PORT ANGELES — The federal official credited with initiating the cleanup effort at the former Rayonier pulp mill could be stripped of his authority next week unless a federal court blocks the move.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Ombudsman Robert Martin and Government Accountability Project have sued in federal court to prevent Environmental Protection Administrator Christine Todd Whitman from dissolving the post of ombudsman.
The Government Accountability Project is non-profit public interest law firm specializing in whistleblower protection and the strengthening of First Amendment protections for federal employees.
Environmental Protection officials plan to move Martin’s files and dissolve his authority on Monday, according to Assistant Inspector General Gary L. Johnson.
The lawsuit seeks to prevent Whitman from dissolving Martin’s duties and transferring him to the Office of the Inspector General.
“It’s a real mess. This is a move to stop Martin, no doubt about it,” said Darlene Schanfald, a Port Angeles resident who was instrumental in getting Environmental Protection to designate the former Rayonier mill location as a Superfund site.
Responsibility for cleanup since has been turned over to the state Department of Ecology.
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