superfund

Nov 22, 2011

Brevard, NC + Sustainable Approaches = Jobs and a Cleaner Environment

Blue Ridge Mountains, superfund, superfund site, Supporting Sustainable Rural Communities, UD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities, USDA, White House Rural Council 3 Comments

By Matthew Dalbey

On November 17, I traveled with Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe and USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan to Brevard, North Carolina, a town of fewer than 7,000 people in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The deputies held a roundtable discussion with local officials, community organizations and businesses under the auspices of the White House Rural Council, and released a report, Supporting Sustainable Rural Communities , by the HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities and USDA.

Brevard and the surrounding region exemplify how rural towns can use sustainable approaches to create jobs and protect the environment. These approaches include economic development strategies and land use policies that support agriculture, foster thriving main streets, and build on competitive advantages to improve quality of life.

The deputies toured a former paper mill and Superfund site that has been cleaned up and is now ready for redevelopment. The mill was once the largest employer in Transylvania County, so its closure in 2002 was an economic blow. Thanks to an innovative partnership between the developers, EPA, the state of North Carolina, and other stakeholders, the site is being redeveloped with homes, stores, and accommodations for visitors to the Pisgah National Forest. The development is connected to downtown Brevard and the national forest by a bicycle and hiking trail. And it will create over 2,800 permanent jobs.

Deputy Perciasepe called the Partnership report a “physical manifestation” of the four agencies’ commitment to helping public investments work better for rural America and creating good conditions for private investment. The report outlines how rural communities can use programs from the four agencies to get better results for their economies, environment, communities, and public health. Deputy Merrigan noted the Partnership’s efforts to support main streets in small towns, which are critical to the future of rural America.

Having worked on the Partnership since it began in 2009, and particularly on rural issues, I found this trip particularly gratifying. I also enjoyed the opportunity to discuss the rural work we do with the chief operating officers of two agencies with huge footprints in rural America. It was a terrific experience to be in Brevard to hear how leaders in this region are using sustainable approaches to create great places to live—and to show other communities across the country that these strategies can improve quality of life in rural America, even in these challenging economic times.

About the author: Matthew Dalbey is director of the Federal and State Division in the Office of Sustainable Communities.

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

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Aug 24, 2011

Science Wednesday – Apps for the Environment: The New Way of Communicating Science and Information

AirNow, Apps for the Environment, Apps for the Environment Challenge, Green Vehicle Guide, Research and Development, Science Wednesday, superfund, toxcast, TRI 2 Comments

Each week we write about the science behind environmental protection. Previous Science Wednesdays.
By Jing Zhang

Want to know the weather tomorrow, the next movie showing, or the latest Hollywood gossip? There’s an app for that! In the age of smart phones, answers are literally at your fingertips on your iPhone or Android device. There’s no need to scour the internet for solutions when you can simply download an app that will gather the relevant information for you in a user-friendly application on your phone.

Working in EPA’s Office of Research and Development, I constantly hear of the developments and data that Agency researchers and scientists have produced. These scientists work diligently year around on protecting the environment and human health as outlined in Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s Seven Priorities. What better way is there for communicating the resources and discoveries of EPA researchers than in an easy-to-use app on your mobile device?

challengebanner_M The EPA Apps for the Environment Challenge invites software developers to use EPA data to develop apps so the public can understand or protect the environment in their daily lives. Want to know the air quality where you live or which cars have the least amount of greenhouse gas emissions? There could be an app for that!

EPA has a lot of data that is publicly available. This data includes information from the Toxic Release Inventory which tells you facilities that dispose of or release toxic chemicals, real time air quality monitoring, green vehicle guide that gives environmental performance guides for vehicles, a Superfund website, and chemical toxicity information from the ToxCast database. Because these datasets are overwhelming for those with less technical and scientific knowledge like me, EPA held a series of webinars where data owners explained the information.

If you’re like me and don’t know the first thing about developing an app, you can still participate by submitting ideas for apps. These ideas are useful in providing developers and researchers a window of insight into the needs and wants of the public.

For more information and rules, visit the Apps for the Environment website. The deadline for submissions is September 16. In the meantime, you can find out the latest information on Twitter, just search #greenapps.

About the Author: Jing Zhang is a student services contractor working with the science communications team in EPA’s Office of Research and Development.

Jun 22, 2010

Cleaning Up Newtown Creek, New York

Cleanup, Lower Duwamish Waterway, Newtown Creek, superfund 12 Comments

Since 1986, I have had the privilege to be one of EPA’s sets of eyes underwater as a member of the EPA Dive Team in Region 10. With a dry suit, dry gloves, and full face mask, diving safely into urban waters, such as the Lower Duwamish Waterway near Seattle, to coax their secrets for EPA’s programs. After an intriguing diving “diet” of contaminated sediment to discharging groundwater laden with volatile compounds to thick layers of organic material best described as pudding, in support of EPA’s Superfund, RCRA, and Water Permitting and Compliance Programs, this spring was a propitious time to move my cross-program experience out of the water and along the banks of those waterways.

Although I have spent many hours on and in the Lower Duwamish Waterway, I have been fortunate to be temporarily assigned to work on Urban Waters. I was recently invited to a boat tour of the Newtown Creek (between Queens and Brooklyn) on the EPA research vessel CleanWater on April 19, 2010. The Creek has been highly modified by urbanization – the wetlands that existed vanished with the rip-rap, bulk heading, infilling, and channelization (much of which similarly occurred along the Lower Duwamish Waterway). Like other urban waters, Newtown Creek is nevertheless fished and kayaked.

riveruse

In the mid 1800s, the area adjacent to Newtown Creek was one of the busiest hubs of industrial activity in New York City. More than 50 industrial facilities were located along its banks, including oil refineries, petrochemical plants, fertilizer and glue factories, sawmills, and lumber and coal yards. The creek was crowded with commercial vessels, including large boats bringing in raw materials and fuel and taking out oil, chemicals and metals. The city later began dumping raw sewage directly into the water in 1856. During World War II, the creek had become one of the busiest ports in the nation. Some factories and facilities still operate along it, and various adjacent contaminated sites have contributed to its degradation.

Today Newtown Creek remains badly polluted. EPA is doing with our programs what we do best. We know now what the contamination is, where it is, and are developing the site-specific understanding and context, that, from my more programmatic view, allow us to move forward and clean up this urban water.

About the author: Dr. Bruce Duncan has been with EPA since 1984, trained as a marine biologist, and serves as senior ecologist in the Office of Environmental Assessment, Region 10, recently stepping down from the Regional dive team after 24 years. He assists with furthering the role of science in decision-making and is currently on a 4-month assignment to the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization assisting with the Urban Waters.

Feb 19, 2010

Video Town Hall

carbon footprint, climate change, recycling, reusing, superfund, video town hall 3 Comments

An Inside Job

It wasn’t too long ago that I was working to improve human health and the environment from outside the government. Only a year ago, I was working with communities to redevelop properties at brownfield sites. When you’re outside the government, gaining access to the government officials who make decisions that affect your work can be a challenge. Now that I’m in the government, I have a chance to provide the access that’s so important to people and groups with environmental concerns. That’s why I’ve started a series of Video Town Hall discussions that will help me hear what you have to say.

Our first Video Town Hall was held in December, and I was very happy with the discussion that took place. The topic was the Superfund program, and we fielded questions from people and groups across the country. Our plan was to answer as many questions as time allowed, and I was pleased that we were able to answer every single question that we received.

Our next Video Town Hall will be held on February 23 from 1:30-3:00 PM Eastern Time. For this Town Hall, we plan to cover two topics.

First, we want to talk about how people and businesses can reduce their carbon footprint through reducing, reusing, and recycling. We all know that climate change is one of the great challenges facing our nation. Any effective strategy to fight climate change will require that we rethink the way that we buy new products and dispose of old products. I want to know how you’re fighting climate change through materials management, and what my office can do to help you reduce your carbon footprint.

The second topic is EPA’s upcoming environmental justice analysis of the Definition of Solid Waste Rule. We recently began seeking input on our draft plan, and we’d like to know what you think.

There are two ways to participate in the Town Hall: over the internet or by phone. You can send questions to townhallquestions@epa.gov before or during the discussion, and we’ll also take a few questions from the phone toward the end of the call. All the information you need to participate is available on our Video Town Hall page.

I know that people outside of the government have important things to say about the environment; they just need someone to listen. Now that I’m the guy on the inside, that’s what I intend to do.

About the author: Mathy Stanislaus is EPA’s Assistant Administrator for the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.

Aug 28, 2008

Vieques, “Isla Nena”

Puerto Rico, spanish, superfund, Vieques 10 Comments

About the author: Brenda Reyes Tomassini joined EPA in 2002. She is a public affairs specialist in the San Juan, Puerto Rico office and also handles community relations for the Caribbean Environmental Protection Division.

Lea la versión en español a continuación de esta entrada en inglés.
Some links exit EPA or have Spanish content.

Ariel photo of Vieques, Puerto Rico Up in the sky I feel a little relieved. My flight to Vieques just took off on time, which means I will arrive on time to the Second Children’s Health Fair. In less than 12 minutes, and after crossing a stretch of seven miles off the southeastern coast of Puerto Rico I will arrive at my destination. The Caribbean sea underneath me divides this municipality, which is home to around 10,000 residents, from the rest of the big island. Though I am not a native of Vieques, it has become my favorite place in the world ever since I began working as community involvement coordinator in 2002 on the investigation of hazardous waste contamination on areas of the island.

photo of starfish in clear water Beginning in the 1940s, Vieques became home to the Atlantic Weapons Training Facility Area, when 25,000 acres in the western and eastern parts of the island were used as naval support and training facilities. After the U.S. Navy left in 2003, portions of the island were included in EPA’s National Priorities List for cleanup under the Superfund program. The eastern part of the island is now the Vieques Fish and Wildlife Refuge and has some of the most beautiful beaches and views in the Caribbean. Two of them opened in 2004: Blue Beach and Red Beach, or as locals call them, “Playa La Chiva” and “Playa Caracas.” Shades of blue, turquoise and light green make up most of the beaches in the site. I have also seen green turtles, stingrays and starfish swimming peacefully and monarch butterflies dancing in the hot dry air.

Due to the nature of the site, EPA established a field office in Vieques, where our Remedial Project Manager is stationed. As part of our outreach efforts I have participated in many activities over the course of the last six years. However it is the first time we participate in the Children’s Health Fair. More than 700 children, residents of Vieques, along with Puerto Rico’s First Lady and the Secretary of Health attended the activity. In our booth coloring books on asthma were given away along with environmental health materials. At the end of the day I am exhausted beyond words. The children seem to be as exhausted as I am but are quickly delighted to see the big spray of the fire truck. They run towards the water and I would love to do the same, but a 12 minute plane ride and 1.5 hour drive await me in order to get home

What is not to love about Vieques?

Vieques, Isla Nena

Sobre la autor: Brenda Reyes Tomassini se unió a la EPA en el 2002. Labora como especialista de relaciones públicas en la oficina de EPA en San Juan, Puerto Rico donde también maneja asuntos comunitarios para la División de Protección Ambiental del Caribe.

Ariel photo of Vieques, Puerto Rico Arriba en el aire me siento un poco más relajada. Mi vuelo hacia Vieques partió a la hora esperada, lo que significa que llegaré justo a tiempo a la Segunda Feria de Salud del Niño en Vieques. En menos de 12 minutos y luego de cruzar siete millas de la costa sureste de Puerto Rico llegaré a mi destino. Debajo de mi el mar Caribe, azul y tranquilo, divide este municipio del resto de la “Isla Grande”. Aunque no nací ni crecí en esta isla en la que habitan cerca de 10,000 personas, es mi lugar preferido en el mundo desde que comencé a laborar con la EPA como coordinadora de relaciones con la comunidad en el 2002 como parte de la investigación de lugares contaminados en esta isla-municipio.

photo of starfish in clear water Desde los 1940’s Vieques albergó las instalaciones de la Flota de Entrenamiento de Armas del Atlántico de la Marina de los Estados Unidos en unos 25,000 acres que eran utilizados como facilidades de apoyo y entrenamiento. Luego que la Marina partió en el 2003, porciones de la isla fueron incluidas en la Lista Nacional de Prioridades de la EPA. La parte este de la isla es hoy día un Refugio de Vida Silvestre manejado por la Agencia Federal de Pesca y Vida Silvestre. Allí dos de las playas más hermosas del Caribe fueron abiertas al público general en el 2004: Playa La Chiva y Playa Caracas también conocidas como Red Beach y Blue Beach. En estas playas azul turquesa y de arena blanca como el azúcar he podido ver mantarayas, estrellas de mar y tortugas. También he visto mariposas monarcas danzar en el aire caliente y seco de los terrenos del refugio.

Dada la magnitud y naturaleza del caso, la EPA estableció una oficina en Vieques en donde nuestro gerente de proyecto supervisa las labores de investigación y es el enlace inmediato con la comunidad. Como parte de nuestros esfuerzos comunitarios hemos participado en decenas de actividades en los últimos 6 años. Sin embargo, ésta es la primera vez que participamos de esta Feria. Cerca de 700 niños residentes de Vieques junto con la Primera Dama de Puerto Rico y la Secretaria de Salud participaron de la actividad. En nuestro exhibidor repartimos libros de colorear sobre asma y materiales educativos para los padres. Al final del día los niños han terminado tan exhaustos y acalorados como yo, sin embargo ellos emocionados corren al camión de bomberos donde un gran chorro de agua los refresca. Me gustaría poder hacer lo mismo que ellos y empapar mi ropa de agua fría. Pero me espera un vuelo de 12 minutos y manejar una hora y media para poder llegar a casa.

¿Por qué no me ha de encantar de Vieques?

Apr 25, 2008

Have Respirator, Will Travel

superfund 5 Comments

About the author: Dan Heister is an on-scene coordinator with Superfund in Region 10 for 8 years. Dan’s responses have ranged from fifty gallon oil spills on a small creek to spending 7 weeks in a FEMA trailer helping with the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Dan Heister I’m an on-scene coordinator (OSC) in Region 10 (AK, ID, OR and WA) and it is my considered opinion that I have the best job in the Agency. I should know, in 21 years of service with EPA I’ve worked as a program analyst at HQ, been a state grants project officer, a pesticide, PCB, Confined Animal Feed Operation (CAFO) and SPCC inspector. I’ve done details with the Oregon Department of Ag and the City of Portland’s Brownfields program, but for the past eight years I’ve done emergency response and time critical removal actions and consider myself very fortunate.

Some of the upsides of the job are that I get to see a lot of scenery around the region and the country, albeit on very short notice and the scenery smells like diesel or whatever happened to have been spilled. I rarely wear a tie and can usually wear blue jeans. Some downsides are long days, stressful circumstances, bad coffee, greasy food, and cold port-a-potties. The toughest part is being away from my family for extended periods. Fortunately my wife and daughter know how much satisfaction I get from my work and they accommodate within reason.

On-scene cleanup technicians in full-body moonsuits. As an OSC I get to meet lots of people. In most cases they have a preconceived notion of what an EPA bureaucrat is and their initial expectations are set accordingly. Most of my reward comes at the end of an emergency response or removal action when some one tells me, “you’re not what I expected”, or “thanks for your: help, caring, honesty, humor, listening”. This happens exactly 7.847% of the time, but it’s like playing golf: one good shot out of fifty puts the spring back in your step. Alternately, I have been sworn at, threatened and even had a bullet shot through the federal plate on a government car, but those things happen very infrequently. People for the most part usually extend a modicum of trust with a desire to give more if warranted.

The OSC position is an obscure one to many within and outside the EPA. I hope over time I can make the OSC’s role in the Agency’s larger mission a bit clearer. Here’s a description of what an on-scene coordinator does.

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