The Gold King Mine wastewater spill near silverton, colorado. The attorney general hoped to be here this morning, but unfortunately he couldnt attend and i would like to thank him for giving us the opportunity to hold this important hearing. Hearing from our first witness, the honorable scott tipton from colorados third district, i want to stress that the epa was invited to attend but was unable to send a representative. Instead they sent testimony, and we have their testimony before us, and i ask for consent it be entered into the record. With consent, it will be entered into the record. I also want to welcome to the committee senator bennett who will be joining us not as a member of the committee but as a member of the senate who will also be able to participate in this Committee Hearing, and hell be here shortly. So in the sinterest of time, i will withhold my comments until after officer tipton has given his statement. The area includes silverton, colorado but also north of silvert
To order for this mornings hearing which will examine the significant cost and burdens for Small Businesses resulting from the Gold King Mine wastewater spill near silverton, colorado. The attorney general hoped to be here this morning, but unfortunately he couldnt attend and i would like to thank him for giving us the opportunity to hold this important hearing. Hearing from our first witness, the honorable scott tipton from colorados third district, i want to stress that the epa was invited to attend but was unable to send a representative. Instead they sent testimony, and we have their testimony before us, and i ask for consent it be entered into the record. With consent, it will be entered into the record. I also want to welcome to the committee senator bennett who will be joining us not as a member of the committee but as a member of the senate who will also be able to participate in this Committee Hearing, and hell be here shortly. So in the sinterest of time, i will withhold my c
Gallons per minute. Then in september of 2005, it was up to 135 gallons per minute. 2006, it increased to 314 gallons per minute. 2009 to 2014, the rate dropped again all the way down to 13 gallons per minute. In september of 2014. And according to your staff gave our Committee Staff documentation on september 8th post blowout added discharge. It was approximately 600 gallons per minute. Is there any new data since september 8 that changes the 600 gallons per minute discharge rate . I think i have a slightly lower figure. But im happy to provide you with that, sir. I dont want to speak when i dont have all the data at my fingertips. Okay. You have come to testify and you dont know whether epa made it worse or better since september 8th . It is is something on the order of 550 gallons per minute, if thats what youre asking me. The problem is ill have a good demonstration. But when we are talking about raw sludge, the fact is before the blowout, the discharge rate was 70 gallons per minu
But was unable to send a ct, representative. Epa instead they submitted testimony and we have their testimony before us. Instead i ask it be entered into the record. And i also want to welcome to o. The committee senator bennett nd who will be here momentarily ano will be joining us not as a who member of the committee but as t member of the senate who will also be able to participate in this Committee Hearing. He will be here shortly. Mittee h in the interest of time, i wille withhold my Opening Statement the congressmans district tip includes silverton and north tet where the spill occurred. Mr. Tipton was elected to represent this area in november 2010. Orado wh congressman, your perspective i. Invaluable. We appreciate your service and look forward to your statement. Welcome, congressman tipton. He thank you, senator gardner. Extend my thanks to chairman vitter for convening todays my issues. When it comes to the impacts sse were going to be feeling in Southwestern Colorado but in
Understanding of their hometown economies and hear firsthand from their customers about why they visit the area. So planning governments judgment with their ontheground knowledge stands to hurt the economic harm already done to this area. We should see solutions to address these problems in the hands of the folks on the ground who have been working to solve these problems for years. The Good Samaritan approach i have been broaching, please be able to see both our senators from the state of colorado here who join with us in that concept of being able to address the problem and make sure were achieving a positive result, and i appreciate that support as one of the possible solutions as opposed to superfund designation. The animas river is a significant source of revenue in Southwestern Colorado and beyond, especially in the tourism season. This avoidable spill will have a significant impact, a longterm impact, and were working with state, local and federal officials to gather information