CALCASIEU ESTUARY SITE UPDATE I INFORMATION BULLETIN ^pr Lake Charles, Louisiana May 2000 EPA BULLETIN BOARD SPRING 2000 Phase I Fieldwork Completed Phase I Data Availability Ecological Assessment Site Reconnaissance Risk Assessment Workshop Calcasieu Estuary Outreach Office Phase II Sampling Plans and Schedule CALCASIEU ESTUARY PHASE I FIELD WORK COMPLETED Conditions made it difficult to collect sediment and surface water samples throughout the estuary this winter. Low water due to drought conditions over the past year made it extremely difficult to collect sediment and surface water samples. The Phase I sampling that began in full gear in early January 2000 was completed on March 6, 2000. The low water conditions made use of boats ineffective, causing field personnel to proceed on foot, adding an additional 4 weeks to the project schedule. When it was all completed, over 1000 sediment, surface water and quality assurance samples were collected for chemical analysis. The samples were shipped to U.S. EPA approved laboratories for chemical and geochemical analysis. Once analysis is finished, the samples will be validated and evaluated for completeness. The data will then be distributed for review, followed by recommendations on whether additional samples need to be collected to fill data gaps during Phase II Ecological Assessment. PHASE I DATA AVAILABILITY At the informational meeting held in Lake Charles, LA on January 31, 2000, we stated that we were anticipating the delivery of the Phase I data to the general public in late May 2000. Due to the time required to complete the fieldwork, we are now anticipating mid to late June 2000 for delivery. Currently, EPA is evaluating the best means to deliver the data to the public. The data will be made available either via a link on the Calcasieu Estuary initiative-site http:/ / www.epa.gov/region6/calcasieu or on CD that will be made available at the outreach office. For more information, please direct any comments or input to the attention of the Calcasieu Estuary Outreach Office. ------- ECOLOGICAL RECONNAISSANCE CONDUCTED U.S. EPA, along with Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), US Fish and Wildlife (US F&W) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) conducted an ecological reconnaissance from April 24 through May 4, 2000. The goal of the ecological site reconnaissance was to evaluate sampling collection methods appropriate for the estuary conditions. In addition, the ecological assessment site reconnaissance was to establish an ecological reference site such as the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR). Sediment, surface water, and biota samples were collected from both the Calcasieu Estuary and SNWR to determine the presence or absence of specific species and better understand the various relationships in the Calcasieu Estuary. Eight different species were collected in the Calcasieu Estuary and SNWR ranging from clams to black drum. Each specimen collected was examined and documented prior to shipment to U.S. EPA approved laboratories. The information gathered during this phase will aid in sample design and collection for Phase II Ecological Assessment. RISK ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP As the Phase I data is being made available to the public for review and comment, the EPA will setup a Risk Assessment workshop. The workshop will be held early this summer in Lake Charles and will inform area residents and officials on how the data will be used in the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments for the Calcasieu Estuary. Announcement of this workshop will be by future fact sheet; announcements will be available in the Calcasieu Estuary Outreach Office and posted on the internet site. For additional information / j about the workshop, please contact Janetta Coats at (214) 665-7308 or 1-800-533-5308 toll free. CALCASIEU ESTUARY COMMUNITY OUTREACH OFFICE EPA will be providing educational documents and video material that will aid residents and officials in understanding the investigation and assessment process. The additional information will be available in the Calcasieu Estuary Outreach Office. For additional information about the workshop, please contact Janetta Coats at (214) 665- 7308 or 1-800-533-5308, or drop by and visit the Calcasieu Estuary Outreach Office: Calcasieu Estuary Outreach Office EPA Region 6 110 West Prien Lake Road Lake Charles, LA 70601(337)562-9801 ------- PHASE II SCHEDULE The EPA will begin working on Sampling and Analysis Plans for the upcoming Phase II effort once the Phase I data is made available to the public for review and comment. The current schedule for beginning the Phase II sampling is late summer or early fall. The Phase II sampling objective is to fill data gaps identified from the evaluation of Phase I data and to support Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment. For additional information about the investigation, please contact John Meyer at (214) 665-6742 or 1-800-533-5308. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION If you have questions about EPA or the Calcasieu Estuary Project, please contact: Duane Wilson Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality 7290 Bluebonnet Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (225) 765-0463 John Meyer Remedial Project Manager U.S.EPA Region 6 (6SF-LP) 1445 Ross Avenue Dallas, Texas 76202-2733 (214) 665-6742 Janetta Coats Community Involvement Coordinator U.S. EPA Region 6 (SF-PO) 1445 Ross Avenue Dallas, Texas 76202-2733 (214) 665-7308 Media inquires should be directed to U.S. EPA, Region 6, Office of External Affairs, at (214) 665 - 2200. INFORMATION REPOSITORIES Calcasieu Parish Library Central Branch 301 West Claude Street Lake Charles, Louisiana 70605 (318) 475-8792 (Reference) Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality - Inactive and Abandoned Sites 7290 Bluebonnet Boulevard Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70810 (225)765-0428 or 1-888-763-5424 (toll free) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1445 Ross Avenue, 12th Floor Dallas, Texas 75202 (214) 665-2424 ON THE WEB U.S. EPA HQ : http://www.epa.gov U.S. EPA Region 6: http://www.epa.gov/region6 For the latest status of other EPA program activities within the Calcasieu Estuary, please visit the Calcasieu Home Page: http:/ / www.epa.gov/region6/calcasieu ------- |