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Environment Ministry challenged to release reports on cave pollution

Shadow Environment Minister Cole Simons is asking the Environment Minister to make public the report on the tests done on the contaminants in Bassett?s Cave.

Mr. Simons responded to the recent announcement by Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield that oil in Bassett?s Cave at the former US Naval Annex was not leaking into the area?s fresh water lens.

?Present the report done by Dr. (Kent) Simmons to the public so the public will be reassured with the containment of the contaminants,? Mr. Simons said.

There are currently 12 monitoring wells at the cave and a month ago Dr. Simmons of Bermuda Water Consultants tested the cave.

In an article in , Ms Butterfield said the monitoring evidence showed that any contaminants were being contained within the cave.

The Environment Ministry regulates the clean-up to assure that it is done according to acceptable environmental standards.

Even though the clean-up has been delayed, the situation is not getting worse, said Ms Butterfield.

But Mr. Simons said the focus shouldn?t just be contained to Bassett?s Cave but the complex as a whole.

He said there are several jet fuel tanks buried underground that have been leaking.

?Give us the information so that the public will be confident in the study,? he said. ?Particularly the people in the area and especially the people who want to develop the area and will have to deal with the damage.?

He added: ?They refuse to address the issue of the fuel tanks but people need to see the same evidence that the oil is being contained.?

The clean-up of the former baselands falls under the Ministry of Works and Engineering and the Bermuda Land Development Company.