THE WARREN SENTINEL

By Dan M. Telvock

The Avtex Fiber Superfund Site in Front Royal is inching closer to receiving $7 million for fiscal 2001 that would be the final funds needed to erase the town’s aging eyesore and turn it into an environmental paradise.
U.S. Cong. Frank R. Wolf (R-VA-10) announced Wednesday, June 28, that the spending bill for energy and water programs for fiscal 2001 was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. The spending bill includes the $7 million that would be used by the Army Corps of Engineers for the clean-up of the site.
The Avtex Fibers site was shut down in 1989 due to environmental concerns--mainly pollution. Since then, the site was labeled as a Superfund site and it is slowly becoming a model for the nation.
The spending bill has two more hurdles to clear— it must pass through the House Senate conference and the bill will go to President Bill Clinton for either his signature or a veto.
“We just take it one step at a time,” said Wolf in an interview Thursday, June 29. “It’s the only way you can ever do it.”
The $7 million will aid in asbestos removal and building demolition for future re-use of the property. Wolf said the funds will be used to complete the environmental remediation project. Last year $6 million was issued by Congress for the Avtex site.
“I am pleased that funding for this important project has been included in the energy and water appropriations bill,” said Wolf.
Wolf serves on the House Appropriations Committee and worked hard at finding the funds for the”green project” at Avtex.
“This community has worked hard to recover from the Avtex shutdown and provide new businesses with an opportunity to use cleaned-up parcels of land.” he said.
Wolf couldn’t make a prediction on whether or not the spending bill would pass through the conference and if Clinton would sigh the bill, but he still felt the project was moving closer to completion.
“There really is no way of predicating because you’re dealing with a very human process,” explained Wolf. “It’s definitely moving closer and these are three very important steps. With this I think it’s an opportunity for a clean-up of Avtex which certainly stayed open for the interest of the United States government.”
Wolf said not only will the money be used to change the land into green parcels of beauty, the funds will also give Warren County and economic incentive.
“It will be an economic incentive for the people of the Valley. Particularly in Warren County,” he said. “But also from an environmental point of view, this is a very positive thing.”

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