JEFFERSON CITY —Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will update signage around Coldwater Creek, an area contaminated by toxic waste that has endangered Missourians for decades.
The Corps has confirmed that new signs will be installed in November, a response to Bailey's push for increased safety measures in the area.
"This is a huge step forward for Missourians who have been poisoned by their own government," Bailey said in a provided statement. "Now, Congress must follow Senator Hawley’s lead and pass his RECA legislation to compensate victims of radiation poisoning. My office will continue to work with Senator Hawley and other partners to ensure the safety of all Missourians near Coldwater Creek."
The contamination stems from excess uranium dumped near the creek during World War II as part of the United States' atomic bomb program.
Both barrels of uranium waste and loose material were discarded near the waterway, and officials knew that the waste could potentially leak from the deteriorating containers into the creek.
For decades, local residents have been exposed to dangerous toxins, which can lead to serious health risks, including death.
Despite the known risks, the signage around Coldwater Creek has been criticized for not adequately warning the public about the contamination.
Bailey took action, calling for the federal government to update the signs to meet legal requirements and properly inform the community of the dangers.
In their response to Bailey’s demands, the Army Corps of Engineers noted that they had "coordinated closely with the elected officials and concerned citizens of the communities that are impacted by the residual contamination in North St. Louis County."
This collaboration was crucial in shaping the proposed signage, they said, which aims to "meet the community’s needs and provide the highest level of transparency and protection balanced with existing regulations."
The new signs, according to the Corps, will ensure that residents are properly informed about the contamination and potential health risks.
U.S. Army Col. Andy J. Pannier replied to Bailey's letter, informing him that the Corps was working on the signage.
"We anticipate we will begin placing new signs in November," Pannier wrote in the letter. "Because the federal government owns none of the properties with contaminated soil, USACE will request landowner permission to place signs on/adjacent to the contaminated area."
Pannier said a sign can't be placed on that property if a landowner does not grant permission.
Pannier noted that the signs would be temporary and would be removed once remediation of the contaminated soil began and once the property was cleared, there would be no lasting notice on-site.
Bailey has also expressed his support for federal legislation proposed by U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, which would provide compensation to victims of radiation poisoning through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).
Bailey has also requested documents from the Department of Energy, urging the Biden-Harris administration to take further action on the Coldwater Creek contamination.
As the installation of new signs approaches, Bailey's office continues to push for greater accountability and safety measures to protect the affected communities.