U.S Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 Office of Environmental Justice and Tribal Affairs Environmental Justice Showcase Community Project Update United States Environmental Protection Agency Port Arthur, Texas - Westside Community - January - June 2010 Community comments frame Port Arthur Westside Showcase Plan On November 17, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Pro- tection Agency (EPA) announced a new national ini- tiative to address Environmental Justice (EJ) chal- lenges in ten communities across the country. The Westside community of Port Arthur, Texas was se- lected as an EJ Showcase Community. The EJ Showcase Community project will use a col- laborative community-based approach to improve the community's public health and the environment. On January 19 and March 4, 2010, EPA held public meetings in Port Arthur. EPA used input from these meetings to develop an action plan for the project. The following is a summary of issues raised during the January 19, 2010, meeting. Environmental Emergency Response The community raised concerns about local area emergency response planning for various emergency situations, including accidental releases, explosions, natural disasters, etc. There was also concern about the current process for providing resident notifica- tions during such events. Residents stated that emer- gency notification methods should go beyond com- puter, television or newspaperparticularly for eld- erly and those who have limited access to those me- diums. A concern was expressed that area roadways might experience bottlenecks during future emer- gency evacuation events. Air Several general concerns were expressed about local air quality. Residents mentioned odor issues and in- dicated a need for more air monitoring at community fence lines. Community concerns exist about local industrial facilities' green house emissions, incident EPA's Commitment to Environmental Justice "We must take special pains to connect with those who have been historically underrepre- sented in EPA decision-making, including the disenfranchised in our cities and rural areas, communities of color, native Americans, people disproportionately impacted by pollution, and small businesses, cities, and towns working to meet their environmental responsibilities. Like all Americans, they deserve an EPA with an open mind, a big heart and a willingness to lis- ten... we must be sensitive to the burdens pollu- tion has placed on vulnerable subpopulations, including children, the elderly, the poor and all others who are at particular risk to threats to health and the environment. We must seek their full partnership in the greater aim of identifying and eliminating the sources of pollution in their neighborhoods, schools and homes. " EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson air emissions, and releases to the environment. Water The community expressed concerns about local drinking water quality (such as taste, clarity, and color). Concern exists about the wastewater being discharged from the fish market operations (Kim's Seafood). Continued on Pages 2-3 Office of Environmental Justice and Tribal Affairs ~ 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75202 ------- Port Arthur, Texas - Westside Community, Project Update, January - June 2010 - Page 2 Shirley Augurson, Associate Director for Environmental Justice, EPA Re- gion 6 Office of Environmental Jus- tice and Tribal Affairs, leads a break- out session during a meeting with community members in Port Arthur in March. EPA Region 6 Office of Environ- mental Justice and Tribal Affairs Di- rector Jeannine Hale takes notes during a community meeting on the Showcase Community project in Port Arthur in January. Deborah Ponder, EPA Region 6 Of- fice of Environmental Justice and Tribal Affairs Deputy Director, with Port Arthur Mayor Deloris "Bobbie" Prince during the March EJ Show- case meeting. General Environmental The community asked for access to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for chemicals or hazardous materials used, stored or pro- duced by local industry. The community also asked for access to reports of what local indus- trial facilities are releasing or emitting to the environment. The community is interested in creating buffers between residential areas and plant operations. Concern was expressed about negotiations with industry (e.g., pipe- lines) for easements or right of ways across the residents' properties. A resident expressed a desire that future environmental violation fines imposed on local industry be used to benefit the community (e.g., more use of Supplemental Environmental Projects, or SEPs). Health The residents expressed concerns about local health issues. Respiratory ailments, asthma, cancer, and allergies are some specific community health concerns. Some residents believe a long term health effects or epidemiological study is needed for the community. Economic Revitalization The residents want more job opportunities, particularly from local in- dustry. Some commenters were interested in reestablishing a local brownfields to help with Westside redevelopment (such as removal of blight, vacant property reuse, economic rebirth). Other Concerns The residents believe there are opportunities for improved communi- cations between all parties; between the residents and local industry (e.g., plant incidents, information about local industrial construction projects, plant operations and routine releases); and between the residents and local leaders. Some individuals expressed a lack of trust of local government lead- ership. They do not trust the state environmental department (TCEQ), and they do not trust that EPA and the state are solving community problems. Noise level in the community is a concern. A concern was raised regarding the need for more developed recrea- tion facilities (e.g., parks, community meeting space, and green space. The need for improved local leadership is a concern. A concern was expressed about local zoning. There was a concern about local government seizure of privately- owned properties. Some individuals expressed interest in potential resident relocation away from heavy industry. Office of Environmental Justice and Tribal Affairs ~ 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75202 ------- Port Arthur, Texas - Westside Community, Project Update, January - June 2010 - Page 3 Proposed Showcase Project Activities The activities listed below are being planned or considered for implementation in the Port Arthur Westside EJ Showcase Community project. EPA will continue to pursue other ways to address the Westside community's concerns. If you have any suggestions or comments, please provide them to EPA by September 17, 2010. Environmental Emergency Response Hold workshops on local emergency response plans Participate in local notification exercise Provide Citizen Emergency Response Training (CERT) Air Inform community about EPA state wide initiative to improve state air permits Inform community about area air quality data Promote EPA's Healthy School Environments Programs to community schools Educate community on asthma triggers Water Inform community about area water quality data Inform community about local public water system evaluation Inform community about evaluation of water permits issued to area plants Inform community about area groundwater data evaluation Projects supported with EPA EJ Showcase Community funds ($100,000): . Healthy Homes Outreach Project, University of Texas Foundation in collaboration with University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and Community In Power and De- velopment Association, $14,799 . After School Environmental Sci- ence Lab Project, Tekoa Charter School, $14, 550 . Golden Triangle Empowerment Center Job Training Program, $14,800 . EPA 'Environmental Profile' out- reach document development, $46,776 . Facilitation services at January 19, 2010, meeting, $2,951 . Future facilitation services, $6,120 General Inform local leaders of recent state and federal environmental compliance plant inspections to encourage Sup- plemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) for community Health Develop or enhance local lead paint hazard outreach program Hold Health Awareness Outreach Events Economic Revitalization Do site environmental assessments for downtown buildings to help reuse or redevelopment Do downtown site inventory Inform local leaders of Job Training grant opportunities Other Hold event for South East Texas Regional Planning Commission and Industry Lighthouse Program Jeannine Hale, Director, Office of Environmental Justice & Tribal Affairs (214) 665-2136 Deborah Ponder, Deputy Director, Office of Environmental Justice & Tribal Affairs (214) 665-7461 Shirley Augurson, Associate Director, Office of Environmental Justice & Tribal Affairs (214) 665-7401 Office of Environmental Justice and Tribal Affairs ~ 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75202 ------- &EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 Office of Environmental Justice and Tribal Affairs 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200 (6RA-DA) Dallas, TX 75202 Phone: 1-800-887-6063 We're on the Web! www.epa.gov/region6/ej Comments Requested on Port Arthur Westside Showcase Plan EPA wants your comments on the proposed project activities. Send by September 17, 2010, to augurson.shirley@epa.gov or by mail at Shirley Augurson (6RA-DJ) US EPA Region 6 1445 Ross Ave., Suite 1200 Dallas, TX 75202 You can also provide your comments on the web at www. epa.gov/region6/ej Office of Environmental Justice and Tribal Affairs ~ 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75202 ------- |