EPA and LDEQ Raise Awareness of Importance of Air Quality

EPA News Release:

EPA and LDEQ Raise Awareness of Importance of Air Quality

(DALLAS – May 7, 2013)  Today, representatives from the US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator (EPA) and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) came together to raise awareness of the importance of air quality for people’s health.

EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry and LDEQ Secretary Peggy Hatch spoke about ozone and its effects on air quality and people’s health as part of Air Quality Awareness Month. Ozone levels usually rise with warmer temperatures, and higher levels can contribute to breathing problems such as increased asthma attacks.

Governor Bobby Jindal declared May as Air Quality Awareness Month to encourage Louisiana residents to learn more about ozone, how it forms, and how it can affect their health. May is also EPA’s Asthma Awareness Month, which highlights the connection between air quality and people’s health.

The Baton Rouge area has seen its air quality improve in recent years, due to the hard work and collaboration of local industries, governments, environmental groups and citizens, led by LDEQ and EPA. Average ozone readings from 2011 to 2013 have allowed LDEQ to begin working with EPA to designate the five-parish Baton Rouge area as attaining the health-based ozone standard.

“The data show that Louisiana’s air quality continues to improve,” said LDEQ Secretary Peggy Hatch. “We can see that improvement in industry practices, a greater public awareness of ozone and the implementation of rules and regulations concerning air quality have made a difference. The efforts of many people have contributed to this accomplishment.”

“The Baton Rouge area has made great strides in improving its air quality by working to reduce the harmful emissions that form ozone,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. “With one in ten American kids suffering from asthma, this benefits the health of Louisiana’s families as well as the environment.”

A large part of the Baton Rouge area’s success in reducing average ozone levels comes from participating in EPA’s Ozone Advance Program. This voluntary program offered Baton Rouge government, industry, and citizen groups to work with EPA and each other to reduce ozone-forming emissions. The Baton Rouge area has worked with EPA air planning staff since June 2012 to identify ways to cut emissions and lower ozone levels.

Ozone is formed by the reaction of sunlight on air containing hydrocarbons (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). VOCs and NOx are produced by mobile sources such as cars, boats and heavy construction equipment, industrial sources, natural sources and household activities such as using gas-powered lawn equipment and using paint thinners. High levels of ozone can affect lung function and irritate the respiratory system in sensitive populations like children and the elderly. It can worsen chronic health conditions like bronchitis, emphysema and asthma.

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Norfolk Gets EPA Support for Green Techniques at Knitting Mill Creek

EPA News Release:

Norfolk Gets EPA Support for Green Techniques at Knitting Mill Creek

Funding Will Help Reduce Water Pollution, Build Resilience to Climate Change

(Norfolk, Va. – May 7, 2014) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it is providing more than $60,000 in technical assistance to Lafayette Wetlands Partnership, Friends of Norfolk’s Environment, and the City of Norfolk to explore green options for improving water quality in Knitting Mill Creek.

Norfolk is one of 14 communities nationwide receiving a total of $860,000 in EPA support to expand the use of green infrastructure to reduce water pollution and boost resilience to the impacts of climate change.

“Green infrastructure offers a cost-effective approach to sustainable stormwater management,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “Our changing climate demands that communities like Norfolk invest in innovative infrastructure approaches.”

The EPA funding supports President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, which directs federal agencies to identify climate-resilient investments such as grants and technical assistance for communities across the country.

The technical assistance announced today will focus on exploring the implementation of green infrastructure projects in the Knitting Mill Creek watershed. Knitting Mill Creek, a tributary of the Lafayette River, has experienced water quality problems from algal blooms, and high levels of E.coli bacteria.

“We are very pleased to partner with the Environmental Protection Agency to address the issues facing Knitting Mill Creek,” said Paul D. Fraim, Mayor, City of Norfolk, Virginia.  “The EPA’s willingness to collaborate on this important effort is a testament to our citizens’ dedication to green infrastructure and Norfolk’s commitment to coastal resiliency and sustainability.  The findings at Knitting Mill Creek will become part of a national effort to combat the challenge of sea-level rise and we are proud to be a part of it.”

By capturing rainwater where it falls, and keeping it from coming in to contact with pollution, green infrastructure practices such as porous pavements, rain gardens and green roofs can prevent polluted runoff and help protect and restore water quality.

The technical assistance will evaluate options for controlling stormwater runoff, restoring shoreline, and mitigating impacts to this low elevation watershed caused by rising sea levels due to climate change. The project will also actively engage community members in evaluating alternative approaches.

In the last three years, EPA has provided $2.2 million to 37 communities for green infrastructure. This new funding continues the agency’s support for communities using green infrastructure to reduce water pollution and protect human health while increasing economic activity, job creation, energy savings and open space. Green infrastructure builds resilience to the impacts of climate change, particularly by reducing the burden on local water infrastructure.

For more information on the green infrastructure assistance, progress reports and strategy:http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/gi_support.cfm.

Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater

EPA News Release:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has updated the Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater web page. New plans and data reports have been added, including: Provision of Water – Residential Well Sampling Report Application Field Management Plans Quality Assurance Project Plan – Groundwater Monitoring Lagoon Review Reports Backflow Prevention Reports Monthly Progress Reports These documents were developed by the Yakima Valley Dairies under the Consent Order to address high levels of nitrate in the drinking water aquifer near and downgradient of their facilities. These documents have been approved by EPA and can be found here: http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/WATER.NSF/GWPU/lyakimagw Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on yourSubscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 10.

EPA Releases EnviroAtlas Ecosystem Mapping Tool

EPA Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 6, 2014
EPA Releases EnviroAtlas Ecosystem Mapping Tool
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released EnviroAtlas, a web-based interactive tool that integrates over 300 separate data layers, helps decision makers understand the implications of planning and policy decisions on our fragile ecosystems and the communities who depend on goods and services from these ecosystems. EnviroAtlas is designed for people from all levels of government, professionals, researchers, educators, non-governmental organizations, and anyone interested in considering the benefits or impacts of a decision, such as siting a new road or city park.

“Our health and well-being, our economy and our security depend upon healthy ecosystems,” says Bob Perciasepe, Deputy Administrator of EPA, “By providing EnviroAtlas, which contains a wealth of information for the United States, EPA is helping to ensure that anyone making decisions that may impact ecosystems will have the best available knowledge to build prosperous communities while conserving our natural resources.”

EnviroAtlas can help people learn about ecosystems, and how they provide us with benefits such as clean air and water; opportunities for recreation; and protection from severe weather, such as hurricanes and floods. EnviroAtlas also highlights how ecosystems provide habitats for plants, fish, and wildlife as well as the materials people need to produce food, clothing, shelter, and pharmaceuticals, and provides maps on all of these topics.

EnviroAtlas integrates geospatial data from a variety of sources to allow users to visualize and analyze how decisions impact ecosystems and their ability to provide goods and services. Communities are often faced with difficult decisions, such as trade-offs between transportation, residential or commercial development and maintaining local wetlands, urban greenspaces, or urban forests. EnviroAtlas helps communities better understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of their decisions by providing data, maps, information and tools to analyze relationships between nature, health and well-being, and the economy.

EnviroAtlas combines hundreds of data layers developed through collaboration between EPA; US Geological Survey; US Forest Service; other federal, state, and non-profit organizations; and several universities. Using powerful web application tools, it lets users generate customized maps and images that show the condition of their local community’s air, water, and landscape; as well as population density and other demographic data. Users can investigate land cover patterns, see how ecosystem services reduce pollution, and view closer to true scale data to compare them across selected communities.

EnviroAtlas is available to anybody with access to a computer and an internet connection. No special software is needed. It is currently not optimized for smartphone or tablet use, but a mobile-friendly version is planned for the future.

Using tools like EnviroAtlas to make informed decisions will help ensure that people can continue to enjoy economic, social, and environmental benefits of ecosystems now and in the future. 

http://enviroatlas.epa.gov/enviroatlas/
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USDA Blog » Rice Producers, Ducks Unlimited Partner at Agriculture Department to Promote Waterfowl Habitat Efforts

Rice is not just for people but for the birds, too. And a new report underlines the value of rice fields as habitat for migratory birds and other waterfowl.

The working rice lands report, released this week by Ducks Unlimited and the USA Rice Federation, shows that replacing rice fields with restored wetlands would cost an estimated $3.5 billion. Plus, a large amount of food available to migratory birds during winter comes from rice fields: 44 percent in California’s Central Valley and 42 percent along the Gulf of Mexico coast.

USDA Blog » Rice Producers, Ducks Unlimited Partner at Agriculture Department to Promote Waterfowl Habitat Efforts

EPA Settlement with Ryder Truck Rental Protects Soil and Groundwater from Contamination

EPA News Release:

EPA Settlement with Ryder Truck Rental Protects Soil and Groundwater from Contamination

PHILADELPHIA (May 6, 2014) -- Ryder Truck Rental Inc. has agreed to pay a $22,500 penalty to settle alleged violations of underground storage tank (UST) regulations at the company’s facility located at 6605 Governor Printz Boulevard in Wilmington, Del., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

EPA cited the company for not complying with safeguards designed to prevent, detect, and control leaks of petroleum and other hazardous substances from USTs.  The alleged violations involved two diesel fuel USTs, each with a 12,000 gallon capacity. 

According to EPA, the company failed to conduct required leak detection measures for various periods totaling more than six months, and failed to respond in a timely manner to a suspected fuel leak in 2009.  These alleged violations were documented in an EPA inspection in April 2012 as well as subsequent document requests.

As part of the settlement, the company did not admit liability for the alleged violations.  The settlement penalty reflects the company’s cooperation with EPA in correcting the alleged non-compliance and resolving this matter. 

With millions of gallons of petroleum products and hazardous substances stored in USTs throughout the U.S., leaking tanks are a major source of soil and groundwater contamination. EPA and state UST regulations are designed to reduce the risk of underground leaks and to promptly detect

and properly address leaks thus minimizing environmental harm and avoiding the costs of major cleanups.

For more information on underground storage tanks, go to: http://www.epa.gov/oust/index.htm.

U.S. EPA honors federal agencies for water conservation, waste reduction

EPA Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 6, 2014

MEDIA CONTACT:  David Yogi, yogi.david@epa.gov, 415-972-3350

U.S. EPA honors federal agencies for water conservation, waste reduction

Three agencies in Northern California, three in Southern California recognized

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today recognized six federal agency offices in California with its prestigious Federal Green Challenge (FGC) program award for reducing their operations’ environmental impacts.  EPA Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld presented the awards to the Northern California agencies at a ceremony hosted by the Federal Executive Board in San Francisco, Calif.

“Federal agencies participating in the Pacific Southwest program saved over $31.8 million by reducing waste, water, and energy use over the past two years,” said Regional Administrator Blumenfeld.  “During this same period, these agencies have conserved over 350 million gallons of water. In a time of drought, this level of federal leadership on water conservation is critical.”

FGC participants were judged on a variety of factors including overall environmental results and outcomes. As participants, agencies pledge to reduce their resource use by 5 percent or more per year in at least two of six target areas: waste, water, energy, transportation, electronics, and purchasing.

Over the past two years, EPA’s Pacific Southwest region FGC participants have conserved over 455 million gallons of water.  Federal leadership on water conservation is critical to address the impact of the California drought. The following are this year’s regional Federal Green Challenge winners:

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (San Francisco, Calif.) – Water Conservation award: FDIC cut water use by 36% to conserve over 729 thousand gallons of water. FDIC installed an automated water meter and WaterSense Irrigation System to monitor and regulate water use, added aerators to faucets, and upgraded its hot water system with new boilers and heat exchangers to reduce water use.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Pacific Southwest Lab (Vista, Calif.) – Water Conservation and Electronics awards:  DEA cut potable water use by 40% last year by installing low-flow toilets and aerators on sinks and adjusted its ventilation and air conditioning system to ensure maximum water efficiency. DEA also increased certified electronics recycling by 58% over the previous year.

Naval Base Coronado (Coronado, Calif.) - Water Conservation award: The base reduced water use last year by 20% to conserve over 101 million gallons. Irrigation frequency was reduced to allow some lawn areas to go dormant, one-pint urinals were installed, the chemical treatment of cooling towers’ valves were adjusted to use less water, and galley water use was minimized.

U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Pacific Rim Region (San Francisco, Calif.) – Overall Achievement award:  GSA transitioned to use 100% postconsumer recycled copy paper and worked with EPA to lead other federal purchasers to shift to 100% recycled paper. As a result greenhouse gas emissions were cut by over 2,400 metric tons of carbon equivalent. GSA also reduced potable water use by 24% and electricity use by 30%.

U.S. Forest Service Region 5 (California) – Leadership award: The USFS Regional Leadership Team supported an innovative, web-based “Summit Mt. Whitney Green Challenge” to encourage employees to reduce energy and resource use. Over 300 employees participated, yielding a net impact of reduced 30,000 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (San Diego, Calif.) – Education & Outreach and Waste awards:  Air Station Miramar promoted their recycling program through the installation’s Teen and Child Care Centers during Earth Week. They also conducted two e-waste collection events and disseminated recycling information through email and marquee announcements to reach 75% of the base population.  Miramar increased recycling by 30% and reduced its solid waste disposal by more than 22%.

Over the past two years, Pacific Southwest Federal Green Challenge participants have:

- prevented over 93,000 tons of waste from reaching landfills, through composting and recycling, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions by over 248,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (the equivalent of conserving over 11 million gallons of gasoline);

- purchased over 48 million sheets of 100% postconsumer recycled copy paper; and

- conserved over 9 million kWh of electricity and over 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

For more information on the FGC, visit: http://www.epa.gov/fgc/

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