May 10th, 2005

As many as 27 families in the Klamath Falls area are to be temporarily relocated as steps being taken by federal officials. This is because the homes of the families are located on top of an asbestos burial site, in the North Ridge Estates subdivision. The residents have been requesting this action for some time, amidst fears that the burial site beneath them could result in contamination and health problems for residents. Studies had already shown that children playing in the dirt and disturbing the ground were at increased risk of breathing in asbestos fibers.

Around 85 people will be affected by the move, including a number of children. The move could cost up to $300,000. However, residents have stated that the developer of the land failed to disclose the existence of the asbestos burial site to them, and should this be the case, the Environmental Protection Agency plans to recharge the costs back to the developer.

Although it will be disruptive to their lives, residents are pleased that action is being taken to protect them. One resident stated, "It's the right move, but we should not be in this position. It shouldn't be the EPA having to do this. The developer should have stepped up a long time ago and said he would do all he could to get us out of here."

Arranging relocations of residents is an unusual and rare move for the EPA to make. As one official stated, "Relocation is a fairly uncommon thing for us to do. But we made this decision because of several factors, including our principal concern, which is to protect public health."