Bunker Hill Watchdog Coalition Gets Grant

The Peoples Action Coalition has been promoting community involvement in the public health issues surrounding the cleanup of the Bunker Hill Superfund site.

The Environmental Protection Agency says it has given the coalition a $50,000 grant to provide technical assistance.

“Local communities play a key role in the Superfund cleanup process,” said EPA Regional Administrator Chuck Clarke.

“Technical assistance grants help groups keep residents informed and involved as active partners in these cleanups.”

The site of the old Bunker Hill mine and smelter is contaminated from a century of lead, silver and zinc mining.

EPA said the coalition and other local community groups long have been involved at the Superfund site. Area residents have been concerned about the environmental impact of mining and smelting.

The federal grant requires a $12,720 match or in-kind contributions. It will be used by the coalition to hire a technical adviser to interpret complex scientific data and help the coalition evaluate and comment on proposed cleanup projects. , DataTimes