THE WARREN SENTINEL

Article Date: July 10, 2003

Congress appropriates $11 million to finish cleanup at Avtex

From press release

The U.S. House of Representatives took steps on Tuesday to set aside $11 million to continue the cleanup of the Avtex Fibers facility in Front Royal, according to U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA).

The additional funding for the Superfund site is coming from two separate sources: $6 million is included in the FY 2004 Defense appropriations bill, which was approved by the full House on Tuesday evening; another $5 million is included in the FY 2004 Energy and Water appropriations bill that was approved by a House subcommittee earlier on Tuesday and is expected to come before the full House later this month.

The Water Resources Development Act which will provide the authorization to spend the additional funds is expected to move through the House by the end of the year, Wolf said.

“While the Army Corps of Engineers, working in conjunction with the Front Royal/Warren County Economic Development Authority, and the FMC Corporation have made great strides in cleaning up the site, the demolition of the buildings and the asbestos removal have cost more than originally expected,” said Wolf, who worked to get the additional funding included in the two appropriations bills.  “This additional money will allow this phase of the project to be completed.”

To date, more than $12 million in federal funds have been made available to clean up the site, which manufactured rayon for U.S. defense and space programs from 1940 until it closed in 1989.