AP 5-20.2015
A missile site 20 miles east of Cheyenne is going to take 200 years and millions of taxpayer dollars to clean up.
The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports the Army Corps of Engineers has spent $16.2 million since 2003 in federal dollars to investigate and respond to trichloroethylene found at the former Air Force base-operated Atlas “D” Missile Site No. 3.
Trichloroethylene increases risk of liver damage and cancer when ingested. While there is no immediate threat to public health, the federal agency plans to take remediation bids this summer costing between $5 million and $10 million.
Lawmakers and environmentalists question the cost and success of the cleanup.
Project manager Jeff Skog called it a 200-year effort, and said concerns prompted the Army Corps to extend its public comment period to July 6 and tentatively schedule an open meeting for June 30.
