Community-Based Supplemental
Environmental Projects (SEPs)
For the Settlement With
Rocky Mountain Steel Mills
-------
-------
What is a SEP?
A Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) is part of an enforcement
settlement when there is a violation of an environmental law or regulation. As
part of the enforcement settlement, a portion of the monetary settlement is
redirected to community based environmentally beneficial projects. A SEP
furthers the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) goal of protecting
and enhancing public health and the environment. A SEP does not include
activities that a defendant must take to come in to compliance with the law.
Rocky Mountain Steel Mill (RMSM) - Pueblo, Colorado
The $431,678 allocated for these SEPs is provided by Rocky Mountain Steel
Mills as the result of a settlement with the EPA for violations of the Clean Air
Act. The funds will be allocated over the course of two years to the
organizations listed on the following pages.
These SEPs were developed because of RMSM's willingness to direct a part of
its monetary settlement to these projects, the Region 8 Air-Enforcement staffs
commitment to do the work necessary to create a SEP and the Region 8
Environmental Justice (EJ) Program's focus on implementing SEPs in
settlements. The EJ Program is committed to providing continuing assistance in
the implementation and oversight of the SEPs to their successful completion. If
you are interested in exploring SEPs as part of your enforcement settlements,
please contact the staff of the Environmental Justice Program.
-------
Project #1: Open Airways for Schools and Asthma 101
Sponsor: American Lung Association of Colorado
Summary: Open Airways for School is the only statewide asthma education
program in Colorado, and is currently used in elementary schools across the
nation. It is designed to encourage children with asthma, ages 8-11, to
participate in the management and treatment of their disease. Asthma 101 is an
in depth education program designed to teach families the basics about asthma
and proper asthma treatment.
Project Goal: Improve the proper care and management of children's asthma
by educating low-income children with asthma aged 8-11, their families and
school personnel in Pueblo County.
Project Objectives:
* Reach out to 220 asthmatic children and their families to educate them about
management of their condition.
* Two Asthma 101 sessions. Session 1 is designed to provide basic introduction
to asthma including diagnosis, treatment and triggers. Session 2 focuses on
medications, proper inhaler technique, peak flow monitoring and developing an
asthma management plan.
* Reduce the number of emergency room visits for asthma.
* Reduce the number of school and workdays missed due to asthma.
Budget: $5,000 for each program, two programs totaling $10,000
Open
irways
For Schools
ASSOCIATION.
-------
Project #2: Breathe Better Foundation
Sponsor: Colorado Allergy and Asthma Centers Breathe Better Foundation
Summary: The Breathe Better Bus is a crucial tool for educating communities
about lung disease and respiratory care. This brightly painted bus is powered by
natural gas, and serves as an interactive mobile classroom. Six hands-on exhibits
are designed to personalize messages for children and adults about healthy
lungs, asthma management, lung capacity measurement, what it feels like to have
asthma, air quality, dangerous chemicals in tobacco smoke, and effects of
smoking on the lungs.
Project Goal: To provide education to children and adults about asthma, air
quality and the effects of smoking for seven days.
Project Objectives:
* Increased education and awareness about lung health.
* An opportunity for a free lung test and educational materials.
* Improved quality of life for those who participate in the program.
Budget: $12,693
-------
Project #3: Children's Lead Project
Sponsor: City and County Of Pueblo Health Department Environmental
Health Division
Summary: The department will talk about any potential lead hazards in homes
and neighborhoods next to the Rocky Mountain Steel Mill site. The main
concern will be to protect neighborhood children, by testing for lead in homes
and remediation of homes where lead is found. Children living in those homes
where lead is detected will be tested for elevated blood lead levels.
Project Goal:
To educate, and to limit lead
exposure in children in
three low-income
neighborhoods. The benefit
will be the reduction of lead
in children in those areas.
Project Objectives:
* Reduce the rate of lead
poisoning in children.
* Teach about the long-term
effects of lead on children.
* Remediation by a certified
lead contractor will be
offered to the owners of
homes that pose health
risks.
Budget: $157,691
Death
CHILDREN
-
Coma/seizures
Kidney oWijigs
Frank anemia
Stomach aches -'crarn ps
Decreased ability to make
red blood cell &
Decreased Ability
la us« Vrtamln D
_^^^\
f\
( \
Ntrvti iff»clect
(llo«lr retctitti lime,
worttned *an»*tton}
Interference in ability to mate
red M . i. IT cells
Premature birth, reduced birth weight,
difficulty maintaining steady posture
Passible decreased ability
to use Vitamin D
lntlrteXIK* in brain cull dnvo.npm.nl
/ ^^^ I
KJ/bwrtrVgrowtt
Lead CIOSBBB the placenta
and into the foetus
150
100
(483)
50
(2-41)
40
{193)
30
{144)
20
CO-96)
1 r&
{0-461
ADULTS
Ca^ia/seirurea
V /
Frank sue mi a
DacTBased I itg-&pan
Dflcraa»d ability to tnak>
Nerve problems, decreased sensation
and ability to move quickl y
1 iif.-ii i ty f i IM '.
Kidney damage
Increased blood pressuro
Hairing loss
Interference in ability to make
red blood cells (men)
,
1 m I i
t ^r \ I
\ *r
IntBrference in ability
to rr ,-ikn red blood .;.:!: Ewcmen)
/
/
HypnrtBnssitiri
NHMRC National Goal
~ for aTl Australians
XJTT
Lead concentration - pg/dL
(UTKjI/L)
-------
Project #4: Huff and Puff: The Children's Asthma Program
Sponsor: Parkview Medical Center
Summary: Through games, music, creative play and dialogue, children ages 4 -
10, learn how to take an active role in their care. This project supplements
medical care by encouraging cooperative care between physicians and children.
It will assist clients in staying healthy.
Project Goal: To foster cooperative management that results in the prevention
and control of asthma symptoms, and expand community outreach, education,
prevention, early recognition and ongoing care, to help children and adults
control their asthma.
Project Objectives:
* Decrease emergency room and hospital visits.
* Decrease unscheduled physician visits.
* Decrease missed school/wok days due to asthma.
* Educate patients and families about asthma.
* Assess and identify asthma triggers and interventions.
Budget: $50,000
Asthma Rates in Pueblo for the Year 2001
150 n
a
2100-
0J
Children 0-Adults over White Blacks Hispanic
17 18
-------
Project #J: Uninsured Asthma Patients Medical Costs
Sponsor: Pueblo Community Health Center
Summary: The resources would be used to offset the costs of caring for
Pueblo's uninsured residents with asthma.
Project Goal: To serve medically uninsured patients in need of medical
treatment for asthma, regardless of their ability to pay. This will lead to a
healthier community and increased awareness of how to manage asthma.
Project Objectives:
* Pueblo Community Health Center will provide a minimum of 426 visits at an
average cost of $94 per visit to asthmatic patients without medical insurance.
* Pueblo Community Health Center will provide a minimum of 426
prescriptions at an average cost of $32 per prescription of asthmatic patients
without medical insurance.
* Pueblo Community Health Center will continue to provide these services to
those in need after the SEP funding is depleted.
Budget: $36,926
Health Insurance Coverage
of Hispanic Children
20%
Health Insurance Coverage
of White Children
-------
Project # 6 Arkansas River/Runyon Lake Habitat Restoration
Sponsor: City of Pueblo
Summary: This project adds a critical element to environmental restoration and
habitat improvements at Runyon Lake State Wildlife Area and the adjacent
section of the Arkansas River bordering the area lakes. The project is being
performed in cooperation with the US Army Corps of Engineers and the City of
Pueblo.
Project Goal: The goal is to plant 1,200 trees and shrubs within the project
area. This will include the removal of non-native vegetation including tamarisk
and Russian olive trees within a 30-acre area. These non-native trees will be
replaced with cottonwood trees and other native riparian vegetation along the
shoreline.
Project Objectives:
* Improvement of the air quality of Pueblo. Each tree can absorb the
equivalent of 26 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.
*Removal of contaminants from soil. The trees can potentially remove 75% of
the nitrates in the ground before pollutants reach the Arkansas River.
* Reduction of the number of invasive plants that displace native riparian plants
in the Arkansas River and its floodplains.
Budget: $50,000
-------
Project #7: GOOD Medicine Program
Sponsor: St. Mary Corwin Medical Center
Summary: This program is a traveling community health effort of educational
events and health screenings designed specifically for the Pueblo community.
Health screenings are free or low-cost.
Project Goal: St. Mary-Corwin is offering the GOOD Medicine Program with
the respiratory, rehabilitation and other related departments to address health
conditions. A total of three workshops will be offered to provide pulmonary
health screening a minimum of two times per month. Workshops will offer
health screenings; guest speakers and health professionals will be available to
answer patient questions and follow-up contacts will be scheduled.
Project Objectives:
*Hold 3 workshops.
* Have 2 Cardio-pulmonary health screenings monthly.
Budget: $29,088
-------
Project #8: Block at a Time "Environmental Phase"
Sponsor: Bessemer Association for
Neighborhood Development (BAND)
Summary: On-site assessment of opportunities for neighborhood physical
improvements, including removing and covering potentially hazardous materials
and printing and distributing education materials. This program provides
assistance for specific exterior improvements to structures and landscaping of
properties identified from the assessment.
Project Goal: To target the
approximately 5 blocks in Bessemer for
environmental improvements such as
water conservation (Xeriscaping) and
reducing outside fugitive dust or
pollutants.
Project Objectives:
* To beautify a neighborhood around
RMSM.
* To xeriscape 10 homes and the public
areas within the blocks.
* Dust reduction in the neighborhood by
50%.
* Residents and the public will receive
education regarding conservation efforts
and how to implement these in their area.
Budget: $50,000
-------
Project #9: Historical Study of Hazardous
Substances in South Pueblo's Neighborhoods
Sponsor: Citizens for Clean Air and Water
Summary: This is an historical study of hazardous substance deposits in south
Pueblo's neighborhoods. It uses community interviews, archives and research to
develop reports and GIS resources to produce maps.
Project Goal: Results will be used to help residents make better decisions about
activities where they now live. Information developed in the form of a written
report and maps will be shared with the city and county for planning and zoning
purposes.
Project Objectives:
* Collection of information on Pueblo's pollution history from sources never
before studied, such as old industrial sites in the Pueblo area.
* Organization of information in a set of documents, including maps suitable
for analysis and recommendation for future action and/or related testing and
other studies.
* Presentation information useful for community planning and decision-
making and for addressing local environmental problems.
Budget; $35,910
-------
To learn more about Environmental Justice &
Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs):
Call: 1-800-227-8917 or Michael Wenstrom at 303-312-7009
Or visit our website at:
http: //www.epa.gov/regionQ8/community resources /ej 7ejhome.html
Or http: //www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/programs/seps7index.html
-------
------- |