a detailed timeline for completion of the cleanup of the West Lake Landfill. These advocates, and the community impacted by the landfill, deserve more from EPA.

Since my first day in Congress, I have worked on this issue with the community. We've pounded our fists on tables in frustration, demanded answers and accountability and most importantly – we've never given up the fight. Years of delays, inaction and broken promises by EPA gave way to the signing of a Record of Decision in 2018 under the previous administration. Now 3.5 years later, the cleanup of the site is yet to begin.

Your inaction is stopping historic progress that I and many others fought hard to achieve. My constituents and the entire St. Louis region have waited decades for the EPA to remediate this site, while living with both uncertainty and fear. This is simply unacceptable.

Please respond to this letter no later than next Friday, March 4, 2022, and please make arrangements to travel to Bridgeton, Missouri for a public meeting by March 31, 2022.

Sincerely,

Ann Wagner Terry Briggs

Member of Congress Mayor of Bridgeton