U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, on March 17 to discuss radioactive waste cleanup efforts at the West Lake Landfill Superfund Site and engage with community members impacted by the site’s contamination.
Zeldin was joined by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) for a roundtable discussion with local residents and advocates, focusing on ongoing cleanup efforts at West Lake Landfill, which has been a priority Superfund site since it was added to the National Priorities List in 1990.
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“The St. Louis community has been dealing with the effects of West Lake Landfill for decades, and hearing directly from those most impacted will help this administration align EPA priorities to continue to help them,” Zeldin said. “I want to thank Senator Hawley for putting together the roundtable and continuing to be a strong advocate for his constituents. When I was going through my confirmation process, I promised Senator Hawley that EPA will enthusiastically recommit to the urgent need of cleaning up West Lake.”
Following the discussion, Zeldin and Hawley toured the West Lake Landfill Superfund Site and Coldwater Creek, another contaminated area where EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are actively conducting cleanup efforts.
Senator Josh Hawley emphasized the government’s responsibility in addressing the long-standing environmental and health concerns associated with these sites:
“The government caused this mess. The government lied about it. Now the government needs to clean it up. And the government must also compensate Missourians who have been poisoned for decades by radioactive waste,” said Hawley. “I’m grateful Administrator Zeldin heard victims’ testimonies firsthand and has promised to take action.”
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Zeldin Recognizes National Agriculture Day in Missouri
The following day, March 18, Zeldin traveled to Chesterfield, Missouri, where he met with local farmers and agricultural leaders at Stemme Farms to celebrate National Agriculture Day.
The Missouri Farm Bureau hosted a roundtable discussion, attended by local farmers, elected officials, and Farm Bureau leadership, covering issues such as:
- Water regulations
- Crop protection and pesticides
- Biofuels and agricultural innovation
Following the discussion, Zeldin toured Stemme Farms, where he underscored the EPA’s commitment to reducing regulatory burdens on farmers.
“There is no better place to celebrate National Agriculture Day than with American farmers,” Zeldin said. “Our farmers are facing hardships with overregulation from the previous administration, and EPA is working rapidly to unburden all Americans.”
Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins praised Zeldin’s engagement with local farmers, stating:
“We were pleased to host EPA Administrator Zeldin on National Ag Day right here in the Show-Me State so he could hear firsthand about agricultural issues impacting our farmers,” Hawkins said. “Waters of the U.S., crop protection, and biofuels are topics that hit at the heart of our industry. It’s of tremendous value to our members that our voices are included in the conversations that are happening steering federal policy.”
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Zeldin’s visit highlighted the administration’s focus on environmental cleanup efforts and agriculture-friendly policies. His commitment to accelerating the cleanup of contaminated sites in St. Louis and reducing regulatory challenges for farmers aligns with the Trump administration’s broader push for deregulation and economic growth.
With Senator Hawley advocating for stronger government accountability in addressing radioactive waste contamination and Missouri farmers voicing concerns about federal regulations, the EPA’s role in balancing environmental responsibility with economic growth remains a key topic in the state.
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