Meade environmental hazards shrouded in secrecy

Area political leaders and environmentalists are challenging apparent delays and secrecy surrounding the cleanup of dangerous chemicals at Fort George G. Meade that one federal agency claims pose "an imminent" threat to surrounding communities.

Concerns that the Department of Defense has failed to remove hazardous waste at Fort Meade quickly enough has ignited a political firestorm in Congress and drawn criticism from county government.

"I'm dismayed that the Department of Defense, which is the nation's largest polluter, is resisting orders from the (Environmental Protection Agency) to clean up Fort...