NORTHERN VIRGINIA DAILY

Article Date: July 19, 2003

House approves Avtex demolition money

New funding would complete project

By: Teresa Dunham

The full House of Representatives gave its seal of approval Friday for an additional $5 million in federal funding, included in the FY 2004, Energy and Water appropriations bill, to finish the demolition of buildings at the Avtex Superfund site.

This makes a grand total of $11 million federal funding when added to the $6 million included in the FY 2004 Defense appropriations bill that was approved last week.  The measure now moved to the Senate for further action.

Rep. Frank Wold, R-10th, said that he is pleased to see the necessary funding to complete the job is working its way through Congress.

“The cost of the demolition of this eyesore has proved much more expensive than anyone ever thought,” said Wolf.  It would be unacceptable to leave this project half finished, he stressed.

“This is excellent news,” said Stephen A. Heavener, executive director of the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority.  The EDA is helping to oversee cleanup efforts along with FMC Corp., the responsible party.

“We are very fortunate to have Frank Wolf’s leadership in the House,” said Heavener.

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

“This is a 200- million- dollar project involving environmental cleanup, demolition and redevelopment,” said Heavener.

A soccer complex and conservancy park could someday replace the abandoned asbestos-ridden buildings, but it will take time.

“It’s a 20-year project,” he said.  “It’s the largest redevelopment project ever undertaken in Front Royal.”

The Senate has to approve the bill and President Bush must sign it in order for it to take effect, but Heavener remains optimistic.

“It’s pretty likely that the bill will pass in the senate,” he said.  “We’ve had strong support in the past from Senator [John] Warner [R-Va], and I believe that will continue.”

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.