EMERGENCY
, RESPONSE i
ACCOMPLISHMENTS REPORT I FY2022
PREVENTION - PREPAREDNESS - RESPONSE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
click on the topics below to jump to any section
Welcome
O Prevention & Preparedness
for Chemical Accidents and Oil Spills
Preparing Emergency Responders
Emergency Response
O Environmental Justice
and Emergency Management
at any point in the report, click on the page number in the bottom corner
to return to the Table of Contents
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WELCOME
It is with great excitement that we are able to
share the Fiscal Year 2022 Emergency Management
Accomplishments Report. EPA's emergency management
responsibilities are the backbone of the federal
government's efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond
to natural disasters and environmental emergencies. Our
work supports other federal partners, as well as state,
local, and tribal governments to respond to chemical
and hazardous substance releases and oil spills. Much
of our work occurs in communities that are underserved
and overburdened, and the agency collaborates with
these communities to move towards equity related to
environmental and health protection.
This report details major response and removal actions from October 1, 2021, to
September 30, 2022, and outlines our regulatory actions to protect community health
through chemical accident and oil spill prevention and preparedness, It features
science-based solutions that EPA utilizes during all phases of crisis and consequence
management.
The agency continues to find solutions, even while navigating rapidly changing
environmental impacts due to climate change. It is projected that climate change
will continue to increase the prevalence and severity of natural disasters such as
hurricanes and extreme flooding. For chemical and oil facilities, this presents risks and
vulnerabilities. EPA has made efforts to enhance climate resiliency through its proposed
regulations for chemical accident prevention and preparedness. These efforts include
requiring regulated facilities to evaluate risks of climate change and plan for worst-case
discharges of hazardous substances in adverse weather conditions.
Although there is much more to do, EPA is proud to share accomplishments that
highlight the great work that has been done in the past year. By sharing the highlights
of our prevention, preparedness, and response activities, we hope to expand our
communication efforts to key stakeholders, partners, and the public.
Thank you to all the EPA staff who have contributed-and continue to contribute-to EPA's
mission of protecting human health and the environment.
Brendan Roache
Deputy Director
Office of Emergency Management
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PREVENTION & PREPAREDNESS
FOR CHEMICAL ACCIDENTS AND OIL SPILLS
EPA works with industry, community representatives, and state, local, and tribal governments
to help prevent and prepare for accidental chemical releases and oil spills. In addition to
imposing regulatory requirements on industrial facilities, the agency's emergency prevention and
preparedness programs play an important role in increasing transparency and communication
among facilities, governments, and communities. Our programs provide stakeholders with
information about hazards to facilitate prevention and emergency planning and response efforts.
Over the last year, EPA has been actively working to enhance prevention and preparedness
provisions in our regulations to protect nearby communities from accidental releases.
REGULATORY ACTIONS
Proposed Stronger Regulations to Protect Communities from Chemical Accidents
EPA proposed revisions to the Risk Management Program rule to further protect vulnerable
communities from chemical accidents, especially communities located near facilities with
high accident rates. The Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention proposed rule
focuses on facilities with high accident rates to protect communities that are most at risk,
requiring certain facilities to do more to prevent chemical accidents. The proposal also added
new provisions that were not addressed in prior rules, including greater transparency for
communities on safety decisions and enhanced employee participation in the accident prevention
and planning process.
The agency solicited
public comment on
several topics to inform
the final rule and to
better target changes
in future rulemakings.
In addition to the public
comment period, EPA
held three virtual
public hearings. EPA is
currently reviewing the
comments received and
is planning to publish a
final rule by August 2023
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Proposed Facility Response Planning Regulations for Hazardous
Substance Discharges
EPA proposed new requirements for certain facilities to plan for worst-case discharges of
hazardous substances under the Clean Water Act. A worst-case discharge is the largest
foreseeable discharge in adverse weather conditions, including those due to climate
change. Facilities subject to the Clean Water Act Hazardous Substance Facility Response
Plan proposed rule would be required to prepare response plans for worst-case
discharges, or threat of such discharges, and submit them to EPA. The agency is currently
reviewing public comments and is planning to publish a final rule by September 2024.
EPA Developing Regulations for
Dispersant Use in Response to Oil Spills
The agency continues to work on amending
regulations for dispersant use in response to
oil spills in coastal waters. The amendments,
initially proposed in 2015, are a major
component of EPA's effort to regulate the use
of dispersants and other chemical or biological
agents when responding to oil discharges.
EPA will finalize the 2015 proposed action in two
parts. On July 6, 2021, the agency finalized new
monitoring requirements for dispersant use in
response to major oil discharges and certain
dispersant use situations. EPA continues
to work on a final action for the remaining
authorization of use and product testing and
listing provisions, which will be published by
May 31, 2023. The amendments will incorporate
lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon oil
spill response.
New Reporting Requirements
for 1-Bromopropane Releases
EPA added the chemical
1-bromopropane to the List of
Hazardous Substances under the
Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (CERCLA). This
rulemaking triggers reporting
for a 1-bromopropane release,
providing improved data to protect
public health and encourage better
chemical handling. The list of CERCLA
hazardous substances can be found
at AO CFR part 302.4 in Table 302.4
("List of Hazardous Substances and
Reportable Quantities"). This chemical
was previously added to the Clean Air
Act List of Hazardous Air Pollutants
in December 2021.
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National Handbook for Local and Tribal
Emergency Planning Committees
EPA developed a national handbook as a resource for
local and tribal emergency planning committees to
strengthen community preparedness for accidental
chemical releases. It compiles and expounds upon
existing guidance materials for the Emergency
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
and its amendments under the America's Water
Infrastructure Act. The handbook is particularly helpful
for new members of tribal and local organizations
responsible for implementing EPCRA and for
communities that may deal with chemical accidents.
Furthermore, the handbook includes guidance on
how to include consideration of community needs
in emergency planning and tools and resources for
planning and response.
GUIDANCE & FACT SHEETS
Joint Safety Advisory on Chemical
Warehouse Safety
EPA, the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, and the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security - Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security
Agency issued a joint safety advisory on the risks
of improper storage of hazardous chemicals at
chemical warehouses and distribution facilities. This
safety advisory informs the industry of the federal
requirements that they must comply with to help
prevent chemical accidents and security incidents.
In recent years, federal agencies have found that many
warehouse facilities do not manage chemicals in a
safe or secure manner. Complying with applicable
regulations discussed in the joint safety advisory may
help avoid catastrophic chemical accidents.
Fact Sheet on EPCRA Reporting Requirements
for Fertilizer Retailers
EPA developed a fact sheet to help fertilizer retailers
comply with EPCRA reporting requirements. Fertilizer
retailers are required to report their chemicals stored
on site unless their chemicals meet the retail fertilizer
exemption. The fact sheet explains the retail fertilizer
exemption under EPCRA section 311(e)(5) and provides
an overview of all EPCRA reporting requirements.
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OUTREACH & FIELD WORK
Tribal Outreach for Chemical Accident and Oil Spill Prevention and
Preparedness Programs
Environmental emergencies may occur on tribal lands, so it is important for tribal
communities to be prepared and implement necessary prevention measures. Throughout
the year, EPA has enhanced outreach, training, inspection targeting, and coordination
with tribes to improve implementation of these programs in Indian Country. The agency
provided free webinars and inspector training to educate tribes on their responsibilities
to prevent and prepare for oil discharges and chemical emergencies. EPA also engaged
with tribes to help identify and target inspections at high-risk facilities on Indian lands.
Furthermore, EPA improved coordination with tribes by tracking participation in Tribal
Emergency Planning Committee activities.
Inspections at Chemical and Oil Facilities
To ensure compliance with EPA prevention and preparedness regulations, the agency
trains and provides inspection resources to regional inspectors for oversight of chemical
and oil facilities. Inspections and government-initiated unannounced exercises can result
in enforcement actions to ensure facilities comply with regulatory requirements and to
protect human health and the environment.
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PREPARING EMERGENCY
RESPONDERS
EPA's on-scene coordinators (OSCs) are the first-line workforce responsible for implementing
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and
for overseeing on-site emergency response and removal actions at hazardous waste sites.
They are environmental engineers or scientists who apply their professional knowledge to
response and removal actions that are consistent with the requirements of CERCLA and the
National Contingency Plan. OSCs are required to coordinate, review, monitor, and direct the work
at sites—from site discovery to completion of the time-critical removal action or emergency
response activities to cost recovery activity. They provide coordination and support to local, state,
and federal partners during responses via assessment, monitoring, evaluation, and response
assistance. In addition, EPA Special Teams work to prepare for and respond to chemical,
biological, radiological, and nuclear emergencies by providing scientific support, technical
expertise, and around-the-clock assistance. EPA responders participate in training to maintain
their technical skills to effectively and efficiently respond to environmental emergencies and
natural disasters.
OSC Readiness Training Conference
The OSC Readiness Training Program is an annual
conference that serves as the primary source of
continuing education for EPA's OSCs. Attendance includes
OSCs, the agency's special teams, and support staff.
The training provided at the program helps EPA fulfill
its statutory responsibility for technology transfer and
training related to OSCs, which is mandatory under
the National Contingency Plan, and to meet certain
certification requirements.
The objectives of the training program include:
Ensure consistent training that supports a national
approach to cleaning up complex hazardous waste
sites
Enhance knowledge and skills essential to successful
job performance
Increase effectiveness and efficiency through intra-
agency networking and communication
Showcase agency case studies, current tools,
technologies, and available resources
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Preparing for Petroleum Products Discharges
On August 10, 2022, EPA participated in the National Level Exercise 2022 Spill of National
Significance (SONS) National Coordination Workshop in Washington, D.C. hosted by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency. The exercise scenario involved a 20 million
gallon spill of petroleum products discharging to the Columbia and Willamette Rivers
following a catastrophic 9,0 magnitude earthquake along the Cascadia Subduction
Zone. This event examined the differences in authorities and coordination required for
responding under the Stafford Act and National Contingency Plan. Lead federal agencies
and their roles and responsibilities across the federal interagency were also reviewed.
The workshop identified ways of improving coordination and communication for future
preparedness activities, especially as they relate to SONS events. The interagency exercise
was held in-person and virtually.
PREPARING FOR TERRORISM & SECURITY INCIDENTS
Environmental emergencies can arise from a variety of factors, including from the effects
of a terrorist attack or any other security-related incident. EPA develops guidance and
participates in exercises to ensure the nation is prepared should these incidents occur.
Improving Resiliency of Public Transit Systems from Urban Threats
In October 2021, EPA joined the Department
of Homeland Security (DHS), in partnership
with the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority and other New York City
stakeholders, in testing to improve the
resiliency of urban areas and transportation
systems against chemical and biological
agents, including threats from potential
terrorist attacks. The testing was part of
the Urban Threat and Dispersion project
and will help the government characterize
the dispersion of a biological simulant in a
subway system into buildings and certain
critical infrastructure in the metro area.
EPA led sampling efforts that generated
data sets to validate and refine subway and
outdoor dispersion models. This information
will help transit officials and emergency
management professionals strategize
response activities following a biological
terrorist attack. Additionally, the data
collected will assist EPA in preparing for
post-incident responsibilities and inform
research prioritization to build applicable
capabilities. This effort was a follow-up to
EPA and DHS's previous collaboration on
the Underground Transport and Restoration
project.
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Coordinating Aerial Assets During a Radiological Response
In May 2022, EPA participated in the Cobalt
Magnet exercise, a full-scale activity simulating
a dirty bomb event and response. The five-
day exercise activated state, local and private
organizations as well as federal partners,
simulating their responses to the release
of radiological material, EPA deployed the
Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental
Collection Technology (ASPECT) during the
exercise to gain experience in coordinating
this asset with the Department of Energy's
fixed-wing aerial assets, the Aerial Measuring
System. EPA and the U.S. Department of
Energy jointly supported a Nuclear Incident
Response Team project involving these assets,
and the exercise was the capstone event for
the project. Early in the exercise, ASPECT
measured environmental levels of radiation
and provided data to the Federal Radiological
Measurement and Assessment Center. As the
exercise progressed, ASPECT staff integrated
into the on-site Incident Management Team,
flew multiple missions as requested, and
provided descriptions of the technology and
data to the team and press during the event.
S "N
What is ASPECT?
The Airborne Spectral Photometric
Environmental Collection Technology (ASPECT)
is EPA's real-time chemical and radiological
detection, infrared, and photographic imagery
platform. ASPECT is available 24/7/365 to
assist local, national, and international
agencies.
Enhancing Decontamination Practices for Chemical Warfare Agents
In September 2022, EPA participated in an exercise to improve decontamination practices for
chemical warfare agents. The goal of the exercise was to test and refine the setup, execution, and
break down procedures of all stations that comprise the decontamination line. The process was
refined to effectively decontaminate personnel, hand-held equipment, and samples to minimize
cross contamination and to protect the overall health & safety of personnel. Several refinements
to the procedures were identified that took advantage of the latest technology and commercially
available products. This updated procedure will be used in future exercises and events.
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Updated Quick Reference Guides for Responders
EPA works with the National Response Team to prepare and
update quick reference guides as tools for the response
community on various hazards. These updates help ensure that
responders have current information to effectively respond to a
wide range of incidents. In 2022, quick reference guide updates
were provided for
Biological agents: Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) and Yersinia
pestis (plague)
Chemical warfare nerve agents: Sarin, Tabun, Soman,
Cyclosarin, and VX
Wide Area Demonstration to Prepare for a
Biological Agent Release
In May 2022, EPA performed a wide area demonstration that
simulated a response to an intentional Bacillus anthracis
(anthrax) release which examined and evaluated lab-tested
response procedures that could help the U.S. Coast Guard
(USCG) and EPA actively respond to future biohazard incidents.
This was the culminating event after years of testing and
field studies to ground-truth technologies and methodologies
intended for use by responders. The team followed steps that
embodied an actual biological response, including testing
and evaluating options for decontamination, sampling, data
management, and waste management of used and contaminated
materials.
This demonstration was part of the Analysis for Coast
Operational Resiliency (AnCOR) project, a partnership
between EPA, USCG, and DHS. The goal of AnCOR
is to develop and demonstrate capabilities and
strategic guidelines to prepare the nation for
a wide area release of a biological agent. EPA
and AnCOR partner agencies are preparing a
procedure manual and maintenance cards that
USCG can use to quickly return to operational
capacity should a real outdoor, urban-area
biohazard incident occur.
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PREPARING RESPONDERS FOR
EMERGING BIOLOGICAL THREATS
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
EPA works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) and other organizations to
prevent avian influenza from becoming established in the nation's
poultry population. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is
a serious disease and requires a rapid response because it is
highly contagious and often fatal to domestic fowl. During an
HPAI incident, EPA can provide technical assistance and support
for facility and/or environmental decontamination, including the
interpretation of waste management requirements. In September
2022, EPA published the HPAI Emerging BioThreat Brief to prepare
EPA responders during a future response. This resource serves
as a quick reference document that summarizes currently known
facts and provides references to key resources. The document will be
updated as more information relevant to HPAI becomes available.
African Swine Fever Virus
While the African Swine Fever outbreak in other countries has not yet reached the United States,
it is important for responders to be prepared, as an outbreak would have a significant impact
on the nation's livestock and economy. In March 2022, EPA updated the African Swine Fever
Virus Emerging BioThreat Brief, initially released in November 2021. The document provides EPA
responders with updated information and references, if needed, to support a future response. The
March 2022 update included expanded sections concerning virus transmission routes and vectors
as well as waste management considerations. It is meant to be a living document that can be
quickly updated to incorporate lessons learned following an incident. EPA partnered with US DA/
APHIS, DHS, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop, review, and update
the document.
Animal Mortality Disposal Project
To further support preparedness for the African Swine Fever virus, EPA and the Minnesota
Department of Agriculture examined disposal options for animal mortality from a foreign animal
disease outbreak in January 2022. While composting is a viable disposal
option, large animals take a very long time to compost. Reducing the
size of animals through grinding greatly accelerates the composting
process, but it also produces aerosol emissions which could
potentially spread the virus. These tests were conducted to
measure grinder-generated aerosols as well as study the
impact of cold-weather conditions on grinder operations
and composting. This project supported preparedness
activities by USDA/APHIS to minimize the impact of an
African Swine Fever virus outbreak to human health and
the environment as well as to minimize the economic
impact of such an outbreak to the $40 billion pork
industry.
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EMERGENCY RESPONSE
EPA is the lead federal agency for conducting assessment and cleanup in response to
releases of oil and hazardous substances, working in close coordination with the U.S.
Coast Guard (USCG). Through its on-scene coordinators (OSCs) and special teams, the
agency responds to oil spills, chemical, biological, radiological releases, and large-
scale national emergencies that occur inland. EPA provides supplemental response
assistance when state and local first responder capabilities have been exhausted or
when additional support is requested. The agency conducts removal actions conducted
by funding emergency response actions directly or providing oversight and enforcing
actions conducted by potentially responsible parties. These response activities are taken
when contamination poses an immediate threat to human health and the environment.
Many of these actions and incidents occur in diverse communities of color that are
underserved, and the agency works diligently to provide the same amount of protection
from environmental threats and hazards as other communities.
Every year, EPA receives around 19,000 notifications via the National Response Center,
managed by USCG, related to spills in the environment. These spills range in size and can
threaten human health, the environment, the economic viability of a community, and the
availability of critical infrastructure, such as drinking water systems.
EPA's role also includes responding to planned incidents and terrorist attacks, like the 2001
World Trade Center and anthrax attacks. The agency participates in and hosts exercises
that prepare state, local, and other federal emergency management staff for these types of
incidents.
Overview of Emergency Response: Fiscal Year 2022
ut
226
0n-Scene
Coordinators
(OSCs)
195
Total
Removal
Actions
/^\\
108
Emergency
Response
Actions
Most Frequent
Contaminants
Mercury
Asbestos
Lead
Volatile Organic Compounds
Tetrachloroethene
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EMERGENCY RESPONSE & REMOVAL ACTIONS
Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility
Oahu, Hawaii
In November 2021,14,000 gallons of a mixture
of jet fuel and water were discharged from
a ruptured pipeline at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel
Storage Facility at the U.S. Navy's Joint Base
Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) in Oahu, Hawaii.
The mixture entered a tunnel and one of the
three main drinking water shafts that serve
JBPHH and the City of Honolulu, causing the
Navy to shut down the access to the drinking
water shaft and the Hawaii Department of
Health (HDOH) to issue a drinking water
advisory to not drink or use the tap water
from the JBPHH system. This impacted
approximately 93,000 U.S. Navy water system
users.
In 2015, EPA and HDOH jointly entered into
an Administrative Order on Consent with the
U.S. Navy and the Defense Logistics Agency
following a release in 20U to address fuel
releases and implement infrastructure
improvements. In December 2021, EPA joined
an Interagency Drinking Water System Team
tasked with identifying water distribution zones
to be flushed, sampled, and cleared to restore
clean and safe drinking water. OSCs and the
Water Emergency Team provided technical
advice and consultation on data validation
and data management systems and tools for
displaying results and progress metrics as the
systems were cleaned and brought back on-
line. EPA also performed underground storage
tanks (UST), Spill Prevention, Control, and
Countermeasure (SPCC), and drinking water
inspections at the site.
EPA deployed the Portable High-Throughput
Integrated Laboratory Identification System
(PHILIS) mobile laboratory assets to Naval
Weapons Station at Seal Beach, California,
where daily military flights from Hawaii
transported drinking water samples for
analysis. The mobile labs support reduced
sample transport time, provided rapid turn-
around for results, and significantly increased
sampling capacity. The mobile labs were
positioned to analyze up to 50 water samples
per day, provide initial findings within two days,
and provide verified data within seven days of
receipt. Throughout the 45-day deployment, the
labs analyzed 2,053 drinking water samples,
including 1,108 volatile organic compound
samples and 945 total organic carbon samples.
EPA provided support for this response through
an interagency agreement with the U.S. Navy.
In March 2022, the final drinking water advisory
was lifted for the last water distribution
zone, and a long-term monitoring plan was
implemented.
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Genesee Valley Finishing Site
Rochester, New York
The removal action at the Genesee Valley
Metal Finishing Site was completed in
FY21 involving the removal of abandoned
plating wastes and solvent cleaners from
the 10,000 sq ft former electroplating
facility. Subsurface soil vapor assessment
activities followed the mitigation activities
and determined that vapors from the
trichloroethylene (TCE) solvent storage tank
migrated to the adjacent John Williams No.
5 public grade school, and approximately 10
residential/commercial establishments.
EPA's subsequent investigations defined the
extent of the TCE contamination, and the
public health concerns were evaluated by
EPA's risk assessors. It was determined
that TCE vapors were present in the
school, two residential properties, and two
commercial properties at concentrations
of public health concern. In FY22, vapor
mitigation systems were installed in the
impacted buildings and post installation
indoor air sampling conducted during the
heating season verified that the systems
are operating as designed; effectively
mitigating the indoor vapor concerns from
TCE contamination migrating from the
building source. Extensive coordination
was necessary to organize the multiple
tasks associated with the project, including
investigative efforts, public outreach
to numerous diversified groups and
individuals, and coordination of construction
activities for the installation of vapor
mitigation systems.
Conway Park
Somerville, Massachusetts
EPA completed the cleanup of Conway
Park, which was closed in 2018 due to
the discovery of high concentrations of
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soil
during a planned park renovation.
EPA and the city memorialized
an agreement to address the site
contamination through a settlement. The
settlement included a path to clean up the
park under a carefully coordinated mixed-
work approach, where EPA removed the
source contamination by excavating and
disposing of contaminated soil, and the
city performed the remaining work, which
included final site restoration. An event was
held in May 2022 to celebrate the reopening
of the park and the successful partnership.
New Mexico Wildfires
In May 2022, a federal disaster declaration
was issued to provide federal funding to
state and local governments for wildfire
cleanup in New Mexico across the counties
of Colfax, Lincoln, Mora, San Miguel,
and Valencia. Following the preliminary
assessment of potential hazardous material
impacts from the wildfires and support
needs by New Mexico Environmental
Department, New Mexico requested
emergency support. The Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) issued EPA a
mission assignment to conduct removals
of household hazardous waste and bulk
asbestos at properties impacted by the
Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon fires in the
counties of Mora and San Miguel.
EPA completed removal and proper
disposal of household hazardous waste
and bulk asbestos at 314 properties after
property owners granted access. After a
potential impact to one of the Las Vegas,
New Mexico's reservoirs with ash, debris,
and sediments following flooding after
the wildfires, EPA received a mission
assignment from FEMA to provide drinking
water technical support to state and local
authorities to help them bring their drinking
water supply back online.
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Waymire Drum Site
Los Angeles, California
Between the 1920s and early 2000s, drum
cleaning and stripping facilities, and later
auto parts salvaging companies, operated at
the site location. A 2017 EPA site inspection
revealed TCE, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and
vinyl chloride in soil gas at concentrations
that threatened to migrate to nearby homes.
Further assessment by EPA indicated the
presence of these compounds in on-site
offices, adjacent homes, and crawlspaces.
The agency installed vapor mitigation
systems in these areas from 2019 to 2020 and
conducted testing, operations and maintenance
activities through 2021 before handing
these responsibilities over to the California
Environmental Protection Agency.
Kentucky Tornadoes
In December 2021, a strong low-pressure
tornado system tracked from Kansas City
toward the Great Lakes region, producing a
significant severe weather event across the
Midwest and Southeast. Preliminary reports
of more than 50 tornadoes were made across
several states, including Arkansas, Illinois,
Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee, with the
worst damage concentrated in Kentucky. FEMA
issued mission assignments to EPA to assess
debris fields for oil and hazardous materials
to support the Kentucky Department for
Environmental Protection.
EPA mobilized OSCs from Regions k and 5,
as well as contractors. The team contacted
The site is located in a densely populated,
predominantly Hispanic, Spanish-speaking,
underserved community. Because 89% of the
community speaks Spanish, EPA primarily
communicated in the language and secondary
in English. The neighborhood is in the top 4%
of communities with the highest proportion of
people of color.
In February 2022, the agency installed
pilot systems designed to address the
contamination: a soil vapor extraction system,
and soil vapor monitoring wells adjacent to
the pilot well. The soil vapor extraction system
began operating in October 2022.
55 Risk Management Plan facilities, three
Facility Response Plan facilities, and seven
National Priority List sites within the tornado
pathways. None of the identified facilities
reported issues or requested assistance. EPA
also provided oversight for four responses
related to the storm, which included leaking
drums from a collapsed warehouse, two
gas and electric companies that suffered
releases of transformer oil and mineral oil,
as well as a commercial parking lot that had
damaged vehicles that released diesel fuel.
In all the incidents, the EPA OSC conducted
site assessments and verified that response
activities were being sufficiently executed.
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Josephine Fentanyl Emergency Response
Grants Pass, Oregon
On February 3rd, 2022, EPA was contacted
by Josephine County Public Health
regarding an incident at the Josephine
County Jail. An unknown amount of fentanyl
was smuggled into a jail holding cell and
eventually released into the holding cell
and floor drain. Both inmates and deputies
were transported to a local hospital
where they were treated for potential
fentanyl exposure. In the absence of any
other available resources or responders
for the incident, EPA mobilized to the
jail to conduct appropriate cleanup and
decontamination measures.
EPA performed initial testing using
field screening technology along with
assistance from the Oregon 102nd WMD
Civil Support Team (CST) and identified
areas of the jail to be decontaminated. EPA
coordinated with specialists in its Center
for Environmental Solutions and Emergency
Response (CESER) for the appropriate
decontamination solutions and methods.
Following approximately five days of
decontamination and sampling, the jail was
cleared and returned to the county for use.
Addressing Known and Potential Lead Exposure
Various Locations in the Midwest - Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska
EPA focused resources to address
sites with known or high risk of lead
exposure. This included forming On-Scene
Coordinator (OSC) Strike Teams to rapidly
assess properties with reported elevated
blood lead levels (EBLLs) in children,
performing removal actions to address soil
contamination at properties with confirmed
EBLLs, and providing alternative water
for sites with lead-contaminated drinking
water. In addition, removal actions were
completed at two sites-Recycletronics
- Akron Farm Facility in Iowa and
Recycletronics - G Street in Nebraska-with
abandoned and broken lead-contaminated
cathode ray tubes (CRTs). Both sites were
near sensitive populations, presented
significant technical challenges, and were
in areas identified as having potential
environmental justice concerns.
EPA evaluated a total of 101 residential
properties across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri,
and Nebraska where EBLLs had been
reported. In total, over 6,500 tons of lead
contaminated soil and 2,700 tons of lead-
containing CRTs were removed for off-site
disposal.
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Large-Scale Fire Responses
Plainfield, Indiana; Shorewood, Illinois; Madison, Illinois
In July 2022, EPA responded to three large scale-fires at the
Plainf ield Warehouse, Shorewood Pesticides, and the Interco
Metaltronics Recycling Facility. All three fires generated smoke
plumes that impacted adjacent communities for miles. The agency
coordinated with multiple state and local partners at each fire,
providing both roving and static air monitoring and sampling that
health agencies utilized for shelter-in-place decision making.
EPA provided technical guidance and/or sampling for firefighting
run-off water management at all three fires. Additionally, EPA
sampled fire debris at the Plainfield Warehouse Fire for possible
asbestos contamination.
Lithium Batteries Fire
Morris, Illinois
On June 29, 2021, the old Federal Paper Board mill in Morris,
Illinois caught fire due to unknown causes. The building is
currently owned by Superior Battery, Inc., and approximately
550,000 lb of lithium batteries (along with solar panels, lead-
acid batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and other waste)
were stored inside. The smoke plume threatened to release
contaminants into the atmosphere potentially exposing nearby
residents to hazardous substances including particulates, metals,
and volatile organics.
EPA participated as a Cooperating Agency as part of the Unified
Command in response to the fire, with OSCs deployed to provide
air monitoring support. Alongside state partners, EPA also
collected water samples from the outfall to the Illinois and
Michigan Canal and a water collection trench on the east side of
the building, as well as providing continued support in monitoring.
While most of the response work occurred in FY22, EPA
completed a time-critical removal action at the site of the fire in
October 2022 (early FY23). EPA consolidated and shipped over
388,000 pounds of batteries for proper hazardous waste disposal
and removed another 700 cubic yards of fire debris and other
waste. Throughout the cleanup, EPA crews performed daily air
monitoring around and inside the building.
.* ^ * "i* ft ?. # * fssjs
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TA Truck Stop Air Release
East Greenwich, New Jersey
On August 10, 2022, a tanker truck carrying
approximately 7,000 gallons of zinc alkyl
dithiophosphate--also called Lubrizol
1395--stopped at the TA Truck Stop and
began venting and causing a very strong
rotten egg smell. Gloucester County and
neighboring Salem and Camden County
officials received hundreds of odor
complaint calls and advised people in the
area to limit outdoor activities and remain
in their homes.
New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection (NJDEP) remained the lead
agency on the site but requested EPA
support with air monitoring. EPA deployed
six stationary air monitoring stations at
the truck stop and in the surrounding
community and conducted 24-hour
monitoring for over five days until NJDEP
determined the responsible party's
contractor was providing air monitoring.
NATIONAL RESPONSE TEAM
The National Response Team (NRT) is composed of 15 federal agencies and is chaired by
EPA. The NRT provides technical assistance, resources and coordination on preparedness,
planning, response and recovery activities for emergencies involving hazardous
substances, pollutants and contaminants, oil, and weapons of mass destruction in natural
and technological disasters and other environmental incidents of national significance.
EPA Environmental Response Team Supporting Cuban Matanzas Fire
On August 5, 2022, a fire started after
lightning hit one of the oil storage tanks
at Matanzas, Cuba's largest port receiving
crude oil and fuel imports. The fire was
contained on August 12.
The facility was severely damaged and lost
nearly half of its storage capacity, which
impacted power plants supplying energy
across the country. The fire and fuel spill
also damaged a nearby settlement of 20
homes. Provincial officials from Cuba's
Ministry of Science, Technology, and
Environment have not found evidence of
acid rain or contamination of reservoirs.
On August 18, 2022, the Government of
Cuba requested technical support from
EPA in the recovery efforts to the August
5 fire. The agency provided virtual support
in the areas of facility damage assessment
and future risk mitigation, environmental
and human health impacts, and oil spill
remediation.
HURRICANE IRMA SLAMS CARIBBEAN,
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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
SEMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Addressing the disparities that exist in communities with environmental justice issues is an
administration priority that EPA is focusing on to protect human health and the environment.
Although environmental emergencies and incidents occur in many places across the U.S.
and its territories, there are many communities with environmental justice concerns that
are disproportionately impacted by the effects of these events. Residents and community
members near removal action sites or chemical facilities often experience health issues from
contaminants. The agency is working to enhance its environmental justice efforts through all
phases of emergency management.
Environmental Justice Screen Training for Emergency Responders
In FY22, EPA delivered basic Environmental Justice Screen (EJScreen) training to over 100
responders to help obtain nationally consistent screening and mapping. EJScreen combines
environmental and demographic data to highlight areas where vulnerable populations may be
disproportionately impacted by pollution incidents. It is the primary tool used for EJ Screening
assessments that help on-scene coordinators and additional staff address environmental justice
concerns related to EPA response and prevention activities.
Advancing Environmental Justice Through Oil Spill Prevention
and Preparedness Programs
EPA works with our partners and the regulated community to develop and implement prevention
practices that reduce the risk of oil spills into waters and build preparedness capacity for oil
spill emergencies. These efforts are especially important in disadvantaged communities who
disproportionately bear the burden
from these incidents. During the
summer of 2022, EPA conducted
environmental justice analyses of oil
program inspection data and inspection
targeting protocols to better account
for vulnerable communities. The agency
plans to use this information to amend
its inspection targeting strategy to
consider environmental justice factors.
EPA also provided oil inspectors with
training on tools like EJScreen to gain
a better understanding of community
characteristics and concerns.
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Environmental justice
is the fair treatment
and meaningful
involvement of all people
regardless of race,
color, national origin,
or income, with respect
to the development,
implementation,
and enforcement of
environmental laws,
regulations, and policies.
Proposed Regulations Incorporating
Environmental Justice Concerns
EPA has made efforts to incorporate environmental
justice concerns in its proposed regulations for
chemical accident prevention and preparedness.
¦ The Risk Management Program (RMP) Safer
Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention
proposed rule is expected to make communities
safer by reducing the frequency of chemical
releases and their adverse effects. This rule
is a critical piece of EPA's work to advance
environmental justice as these facilities
are often located in communities that have
historically borne a disproportionate burden
from pollution.
Communities living at the fenceline of RMP
facilities are often unaware of the chemicals
and processes at facilities located in their
neighborhoods. EPA proposed to increase the
availability of such information to fenceline
communities in their requested language.
Under the Clean Water Act Hazardous
Substance Facility Response Plan proposed
rule, facilities that meet the applicability
criteria would be required to evaluate potential
impacts to communities with environmental
justice concerns from a worst-case discharge
to navigable water. Additionally, EPA Regional
Administrators would have discretion to require
facilities that may not meet the applicability
criteria to develop facility response plans due
to environmental justice concerns. The public
may also petition the Regional Administrator to
consider a facility to be regulated because of
its potential impacts to communities with these
concerns.
Integrating Environmental Justice Into
Emergency Response
EPA developed and issued the Integrating
Environmental Justice into Emergency Response
Preparedness and Management document,
that enhances the inclusivity, equitability, and
responsiveness of EPA's emergency response
functions through greater integration of
environmental justice considerations throughout
the emergency response process.
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ASPECT Supporting Environmental
Justice Initiatives
In support of EPA Administrator Regan's
Journey to Justice initiative, the Airborne
Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection
Technology (ASPECT) conducted screening
flights over 30 facilities in Louisiana to identify
potential chemical emissions near historically
overburdened communities. The ASPECT flights
were combined with ground-based assessments
to provide a three-dimensional awareness of
potential pollution in the area. A final report
was compiled from these data that incorporated
arial and ground-based assessment data into a
comprehensive operational picture.
N9738B
FINAL THOUGHTS
Although there were many emergency management accomplishments highlighted by EPA for
FY22, there were many other actions, activities, and responses that occurred and underscore
the everyday work performed by the agency to mitigate risk. The agency remains committed
to finding more ways to fight climate change, improving regulations to mitigate risk posed by
environmental emergencies, ensuring emergency management staff have the latest training to
better engage with and respond to communities impacted by natural disasters, and addressing
the disparities that are present in many of these communities. EPA is looking forward to its
continued collaboration with other federal partners and state, local, and tribal governments
to protect human health and the environment by preventing, preparing for, and responding to
natural disasters and environmental emergencies.
SEPA
EMERGENCY
t RESPONSE i
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington. D C. 20460
epa.gov/emergency-resporise
22
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