Document GzDeR7pdORnnekq88GYq3pyrr

Message From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: Daguillard, Robert [/0=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=BBE9682B940C4F2C90732E4D37355DD4-DAGUILLARD,] 4/12/2018 12:Q8i?.9.PM______________ _ Gabriel Popkin [ _______ _____________ j Press [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=b293283291dc44eOb5dlc36be9281d8a-Press] Re: Seeking interview w ith green infrastructure expert at EPA Thanks, Gabe. You can attribute to the Agency. Best, R. Robert Daguillard U S. EPA Office of Media Relations Washington D C. [ Ex. 6 j L"202-5 64-66Ts"?O ) On Apr 12, 2018, at 7:52 AM, Gabriel Popkin Ex. 6 wrote: Thank you Robert. To clarify, can this information be attributed to "an EPA spokesperson" or "a statement provided by the EPA"? On Wed, Apr 11, 2018 at 5:58 PM, Daguillard, Robert <Daguillard.Robert@epa.gov> wrote: Gabe, on background, please: Q. W hat factors gave EPA confidence that green infrastructure would be able to partly mitigate DC's combined sewer overflow problem? A. In 2005, DC Water, EPA and the District of Columbia entered into a Consent Decree intended to address combined sewer overflows (CSOs). Later, after the parties initiated discussions of using green infrastructure in the Rock Creek and Potomac sewersheds in the District, DC Water conducted a feasibility analysi s to evaluate the effectiveness of green infrastructure in the District. DC Water employed a hydraulic and hydrology model known as the stormwater management model (SWMM) in its analysis, and the results of the analysis satisfied EPA as to the efficacy of the proposed green infrastructure in mitigating CSOs. Green infrastructure projects within the Rock Creek and Potomac sewersheds were incorporated into a 2016 Amendment (Amendment) to the 2005 Decree. Q. W hat is the scientific basis for the green infrastructure in the consent decree? Is the plan built on specific research that has been published in the scholarly literature? A. A detailed explanation of green infrastructure functions can be found on EPA's "Green Infrastructure" website (https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure). A related EPA website, titled "Performance of Green Infrastructure" (https://www.epa.gov/greeninfrastructure/performance-green-infrastructure), contains links to research databases and summary reports that include research on the efficacy of green infrastructure as a stormwater control. Finally, see Chapter 14 of EPA's NPDES Compliance Inspection Manual, entitled "Inspecting Green Infrastructure Controls." https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/201703/documents/npdesinspect-chapter-14.pdf) for more background information and guidance on green infrastructure inspections. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00016599-00001 Below is a suggested contact at DC water for any questions about specific research upon which DC Water based its development of green infrastructure projects. Carlton Ray | Director, DC Clean Rivers Project | District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority | 5000 Overlook Avenue, SW j Washington, DC 20032 | carlton.ray@dcwater.com Q. I also understand that the consent decree requires that the green infrastructure be tested after it is installed, to ensure that it is reducing stormwater flow to the extent predicted. How is green infrastructure's effectiveness tested? A. Under the Amendment, DC Water is undertaking a phased approach to green infrastructure project implementation (in 133 acres in the Potomac and 365 acres in the Rock Creek sewersheds). Upon completion of each project, the efficacy of a green infrastructure in achieving stormwater reduction is evaluated, specifically as to whether the project can satisfy what is known as a 1.2-inch rainfall retention standard. The Amendment contemplates an iterative process in which DC Water will use project evaluations of completed projects to improve upon subsequent projects. Q. W hat will EPA's role be in performing those tests? A. Under the Amendment, DC Water's Evaluation of each green infrastructure project's efficacy is submitted in a "Post Construction" Report to EPA for review and comment. Q. W hat factors could cause green infrastructure to not perform as predicted? As noted in the research references in the response to the second question above, green infrastructure has been successful in providing stormwater control, provided that adequate operation and maintenance activities are undertaken to prevent project degradation. Proper operation and maintenance is an on-going requirement of DC Water's permit. Q. Does EPA have any concerns that DC's green infrastructure won't be able to perform the job demanded of it? A. EPA encourages the use of green infrastructure to help manage stormwater runoff, including runoff that contributes to CSOs. As discussed above, the Amendment contemplates an iterative process in which DC Water will use project evaluations of completed projects to improve upon subsequent projects. The Amendment, approved by EPA, DC Water and the District, gives DC Water the go-ahead to pursue an integrated green/gray infrastructure approach to address the stormwater- and sewage-driven water quality issues in the Rock Creek and Potomac watersheds. Q. Has EPA ever signed a consent decree that involves using green infrastructure to mitigate combined sewer overflows, or is the DC project a first in this sense? A. DC Water is not the first. EPA encourages communities to consider sustainable control technologies including green infrastructure to address CSOs. Q. If it's not a first, what other municipalities/locations have done similar projects? A. Examples of Federal consent decrees under which green infrastructure projects are being implemented include Seattle, WA, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (in Cleveland, OH), and Lancaster, PA. Robert Daguillard U.S. EPA " Office of Media Relations Washington D C. Ex. 6 T0I3M-T>T>TBTOr''"' On Apr 9, 2018, at 1:32 PM, Gabriel Popkin Ex. 6 wrote: Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00016599-00002 Thank you for the update. On Mon, Apr 9, 2018 at 8:57 AM, Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> wrote: Gabriel, Tricia is out sick today. You'll be hearing from Robert Daguillard in her absence. On Apr 4, 2018, at 9:49 AM, Gabriel Popkin Great, thank you. Ex. 6 vrote: On Wed, Apr 4, 2018 at 8:21 AM, Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov> wrote: Hi Gabe, you'll be hearing from Tricia Lynn by your deadline of April 9. From: "Daguillard, Robert" <Daguillard.Robert@epa.gov> Date: April 3, 2018 at 9:27:20 AM EDT To: Gabriel Popkin j e"x7'6 j Cc: "Lynn, Tricia" <Iynn.tricia@epa.gov>, "Jones, Enesta" <Jones.Enesta@,epa.gov> Subject: RE: FW: Seeking interview with green infrastructure expert at EPA Thanks, Gabe. My colleague Tricia returns tomorrow (Wednesday) and will follow up with you. Meantime, we'll get things started with the water folks here at EPA. Cheers, R. Robert Daguillard Office of Media Relations U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC +1 (202) 564-6618 (G) 1 Ex. 6 From: Gabriel Popkin | Ex. 6 j Sent: Tuesday, April 03, '2018' 9:09 AM To: Daguillard, Robert <Daguillard.Robert@epa.gov> Cc: Lynn, Tricia <lynn.tricia@epa.gov> Subject: Re: FW: Seeking interview with green infrastructure expert at EPA Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00016599-00003 Hi Robert, I'm writing for the online publication Inside Science, which covers new scientific developments. My deadline is Monday the 9th, so a week from yesterday. Here are some questions I have for an EPA expert: I understand that EPA and Washington, DC signed a modified consent decree in 2016 to incorporate green infrastructure into the city's effort to reduce combined sewer overflows. What factors gave EPA confidence that green infrastructure would be able to partly mitigate DCs combined sewer overflow problem? What is the scientific basis for the green infrastructure m the consent decree? Is the plan built on specific research that, has been published in the scholarly literature? I also understand that the consent decree requires that the green infrastructure be tested after it is installed, to ensure that it is reducing stormwater flow to the extent predicted. How is green infrastructure's effectiveness tested? What will EPA's role be in performing those tests? What factors could cause green infrastructure to not perform as predicted? Does EPA have any concerns that D Cs green infrastructure won't be able to perform the job demanded of it? Has EPA ever signed a consent decree that involves using green infrastructure to mitigate combined sewer overflows, or is the DC project a first in tins sense? If it's not a first, what other municipalities/locations have done similar projects? Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00016599-00004 Thanks for your help and I look forward to hearing from an EPA expert on these questions. Best, Gabe On Mon, Apr 2, 2018 at 3:22 PM, Daguillard, Robert <Daguillard.Robert@epa. gov> wrote: Thanks, Gabe. Last but not. least: For what outlet are you hoping to write this storv? Cheers, R. Robert Daguillard Office of Media Relations U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC +1 (202) 564-6618 (O) ..........Ex. 6............. From: Gabriel Popkin j Ex"~6 ! Sent: Monday, April O ^ O I T ^ 'P K T .......................J To: Daguillard, Robert <Daguillard.Robert@epa.gov> Cc: Lynn, Tricia <lynn.tricia@epa. gov> Subject: Re: FW: Seeking interview with green infrastructure expert at EPA Hi Robert, thanks for your reply. I will send some questions soon. While written answers can be helpful and are appreciated, a phone interview is always preferred if possible. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00016599-00005 And just to clarify, I'm based in Mount Rainier, Maryland, so also eastern time. Best, Gabe On Mon, Apr 2, 2018 at 2:32 PM, Daguillard, Robert <Daguillard.Robert@epa.gov> wrote: Good afternoon (morning to you) Gabe, My colleague Robert Goo forwarded you press inquiry. Can you send some specific questions, please? That's because it's highly unlikely w ell have a colleague available for an interview - and because staff can probably get you the information you need in writing. Please advise. Happy to discuss. Thanks in advance, R. Cheers, R. Robert Daguillard Office of Media Relations U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC +1 (202) 5 6 4 -6 6 1 8 (O) ........ Ex. 6........... Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00016599-00006 From: Gabriel Popkin j_______ EX- 6_______ ____ ! Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2018 4:03 PM To: Goo, Robert <Goo.Robert@epa.gov> Subject: Seeking interview with green infrastructure expert at EPA Hi Robert, I'm a science writer who lives in Mount Rainier; you may remember me from various events I've put on that you attended, and we also ran into each other recently at the Takoma Park farmers market. I'm currently writing a story for the online publication Inside Science about the science behind DC's green infrastructure project to manage stormwater and comply with the consent decree the city signed with EPA. I would like to speak with an expert at EPA who is familiar with DC's efforts and can comment on their likely effectiveness. I see that you're listed as a contact on EPA's green infrastructure page. Would you or one of your colleagues would be able to do a phone interview on this topic? If so, it would be great to set something up between now and the end of next week, if possible. Thanks for considering and I look forward to hearing from you. Best, Gabe Gabriel Popkin Science & environmental writer www.gabrielpopkin.com r _m ________ , Ex. 6 Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00016599-00007 Gabriel Popkin Science & environmental writer www.gabrielpopkin.eom Ex. 6 ! Gabriel Popkin Science & environmental writer www.gabrielpopkin.com Ex. 6 Gabriel Popkin Science & environmental writer www.gabrielpopkin.com ..... Ex. 6..... Gabriel Popkin Science & environmental writer www.gabrielpopkin.com Ex. 6 Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00016599-00008 Gabriel Popkin Science & environmental writer www.gabrielpopkin.com Ex. 6 Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00016599-00009