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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Inspector General
At a Glance
2006-P-00023
May 2, 2006
Catalyst for Improving the Environment
Why We Did This Review
This review was conducted in
conjunction with the
President's Council on Integrity
and Efficiency as part of its
examination of relief efforts
provided by the Federal
Government in the afteimath of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
We conducted this review to
assess the Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA's)
response efforts related to oil
spills, hazardous materials,
Superfund sites, and debris and
waste management.
Background
On August 29,2005, Hurricane
Katrina made landfall, leaving
behind a trail of destruction in
three States. In Louisiana and
Mississippi, the stoim created
an estimated 86 million cubic
yards of debris; caused the spill
of more than 7 million gallons
of oil; produced floodwaters
that deposited hazardous
substances in sediments; and
passed over 18 Superfund
National Priority List sites and
more than 400 industrial
facilities that store or manage
hazardous materials.
For further information,
contact our Office of
Congressional and Public
Liaison at (202) 566-2391.
To view the full report,
click on the following link:
www.epa.aov/oia/reports/2006/
20060502-2006-P-00023.pdf
EPA Provided Quality and Timely Information on Hurricane
Katrina Hazardous Material Releases and Debris Management
What We Found
Following Hurricane Katrina, EPA was the Federal agency with lead
responsibility to prevent, minimize, or mitigate threats to public health and the
environment caused by hazardous materials and oil spills in inland zones. EPA
responsibilities also included providing oversight and assistance in the
management of hurricane-generated debris and waste.
EPA established quality and timely approaches for rapidly identifying,
prioritizing, and assessing the nature, magnitude, and impact of hazardous material
releases:
•	EPA coordinated with State, local, and other Federal government agencies to
assess potential environmental and human health impacts from Hurricane
Katrina and provided quality and timely information for determining risks and
impacts in EPA's areas of responsibility and oversight.
•	On its own, or in partnership with State, local, or other Federal agencies, EPA
provided information on chemicals present in sediment samples, and assessed
results of damage or releases at all Superfund National Priority List sites in the
path of the Hurricane, more than 400 industrial facilities, and approximately
850 Louisiana underground storage tanks.
Also, EPA is providing quality and timely oversight, assistance, and direct support
in managing hurricane hazardous debris and waste throughout the affected areas:
•	EPA distinguished between hazardous and non-hazardous debris and is
ensuring consistency in segregation through its management of hazardous
wastes and oversight assistance at various landfills and staging areas.
•	EPA provided the public with information on how to properly dispose of
household hazardous waste, and collected over 2.5 million hazardous waste
containers in Louisiana.
•	EPA provided information to the States, and the States and EPA have worked
together to address challenges in Katrina recovery and cleanup efforts.
EPA responded to issues and questions we raised about response and cleanup
progress. We make no recommendations.

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