United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 2019 January 2020 Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and 271 Tribal Governments ------- Welcome to EPA Region 10 EPA Region 10 covers the Pacific Northwest and Alaska - an expansive corner of the U.S. The states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington have great diversity in their natural resources and environments, and in their communities, cultures, and economies. Region 10 is also home to 271 federally recognized tribes with whom we have a special government-to-government trust relationship. The greatest achievements in environmental protection occur when a team works collaboratively and when we ensure compliance with environmental statutes and regulations. This year alone, Region 10 reduced, treated, or eliminated 215 million pounds of pollution by enforcing federal environmental laws. This 2019 Accomplishments Report highlights a small portion of the work performed by EPA in each of our four states and tribal communities - through EPA's statutory and regulatory responsibilities and in close coordination with our ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights Alaska Highlights Alaska is the nation's only arctic state and the largest ocean state in the country, with the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. Alaska has 33,904 miles of shoreline, occupies 20% of the nation's land base, has 40% of the nation's surface water, and contains half the nation's wetlands. Alaska's oceans and coastal watersheds produce 10% of the nation's oil, over 50% of the nation's seafood, and minerals from several world- class mines, which produce gold, silver, zinc, lead and other metals. Alaska's population of about 739,000 is distributed among several larger communities and more than 230 smaller communities across the state. Most of Alaska's communities are isolated, small, and can only be reached by air or water. Alaska is also the home of 229 federally recognized Tribes. Approximately 65% of Alaska's lands are federally managed and Alaska Native Corporations are the largest private landowner. The oil and gas industry is the largest component of Alaska's economy, with nearly 85 percent of the state budget supplied by oil revenues. Tourism and commercial fisheries are other important industrial sectors, followed by timber, mining and agriculture. Federal and state expenditures (civilian and military) are also important economic sectors. JUNEAU' 1 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights EPA Funding in Alaska Alaska grantees have $416 million in active grants from EPA Region 10. Most of these grants last two to five years, with additional funds awarded each year. For example, Region 10 awarded $101.4 million to Alaska in fiscal year 2019. Alaskan communities and tribal villages benefit from water infrastructure grants that address drinking water, waste water, and stormwater priority needs. Many of Alaska's 229 tribes and tribal consortia receive funding for building environmental capacity and to address tribal environmental issues such as air quality, solid waste and Brownfields. They also may receive grants competitively. Most of EPA's funding goes to Alaska state agencies and tribes to fund projects in local communities and support environmental programs. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa- provides-205-million-alaska-plan-improve-drinking- water-wastewater-infrastructure Alaska Grant Funding by Recipient Programs Awarded in FY2019 State Agencies $72,935,020 Tribes $27,881,457 Municipal/Township $600,000 Grand Total $101,416,477 Note: Data for current grants reflect actions through 9/30/19 Alaska Awards in FY2019: $101,416,477 *Multi-Media 1 Environmental Justice I Brownfields $4,440,605 I $30,000 I $4,694,242 *Multi-media includes: Water Pollution, Air Pollution (Radon/Pesticides), Non-point Source Management grants EPA Supports State and Local Efforts to Improve Air Quality in Fairbanks EPA awarded a $5 million Clean Air Act Targeted Airshed Grant to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to help the Fairbanks North Star Borough improve air quality. The Borough is designated as a Clean Air Act serious nonattainment area for particulate pollution. The Borough will use the grant funds to continue a U.S. EPA Region 10® gfrEPAnorthwest EPA Reg. Adm. Chris Hladick: "The state, Fairbanks (MS Borough & local leaders are making progress & air quality looks to be improving. EPA's Targeted Airshed Grant will bolster the community's efforts to reduce wood smoke pollution & improve air quality." tinyurl.com/yxlg7cnm 1 00 PM • Oct 2*, • IwealOHlfc 2 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights woodstove change-out program focused on converting wood burning appliances to cleaner burning liquid or gas-fueled heating appliances. Wood smoke contributes 60 to 80 percent of fine particle pollution levels measured in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The Borough's existing woodstove conversion program has removed or converted 464 woodstove or other solid fuel heating devices in the non- attainment area. This grant is estimated to remove or convert an additional 447 devices to liquid fuel appliances or emergency generators. Since the Targeted Airshed Grant program's inception in 2017, EPA has provided $11.5 million to support the state and borough's work to improve air quality. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/state-alaska- and-fairbanks-north-star-borough-receive-5-million- epa-grant-improve-air Trident Seafoods Settlement to Reduce Ozone-Depleting Emissions In early 2019, Trident Seafoods Corporation agreed to reduce emissions of ozone-depleting substances from refrigeration equipment on its vessels under a Clean Air Act settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice. Under the settlement, Trident will spend up to $23 million to reduce coolant leaks from refrigerators and other equipment, use alternative refrigerants, and improve company-wide compliance. Trident is one of the largest seafood processing companies in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest and uses thousands of pounds of ozone depleting substances as refrigerants. Under the agreement, Trident will retrofit or retire 23 refrigeration appliances used on 14 marine vessels. With the retrofits, nearly 100,000 pounds of harmful refrigerant will be removed from use, and future leaks will not damage the ozone layer. In addition, the settlement sets a corporate-wide refrigerant leak cap and requires Trident to retain a third party auditor to review the company's compliance with the consent decree and regulations. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/u-s-settles- trident-seafoods-corporation-reduce-ozone- depleting-emissions ®U.S. EPA Region 10 O ©EPAnofthwest #Alaska, Energy Authority will replace -25 power diesel generator engines w/ newer, fuel-efficient marine & low-emission nonroad engines in rural communities w/ help from EPA's $473K #Diesel Emission Reduction Act #DERA grant: go.usa.gov/xp5ru General Permit for Fish Waste Discharges From Offshore Seafood Processors Region 10 reissued an NPDES General Permit for Offshore Seafood Processors in Alaska. The Permit, which became effective in July 2019, authorizes discharges of seafood processing wastes from vessels in Federal Waters off the coast of Alaska. Permitted activities are concentrated in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands, where over 2 million metric tons of groundfish (e.g., Pacific cod, pollock) may be harvested annually. In response to economic, logistical, and safety- related concerns, the EPA modified requirements for vessels to grind seafood waste prior to discharge. In consultation with National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the EPA included additional measures aimed at minimizing impacts to endangered species, while also being responsive to the needs of the industry. Region 10 has issued a total of 72 discharge authorizations to vessel operators under the reissued permit. 3 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights Finding Solutions to Hazardous Waste Disposal Challenges in Rural Alaska The Backhaul Alaska pilot program is testing waste backhaul coordination services in 25 rural Alaskan communities over a three-year period. The pilot programs are a collaborative effort and jointly funded by EPA, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The effort is intended to find innovative solutions for the safe disposal of hazardous waste streams from remote rural Alaska where currently the waste is either burned or dumped in unlined landfills. "Backhaul" is a term to describe the shipment of waste out of Alaska's remote communities in the empty hulls of outbound airplanes and barges. The first Backhaul Alaska pilot project ended in the summer of 2019. Nine villages received a 40-hour backhaul training course, inventoried waste material, and packaged and shipped their electronics, lead acid batteries, and mercury containing lights. In total, 73,000 pounds of waste materials were shipped out of rural Alaskan communities. Following completion of the pilot program, full program implementation is planned for January 2021. Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council Uses Mobile App to Log Contaminated Sites for Future Cleanup The Watershed Council is a consortium of 74 Tribes and First Nations along the vast area of the Yukon River watershed where they have inventoried contaminated sites for 44 participating communities. To simplify data collection, they have developed a mobile app using EPA funding. The advantage of a mobile application is that any person can go to the site, make observations, take pictures, get GPS coordinates, and instantly save or update the information on their mobile phones. The more sites that are registered, and the more up-to-date the information is, the better the chances are that the ®U.S. EPA Region 10 4 ©CPAnorthwest Petersburg Borough, AK, won EPA's PISCES honors w/ loan from @AlaskaDEC Clean Water State Revolving Funds to upgrade its wastewater pump station w/ high efficiency pumps & controls to increase reliability & lower energy $. tinyurl.com/uw5lqnd site can be cleaned up in a timely manner. The app improves local knowledge of potential health and environmental threats and could help accelerate cleanup where needed. www.yritwc.org/webinars. Improving Water and Wastewater Service in 11 Rural Alaska Communities In 2019 the Alaska Native Village Infrastructure program funded $24,186,000 for improving water and wastewater service to 1,820 homes in 11 rural Alaska communities. The funding supports the technical, financial and managerial training through the Remote Maintenance Worker and the Rural Utility Business Advisor programs. This level of support ensured that the existing and previous federal investments in rural Alaska infrastructure are sustainable into the future. As a result of these infrastructure investments, 350 Alaskan Natives in the community of Eek have piped water and wastewater service in 2019 for the first time. This was accomplished through the collaboration of and cooperative funding by the EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development, Indian Health Service and the State of Alaska. 4 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights CANADA WASHINGTON -V~ —* ~ A Montana Idaho Highlights In 2019, Idaho was the fastest growing state in the U.S. The state's population is 1.8 million residents. Most of the population growth is coming to the urban areas, especially in the Treasure Valley communities of Boise, Nampa, Meridian, and Caldwell. A robust and diverse economy in the urban areas include food processing, health care, technology, and construction industries. The rural economy is propelled by agriculture in the southern portion of the state, where Idaho is first in potatoes and third in milk and cheese production. Forest products, mining/mineral processing, and tourism are also significant economic drivers for small, rural towns and counties. Idaho is rich with natural resources, and over 64% of the state is federally owned and managed lands. Four federally recognized tribes are located within the state boundaries and manage resources on reservations and harvest game and fish in usual and accustomed areas. Wild rivers, huge wilderness areas, and recreational opportunities have made Idaho a tourist destination. Abundant mountain snowpack and clean water provide the water needed to irrigate the high-desert Snake River Plain, where agriculture is king. Fish depend on adequate flow of cool, clean water in order to spawn and survive. While Idaho has excellent and abundant habitat for several species of Pacific Salmon and Steelhead, these fish face many challenges in the journey from the Pacific Ocean to Idaho. Wild salmon runs have diminished significantly and state leaders have pledged to restore them. 5 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 EPA Funding in Idaho Idaho grantees have $103 million in active grants from EPA Region 10. Most of these grants last two to five years, with additional funds awarded each year. For example, Region 10 awarded $37 million to Idaho in fiscal year 2019. EPA's funding supports state, tribal and local programs and projects to address environmental and public health issues. Idaho communities benefit from water infrastructure grants that address drinking water, waste water and stormwater priority needs. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-provides- 188-million-idaho-plan-improve-drinking-water- wastewater-i nf rastructu re Supporting the state of Idaho and Tribes to protect human health and environment is a focus of EPA funding. State agencies and Tribes received the largest portion of EPA RIO funding to support their environmental and public health work, including participation in Superfund cleanups, Brownfields and air quality. Idaho Grant Funding by Recipient Recipient Type Awarded in FY2019 State Agencies $31,500,624 Tribes $4,443,869 Not-for-Profits $82,900 Municipal/Township $1,151,000 Grand Total $37,178,393 Note: Data for current grants reflects actions through 9/30/2019 2019 Highlights Idaho Awards in FY2019: $37,178,393 Water Tribal Multi-Media 1 Pollution Prevention $23,919,265 $2,268,901 | $113,883 Emergency Response Environmental Education $93,810 $82,900 North Idaho Community Reduces Woodsmoke Pollution and Attains Air Quality Standards Pinehurst, a northern Idaho mountain valley community and the adjacent Pinehurst expansion area have come into attainment for national ambient air quality standards for PM-10 after more than 30 years of nonattainment status. Coming into attainment is the culmination of persistent work by the community, the State of Idaho and EPA to reduce PM-10 emissions from woodburning devices, the primary contributor of elevated PM-10 in the area. Region 10 Continues to Support Idaho's Pollutant Discharge Permit Program Region 10 has worked closely with Idaho in this second year of its transition to fully assuming the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program. Under a Memorandum of Agreement Region 10 is providing the state with ongoing support as they issue and enforce discharge permits for businesses and municipalities across the state. 2019 marked phase two of the transfer of the program from EPA to the state and included giving the state authority over 40 industrial permits. 6 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights Major Cleanup Progress Continues in Idaho's Silver Valley, Protecting Children from Lead Exposure Once again in 2019, Region 10 and its state, local and tribal partners achieved major milestones in the cleanup of historic mine waste to protect people's health and the environment in the Coeur d'Alene Basin. Work completed this year includes: Cleaning up 30 residential and commercial properties, to reduce people's exposure to lead and other metals. Paving roads to serve as a barrier to underlying heavy metals contamination. To date, about 550 road segments have been paved in local communities. Cleanup of the old Success Mine site in Ninemile Basin. Over 380,000 cubic yards of mine waste was removed the biggest source of lead and other metals to East Fork Ninemile Creek. Completing the final remedy protection projects, protecting clean areas from the impacts of flooding. Hitting major milestones at the Central Treatment Plant and Groundwater Collection System Upgrades. In-river work and many new structures are complete. The project will greatly improve water quality. ®U.S. EPA. Region 10 Huwisnea dv Suzanne SKaaowski t?J December 9.2019 at 11.00 am O we've worked witn Panhandle pudiic Heaitn District, idano Department or hnvironmental Quality, I he coeur d'Alene inhe. rne ci)A work intsiand other partners to reduce health risks from lead and other metals left hy past mining practices in the Silver Valley and Coeur d'Alene Basin - Bunker Hill Superfund site. To help people protect their health while playing outdoors, dozens of signs now offer tips. Learn more: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/bunker hitl Hauling about 10,000 truckloads of contaminated waste to repositories for state disposal. Closing and capping the Government Gulch Limited Use Repository providing new level ground to support redevelopment. https://semspub.epa.gov/src/ document/10/100187376 Cleanup Plan for 500-Acre Open Pit Phosphate Mine Region 10 issued the final cleanup plan for the 534- acre Ballard Mine Site, a former open-pit phosphate mine located 13 miles north of Soda Springs, Idaho. Approximately 19 million cubic yards of waste rock left at the site contain elements that may be harmful to people and animals. In particular, the shale waste rock contains elevated levels of contaminants such as selenium, arsenic and uranium. The cleanup plan calls for a combination of engineered source controls and treatment technologies, and is expected to cost approximately $41 million and take six to eight years for construction. About four million tons of phosphate ore remain at the site, both exposed at the surface and in the mine pits. Although potential ore recovery is not part of the remedy, the cleanup plan recognizes that P4 Production LLC, a Monsanto (now Bayer) subsidiary, intends to recover phosphate ore concurrent with the cleanup and that ore recovery may help lower the costs of the cleanup construction. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-finalizes- cleanup-plan-ballard-mine EPA Assistance Leads to Cleanup and Visions of Revitalization at Former Elementary School The EPA Land Revitalization Team provided technical assistance to the Cottonwood School District for revitalization of a former elementary school with full size gymnasium, a valuable community asset. The team assisted with assessing market opportunities and limitations and provided on-the-ground exploration by a real estate technical expert to develop different approaches to reuse and repurpose the property and building. The community requested this assistance after several years of trying to sell the property on the open market. The deliverables included a Best Value Analysis Report with designs and recommendations. Now that the potential reuse scenarios are known, Idaho's Brownfields program 7 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights has cleaned up the asbestos, lead paint and mercury switches using EPA Brownfields funding. Kootenai River Water Quality Study In 2019 EPA, in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey, released results of a water quality study indicating elevated levels of selenium in water and fish, and elevated nitrates in water in the Kootenai River associated with upstream sources in Canada's Elk Valley and Lake Koocanusa. The study, part of a collaborative effort between federal, state and tribal agencies to assess the Kootenai River watershed, is based on water chemistry and fish tissue samples taken on the river in Montana and Idaho from immediately below Libby Dam to the Canadian border. Data contributing to the study were collected by USGS, the states of Idaho and Montana, and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho. EPA initiated this study to address questions posed by state and tribal partners and to better understand the presence, sources and movement of selenium and nutrients in the Kootenai River watershed downstream of Libby Dam. USGS led the EPA funded study. EPA conducted the fish tissue analysis, and analytical support at its Manchester Lab. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-and- partners-release-data-and-findings-kootenai-river- sampling-effort U.S. EPA. Region 10 \^J Pubisned dv Suzanne SKadowsia i?j May 2. 2019 d Congrats City or Asnton, laano on your epa waters award! witn support rrom a $3.6 million laano Department or Environmental Quality onnKing water state Revolving Funa loan, the city s arinwng water system upgrades win protect public neaitn ana acnieve compliance with sate DnnKing water Act stanaaras tor nitrates, i nese water ana energy emciency improvements are expected to save nearly 77 million gallons or water, 1 /4.(KX) kwn ot energy and more tnan $3i>,lKXJ a year With a S9.7M loan from Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Drinking Water State Revolving Loan fund, Orofino constructed a new water treatment plant, new water intake in the Clearwater River, and upgraded a reservoir and transmission lines. City of Orofino, Idaho won EPA's WATERS award because by converting from conventional to membrane filtration and installing energy efficient pumps, the city will save an estimated 15M gallons of water, 212,700 kWh of electricity per year, and reduce chemical use by 90%. Congrats! ©Idaho Department of Environmental Quality August 2. 2019 » City of Orofino Receives EPA's WATERS Award ()n Tuesday, .Inly 30, the the U.S. Knvimnmentfll Froteriion Agency presented Orofino, Idaho Water/Wastewater Superintendent, Michael Martin, with its WATERS award in recognition of the city's substantial upgrades to its drinking water system. U.S. EPA, Region io released the following press release: With a $9.7 million loan from Idaho's Drinking Water State Revolving Loan fund, Orofino recently made... See More 8 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights s — WASHINGTON =£1' Ported e»' •SuST * \ * / C /, / 5 -/ Oregon Highlights Oregon's land is geographically diverse. A tapestry of mountains and volcanoes, water bodies and valleys, farm land, evergreen and mixed forests, beaches, shrublands and deserts blankets the state. Approximately 53% of Oregon's lands are federally managed, and about 10% is farm land. It is the 9th largest state in the nation. Oregon's population of about 4.2 million is heavily centered on the western side of the state, with the most concentration in the three counties in and around Portland. Those three counties have largely undergone a transition from a resource-based economy to a mixed manufacturing and marketing economy with emphasis on high technology. The remainder of the state's economy is still predominantly resource-based, such as agriculture, fishing, timber, and hydroelectric power. Greenhouse and nursery stocks are the number one commodity followed by cattle, milk, grass seed and wheat. Oregon is home to nine federally recognized Tribes. Oregon is one of the most trade-dependent states in the nation, with a 2017 value of $21.7 billion in international exports. The state is developing a 100-year water vision to guide decision-makers through infrastructure, economic, environmental and conservation considerations. Changing dynamics such as more and worse flooding, drought, and especially wildfire challenge the state to be resilient and prepared. Many Oregon watersheds contain threatened or endangered salmonid species. 9 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights EPA Funding in Oregon Oregon Awards in FY2019: $61,024,294 Oregon grantees have $176 million in active grants from EPA Region 10. Most of these grants last two to five years, with additional funds awarded each year. For example, Region 10 awarded $61 million to Oregon in fiscal year 2019. EPA's funding supports state, tribal and local programs and projects to address environmental and public health issues. Oregon communities benefit from water infrastructure grants that address drinking water, waste water, and stormwater priority needs. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-provide- oregon-323-million-critical-water-projects Supporting the state of Oregon and Tribes to protect human health and the environment is a focus of EPA funding. State agencies and Tribes received the largest portion of EPA RIO funding to build environmental capacity and address tribal environmental issues such as air and water quality. Water $35,893,061 Pollution Prevention Solid Waste $150,908 $1,428,430 Oregon Grant Funding by Recipient Recipient Type Awarded in FY2019 State Agencies $47,730,849 Tribes $3,840,893 Not-for-Profit $3,106,494 Municipalities $6,346,058 Grand Total $61,024,294 Note: Data for current active grants reflects actions through 9/30/2019 Tribal Capacity 1 Multi-Media Brownfields $3,840,893 $7,696,940 $1,767,792 *Multi-media includes: Water Pollution, Air Pollution (Radon/Pesticides), Non-point Source Management grants Portland Harbor Cleanup: A Regional and National Priority The Portland Harbor Superfund cleanup along 10 miles of the Willamette River is a top priority for EPA. The cleanup outlined in the 2017 Record of Decision will reduce health risks to people, fish and wildlife and set the stage for revitalization of the river and waterfront which runs through the economic heart of Portland. EPA's collaborative work with the state, local, tribal and federal partners, the responsible parties, and the community is part of the overall effort to keep the cleanup moving forward. Agreements reached in 2019 with responsible parties to design cleanup plans for specific areas of the river resulted in nearly half of all acres needing active remediation under design. EPA, the City of Portland and State of Oregon announced the first of its kind agreement to provide up to $24 million in funding for responsible parties that come forward to complete detailed cleanup designs across the entire Superfund site. EPA also completed an Explanation of Significant Differences, reducing the footprint of the active sediment cleanup area as a result of updated science on the risks posed by one of the primary contaminants at the site. Find more information about Portland Harbor at www.epa.gov/superfund/portland-harbor. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/portland-harbor- superfund-agreement-aims-drive-new-cleanup- plans-throughout-lower 10 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights Brownfields Funds Will Lead to Cleanup Prime Real Estate in Portland Opportunity Zone In June 2019, EPA awarded Prosper Portland a $500,000 Brownfields Cleanup Grant for work in an opportunity zone. The 14-acre former Postal Service Portland Processing and Distribution Center is prime real estate for redevelopment, located in an area known as the Broadway Corridor near Portland's Central Business District. The site is contaminated from a variety of past practices which has hampered reuse efforts. EPA grant funds will be used to clean up the site and for community outreach activities, such as convening public meetings and developing fact sheets and webpages to aid in the redevelopment process. EPA Funding Spurs Major Infrastructure Improvements in Oregon Oregon communities have competed very well nationally for loans from EPA's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program which accelerates investment in our nation's water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects. The City of Hillsboro and Tualatin Valley Water District secured a combined loan of $638 million. When completed in 2026, the infrastructure improvements will provide the TVWD and the City of Hillsboro additional seismicaily resilient water supply capacity. The system will include intake facilities, over 30 miles of pipes, a water treatment plant and two storage reservoirs to serve 400,000 q U.S. EPA, Region 10 Published by Suzanne Skadowski I October 21. 2019 O This month, EPA Regional Administrator Chris Hladick, Tuafatin Valley Water District President Bemice Bagnall and City of Hillsboro - Local Government Mayor Steve Calloway commemorated $640 million in #WIFIA loans for the joint Willamette Water Supply Program project to help ensure clean and reliable water for generations to come! http://www.ourreliablewater.org/ residents and businesses in Washington County. The WIFIA loans will save TVWD an estimated $138.4 million and the City of Hillsboro an estimated $125.2 million compared to typical bond financing. Project construction and operation are expected to create over 4,000 jobs. Also in 2019, the largest WIFIA loan closed to date ($640 million) was in Oregon: Phase 1 of the Willamette Water Supply Program which provides 60 million gallons per day of drinking water to the City of Hillsboro and Tualatin Valley Water District, https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa- commemorates-640-million-water'infrastructure- I oa ns-tu a I ati n-va 11 ey-water-d istrict In total under this program, nearly $S00M in WIFIA loans have been closed in Region 10, supporting $1.5B in infrastructure improvement projects. https://www.epa.gov/newsreieases/epa-funded- projects-ensure-safe-drinking-water-and-protect- water-quality-throughout EPA Funding Helps Preserve and Protect Two Coastal Oregon Estuaries In 2019 Region 10 awarded $1.2 million in funding to the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership under the EPA National Estuary Program. In 2019, the two entities helped restore nearly 4,400 acres of habitat. With support from EPA funding, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership has been leading ecosystem improvement in the lower Columbia River in Oregon and Washington since 1995. The Estuary Partnership builds on existing work by many partners to increase habitat, improve water quality, expand knowledge and data about the river, and engage community members of all ages in caring for the Columbia River. The Estuary Partnership is focused on getting results on-the-ground and helping policy makers make sound natural resource decisions. Over the past 25 years, they have worked with partners to restore over 28,000 acres of habitat and engage over 90,000 adults and students in riparian plantings projects- over 144,000 native trees and shrubs! The Partnership is now tackling the impacts of climate change and toxics contamination. Also with support from EPA funding, the Tillamook Estuary Partnership (TEP) is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Tillamook Bay's designation as a "Bay of National Significance" and the establishment of the Tillamook Bay National Estuary Project. Since then, TEP has expanded its project area to include all of the bays and watersheds in Tillamook County. Through the diligent work by TEP and its many partners, over 800 habitat-related projects have 11 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights returned nearly 600 acres of imperiled tidal-wetlands to more natural conditions and have reconnected 26 miles of salmon-bearing streams. EPA approved TEP's revision to its Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, its action agenda for the upcoming decade, which will address the current challenges in Tillamook County's estuaries: loss of key fish and wildlife habitat, water quality stressors, natural hazards, and the effects of climate change. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/national- estuaries-week-kick-epa-awards-12-million-two- pacific-northwest-estuaries Region 10 Responders Debunk Rumors of Agent Orange and Find No Risk from Drums in Wallowa Lake Region 10 assisted the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in assessing and removing 55-gallon drums on the bottom of Wallowa Lake near the town of Joseph. Commercial divers reported finding dozens of 55-gallon and several 110-gallon drums marked with a "2,4-D or 2,4,5-T" label causing concern that it could be "Agent Orange", which was reported in the media. Region 10 established an Incident Command Post at the Wallowa Lake State Park in Joseph, and contracted with a diving and salvage firm to assess the location and condition of the drums. Over the span of five days EPA and its contractors found 74 55-gallon drums, one was rusted-out, water-filled and had a "2,4-D or 2,4,5-T" herbicide label. All 74 drums had holes and contained only lake water. The community breathed a great collective sigh of relief that Agent Orange was not found. EPA and DEQ worked with the Mayor of Joseph, the city council, the county commissioners, and the county sheriff to help share the news, and coordinated our work with multiple state agencies and three tribes to ensure it was done safely and efficiently, with care for cultural resources and assets that have made this uniquely beautiful part of Oregon home for many, many generations of peoples. U.S. EPA Region 10 O @£PAnorthwest A new memorial for the former WWII Marine Recuperation Barracks is open at the EPA & @OregonDEQ North Ridge Estates #Superfund cleanup site in Klamath Falls, OR. Learn more: tinyurl.com/y653snkx & epa.gov/superfund/nort... #VeteransDay 10:00 AM • Nov 11.2019 ¦ TweetDeek /jgi -\ U.S. EPA, Region 10 ••• Published by Suzanne Skadowsta !?! - June 17, 2019 $ Wallowa Lake Update, June 16: EPA contractors removed 2 drums on Sunday, including one drum labeled with "2,4-D or 2,4,5-T™ This drum was rusted with holes and is the only drum confirmed to have an herbicide label. The drum contents appeared to be lake water. The second drum was unlabeled and appeared to be intact. Both drums' contents will be sampled and sent to a laboratory for 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T analyses. EPA has identified 69 total drums, most appear to be unlabeled and rusted out with holes. There are approximately 12 drums that are potentially intact and are undergoing further investigation by divers. EPA with Oregon DEQ will prioritize removing any drum, intact or rusted out, that has a label indicating it may have once contained a hazardous substance. Crews will continue investigation and could remove additional high priority drums today. More info: go.usa.gov/xmJpb Region 10 Responders Debunk Rumors of Agent Orange and Find No Risk from Drums in Wallowa Lake 12 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights Oregon Emergency Response Protects Children and Families from Long Term Mercury Exposure The state of Oregon requested Region 10's assistance in summer of 2019 after several children in Madras were found to have acute mercury poisoning. EPA arranged for temporary housing for the family in a nearby hotel and began assessing the extent of contamination. EPA evaluated five separate residences including the primary residence where most of the children lived. EPA removed large volumes of contaminated material including clothing, bedding, and other porous materials where mercury couldn't not be effectively removed. EPA also decontaminated the refrigerator and the clothes washer in the primary residence. The family dog was also contaminated and had to be treated with special soap to bind and remove the mercury from the fur. EPA also worked with the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Health Sciences University to ensure critical medicine needed was delivered by courier to the rural town of Madras. 13 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 2019 Highlights — UANAUA BRITISH COLUMBIA L ,v ffe, . ¦ t V,' |L i i H 7_j» Seaffle Taoomj ,Cf> , *T -..A \ Collrnl 9 t^co Washington Washington Highlights Washington state is the most populous of the RIO states and includes a rich combination of high technology and natural resource industries in a spectacular natural environment. There are 29 federally recognized Indian Tribes, as well as four tribal organizations focused on natural resources management. Many of Washington's biggest companies are household names: Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, Weyerhaeuser, Starbucks, REI, Costco. Agriculture is also central to the state's economy and its identity - over 15 million acres of farmland produce fruit, milk, potatoes, cattle, wheat, and wine for national and international markets. Pressing environmental issues include the restoration and protection of Puget Sound and protection of the Southern Resident Orca whale. In 2019, the Governor's Southern Resident Orca Task Force identified a long-term plan for recovering orcas that will guide environmental investments statewide and complement efforts to recover salmon, tackle climate change, and improve water quality. Other critical challenges for Washington include addressing impacts from wildfires, and water quality degradation from the PFAS family of contaminants, primarily around military bases. In eastern Washington, the Hanford Nuclear Reservation — part of the Manhattan Project -- is the largest and most complex cleanup project in the U.S. E&l 14 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights EPA Funding in Washington Supporting the State of Washington and tribes to protect human health and the environment is a focus of EPA funding. Washington grantees have $393 million in active grants from Region 10. Most of these grants last two to five years, with additional funds awarded each year. In fiscal year 2019, Region 10 awarded $120 million to Washington grantees. EPA's funding supports projects that address a wide range of critical environmental and public health issues. Oregon communities benefit from water infrastructure grants that address drinking water, waste water and stormwater priority needs. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-provide- washington-521-million-critical-water-projects Washington Grant Funding by Recipient Recipient Awarded in FY2019 State Agencies $94,053,515 Tribes $21,223,554 Not-for-Profit $552,704 Municipalities $4,577,310 Grand Total $120,407,083 Note: Data for current active grants reflects actions through 9/30/2019 Washington Awarded in FY2019: $120,407,083 Water 1 Tribal Capacity I Pollution Prev. I Solid Waste $37,811,273 I $12,781,952 I $521,253 I $2,582,422 State Multi-Media ¦ *Small Programs I Brownfields ¦ Air $24,305,035 I $323,455 I $4,584,288 I $6,165,456 *Multi-media includes: Environmental Education, Enforcement, or Environmental Justice EPA Action Helps Transform Tacoma Smelter Waste Site into Community Asset and Award-Winning Park In June 2019, Region 10 helped Metro Parks Tacoma celebrate the grand opening of Dune Peninsula Park, which transformed 23 acres of highly contaminated Asarco slag into a beautiful community asset near Tacoma's Commencement Bay waterfront. The Asarco Tacoma Breakwater Peninsula was constructed by Asarco, Inc. in the 1920s as a breakwater for a yacht club owned by Metro Parks Tacoma. The 23-acre peninsula was composed of smelter slag that leached heavy metals into Commencement Bay for many years. The cleanup plan for the peninsula called for a cap to reduce infiltration of surface water and shoreline armoring to reduce erosion, designed the cap specifically with the future park in mind. The cap was funded with $26 million from the Asarco bankruptcy settlement. Metro Parks hired the contractor and funded all other construction and improvements to develop the site into Dune Peninsula Park. The project was officially completed in September 2019. Ultimately, Metro Parks Tacoma won the prestigious 2019 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management for the project. Cleanup Plans for Creosote Contamination at Lake Washington Waterfront Property EPA released the proposed plans for the cleanup of Quendall Terminals in Renton, a former creosote manufacturing plant and oil storage facility along Lake Washington, where for decades creosote, coal tar, and other hazardous chemicals accumulated on the land, in groundwater, and in lake sediments. The plans call for a combination of thermal treatment, capping and natural recovery to address the contamination in the upland areas and in the lake sediments. After responding to public comments on the proposals, the final cleanup plan will be issued in spring 2020. EPA Investments and Partnerships in Puget Sound Yield Major Gains in Critical Salmon and Orca Habitat Region 10 continues to support our partners efforts to protect and restore Puget Sound. In fiscal year 2019, Region 10 provided $28 million in grant funds to state, local, tribal and federal through the National Estuary Program. Region 10 also approved the 15 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights updated Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for Puget Sound. 2019 highlights of accomplishments funded by EPA Puget Sound National Estuary Program: Protecting and restoring nearly 2,500 acres of key Orca and salmon habitat. Cutting edge stormwater toxicology research aimed at reducing toxics in fish and help Orca recovery. Removing culverts and reconnecting dozens of miles of streams to support fish passage and access to spawning and rearing habitats. Developing sophisticated computer models on the impacts of nutrient pollution. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces- 275-million-funding-puget-sound U.S. EPA Region 10 O v | feJhPAnorthwent This fall, EPA's #PugetSound National Estuary Program helped @WhatcomCoHealth OWADeptHealth @PSPartnership @ Ecology WA @WSDAgov tribes & more partners open 765 new acres for approved commercial shellfish harvest in Drayton Harbor! whatcomcounty.us/1072/Water-Qua... Responders Complete Cleanup of Heavily Contaminated Illegal Dump in King County In 2019 Region 10 completed cleanup at the heavily contaminated May Creek Landfill site in south King County. The site functioned as an illegal solid waste landfill since the early 1990s. For years, state and local agencies were unable to address the situation and thousands of cubic yards of waste, chemicals and debris accumulated on the property posing a threat to the health and well-being of the neighbors and the environment. The property was covered with tons of solid and hazardous waste including junked vehicles and boats, construction debris, household waste, industrial solid waste, and thousands of containers of potentially hazardous waste. In total, EPA removed almost 100 overpacked containers of corrosives, flammables, compressed gas cylinders, PCB light ballasts and capacitors, oxidizing liquids, and other hazardous wastes. EPA also excavated and removed almost 300 tons of contaminated soils from the property, and installed groundwater monitoring wells which will assist the Washington State Department of Ecology in monitoring and addressing any residual contamination. While there were many challenges along the way, this site was an excellent example of local, state and federal authorities working collaboratively to solve a very challenging environmental problem. 16 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights Region 10 Partners Leaders in Reducing Food Waste Region 10 has a very successful, "Winning at Food Waste" strategy, keeping useable food and waste out of landfills. This year's Food Recovery Challenge award winners successfully donated a cumulative 35.6 tons of food to local hunger relief organizations, while also recycling a total of 2682.61 tons of food via composting and recycling cooking oil. Mariners and T-Mobile Park: National Food Recovery Recognition 5.68 tons of food donated, most of which was donated to The Salvation Army, Operation Sack Lunch, and other Seattle area hunger relief agencies 1,109.25 tons of food recycled via composting On April 25, Regional Administrator, Chris Hladick, presented their award on the field shortly before the Mariners game against the Texas Rangers Seattie-Tacoma International Airport (Port of Seattle): Regional Food Recovery Recognition 22 tons of food donated 1,055 tons of food waste recycled via composting and recycling used cooking oil On April 16, EPA presented their award at the Commissioners meeting CenturyUnk Field (Seattle Seahawks): Regional Food Recovery Recognition 8 tons of food donated 518.36 tons of food recycled (via composting) CenturyLink Field has an overall 97% diversion rate On July 16, EPA presented their award at a quarterly all-staff meeting Hanford K-Basin Sludge Cleanup Helps Protect Columbia River In on-going efforts to move cleanup forward and help protect the Columbia River at the massive Hanford Nuclear reservation, Region 10 oversaw the final transfer of K-Basin sludge from the river corridor area. This is an important milestone in the cleanup of the 100-K area. The sludge is a gray, silty substance created when irradiated fuel rods that had been stored in these basins began to deteriorate, and is a mixture of tiny fuel corrosion particles, fuel rod and metal fragments, and wind-blown soil and sand. New technologies and new instruments were developed in order to safely transfer the sludge underwater from the basins to specially designed canisters. The canisters are now at T Plant in the central plateau for temporary storage until final disposal is determined. !'m U.S. EPA R»gltm 10O feOLCAnorthwest Our Regional Administrator, Chris Hladick, presented EPA's Food Recovery Challenge 2018 National Award to @Mariners & @TMobilePark for their efforts to reduce #foodwaste. Way to go! tinyurl.com/y37Bshsr U.S. EPA Region 10 ©• "" @CPAnorthwest We're excited to help @EcologyWA replace older marine diesel engines w/ newer, more fuel-efficient engines on tugboats in #PugetSound to cut harmful emissions & improve tfAirQuality w/ a S487K Diesel Emission Reduction Act #DERA grant! go.usa.gov/xp5ru 17 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights r. a* • • „. •; * a*. 4 " t . -» v. , 9 S| okaiw > Tribal Highlights Working with Tribes and Tribal Governments to Build Capacity and Protect Public Health in Indian Country Of the Nation's 567 federally recognized tribes, 271 (48%) are located in Region 10, with 229 in Alaska. Diversity among the tribes and their environments is great. Many reservation-based tribes in the lower three states (Washington, Oregon, and Idaho) are large and have thousands of acres to manage, while most Alaskan tribes are small and geographically- isolated. EPA Funding for Tribes: Indian General Assistance Program Grants Help Tribes Build Environmental Programs Region 10 awarded Indian General Assistance Program grants to over 240 federally recognized tribes and intertribal consortia in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington totaling over $30,000,000. Region 10 tribes use Indian General Assistance Program grants to build their capacity to tackle a 18 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 2019 Highlights range of environmental issues that directly affect not only their quality of life, but often their way of life as well. The grants help tribes establish and grow their fundamental environmental programs to preserve and protect their water, land and air resources. For example, in Alaska, the Native Village of Kalskag used their GAP funding to improve operations at their landfill, establish a recycling center, and backhaul approximately 10,000 pounds of e-waste including batteries, fluorescent lights and aluminum. The Native Village of Ruby used GAP funds to work with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and the University of Alaska Fairbanks to reduce the impacts of road dust in the community. Work included identifying dust suppression options, road design/maintenance improvements, air quality monitoring before and after dust suppression measures, community outreach and education. In northwest Washington, the Quinault Indian Nation used GAP to build their water quality program and ultimately receive "Treatment in the Similar Manner as a State" or TAS under the Clean Water Act. This designation enables the Tribe to establish its own surface water quality standards within its reservation. Tribal environmental programs established with GAP were able to grow and compete for other EPA grants like EPA's diesel reduction grant program. Alaska tribes including the Tanana Chiefs Conference, the Village of Chefornak and Louden Village all completed generator replacement projects with these grants. The Lummi Tribe is providing marine engine replacements, the Quinault Indian Nation will conduct a marine diesel re-power project, and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community will replace high-emitting marine engines. GAP resources are also used by intertribal consortia, like the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, that play a critical role in helping member tribes achieve environmental results. For example, following the Mosier derailment and the Eagle Creek Fire incidents, CRITFC staff worked with the Northwest Regional Response Team to develop ways to improve tribal interaction during emergency response. CRITFC is also collecting data on spills in the area to track spill events. EPA Funds Support Work that leads to Re-Opening of 800 Acres of Tribal Shellfish Beds Funding from EPA's Puget Sound Program to the Washington Department of Health and the Lummi Nation supported local collaborative efforts improve upstream water quality and reopen for harvest 800 acres of shellfish beds in Portage Bay in Whatcom County. These important shellfish harvest areas for the Lummi have been closed for many years. EPA Action Helps Restore Drinking Water System for 3,000 people in Central Oregon Tribal Community Region 10's enforcement program used Safe Drinking Water Act emergency orders in response to several public water system failures in several tribal communities across the region. These orders spurred action to help restore the systems and provide safe water to these communities. One of the systems requiring immediate action was on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs reservation. Long-standing problems at the aging public water system serving over 3,000 people resulted in total system failure and water "outages" which required providing bottled water for several weeks to businesses, residences and other public services. The lack of drinking water also forced the closure of the early education center. EPA is helping bring together other federal agencies and other possible funding sources to assist the tribe in their long-term infrastructure planning and financing as they work to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act and Region 10's order. Kalispel Tribe Approved for Class I Clean Air Act Designation In mid-2019, Region 10 approved the proposal by the Kalispel Tribe to redesignate lands within the exterior boundaries of the Kalispel Indian Reservation to Class I under the Clean Air Act. The Kalispel Reservation, established in 1914, covers 4,557 acres in northeast Washington. The approval came under EPA's Prevention of Significant Deterioration program which aims to prevent deterioration of existing air quality in areas that meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The Clean Air Act provides for three classifications applicable to all lands of the United States: Class I, Class II, and Class III. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-approves- kalispel-reservation-air-quality-redesignation 19 ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 2019 Highlights ®U.S. EPA Region 10 0 @EPAnorthwest The Quinault Indian Nation has joined EPA's Air Quality Flag Program! The colored flags show the local #airquality forecast and help alert people to adjust their activities to reduce exposure to air pollution, while still keeping active, aimow.gov/schoolflag U.S. EPA Region 10 O #EPAnorthwcst Congrats! The Colville Tribe - Okanogan River Airshed Partnership won EPA's 2019 Clean Air Excellence Award for their collaborative work to reduce harmful smoke pollution to protect community health. Learn more: epa.gov/caaac/clean-ai... CD ¦ 20 ------- SEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 155 Seattle, WA 98101-3123 Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and 271 Tribal Governments ------- |