EPA Announces Funding for Research to Improve Air Quality, Protect Health

Press release:

EPA Announces Funding for Research to Improve Air Quality, Protect Health

Release Date: 08/06/2012

Contact Information: Latisha Petteway (News Media Only), petteway.latisha@epa.gov, 202-564-3191, 202-564-4355; En español: Lina Younes younes.lina@epa.gov,202-564-9924 , 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded five grants totaling almost $2 million to academic institutions for research on innovative processes to further improve air quality in the U.S. and help track the effectiveness of pollution control measures. Pollutants such as ozone and fine particles are linked to a variety of serious health effects, including aggravation of asthma and other lung diseases, heart attacks, increased hospital admissions and medication use, and premature death.

The grants announced today are focused on generating better data and tools to enable regulatory authorities to more effectively ensure that the air we breathe is healthy. The information gathered through this new research will help inform policy decisions that affect air quality, including the way states and cities address short-term air quality challenges.

"These grants will encourage innovative solutions for incorporating new information, technology advances, and current scientific understanding into air quality management,” says Bob Kavlock, deputy assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “This research will help improve our efforts to respond quickly to short-term air pollution issues such as heat waves or seasonal impacts on air quality."

The funding covers projects that will examine links between short-term air pollution drivers and existing management strategies, development of decision-making models, and air quality forecasting techniques. The five grantees include:

University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, N.Y., will help incorporate short-term forecasts of emissions from electricity generation and traffic into modeling and air quality forecasts.
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, will include the design and testing of innovative methods to link electricity generation and emissions pricing for the prevention of air pollution episodes.
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga., will develop a system for estimating and minimizing the impacts of prescribed burning on air quality, particularly in Georgia.
Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas, will address the issues of multi-pollutant air quality management and develop integrated decision-making models for air quality policy making.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C., will develop new tools for linking air quality modeling and forecasting with forecasts of electricity demand.

These grants are part of EPA’s Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, which supports human health, ecology, economics, and engineering sciences through grants, centers, and fellowships. EPA provides air quality and environmental information to the public through websites including AIRNow, Window to My Environment, and Envirofacts. These tools help educate the public and increase their participation in decisions that affect air quality.

More information on the grantees: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/dynair
More information on the EPA’s STAR program: http://www.epa.gov/ncer
More information on AIRNow: http://www.airnow.gov
More information on Window to My Environment: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/wme/
More information on Envirofacts: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/

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Southern Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Mt. Hope Bay Protect Coastal Water from Boat Pollution

News Release
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Regional Office
July 20, 2012

Contact: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017


Southern Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Mt. Hope Bay Protect Coastal Water from Boat Pollution
Designations Complete Most Massachusetts Coastal Water Protections

(Boston, Mass. – July 20, 2012) – In a major milestone completing the protection of more than 95 percent of Massachusetts coastal waters from boat-generated sewage pollution, EPA has designated the coastal waters of Nantucket, Vineyard Sounds and the Islands, and Mt. Hope Bay as “No Discharge Areas.”

With this designation, discharges of treated and untreated boat sewage are prohibited within the town boundaries of Chilmark, West Tisbury, Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, Gosnold, Falmouth, Mashpee, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Harwich, Chatham and Nantucket; and within the waters of Mt. Hope Bay.
Furthermore, with these final designations, it means that all the coastal waters of Massachusetts, and all waters between Long Island Sound and the New Hampshire – Maine border benefit from curtailing boat discharges of treated and untreated sewage.
“EPA is thrilled that Massachusetts has achieved this significant milestone in protecting coastal water quality and our local environment. We applaud each and every community, and regional and state officials, all of whom have done the important work to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment providing the foundation for a vibrant economy and healthy communities,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “There are few environments more special than the beaches and bays of Massachusetts, and now our citizens and visitors can rest assured that we are doing everything we can to protect these cherished environments.”
"Our environment and economies depend on safe and productive coastline," said Massachusetts Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard Sullivan. “With this designation, nearly all of our coastal waters are protected from boat pollution, providing clean resources for tourism and recreational activities like swimming and fishing and habitat for marine life.”
The designation of Nantucket, Vineyard Sounds and the Islands includes 143 bathing beaches, 26 miles of coastline and encompasses approximately 733 square mile of state waters. EPA and the Commonwealth have worked on this designation for more than five years, due to the substantial issues in involved.  All parties sat down and worked through each issue.  Two years ago the “Island Queen” bought a pumpout boat to make sure they would be in compliance.  The Steamship Authority worked out a schedule for retrofitting their vessels and installing the pumpout facilities for their vessels.
The designation for Mt. Hope Bay means that discharging boat sewage is prohibited within the town boundaries of Dighton, Berkley, Freetown, Somerset, Swansea, and Fall River.  Mount Hope Bay is a shared waterbody between Mass. and R.I. and in 1998 Rhode Island designated all their state waters as no discharge, including Mount Hope Bay.
Many other areas in New England already have designated their coastal waters as No Discharge Areas these include:
•         All state marine waters of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire; and now nearly all in Massachusetts;
•         In Maine, Boothbay Harbor, Casco Bay, Kennebunk/Kennebunkport/Wells, Southern Mount Desert area and West Penobscot Bay (Camden/Rockport/Rockland);

More information:
- No Discharge Areas in New England (www.epa.gov/ne/eco/nodiscrg/index.html)

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EPA and LA Water Board Set Strict New Pollution Reduction Plans for 175 Waterways in Los Angeles Area

For Immediate Release: March 27, 2012Media Contacts:
Nahal Mogharabi, EPA, mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov
Deborah Smith, LA Water Quality Board, 213-576-6609, Dsmith@waterboards.ca.gov  

EPA and LA Water Board Set Strict New Pollution Reduction Plans for 175 Waterways in Los Angeles Area
Action Culminates 13 Year Effort, Eliminating Beach Closures, Reducing Trash and Toxic Chemicals in Waters

LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board today announced the latest in a series of pollution reduction plans designed to restore 175 water bodies in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The pollution targets set by these plans will improve water quality, restore ecosystems, and protect the public by eliminating beach closures due to bacteria and improving the health of fish used for consumption.

“EPA and our partners have achieved a breakthrough on the path toward restoring the health of Los Angeles’ creeks, streams, and beaches,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “These precious natural resources lay at the heart of what makes the Golden State shine.”

The Los Angeles region is home to a vast network of streams, lakes, rivers, and beaches used for fishing and recreation. The pollution plans call for reductions in the amount of bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, mercury, pesticides and other toxic chemicals that affect these waterways.  More than 95% of the impaired waters will meet applicable water quality standards once the pollution reduction plans are fully implemented.

“I am proud to acknowledge achievements that are leading to healthier watersheds for the benefit of the people and wildlife who call the Los Angeles area home.” said Maria Mehranian, Chair of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.  “This wave of water quality improvement is the result of tremendous efforts by this Board, past Boards, and EPA in collaboration with local municipalities and environmental organizations.”

Under the federal Clean Water Act, states are required to develop pollution reduction plans for waters that are impaired by pollutants.  These plans are called Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), and must be approved by the EPA. 

 “Los Angeles’ relationship to water is a historic one. We are known for our beaches and were founded because of the LA River,” said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “The U.S. EPA and the Regional Water Board have been strong partners as we work to protect our rivers, streams, and waterways. We applaud the U.S. EPA and the Regional Water Board for continuing to prioritize water quality and safety in Los Angeles.”

Today’s announcement is a  part of a 1999 legal settlement between EPA and local environmental groups  in which EPA committed to approve LA Water Board-developed TMDLs or independently establish TMDLs for a list of water bodies in the Los Angeles Region.  As a result of the consent decree, 47 TMDLs have been established for 175 water bodies that address numerous pollutant impairments including elevated bacteria, metals, pesticides, PCBs and trash.  Additional TMDLs will be approved or established within the next year.

 “The consent decree put Los Angeles and Ventura counties on track for having oceans and rivers that are safe for swimming and fishing year round,” said Kirsten James, Heal the Bay’s Water Quality Director.  “The implementation of these requirements has already led to less trash in local rivers and bays and cleaner beaches.”

EPA established four TMDLs to address pollutants and impairments for the following water bodies:

• Long Beach City beaches and Los Angeles River estuary for bacteria: will help protect the health of the tens of thousands of people visiting the beaches during summer months. Once implemented, the average number of days during the swimming season exceeding bacteria standards will be reduced from 34 days to 0.
  
• Santa Monica Bay waters for DDTs and PCBs: will increase the health of the fish and other aquatic life and protect the public who use the Bay for recreational fishing and boating. Once implemented, DDT and PCB levels in the Bay will be reduced up to 50% and 75%, respectively.
  
• Ballona Creek wetlands for sediment and exotic vegetation: will help restore the last remaining critical coastal wetlands in Southern California.  Once implemented, 600 acres of habitats adjacent to Marina del Rey will support the hundreds of migratory birds species and the dozens of native birds that use these wetlands.
  
• Nine Los Angeles area urban lakes for toxics, trash, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution: will support recreation and wildlife for nine lakes in the Los Angeles area, including Echo Park Lake, Lake Calabasas, Puddingstone Reservoir and El Dorado Park Lakes.
  

In addition, the EPA has approved four LA Water Board-adopted TMDLs to address pollutants and impairments for the following water bodies:

• Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors for toxic pollutants: will reduce toxic levels of metals and organic pollutants to protect sensitive habitat, fishing, recreation, and navigation in the harbors.
  
• Machado Lake for toxic pollutants: will remediate contaminated water and sediments in the lake so that fish are safe to eat.
  
• Los Angeles River for bacteria: will protect the health of swimmers, waders, and boaters in the river and at downstream beaches in the City of Long Beach.
  
• Santa Monica Bay for trash: will prohibit trash and plastic pellets (“nurdles”) from entering the bay to protect beachgoers and marine life.

Pollution reduction plans adopted over the years have led to innovative solutions by municipalities and pollution equipment industries to address some of the most deep-rooted pollution problems in the region.  These plans have led to the installation of trash capture devices by 42 cities resulting in a 65% reduction in total tons of trash entering the Los Angeles River. The landmark Santa Monica Bay Beaches Bacteria TMDL has, since its adoption, reduced exceedances of bacteria standards at local beaches by half for the benefit of the 55 million people who visit Santa Monica Bay Beaches annually.

For more information on the pollution plans approved today, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/tmdl/final.html 

For more information on all of the TMDLs in the Los Angeles Region, please visit: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/losangeles/water_issues/programs/tmdl/  
For more information about the Clean Water Act, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/cwa.html  

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