Lieutenant Governor Ohs To Join US Department of Labor
Representatives in Libby

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2001
Contact: Mike Foster
406-444-5523

(Helena)-In an ongoing effort to gain the fullest understanding possible regarding Libby’s potential for a Superfund designation, Lieutenant Governor Karl Ohs will be traveling to Libby on October 4 with representatives of the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Mine Safety and Health Administration (NMSHA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

“The National Mine Safety and Health Administration works to ensure safety in operating mines,” said Lieutenant Governor Ohs. “We have a great opportunity in touring the mine site with to help OSHA and NMSHA gain an understanding regarding operational concerns with the former mine.”

Lieutenant Governor Ohs, NMSHA and OSHA representatives and Acting State Labor Commissioner Wendy Keating will tour the mine and visit with local area residents and former mine workers about safety and health concerns in the area.

“The health of the people of Libby is our number one concern,” said Lieutenant Governor Ohs. “We will utilize every opportunity to visit with the residents of Libby and understand steps that were taken in the past and during the mine’s active operation to bring us to where we are today. These visits help us to address both the National Priorities Listing and the health issues that are associated with the vermiculite mine.”

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