Washington, DC – February 26, 2019….U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, along with Congressman Steve Womack (AR-03), are inquiring with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about the potential for federal assistance for extinguishing the Trafalgar Road fire in Bella Vista.

Boozman, Cotton and Womack sent a letter to EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler to obtain additional information on how the federal government can be of assistance as the state continues to address the issue.

“As we continue to learn more about the situation, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the state of Arkansas will require federal assistance to address the issue. We understand the law provides for a particular threshold of scientific data to trigger the EPA’s assistance on these types of environmental projects. It is the delegation’s intention to learn specifically what can be done at the federal level when the threshold is met so we can readily partner with the EPA to ensure funds and resources are swiftly dispatched to the state,” the letter reads.

Specifically, the letter asks the EPA to provide a precise threshold of scientific data that would trigger the EPA’s emergency response, provide any and all options from which the state may receive financial assistance and an air monitoring system that receives continuous information over an extended period of time for reliable and up-to-date data.

Boozman, Cotton and Womack thanked the EPA for the assistance provided so far and said they look forward to continuing a positive dialog with the agency on the issue.

“Arkansas’s congressional delegation along with the local and state officials acknowledge and appreciate this assistance as well as the technical assistance provided by the EPA Region 6 Office in Dallas, Texas. We look forward to continuing to work with EPA to help the state of Arkansas best address the Trafalgar Road fire,” they wrote. 

Read the letter in full here.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He serves as the Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Budget and is a member of the House Appropriations defense and transportation, housing and urban development subcommittees.

womack.house.gov

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