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Ex. 6 - Personal Privacy
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EPA Press'Office
Thur 9/7/2017 1:01:14 AM
EPA Securing Florida Superfund Sites Prior to Hurricane Irma
CONTACT
EPA Securing Florida Superfund Sites Prior to Hurricane Irma
WASHINGTON (September 6, 2017) - U.S. EPA, along with federal, state and local partners, is carefully monitoring Hurricane Irma and evaluating the storm's potential threat to Superfund sites in South Florida.
EPA's Region 4 office in Atlanta is contacting approximately 22 current or former National Priorities List (NPL) sites within Florida's southernmost 100 miles. EPA is contacting the sites to ensure that they are secure, and that no contaminants migrate offsite.
EPA will continue monitoring Superfund sites throughout the state and region as the storm's path evolves, and will provide updates as new information becomes available.
EPA is taking the following steps to evaluate and secure Superfund sites prior to Hurricane Irma making landfall:
Technical staff in the Region 4 office are currently reviewing the South Florida sites to evaluate any vulnerabilities at each site. Every Superfund site is complex and unique, so the vulnerability of each site varies.
If any site in the path of the storm is found to pose an immediate threat to nearby populations, EPA will immediately alert local officials.
* If activity is on-going at the site, EPA will instruct the on-site contractor to secure the site immediately. This includes evacuating personnel, ceasing all activity, and securing equipment and other potentially harmful materials.
If no activity is currently occurring at the site, the site is considered secured but remains closely monitored.
' As part of this review, sites are also prioritized by vulnerability for on-site evaluation once the storm has passed.
* After the storm passes, floodwaters recede, and it is deemed safe to enter a site, EPA remedial managers and contractors conduct rapid assessments of sites based on priority to identify any damage and initiate cleanup plans if necessary.
Unauthorized entry at any Superfund site, either prior to or following the storm, is prohibited as these sites can be extremely dangerous and can pose significant threats to human health.
These steps are consistent with how EPA has historically prepared Superfund sites for natural
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disasters, such as hurricanes. To learn more about EPA's Hurricane Irma preparation and response activities, visit
Sierra Club v. EPA, 1:17-cv-01906
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To:
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Ex. 6 - Personal Privacy
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From: EPA'Press Office
Sent: Wed 9/6/2017 10:47:26 PM
Subject: EPA/TCEQ HARVEY UPDATE: AIR QUALITY IMPROVING, MORE WATER SYSTEMS
OPERATIONAL
CONTACT
EPA/TCEQ HARVEY UPDATE: AIR QUALITY IMPROVING, MORE WATER SYSTEMS OPERATIONAL
Dallas (September 6, 2017) - Working together, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) continue to coordinate with local, state and federal officials to address the human health and environmental impacts of Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath, especially the water systems in the affected areas. TCEQ has 500 people assisting in response to this natural disaster and EPA has 185.
EPA has begun mobilizing Community Liaisons to the designated disaster counties for Hurricane Harvey. The liaisons will assist the county emergency operation centers in disseminating pertinent information on post flood hazards to municipalities, school districts, and citizens. EPA has now been deployed to the FEMA JFO Joint Information Center in Austin and additional EPA response personnel are being assigned to Beaumont/Port Arthur. This area was previously inaccessible due to lack of facilities. EPA has begun coordination with environmental justice advocates from Texas and Louisiana to provide an update on the impacted areas. EPA has been closely coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard on a large oil spill in the Houston area, and with city and county officials on a benzene plume identified near the Manchester neighborhood.
As of Sunday, Sept. 3, the following information is available:
Drinking Water: To date, about 2,800 drinking water systems are potentially affected by Harvey have been contacted. Of those: 1,920 systems are fully operational, 168 have boil-water notices, and 50 are shut down. Both EPA and the TCEQ are contacting remaining systems to gather updated information of their status. EPA and the TCEQ are working closely with the Texas National Guard, including the 6th Civil Support Team (supporting TCEQ in Corpus Christi), Arkansas National Guard, 61st Civil Support Team (supporting TCEQ in Houston), and the Texas State Guard Engineering Group, and other local and state agencies to continuously monitor water systems. Assistance teams are in the field working directly with system operators to expedite getting systems back to operational status.
Waste Water and Sewage: Currently, 903 of approximately 1,219 wastewater treatment plants are fully operational and 34 are inoperable in the affected counties. The agencies are aware that releases of wastewater from sanitary sewers are occurring, due to the historic flooding and are actively working to monitor facilities that have reported spills, conduct outreach and provide technical guidance to all other wastewater facilities in flood-impacted areas. EPA and TCEQ are working closely with the Texas National Guard, including the 6th Civil Support Team (supporting TCEQ in Corpus Christi), Arkansas National Guard, 61st Civil Support Team (supporting TCEQ in Houston), and the Texas State Guard Engineering Group, and other local and state agencies to continuously monitor wastewater systems. Assistance teams will be deployed to work directly with system operators to expedite getting systems back to operational status.
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Flood Water: Water quality sampling will be focused on industrial facilities and hazardous waste sites. Floodwaters contain many hazards, including bacteria and other contaminants. Precautions should be taken by anyone involved in cleanup activities or any others who may be exposed to flood waters. These precautions include heeding all warnings from local and state authorities regarding safety advisories. In addition to the drowning hazards of wading, swimming, or driving in swift floodwaters, these waters can carry large objects that are not always readily visible that can cause injuries to those in the water. Other potential hazards include downed power lines and possible injuries inflicted by animals displaced by the floodwaters.
Critical Water Infrastructure: The agencies are continuing to work closely with dams. The larger dams are full in many cases and may be releasing water; the structures are secure at this time. There are 340 high- and significant-hazard dams in the impacted areas, and TCEQ has been able to make contact with 200 of these dam owners. Of these 200, only five dams have been damaged or have failed. We have also been notified that three low-hazard dams have damage. TCEQ is continuing to contact dams to get status updates.
Additional EPA/TCEQ updates include:
Superfund Sites: EPA and TCEQ continue to get updates about the status of specific sites from the parties responsible for ongoing cleanup of the sites. So far, TCEQ staff have assessed 12 of the 17 State Superfund sits in the affected areas. TCEQ anticipates completing the remaining 5 assessments by the end of the week depending on accessibility of those remaining sites.
EPA completed site assessments at 13 Superfund sites that have been flooded and/or experience possible damage to the storm. Of these sites, two (San Jacinto and U.S. Oil Recovery) require additional assessment efforts. Assessments of these sites will take several days to complete. The San Jacinto Waste Pits site has a temporary armored cap designed to prevent migration of hazardous material; some areas that rock been displaced and liner is exposed. The potential responsible party has mobilized heavy equipment and is placing rock on different places on the armored cap to repair the defensive surface. The liner is in place and functional so we don't have any indication that the underlying waste materials have been exposed. If we find a breach in the exposed liner, we direct the responsible party to collect samples to determine if any materials have been released. Crews continue to surveying portions of the cap that are submerged and the EPA dive teams will survey the cap underwater when conditions allow. EPA is making plans for longerterm assessments at 41 Superfund sites in the impacted areas as the projects return to their normal remedial cleanups.
Air Quality Monitoring: One of the many preparations for Hurricane Harvey included EPA, TCEQ, and other monitoring entities temporarily shutting down several air monitoring stations from the greater Houston, Corpus Christi, and Beaumont areas. Since then, state and local authorities have been working to get the systems up and running again. As of Tuesday Septembers, TCEQ air monitoring network is 100 percent operational in Corpus Christi, 88 percent in Houston, and 71 percent in Beaumont. The network is expected to be fully operational again by next week. Of the available air monitoring data collected from Aug. 24-Sept. 2, all measured concentrations were well below levels of health concern. Monitors are showing that air quality at this time is not concerning, and residents should not be concerned about air quality issues related to the effects of the storm.
An assessment by EPA of the Valero Refinery on Monday, September 5, 2017, confirmed that a tank at the facility did have a leak which occurred on August 26, 2017 from the Hurricane Harvey storm and flooding. EPA also confirmed Valero had taken action to respond to and repair the leak.
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Based on current site conditions including weather, repair actions by Valero, and air monitoring results, EPA's assessment could not confirm the tank was the source of the air release that led to complaints in the area immediately after the storm. EPA's air monitoring performed onsite and around the facility on September 5 does not indicate levels of concern for the community. EPA will continue air monitoring for additional sources in the area.
Fires at Arkema Facility in Crosby: The TCEQ has an open investigation into the Arkema incident that will include an evaluation of any impacts due to the fires at the site. Additionally, after the final notifications are received, the TCEQ will evaluate the reported emissions events to determine compliance with applicable rules, permit provisions, and notification and reporting requirements. The TCEQ and Harris County Pollution Control are coordinating post-event monitoring, sampling, and complaint response activities. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has initiated an investigation, and law enforcement continues to limit access to the Arkema plant in Crosby. For more information regarding Arkema, please visit
Refineries/Fuel Waivers: In addition to gasoline waivers for 38 states and D.C. and diesel waivers for Texas, EPA signed three No Action Assurance letters on Sept. 1 to help address fuel shortages. NAA will help expedite the distribution of existing gasoline supplies to both Texas and Louisiana, while the refineries work to re-start and resume normal operations. The waivers and NAA letters are effective until Sept. 15 and should allow for the distribution in Texas of 10 million or more gallons of fuel to consumers. TCEQ is working with EPA to consider an extension to the gasoline waivers through October 1st.
For additional information please visit the TCEQ's hurricane response page.
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To: From: Sent: Subject:
Ex. 6 - Personal Privacy
EPAPfess'OTfice Wed 9/6/2017 10:40:56 PM EPA Approves Emergency Fuel Waiver for Florida
CONTACT
EPA Approves Emergency Fuel Waiver for Florida
WASHINGTON (September 6, 2017) - In response to Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt has approved an emergency fuel waiver request from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
EPA has waived the highway diesel fuel red dye requirements to allow the use of 15 parts per million sulfur non-road diesel fuel for on-highway vehicles in Florida as a result of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, though September 22.
The waiver authority was exercised under the Clean Air Act and was granted by EPA Administrator Pruitt, in coordination with the U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry. The request was made by Jeffery F. Koerner, Director of the Florida DEP Air Resource Management Division, on behalf of Florida Governor Rick Scott.
As required by law, EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) evaluated the situation and determined that granting a short-term waiver was consistent with the public interest. EPA and DOE are continuing to actively monitor the fuel supply situation as a result of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, and will act expeditiously if extreme and unusual supply circumstances exist in other areas.
To mitigate any impacts on air quality, the Clean Air Act provides strict criteria for when fuels waivers may be granted, and requires that waivers be limited as much as possible in terms of their geographic scope and duration.
More information
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I Ex. 6 - Personal Privacy i EPA Pfess'Office Wed 9/6/2017 2:00:07 PM EPA PREPARES FOR HURRICANE IRMA
CONTACT
EPA PREPARES FOR HURRICANE IRMA
Regions 2 and 4 Taking Precautions, Activating Emergency Response Teams
WASHINGTON - EPA's organized, emergency response program is preparing for Hurricane Irma, while continuing response efforts around the devastating flooding effects of Hurricane Harvey. Irma, expected to hit Southern Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, is expected to be a fast moving storm, with dangerous winds that could cause widespread power outages and damage to property across multiple states and territories of the U.S. While Harvey has been unique in its extreme flooding, Irma's high winds could result in downed powerlines, complicating the ability to pump water through drinking and waste water systems, especially in Puerto Rico.
"After seeing the expert preparedness and ongoing response efforts of our team in Region 6, I am confident that Region 4 and Region 2 can replicate their efforts, as we work together to provide the needed support to local, state and federal agencies around Hurricane Irma," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. .......................................................................................................................
EPA headquarters emergency operations center, EPA Region 2 and EPA Region 4 are monitoring the storm closely and making preparations to activate in order to support the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state environmental agencies, to quickly provide support to people affected by the storm.
EPA's Regional office in Atlanta staking precautions, including: reviewing inventory of, and understanding all sites of interest, in particular Superfund sites in Southern Florida. Initial assessment has approximately 22 current or former National Priorities List (NPL) sites within Florida's southernmost 100 miles. Region 4 is taking necessary actions to shore up these sites appropriately, work with parties responsible for their ongoing cleanups, and ensure that staff in the area are safe.
The Region is also reviewing information about drinking and waste water systems in the potentially affected areas, so that personnel in the field can be best prepared to quickly respond, post storm. EPA staff have been deployed to FEMA's Regional Response Coordination Center, as well as the State of Florida Emergency Operations Center. Region 4 also has additional staff standing by, ready to support state and federal partners if called upon.
With regard to the Mississippi phosphates Superfund site, located in Pascagoula, Mississippi, EPA is taking necessary actions to ensure the treatment plant remains operational during the storm. EPA assumed oversight of the site in February.
"We have been reaching out to all our regional and state agency contacts and I have extreme confidence in our emergency response managers," said EPA Regional Administrator of Region 4 Trey Glenn. "As always we stand with our states and FEMA, ready to identify at-risk locations prior
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to the hurricane, and will be ready to assess damage quickly after landfall." Region 4 serves: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and six Tribes.
EPA has identified and conducted initial assessments at approximately 23 Superfund and oil sites in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. In advance of Irma, Region 2 has reached out to all the responsible entities, whether they be our contractors for fund-lead projects or PRPs, for NPL sites, active removal actions and oil response actions, with regard to preparing for the storm. Region 2 serves: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and eight tribal nations.
"Our biggest health and environmental concerns in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are potential oil spills and the potential impacts of power disruptions on water supply systems," said Acting Regional Administrator Catherine McCabe. "Region 2 is working with managers of Superfund sites and other facilities that may contain oil or hazardous materials to ensure appropriate precautions have been taken to prevent spills. We are doing our best to prepare and support our citizens in Puerto Rico."
Region 2 is coordinating with other federal agencies, like FEMA and the U.S. Coast Guard, and local governments in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. EPA has staff set up at the regional response center in Edison, N.J. and the FEMA response center in Colts Neck, N.J. The Region is ready to deploy additional assets to the islands.
As an Agency, EPA supports hurricane preparedness and response in a number of ways, including:
Addressing Fuel Shortages: The Clean Air Act allows EPA Administrator Pruitt, in consultation with Energy Secretary Perry, to waive certain fuel requirements to address shortages that occur as a result of the storm. If Administrator Pruitt determines that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist in a state or region as a result of a hurricane, a temporary waiver can help ensure an adequate supply of gasoline is available in the affected area, particularly for emergency vehicles. EPA has an experienced team standing by to expedite handling of any fuel waiver requests by the states or commonwealth.
Monitoring Public Water Systems: Water systems can be severely impacted during hurricanes due to storm surge, flooding, or loss of power from extreme winds. EPA has a tracking system to identify systems in the storm's pathway. Following the storm, and if the state requests federal assistance, EPA conducts damage assessments of both drinking water and wastewater systems to identify impacts to critical assets and assist in the recovery.
Securing Superfund Sites: EPA assesses conditions at the NPL Superfund sites in the storm's pathway and tasks each Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) remedial site manager to assess conditions and make on-site preparations for high winds and potentially heavy rainfall. Following the storm and receding floodwaters, EPA conducts rapid assessments to identify damage at sites and initiate cleanup plans if necessary. Any on-site activities at sites located in the storm's path are ceased until the all clear is given and on-site equipment is secured. In addition, freeboard for lagoons or ponds is increased to accommodate forecasted rainfall if possible. After a hurricane makes landfall and any flooding recedes, the EPA remedial managers will conduct assessments of each Superfund NPL site to ensure no damage has occurred.
* Assessing Conditions at Major Industrial Facilities: EPA assesses conditions at the major industrial facilities in the storm's pathway to identify potential impacts and countermeasures. Following the storm and receding floodwaters, spills and releases are reported to the National
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Response Center. NRC notifies the U.S. Coast Guard or EPA based on preapproved jurisdiction boundaries. EPA conducts follow up inspections and damage assessments in response to reports within EPA jurisdiction. EPA will continue to work with Regions 2, 4 and 6 to address these hurricanes and will continue to provide information to the public as quickly as possible. As EPA prepares to support FEMA and its local and state partners, it continues to focus its message on the importance of public safety.
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Sierra Club v. EPA, 1:17-cv-01906
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