Feature Stories
Region 9 Top Stories Quick Finder | ||
![WaterSense logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/images-homepage/energy-star.gif)
![Reno Sparks facility](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/features/RenoSparks/images/Hospital-th.jpg)
Feature story
Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
![Exiting EPA (disclaimer)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/epafiles_misc_exitepadiscsmallest.gif)
Nevada's Brownfields Program
![Exiting EPA (disclaimer)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/epafiles_misc_exitepadiscsmallest.gif)
![Inspector testing for the presence of PCBs](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/toxic/pcb/images/ship-inspect.jpg)
Shipping companies fined for alleged illegal distribution and export of PCBs.
![little green-socked feet](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/air/indoor/images/radon-greenfeet.jpg)
About Radon
News Release | Radon Videos
Region 9/Where you Live
![WaterSense logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/waterinfrastructure/images/watersense-logo-th.gif)
![A gate entrance to the old Maui High School](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/features/oldmauihs/images/Gate-th.jpg)
The historic institution has been restored using green building practices and principles. Feature Story | Green Building | Resource Conservation
![glass of water](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/images/glasswater-th.jpg)
![Lead os Poison. Keep your Child Safe](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/toxic/lead/images/th-renovate.jpg)
![Border 2012 logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/border/images/borderlogo-mini.gif)
News Release | US-Mexico Border Web Site
News Release | Disaster Preparedness Web Site
![](images/pvsa-t.jpg)
![classic computer monitors like this used CRT displays](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/solid/ecycling/crt/images/MonitorTh.jpg)
News Release | Feature Story
Romic East Palo Alto | Feature Story & Video
![gas pump nozzle](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/ust/lostlake/images/gas-nozzle.jpg)
![Nevada City's Tribute Trail](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/features/nevada-city/images/creekside-th.jpg)
Partnership Supports Cleanup and Reuse of Land The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) committed to rapid investigation and cleanup of a Fullerton, California site, and delivered on its promise.
![gas pump nozzle near water](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/features/strawbale/images/bale-of-straw.jpg)
Feature Story | Green Building | Waste
Risk management plans help prevent chemical releases and prompt detection and response when chemical releases do occur. News Release | Emergency Management
![Shiprock at Navajo Nation](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/images-homepage/th-shiprock.jpg)
Uranium Contamination in Navajo Nation
The tribe, EPA and other agencies launch a five-year plan to address and clean up the contamination caused by abandoned uranium mines. Feature Story
![Land revitalization map](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/images-homepage/th-islandsmap.jpg)
EPA and its partners are collaborating to address environmental and revitalization issues unique to the Pacific Islands. Feature story
![Otana Jakpur, PEYA recipient](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/enviroed/images/otana-jakpor-t.jpg)
Presidential Environmental Youth Award to Riverside Student
A 13-year old Riverside student was honored by EPA Region 9 Administrator Wayne Nastri on Friday May 23, 2008, for her research on indoor ozone air pollution from air purifiers. Feature Story
![Nevada City's Tribute Trail](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/features/nevada-city/images/creekside-th.jpg)
![Energy Star logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/images/th/ES_logo_4.gif)
(5/8) EPA recognizes housing developers for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. News Release | News Release | ENERGY STAR Web Site
![Border 2012 program logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/border/images/borderlogo-th.gif)
(4/29) Federal, state, and local agencies from the US and Mexico met to conduct a binational, hazardous substance emergency response training exercise. News Release | US Mexico Border
![peoples hands on a map](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/nepa/features/workgroupmeeting-th.jpg)
![part of an artist's rendering of the planned site](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/images/BOLD-1-th.jpg)
![part of the stop illegal dumping billboard](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/tribal/torres-martinez/images/gallery/tyler-avenue2-th.jpg)
Highlights include fire reduction, waste dump cleanups, and student awards. Web site | Video Update
![Rio Dell welcome sign](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/features/riodell/welcome-th.jpg)
2007
![munitions shells](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/features/ordnance/ordance-th.jpg)
![graphic of tickets](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/recycling/images/tickets.gif)
Enforcement Results in Emergency Response Improvements in AZ and CA Communities (11/07) Projects will include the purchase of emergency response equipment for local fire and hazardous materials response teams and compliance training in the San Joaquin Valley. Feature story »
![Evergreen stack](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/enforcement/features/evergreen/stack-th.jpg)
Environmental Enforcement in 2007 (11/07) EPA enforced against violators of all sizes, in both the public and private sectors, resulting in reduced emissions of air pollutants, fewer discharges into our waterways, and cleanup of soil and groundwater pollution.
Land Revitilization in Hawai´i (10/07) Land revitalization projects preserve Hawai´i's precious natural resources and is key to sustainable living within this island state. Read about the projects
Four Products Approved for Emergency Use on Invasive Light Brown Apple Moth in SF Bay Area (8/07)The invasive pest, new in the continental US, can affect a wide variety of plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables. More information »
Solar Panels Installed at The Pemaco Superfund Site (8/07) As part of the Cleanup-Clean Air Initiative, the panels will supply renewable energy to equipment used for contamination cleanup at the site. Full story »
DDT and PCB Levels in Palos Verdes and San Pedro Bay Areas (8/07) Between 2002 and 2004, state and federal biologists collected over 2,500 fish from 30 locations along the southern California coast. Full story plus recent fish advisory reports »
EPA Continues to Assess Anaconda Mine In Nevada (8/07) EPA is conducting soil sampling and radiological assessment work at the Anaconda Mine site in Yerington, Nevada. News Release | Site Overview | Video, photos, map link
![Thumbnail image of construction at Del Amo Superfund Site](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/tribal/features/lawson/th-lawson-dump.jpg)
Prevention, Preparedness and Response: 2005 in Review
![Emergency preparedness photos](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/superfund/images/preparedness-combo.jpg)
Annual report
![Thumbnail image of construction at Del Amo Superfund Site](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/images/th/th-cnmisewage.jpg)
![Thumbnail image of construction at Del Amo Superfund Site](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/images/th/th-del-amo.jpg)
![Photo of abatement worker](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/toxic/lead/images/abatement-worker-tn.jpg)
2006
![Photo of Northrup executive receiving plaque](fedawards/fedawards-th.jpg)
![Photo of a dam associated with the Iron Mountain Mine](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/superfund/images/25th-th.jpg)
(12/09/06) As the Superfund law celebrates its 25th anniversary this week, it is a good time to reflect on the program’s history and in particular look at some of the success stories we have right here in California. Feature story
![Photo of redevelopment workers at Genentech site](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/features/genentech/th-genentech.jpg)
(12/06/06) A new biotechnology campus will rise where a decrepit century-old paint factory once stood in South San Francisco, thanks to a recent RCRA brownfields agreement. Feature story
![photo of sight-impaired person seated at the Braille workstation](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/images/th/th-assistive.jpg)
![photo of child for Lead Week](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/images/th/th-leadweek.jpg)
![Photo of sign prohibiting stormdrain dumping](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/npdes/images/th-stormdrain.jpg)
Have you ever wondered where the oil goes that makes driving so dangerous after the first rainfall? Or what happens to the detergent that runs down the driveway when you wash your car?
![Photo of University of California at Irvine campus](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/images/th/th-uci.jpg)
(3/25) – UC's participation in EPA's Compliance Incentive Program demonstrates the benefits of this creative way of achieving greater environmental and human health protection.
![Photo of a U.S.-Mexico Border Community](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/images-homepage/th-border.jpg)
![photo of owens valley](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/images/th/th_owens.jpg)
Today, clean air is on the horizon in Califonia's Owens Valley, where drylake bed dust has been a problem for generations.
![Photo of cars](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/air/images/pm25-md-th.jpg)
The nation's first-ever fine particle standard recently announced by Administrator Mike Leavitt portends large ramifications in the Pacific Southwest.
![Photo of Monument Valley desert, at sunset](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/enforcement/images/sunset-th.jpg)
Enforcement results in the Pacific Southwest for Fiscal Year 2004 continued an upward trend over the past three years to rise to the highest number ever.
![Photo of dogs](pesticides/TN-dogs.gif)
The EPA has initiated a multi-state effort to protect consumers from illegal pesticide products, most recently fining companies in three Western states a collective $748,000 for trafficking counterfeit and/or unregistered pet products.
![Photo of alien seaweed cards](seaweed/alien-th.jpg)
In the continuing battle to prevent the spread of alien species in Hawai’i, the EPA and the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources are making available an easy to use education tool to help control alien seaweed species.
![Photo of Bolsa Chica Wetland](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/wetlands/bolsa-chica/bolsa-chica-sm.jpg)
Officials from state and federal agencies and the city of Huntington Beach joined with local environmental groups to break ground for the Bolsa Chica Wetland Restoration Project in Southern California.
![Photo of San Francisco skyline](images/wcd-sfsky-sm.jpg)
![Exiting EPA (disclaimer)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/epafiles_misc_exitepadisc.gif)
The West Coast Diesel Emissions Reductions Collaborative is working to reduce air pollution emissions from diesel sources along the West Coast.
![Photo: When cars are smashed in this crusher, toxic fluids leak out onto the ground](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/enforcement/images/containment-th.jpg)
Within the U.S., an estimated 10 tons of highly toxic mercury are released to the environment each year from mercury-containing light switches during the shredding and crushing of old vehicles.
![Photo of environmental inspectors taking samples of simulated hazardous waste](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/enforcement/images/sm-nogales2.jpg)
U.S. federal, Arizona, and Mexican environmental and customs agencies recently conducted a joint exercise at the Nogales, Arizona port of entry to improve coordination on inspecting hazardous waste shipments moving across the border.
![photo of asbestos rock](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/images/asbestos-sm.jpg)
Cleanup has begun of naturally occurring asbestos at Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado county. EPA believes that asbestos in soils could pose a threat to public health if it became airborne.
![photo of hazardous waste barrels](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/enforcement/images/0404feature1_thumb.jpg)
Whether they are Fortune 500 companies or just neighborhood mom-and-pop shops, making sure companies report their hazardous waste is important to residents of nearby communities who want to know what’s in their back yards.
Coastwide Snapshot Day; May 1, 2004
Volunteers will take water samples at over 500 sites where California's coastal streams and rivers flow into the Pacific Ocean, in the state's second Coastwide Snapshot Day.Last year's event, involving 637 trained volunteers sampling 300 rivers and streams at 550 sites, was the first to cover California's entire coastline, providing public agencies with a "snapshot" of coastal water quality prevention practices
![EPA's Environmental Response Team -- West sample the level of mercury vapors in a bag taken from a house contaminated by liquid mercury in Las Vegas.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/childhealth/images/mercury2-th.jpg)
In January 2004, residents in northern Nevada found out first hand how dangerous mercury can be when dozens of middle school children in Gardnerville were exposed to the element and the vapors it gives off. Less than a week later, severe poisoning from long-term exposure to mercury vapor sent a Las Vegas 17-year-old youth to a hospital's intensive care unit for a week, and the exposure may cause lifelong effects.
![HP Pavilion at San Jose](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/greenvenues/images/th-hppavilion.jpg)
In 2001, the HP Pavilion's event managers developed a plan with Waste Management - the Pavilion's trash contractor - to improve the recycling program at the arena. Through cooperation, HP Pavilion at San Jose and Waste Management created a far more effective recycling program that now also includes an impressive composting component. For HP Pavilion, better recycling and the startup of a composting program turned out to be significantly cheaper than landfill disposal.
Children's health issues in the Pacific Southwest
An overview of key children’s health programs and research in the Pacific Southwest, including efforts by EPA, state and local health and environmental organizations, and links to other resources.
![Photo of Coral Reefs](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/islands/images/reef_introimage.jpg)
In conjunction with EPA's Pacific Islands Environmental Conference in Honolulu on June 25-27, 2003, EPA co-sponsored two workshops focusing on coral reef issues for all U.S. Pacific Islands. These workshops addressed key threats to coral reefs identified by the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, a partnership of EPA and other federal agencies, states and U.S. territories.
Compliance and Enforcement Accomplishments, 2002
EPA released a report of its compliance assurance and enforcement results in the Pacific Southwest Region for the Fiscal Year 2002. The agency pursued 276 civil enforcement actions resulting in $6.9 million in penalties and over $1 billion in cash and work for cleanups.
Introduction to Dairy Waste in the Pacific Southwest Region
California is America’s biggest dairy producer, with over 1.4 million cows producing over three billion gallons of milk annually -- and 30 million tons of manure. All this waste can pollute rivers, streams, ground water, and air, if not properly managed.
![Dairy Waste Management](animalwaste/images/three.jpg)
![Project Loko I'a](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/images/molokai1.jpg)
Fish pond restoration began on the island of Molokai, and is now expanding throughout the state of Hawai'i. For many Hawai'ians, fish pond restoration is seen as an important step toward a sustainable future.
![Workers moving a cabinet at Stardust](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/solid/stardust/images/workers-th.jpg)
A $40,000 EPA grant awarded in 2001 to Stardust Non-Profit Building Supplies in Phoenix, Ariz., has helped reduce construction and demolition waste going to area landfills by more than 1,200 tons in the first half of 2002.
![](hospital/hospital.jpg)
EPA established the San Francisco Bay Area Hospital Pollution Prevention Partnership in 1999 to reduce the amount of wastes generated by hospitals. The Partnership, consisting of members from hospitals, government agencies, and community groups, is working to reduce the amount of mercury, medical, and solid wastes generated from six major hospitals in the Bay Area.
Energy Issues in Region 9
The EPA's Pacific Southwest and Pacific Northwest regional offices have been working diligently with other federal, state and local agencies to craft energy solutions that are consistent with clean air and protecting human health and the environment.
Illegal Pest Products Pose Hazards
Illegal urban pesticide products have been a source of growing concern to EPA over the last several years. EPA's Pacific Southwest Regional office is part of a national EPA initiative to protect consumers through enforcement actions against companies selling or distributing illegal household pesticides, and by raising public awareness of these products.
Tosco-Rodeo Oil Refinery Air Quality Monitoring Project
EPA's Pacific Southwest regional office is supporting a project to make real-time air toxics monitoring data from the Tosco-Rodeo Oil Refinery in Contra Costa County, California, available to the public in useful and accessible ways.
Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS)
Mission Accomplished: The U.S. Army safely destroyed the last of over 400,000 obsolete chemical weapons collected from Okinawa and other U.S. military bases in the Pacific Basin and West Germany between 1971 and 1991.
EPA at 30: Top Environmental Stories, 1970-2000
EPA Region 9 has compiled a timeline that shows our choices of 30 of the top national environmental news stories of the past 30 years, and 30 of the top regional stories.
![A hopper dredge involved in a pilot cleanup project of the Palos Verdes Shelf.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090511044946im_/http://www.epa.gov/region09/superfund/pvshelf/images/thb_boats.jpg)
The U.S. and the State of California announced a $73 million settlement to clean up DDT pollution and help rehabilitate natural resources off the coast of Los Angeles.
Barrio Logan Environmental Justice Project
An Interagency Committee selected Barrio Logan Community as an environmental justice pilot project. The community is one of 15 across the country chosen for the new program.