David Weindorf, an associate dean for research and the B.L. Allen Endowed Chair of Pedology in the Department of Plaint and Soil Sciences at Texas Tech University, testified today (Sept. 16) before the Senate Committee in Washington, D.C. on Indian Affairs oversight hearing regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's Gold King Mine Disaster.

On Aug. 5, an EPA subcontractor accidentally released 3 million gallons of toxic waste into the Animus River at the Gold King Mine near Durango, Colorado. The spill had an impact on the Southern Ute Tribe and Navajo Nation as the waste moved into the San Juan River.

Weindorf was one of several experts to testify before the committee, including EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Russell Begaye, president of the Navajo Nation and James Olguin, tribal council member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.

VIDEO: http://www.indian.senate.gov/hearing/oversight-hearing-epas-gold-king-mine-disaster-examining-harmful-impacts-indian-country His testimony can be found at time stamps: 2:03, 2:30, and 2:39.

CONTACT: Eric Hequet, Department Chair, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2838 or eric.hequet@ttu.edu

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