Senators Shaheen, Hassan Call on President Trump to Step Up Disaster Relief Efforts for Puerto Rican Islands of Vieques and Culebra

Senators Urge White House Not to Neglect the Islands and to Carefully Monitor the Vieques Superfund Site 

WASHINGTON –Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan today joined their colleagues in calling on President Trump to step up disaster recovery efforts on the Puerto Rican islands of Vieques and Culebra after the islands were devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. 

Citing in their letter the remoteness of the islands and reports that residents have been "without running water, power, gasoline or communications for more than a week," the senators wrote to President Trump to request that sufficient aid and relief personnel be sent to the islands as soon as possible.

"The residents of Vieques and Culebra are U.S. citizens, and no fellow citizen should be left clamoring for help,'" the senators wrote.  "They need help now, and we urge that you provide them with sufficient aid and assistance without further delay."

The Senators also expressed concern about the superfund site on Vieques and the potential health risks posed by the heavy metals and toxic chemicals left on the island after decades of military exercises by the U.S. Navy.  "We share the concern of residents that the hazardous waste may further contaminate the island and water supplies, and ultimately threaten the health of local residents," the senators wrote.  "Additionally, the superfund site contains unexploded bombs and live ammunition that could be washed into the sea, posing long-term health and safety risks."

The full text of the letter can be found here.