EPA Awards Over $1.1 Million to Assist In Restoration of Coastal Habitats

Press release:

EPA Awards Over $1.1 Million to Assist In Restoration of Coastal Habitats

(DALLAS – August 31, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium and the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program $597,333 each to assist in the restoration of disappearing coastal habitats along the U.S. Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Texas.

The National Estuary Program (NEP) was established by the federal Clean Water Act to protect and restore water quality and ecological integrity of estuaries. The Clean Water Act requires each National Estuaries Program to develop and implement a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) to address water quality, habitat, and living resources challenges within the estuary watershed.

Currently 28 estuaries along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts and in Puerto Rico are under the NEP. Each estuary’s program focuses its work within a particular place or boundary which includes the estuary and surrounding watersheds.

The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium will use the funds to implement the CCMP outlined in the Barataria-Terrebone National Estuaries Program annual work plan. The Barataria-Terrebonne estuarine complex encompasses 4.2 million acres of wetlands, ridges, forests, farmlands and communities between the Mississippi and Atchafalaya River Basins in southeast Louisiana.

The Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program is dedicated to restoring and protecting the bays and estuaries of the Texas Coastal Bend. The mission of the Coastal Bend Bays work plan is to protect and restore the health and productivity of the bays and estuaries while supporting continued economic growth and public use of the bays. This 515 square-mile area of water includes all bays, estuaries and bayous in the Copano, Aransas, Corpus Christi, Nueces, Baffin and upper Laguna Madre Bay systems.

An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water along the coast where freshwater from rivers and streams meets and mixes with salt water from the ocean. Although influenced by the tides, they are protected from the full force of ocean waves, winds and storms by such land forms as barrier islands or peninsulas.

Estuaries are among the most productive areas on earth, creating more organic matter each year than comparably sized areas of forest, grassland, or agricultural land. The tidal, sheltered waters of estuaries also support unique communities of plants and animals especially adapted for life at the margin of the sea.

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

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EPA Awards $25,000 to Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, Inc. to Help Protect and Restore the Basin’s Wetlands and Waterways

Press release:

EPA Awards $25,000 to Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, Inc.

to Help Protect and Restore the Basin’s Wetlands and Waterways

(DALLAS – August 14, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, Inc. $25,000 to develop a stewardship program and conduct a large scale outreach campaign targeting communities with major populations that use the Basin for commercial fishing, sport fishing and other forms of recreation.

Through one on one meetings, presentations and training, the project will address environmental problems in the Basin including illegal cypress logging, wetlands loss, oil industry pollution, unauthorized wetland development, dredging and the dumping of litter into wetlands and waterways. Presentations will cover ecology, environmental services and the importance of south Louisiana’s wetlands.

The goal of the program is to develop an enhanced sense of pride and stewardship in the commercial fishing community and develop a network of people who use the Basin to identify and report activities that are potentially harmful to its environmental health and augment the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper’s efforts to protect and restore the Basin’s wetlands and waterways.

Additional Information on EPA grants is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/gandf/index.htm

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

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Three Utah facilities to pay penalties for Risk Management Program violations

Press release:

Three Utah facilities to pay penalties for Risk Management Program violations

Clean Air Act requirements designed to prevent accidental releases of hazardous chemicals

Contacts: David Cobb, 303-312-6592; Richard Mylott, 303-312-6654

(Denver, Colo. - Aug 6, 2012) Three facilities in Utah -- Utah Olympic Park (Park City), Duchesne Valley Water Treatment Plant (Duchesne), and Ashley Valley Water Treatment Plant (Vernal) -- have agreed to pay civil penalties and correct violations associated with the safe management and use of hazardous chemicals.

The penalties, collectively totaling $11,650 at all three sites, were assessed under the federal Clean Air Act which requires the development of Risk Management Programs for all public and private facilities that manufacture, process, use, store, or otherwise handle flammable and toxic chemicals such as chlorine and anhydrous ammonia.
"These requirements ensure that facilities have up-to-date procedures in place to prevent and respond to releases of toxic chemicals used on-site,” said Mike Gaydosh, EPA’s Enforcement Director in Denver. “Failure to comply with these requirements can leave the public and environment at risk from accidental releases."

By agreeing to the settlements, all three facilities have certified that they are now in compliance with federal Risk Management Program regulations. Utah Olympic Park will pay total penalties of $7,000. Duchesne Valley Water Treatment Plant will pay total penalties of $2,470. Ashley Valley Water Treatment Plant will pay total penalties of $2,180. Duchesne Valley and Ashley Valley are both owned and operated by the Central Utah Water Conservancy District.

EPA inspected the three facilities in 2011 and found various violations of Risk Management Program regulations designed to prevent accidental chemical releases and minimize the impact of releases or other accidents that may occur. The three Utah facilities are subject to these regulations because they store highly toxic chemicals above regulatory thresholds.

The establishment of effective risk management plans help companies, industries and municipalities operate responsibly, assist emergency responders by providing vital information necessary to address accidents and other incidents, protect the environment by preventing and minimizing damage from accidental releases, and keep communities safer.

For more information on the Clean Air Act and risk management requirements: http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/rmp/caa_faqs.htm

Colorado ethanol plant to pay $5,850 penalty for Risk Management Program violations

Press release:

Colorado ethanol plant to pay $5,850 penalty for Risk Management Program violations

Clean Air Act requirements designed to prevent accidental releases of toxic chemicals

Contacts: David Cobb, 303-312-6592; Richard Mylott, 303-312-6654

(Denver, Colo. - Aug 6, 2012) Yuma Ethanol, LLC has agreed to pay a $5,850 civil penalty and correct violations relating to the storage and use of toxic and flammable substances at its ethanol plant in Yuma, Colorado. An EPA inspection of the plant in October 2011 found the company had violated Risk Management Program regulations under the Clean Air Act. By agreeing to the settlement announced today, the company has certified that the facility is now in compliance with these regulations.
"These requirements ensure that facilities have up-to-date procedures in place to prevent and respond to releases of toxic chemicals used on-site,” said Mike Gaydosh, EPA’s Enforcement Director in Denver. “Failure to comply with these requirements can leave the public and environment at risk from accidental releases."

Under the Clean Air Act, the Yuma Ethanol facility was required to maintain a risk management plan because it exceeded the 10,000-pound storage threshold for anhydrous ammonia, an extremely hazardous chemical, and natural gasoline, a flammable substance used to denature ethanol. Yuma Ethanol was storing approximately 97,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia at the time of the EPA inspection.

This enforcement action will benefit the community, which includes minority and low-income areas. Minority populations comprise nearly half of the residents within a five-mile radius of the facility and 45 percent are below poverty level. Approximately 35 percent of the area’s population is Hispanic.

EPA enforces the Risk Management Program regulations of the Clean Air Act with the goal of preventing accidental chemical releases and minimizing the impact of releases or other accidents that may occur. The establishment of effective risk management plans helps companies, industries and municipalities operate responsibly, assists emergency responders by providing vital information necessary to address accidents and other incidents, protects the environment by preventing and minimizing damage from accidental releases, and keeps communities safer.

For more information on the Clean Air Act and risk management requirements: http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/rmp/caa_faqs.htm

Federal, State and Local Officials Celebrate Continuing Redevelopment of Downtown Oklahoma City

Press release:

Federal, State and Local Officials Celebrate Continuing Redevelopment

of Downtown Oklahoma City

(DALLAS – July 30, 2012) At the Oklahoma City Union Station this afternoon, the Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma Office of the Secretary of Environment, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Corporation Commission and Oklahoma City celebrated the continuing redevelopment of the Oklahoma City area through EPA’s Brownfields program.

The event highlighted the recent EPA Brownfields assessment grant of $350,000 to perform environmental site assessments at the future MAPS3 Downtown Public Park site. The land was once a prime location for commercial and industrial businesses such as auto repair shops and gas stations, salvage yards, dry cleaners, oil producers and processors, and battery manufacturers.

“Revitalizing former industrial and commercial sites is a smart way to keep our cities great places to live,” said EPA Acting Regional Administrator Sam Coleman. “EPA is committed to putting both people and property back to work and turning problem properties into community assets.”

The future Downtown Public Park consists of a 40-acre upper section and a 30-acre lower section connected by the Oklahoma City SkyDance pedestrian bridge that spans I-40. The park is within the boundaries of Hudson Avenue on the west, Robinson Avenue on the east, the future Oklahoma City Boulevard on the north and the Oklahoma River to the south.

“Oklahoma City’s Brownfields program has assisted in redevelopment of several key sites in Oklahoma City’s urban core.  We appreciate EPA’s funding support of the MAPS 3 Downtown Park and will continue to leverage these resources to improve the quality of life for our citizens,” Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said.

The project will be completed in three phases. The first phase of the upper section will include landscaping along the new Oklahoma City Boulevard and access to the new Oklahoma City SkyDance pedestrian bridge. The second phase of the upper section will include amenities related to the planned programming of the park and the lower section will be completed in the final phase.

“The accomplishments of the Brownfields Program are many in Oklahoma, and the Downtown Public Park will be another success. The funding made possible through the Brownfields program will go toward environmental assessments to determine the scope of work to clean up the property and prepare it to become an Oklahoma City attraction,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Environment Gary Sherrer.

“The mission of the Brownfields program is to revitalize derelict properties and return them to productive use. The Downtown Public Park is an excellent example of the work accomplished through the program. This effort illustrates government working for the people,” said DEQ Executive Director Steven A. Thompson.

The EPA Brownfields program has partnered with the ODEQ, the OCC, Oklahoma Energy Resources Board and the city to assess and remediate many key sites in Oklahoma City such as the Devon Energy site, the Skirvin, Dell Center, Bricktown Fire Station, American Indian Cultural Center, First National Building and Dowell Center.

The EPA’s Brownfields program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, clean up and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. In 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was passed to help states and communities around the country clean up and revitalize brownfields sites. Under this law, the EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through four competitive grant programs: Assessment grants, Revolving Loan Fund grants, Cleanup grants, and Job Training grants. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism.

More information on EPA’s brownfields program is available at http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

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EPA Awards $78,000 to the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe to Support Its Water Quality Program

Press release:

EPA Awards $78,000 to the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe

to Support Its Water Quality Program

(DALLAS – July 19, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma $78,000 to provide continued support for the tribe’s water pollution control program. The funds will be used to take water samples on tribal lands and compile data which may show changes over time to determine if a more thorough watershed management program is needed. Sampling data will determine whether water quality standards are being met, note any changes in the quality or condition of the tribe’s water and provide planning tools to improve the function and health of stream ecosystems.

The mission of the EPA is to protect public health and the environment. The EPA supports our nations’ tribes in all aspects of the work needed to improve the water quality of tribal land watersheds. This cooperative spirit supports work to protect water quality that ensures the health of watersheds that cross state and tribal boundaries.

Additional Information on EPA grants is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/gandf/index.htm

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

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EPA Awards $175,000 to the Cherokee Nation to Support Its Water Quality Program

Press release:

EPA Awards $175,000 to the Cherokee Nation

to Support Its Water Quality Program

(DALLAS – July 11, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma $175,000 to provide continued support for the Tribe’s water pollution control program. The funds will be used to take water samples to assess surface water quality on Tribal lands and compile data which may show changes over time and to determine if a more thorough watershed management program is needed. Sampling data will determine whether water quality standards are being met, note any changes in the quality or condition of the Cherokee Nation’s water and provide planning tools to improve the function and health of stream ecosystems.

The mission of the EPA is to protect public health. The EPA supports our nations’ tribes in all aspects of the work needed to improve the water quality of tribal land watersheds. This cooperative spirit supports work to protect water quality that ensures the health of watersheds that cross state and tribal boundaries.

Additional Information on EPA grants is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/gandf/index.htm

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

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EPA Region 7 Tribal Program Awards Grants to Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas for Water Quality, Response Program and General Assistance

News release:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7

901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations

EPA Region 7 Tribal Program Awards Grants to Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas for Water Quality, Response Program and General Assistance

Contact Information: Chris Whitley, 913-551-7394, whitley.christopher@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., July 9, 2012) - EPA Region 7’s Office of Tribal Affairs has awarded three grants to the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas to support its water quality, tribal response and general assistance programs for environmental protection and improvement.

The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, located near Horton, Kan., occupies approximately 30 square miles of reservation land in portions of Atchison, Brown and Jackson counties in northeast Kansas. The tribe has more than 1,600 enrolled members, approximately half of whom reside on the reservation.

A $257,106 grant to the tribe’s water quality program will support the monitoring of streams, a lagoon, ponds and groundwater wells; conduct a watershed assessment, evaluate the tribe’s monitoring strategy; prepare an assessment report; train a water quality coordinator and water quality technician; and organize workshops and outreach seminars.

A $100,000 grant will allow the tribe to begin the process of establishing a formal tribal response program to address contaminated sites on the reservation with the goal of returning them to beneficial reuse.

A $13,300 grant to the tribe’s general assistance program will address solid waste dumping, environmental outreach and education, and environmental and financial management.

EPA provides financial assistance to states and tribes to help them implement environmental programs. States and tribes may receive these funds in individual environmental program categorical grants, or choose to combine grants in a performance partnership grant.

The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas is one of nine federally recognized tribes within EPA Region 7.

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Jerome dairy processing facility failed to publicly disclose chemical use and disposal

Jerome dairy processing facility failed to publicly disclose chemical use and disposal

Contacts: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov

Graham Kirn, EPA Toxics Release Inventory Program, 206-553-1603, kirn.graham@epa.gov

(Seattle—April 26, 2012) Idaho Milk Products, Inc., a dairy processing facility in Jerome, Idaho, failed to publicly report the use and disposal of several hundred thousand pounds of toxic chemicals in violation of community right-to-know laws, according to a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The company has corrected the violations of the Toxics Release Inventory Program and will pay a fine.

“Communities have a right to know what chemicals companies are using and potentially releasing into the environment,” said Kelly Huynh, manager of the TRI program at EPA in Seattle. “Accurate and timely numbers from companies are the foundation of these rules so citizens have access to the most current information.”

Idaho Milk Products processes tens of millions of pounds of milk annually at its facility in Jerome.

The facility used several hundred thousand pounds of nitric acid as a cleaning agent in 2009. When treated, nitric acid produces nitrate compounds, which the company released to the local wastewater treatment plant. Idaho Milk Products is required under the Toxics Release Inventory to report toxic chemical releases. According to EPA, the company failed to report the treatment and disposal of nitric acid and nitrate compounds in 2009.

Nitric acid can harm the eyes, skin, respiratory system and teeth.

The company has submitted the required reports to EPA and the State of Idaho to resolve the violations and agreed to pay a penalty of $52,100.

Under the federal Toxics Release Inventory Program, companies that use certain toxic chemicals are required to report annually about releases, transfers and waste management activities involving toxic chemicals at their facilities. The Toxics Release Inventory Program falls under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, which aims to inform communities and citizens of chemical hazards in their neighborhoods.

Idaho Haz Waste Disposal Site Failed to Disclose Releases

Idaho hazardous waste disposal site failed to disclose chemical releases

Contacts: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, (206) 553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov
Graham Kirn, EPA Toxics Release Inventory Program, (206) 553-1603, kirn.graham@epa.gov

(Seattle—March 22, 2012) US Ecology Idaho, Inc., a hazardous waste disposal site in Grand View, Idaho, failed to report the on-site disposal of thousands of pounds of chemicals at its facility, according to a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The company has corrected the violations of the Toxics Release Inventory Program and will pay a fine.

 “Companies that handle toxic chemicals have a responsibility to be transparent about what they use and release into the environment,” said Kelly Huynh, manager of the Inspection and Enforcement Management Unit at EPA in Seattle. “Accurate, timely numbers from companies are critical for communities to have up-to-date information on chemical releases in their states.”

US Ecology Idaho, Inc. failed to report the on-site disposal of 20 chemicals and chemical categories during 2009.

As part of its hazardous waste disposal operations, the company disposed of more than 10,000 pounds each of aluminum, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper and copper compounds, diethanolamine, ethylene glycol, manganese, methyl isobutyl ketone, nickel, nitric acid, selenium, silver, thallium and zinc.

In addition, the company disposed of more than 100 pounds of lead and lead compounds and more than 10 pounds each of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Many of the chemicals disposed of at the facility have dangerous human health impacts and risks associated with them.

The company has submitted the required reports to the EPA and the State of Idaho to resolve the violations and agreed to pay a penalty of $184,400.

Under the federal Toxics Release Inventory Program, companies that use certain toxic chemicals are required to report annually about releases, transfers and waste management activities involving toxic chemicals at their facilities.

The Toxics Release Inventory Program falls under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, which aims to inform communities and citizens of chemical hazards in their neighborhoods.

For more information on the Toxics Release Inventory Program, visit: http://www.epa.gov/tri

Safe Drinking Water for Louisiana

News Release from EPA Region 6:

EPA Awards Over $470,000 to Provide Safe, Reliable Drinking Water to Louisiana Residents

(DALLAS – January 25, 2012)   A new grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will help provide safe, reliable drinking water to the people of Louisiana.  The grant for $474,382, given to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH), will be used to manage the state’s drinking water program.  These activities include attaining and maintaining safe drinking water quality standards, supporting the state’s public drinking water systems, and compliance, enforcement and technical assistance.

Additional information on EPA grants:  http://www.epa.gov/region6/gandf/index.htm
More about activities in EPA Region 6:  http://www.epa.gov/region6
EPA audio file is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/jan2012.html

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