JBK-Environmental: August 2019

Friday, August 30, 2019

Delek Companies to Enhance Environmental Protections to Settle U.S. and Arkansas Claims for Magnolia, Arkansas, Oil Spill

Media contacts: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbard, R6Press@epa.gov or 214 665-2200

Magnolia, Ark. – (Aug. 30, 2019) Today, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Delek Logistics Operating, LLC, Delek Logistics Partners, LP, and SALA Gathering Systems, LLC (Delek) to resolve alleged violations relating to a 2013 oil spill from Delek’s oil storage and transfer station in Magnolia. Under the settlement, Delek will enhance environmental protections at its Magnolia facility and pay $2,255,460 in civil penalties.

In a complaint filed jointly with co-plaintiff the State of Arkansas, the EPA asserted claims under the Clean Water Act arising from Delek’s failure to properly operate and maintain the Magnolia facility, and for the resulting oil spill. Arkansas asserted similar claims, as well as claims related to Delek’s failure to properly manifest, transport, and dispose of hazardous wastes. According to the complaint, the oil spill occurred on March 8, 2013, and impacted approximately 3.5 miles of a creek and Little Cornie Bayou. The waters of Little Cornie Bayou eventually flow into the Ouachita River. As alleged in the complaint, pipeline corrosion and improperly maintained facilities were contributory causes of the oil spill.

“Oil spills can cause serious damage to the environment and local economies,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Susan Bodine. “Today’s settlement shows that EPA will hold companies responsible if they fail to take the necessary steps to prevent spills.”

“EPA knows how important Arkansas’s creeks and rivers are to the people of Arkansas,” said Region 6 Administrator Ken McQueen. “That’s why we worked closely with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to address the oil spill violations and ensure that any areas damaged by the spill are restored.”

To resolve the governments’ claims, Delek will enhance environmental protections at the Magnolia facility and will pay civil penalties to the United States and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). Under a proposed consent decree lodged today in federal court, Delek will test the water quality and the soil in areas impacted by the spill and will perform a remedial action if testing indicates a potentially unacceptable human health or ecological risk. Delek will also conduct spill response training and establish caches of spill response materials at the Magnolia facility and near Delek’s refinery in El Dorado. Finally, Delek will pay to the United States $1,705,460 in federal civil penalties for the Clean Water Act violations and pay to ADEQ $550,000 for civil penalties under state law.

The penalty paid to the United States will be deposited in the federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund managed by the National Pollution Funds Center. Those funds will be available to pay for federal response activities and to compensate for damages when there is a discharge, or substantial threat of discharge, of oil or hazardous substances to waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines.

The proposed consent decree lodged with the court today is subject to a 30-day public comment period, as well as court review and approval. A copy of the consent decree is available on EPA’s website at https://www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decree/us-and-state-arkansas-v-delek-logistics-operating-and-sala-gathering-systems-llc.
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Connect with EPA Region 6:
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6
About EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central
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EPA Awards $115,000 to Kaw Nation for Environmental Programs

EPA Awards $115,000 to Kaw Nation for Environmental Programs

Aug 30 at 12:30 PM

Media contacts: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbard, R6Press@epa.gov or 214 665-2200

DALLAS – (Aug. 30, 2019) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded $115,000 to the Kaw Nation in Oklahoma as part of the General Assistance Program (GAP). The Nation will use the funds to administer their environmental program and assist in the development of multimedia programs to address environmental issues, including illegal dumping. The Nation’s GAP program protects people’s health by safeguarding the environment through awareness and environmental program development.

“Tribal communities benefit when we provide grants that put the decision-making in their hands,” said Regional Administrator Ken McQueen. “We are proud to continue supporting the Kaw Nation in their important work of carrying out environmental programs for their members and their lands.”

The grant will provide support for the Kaw Nation Environmental Department to build capacity to administer environmental regulatory programs on the Nation’s lands. The department will work to train employees, update software and improve management processes, and prepare grant proposals, among other activities. EPA awarded the Nation another GAP grant of $232,681 earlier this fiscal year, bringing the total amount to $347,681.

Background

In 1992, Congress passed the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act which authorizes EPA to provide GAP grants to federally-recognized tribes and tribal groups for planning, developing, and establishing environmental protection programs in Indian country, as well as for developing and implementing solid and hazardous waste programs on tribal lands. GAP grants also support activities such as attending environmentally related training and conducting community outreach.

To learn more about EPA’s General Assistance Program (GAP) visit:

https://www.epa.gov/tribal/indian-environmental-general-assistance-program-gap

Connect with EPA Region 6:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6

About EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central

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Thursday, August 29, 2019

Ants Build a New Home | Natural World: Ant Attack | BBC Earth

#animals #insects #ants

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Wolves Save Their Grandmother From Starving | BBC Earth

#Animals #Mammals #Canine #Wolf #Wolves #Nature #Wildlife

Black-bellied Whistling-duck

Originally posted on another platform by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region.

On the search for a new bird? You might spot a black-bellied whistling-duck at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri! Over the past 5 years, summer sightings are becoming more common.

Photo: Black-bellied whistling-duck perched on a fence post by USFWS.

#animal #bird #fowl #duck #nature #wildlife

North American River Otter

Originally posted on another platform by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region.

Today’s Trivia Tuesday might be a tough one! The North American river otter is a skilled swimmer. It has webbed feet, a strong tail, flexible body, and water repellent fur that allows it to swim so effectively. Around how long can it hold its breath underwater?

A. 11 minutes
B. 8 minutes
C. 3 minutes
D. 15 minutes

Photo: North American river otter at Seedskadee and Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuges by Tom Koerner/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

#animal #mammal #RiverOtter #nature #wildlife

Giant Blazingstar (𝑀𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑧𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑎 𝑙𝑎𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑠)

Photo taken from post on another platform by Klamath Basin Refuges.

Giant Blazingstar (𝑀𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑧𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑎 𝑙𝑎𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑠) on top of Sheepy Ridge Trail.

Photo Credit/USFWS Staff

#Plant #Wildflower #California #CA #USFWS

Marsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata)

Originally posted on another platform by Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.

Marsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata) is one of the more attractive plants of low, damp areas. It's foliage is rather sticky and strong-scented. It is now in bloom at Quivira.

#Plant #Wildflower #Kansas #KS

Monday, August 26, 2019

Running Buffalo Clover Brought Back from Near Extinction