Birmingham, AL (WIAT) Now that the Federal Superfund program is here, just how far and wide will testing and clean up go, beyond the three North Birmingham communities? Federal, State, County, and city officials tackled those and other questions today as they filled community members in on what exactly Superfund means. CBS 42 was there exclusively to cover this private meeting.

Just before Christmas, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency declared part of North Birmingham a Superfund site.  Until now, negotiations between the EPA and Walter Coke industry in North Birmingham have lead to the clean up of contaminated soil at less than two dozen homes and schools. Residents have argued loudly for months that they want more testing. Superfund officials tell us they will now do more testing of soil, air and water.  

Today's private meeting was an opportunity for federal officials to inform community leaders as to how the Superfund program would begin taking over.  Residents listened for two hours as Representatives of the EPA, ADEM, and JCDH, updated them on progress. This was a preliminary meeting which will lead to a larger community meeting expected to release yet more details of the Superfund program.  The larger community meeting is expected to happen, late January.

Behind closed doors in the halls of the Oak Street Baptist Church in Collegeville, neighborhood leaders were hearing news that could change their lives.  Collegeville Neighborhood president Vivian Starks says it's about time, "Now I see that we will not be the forgotten community.  Something will happen."  Birmingham City Councilor Maxine Parker says, "over the last year, we've been sorting through the problems that we have been experiencing here in the North Birmingham community.  As a result of that effort, the community always drives me, so that gives me the energy to push forward for them."

We will continue to follow this story and will bring you news of upcoming meetings and details of testing and clean up as they become available.