Speeches

Welcoming Comments of Governor Judy Martz
EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman's - Tour of Libby Montana
September 7, 2001

I'm pleased to have this opportunity to welcome our EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman to Libby, and especially, to thank her for focusing her interest in the people of this community.

I also thank Congressman Rehberg, who helped arrange this visit, and to Senator Burns and Senator Baucus who have also been instrumental in Administrator Whitman's attendance here today.

Traveling with me today are two members of my cabinet, Jan Sensibaugh, Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, and Gail Gray, Director of Public Health and Human Services. Also here today is Todd O'Hair, my natural resources policy advisor.

I want all of the members of this community to know that each of us is deeply committed to doing what is right for Libby. The tragedy that has struck in this small rural community is a tragedy with faces. It is a very human disaster.

Administrator Whitman has joined us in coming to Libby today to hear your concerns, your fears, your thoughts and your solutions to the problems we face here.

I believe that no one can visit this community and leave unchanged. Administrator Whitman's visit today clearly illustrates her commitment to finding meaningful solutions for this community.

Administrator Whitman, I guarantee the stories you will hear today from the people of Libby will touch your heart and help you to understand the magnitude of this tragedy. The people of Libby should not be treated as a political football, and we should always remember the human consequences involved.

And the burden of doing what is right for the people of Libby falls on each one of us.

We have gathered here today with Administrator Whitman in a further effort to determine what is best for this town and the people who call it home.

I also want to take a few moments to explain to the people of Libby the process I am bound to follow in reaching a decision. Please be patient, because the process outlined by federal guidelines is not as short as some would like.

I know it's difficult to be patient when you or your loved ones may be suffering from medical problems or when you're concerned about the future of your town.

But please understand that this process is necessarily a rather lengthy one.

Let me explain the timetable I am facing so that we all know what to expect in the upcoming weeks.

I understand that in late October, the Environmental Protection Agency is expected to complete its structured evaluation of risks to human health as well as to the environment through a ranking system.

This score is the primary factor used to decide if a location with hazardous waste should be a Superfund site.

After the EPA's scoring of the risks at Libby, I have been informed that they'll send a letter to my office requesting that I support, oppose or remain neutral on the listing of Libby on the EPA's National Priorities List - which is synonymous with Superfund designation. I'll be allowed 30 days to respond with that decision.

In addition, the EPA's recommendation will be published in the U. S. Federal Register for a 60 day period for public comment. This will probably mean near the end of February.

I understand that a final decision will be made after the close of that 60-day comment period in the Federal Register. The full-scale process of clean-up will then begin.

I am confident, that by working together, we will be able to turn the corner so that everyone of you is once again comfortable in calling Libby your home.

Obviously, I can't reverse your exposure and the resulting health risks, but I can promise you that the best approach possible will be taken to eradicate this problem.

When I visited here last month, you treated me with tremendous kindness and respect, despite the emotions you're wrestling with. And I greatly appreciate that.

The frank and open comments you shared with me have had a profound impact on my life and on my role as Governor of this great state.

I know that it's difficult for many of you to talk about this once again publicly, but I ask that you share with the EPA Administrator those same frank and informative comments that you shared with me.

Thanks again to the people of Libby. And thanks again to our EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman, for your commitment to this special part of Montana.

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