Members of Congress Question Navy Commitment to Transparency at Camp Lejeune

Senators and Representatives take the Marine Corps to task over dangerous water.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Five members of Congress today sent a bipartisan letter to the Department of the Navy questioning its commitment to transparency regarding Camp Lejeune’s contaminated drinking water. North Carolina delegation members U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) and Representative Brad Miller (D-NC), along with Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Representative John Dingell (D-MI) ask the Department of the Navy to immediately provide the public with accurate information.

“We would like to bring to your attention several issues that call into question DoN’s and USMC’s commitment to transparency and veracity in efforts to keep the public informed of ongoing developments related to Camp Lejeune’s historic contaminated drinking water,” the Members of Congress wrote to Department of the Navy Secretary Ray Mabus.

The Members wrote that they are concerned with the Marine Corps’ continued reliance on the 2009 National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council (NRC) report, which downplays the link between the contaminated water and adverse health affects. Yet, the NRC report did not assess the presence of benzene, a known carcinogen, in the water. Nonetheless, the Marines Corps continues to tell the public that benzene was evaluated.

“Given this clear mischaracterization by DoN and USMC regarding the content and conclusions of the 2009 NRC report in DoN and USMC correspondence and on DoN and USMC websites, we request that DoN and USMC immediately correct all official correspondence sent to the pubic and all information present on DoN and USMC websites where USMC states that benzene was assessed in the 2009 report, as well as issue a new letter to registrants referencing this correction.”

The full letter, available here, also calls on the Department of the Navy and U.S. Marine Corps – before releasing anything to the public – to coordinate with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the agency Congressionally-mandated tasked to finally provide answers to Marines and their families about health effects from the contaminated water. The lawmakers wrote that this continued lack of coordination was evident in the Marine Corps’ publication of the pamphlet “Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking Water: Questions and Answers,” which understates the potential hazards from the contaminated drinking water and misleads the public.

“We request that USMC immediately retract the booklet from its website,” the lawmakers wrote.

Burr, Hagan, Miller, Nelson and Dingell have been working for years across the aisle to help find answers for families who were formerly residents of Camp Lejeune. Burr, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, sponsored, and Hagan and Nelson cosponsored, the Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act. The bill would open access to VA health care for veterans and their family members who have developed health problems after being exposed to contaminated Camp Lejeune water. Miller sponsored and Dingell cosponsored the House version of the bill.

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Anonymous April 15, 2011 7:27 pm (Pacific time)

You know what? Maybe my rant wasnt so far off after all. Should not we find the root of the problem? I am a farmer, and I have to look at roots. So, if we keep exposing ALL the crud, maybe people will wake up and realize our government is bought and paid for by ...well, who they are bought and paid for is a novel, lets just say corporations/bankers for now. But maybe we should go for the root of the problem. In my opinion, it is the rothchild zionists, but it goes back further. As a farmer, I have to find the roots, not complain about every weed. I have to find where the weeds come from, why they are here etc. My rant exposed much, and maybe will wake people up to the overall picture..I think the editor was not correct in this arena putting me down. I still do apologize for not addressing this issue in a more pro manner tho.

Anonymous April 15, 2011 7:09 pm (Pacific time)

my apologies to editor. kinda. I do know this topic is important and I apologize for making it the lesser of the evils..but I do not apologize for what I wrote, because it is true.
i should have approached my comment in a different manner..sorry. Its hard working on being perfect in a world of insanity..

Editor: Well I sort of accept that. Seriously, it is all terrible and we should just pray for peace and do what we can to help, thanks.

John Hartung April 15, 2011 5:40 pm (Pacific time)

More information needs to come out. We have alot of Veterans and family with also the workers of the base that just don't know that they were affected by the water. Once they find out it's like a game to find out more. What door is it behind? Who do you contact? What do I do now? The list go on and on. I hope these actions helps a least one soul! John <a href="www.lifeaftercamplejeune.com"><b>lifeaftercamplejeune.com</b></a>

Editor: Thank you Brother John

April 15, 2011 5:14 pm (Pacific time)

And I forgot..lets not forget the flouride in the water, that the government now admits is hurting children. I, and hundreds of thousands talked about this many years ago..And the government is just now admitting it? Then they say..oops, we put too much in, so we will reduce it 50%..number one, they wont reduce anything, number two, even if they did reduce it, it is still a poison. The ADA is bought and paid for. etc. And how about vaccines?? Those of us who advocated against the vaccines are now getting attention. The World Health Organization, lied about the swine flu to sell us vaccines! Vaccines do not help! Our own immune system, vitamin D and other natural substances work. Vaccines are poison. Sorry, but I am watching life as we know it fade, while so many people sit back like sheep and wait for the slaughter. This could be fixed if people would freekin wake up.

Anonymous April 15, 2011 5:06 pm (Pacific time)

Get over it..the radiation from Japan is here also, hitting alaska, over canada, down thru the U.S. and they wont do a dang thing about it..But, they will strip search 8 year old boys at the airport, and allow minimum wage perverts in the TSA to stick their hands down peoples pants.

Editor: What in the hell are you talking about? This is about the health of Marines, figure out what story you are commenting on before you set your fingers free to spew.

And they dont care about the depleted uranium they are spreading across the world either..Now in Libya??? dear lord Jesus. These corporations, that own our government, and our president, are totally insane. Yes,..in, cotton picken sane. Insane! And we dont have ONE politician addressing these issues..Oh, and how about marijuana? no deaths, no problems, but it is illegal and people go to prison, while pharma anti-depressant are killing hundreds of thousands? Where the heck is any sense in this crud anymore? You know what? they beat most americans down. watch sports, american idol, get your food stamps to go to mc donalds etc. Man, we are in for a world of hurt.

Editor: Again, figure out what story you are talking about before you start ragging. You obviously aren't familiar with our content, we regularly cover the issues you reference, but don't slam on this story because it is important to a lot of people.

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