BRUNSWICK, Maine — All four members of Maine’s congressional delegation signed a letter Monday to Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, demanding answers over the Navy’s involvement in efforts to clean up the largest toxic spill of firefighting foam in state history.
According to documents from Former Naval Air Station Brunswick Restoration Advisory Board, the Navy had plans for this month to remove the stored foam containing the harmful AFFF chemical from Hangar 4, which it owns.
Now the delegation is requesting the Navy’s help after the spill.
"We ask for your commitment to coordinating with federal, state, and local partners in providing assistance as the cleanup continues," the letter reads.
They also demanded a "briefing on the Navy’s involvement in these efforts."
David Bennett, a civilian representative from the Navy, responded by email Tuesday to a request for comment and said the cleanup falls on the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, which manages Brunswick Landing.
"Pursuant to the Lease in Furtherance of Conveyance (LIFOC), MRRA is responsible for the cleanup of the discharged AFFF. The Navy has leased the property to MRRA in December 2013. The Navy is in continual communication with MRRA to monitor the situation," Bennett said in a statement.
This comes as residents of Brunswick Landing, including the airport, continue to call for greater transparency from the Navy and MRRA.
In response to a Portland Press Herald article that revealed inspectors raised serious concerns about the integrity of the fire suppression system in the hangar that would later malfunction, local elected leaders have called for MRRA’s Executive Director Kristine Logan to step down.
At a Brunswick Town Council meeting Monday, councilors reiterated the need to overhaul MRRA's leadership.
"There needs to be greater accountability," council member Jennifer Hicks said Monday.
Outside of the halls of government, many Brunswick residents remain worried about the health impacts of the spill and frustrated at a perceived lack of transparency.
"I feel really uncomfortable, and I feel nervous about the earth, the soil, the water, the air," said Jule Gordon, whose 8-year-old son was attending a birthday party near the hangar on Monday. "He wants to play in the little streams that go around here catching frogs, and now I’m teaching him about foam."
Down the street, Emily Holland shared a similar feeling while playing with her daughter at a playground at Brunswick Landing.
"You’re looking out for someone other than yourself," she said. "There just hasn’t been a lot of information, it feels like."
The executive director of MRRA and did not respond to NEWS CENTER Maine’s request for comment on Monday.
Editor's note: The response to the request for comment from Navy officials was received after the story was aired on television.