BOSTON (Aug. 11, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $275,000 grant to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to protect the health of beachgoers. This funding is part of $10.6 million in grants, announced in May, to help coastal and Great Lakes communities. The funding will support water quality monitoring and public notification programs for beaches.

Standing with partners at Tenean Beach in Dorchester today, EPA Regional Administrator David Cash highlighted the importance of the funding, especially for vulnerable communities.

"With so many beach closures across New England this summer, people want to know 'where can I go swimming in clean water?'," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Today's grant will advance environmental justice in communities vulnerable to and overburdened by water quality impacts by supporting critical monitoring and notification programs. We will continue to work closely with our state, municipal and local partners to deliver information that people need to make good decisions about their health. The results of monitoring can also help us enforce environmental laws and make investments, so beach closures become a thing of the past."

This grant helps fund programs to ensure beachgoers know when our coastal waters are safe for swimming and recreation.

Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, EPA awards grants to eligible state, Tribal, and territorial applicants to help them and their local government partners monitor water quality at coastal and Great Lakes beaches. When bacteria levels are too high for safe swimming, these agencies or their local partners notify the public and post beach warnings or closings.

Since 2001, EPA has awarded nearly $216 million in BEACH Act grants, including over $25 million to New England states, and almost $5.6 million to Massachusetts, to test beach waters for illness-causing bacteria and help with public notification and identification of the problem. This program is essential for protecting the health of beachgoers across the country.

"Massachusetts is home to some of the nation's most treasured beaches and coastline. Families and visitors alike shouldn't have to worry that the waters they swim in are unsafe or unsanitary," said U.S. Senator Ed Markey. "I am grateful for the tireless work of local, state, and federal partners who are doing their part by not only monitoring these waters, but by working together to remove waste and remediate environmental injustice. We have more to do to keep beachgoers informed and our beaches open."

"With climate change bringing us more extreme heat, DCR's beaches and waterfronts play a vital role in helping our families and children cool down during the summer months, said Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Brian Arrigo. "We are committed to continuing to work with our federal and state partners including EPA and DPH to ensure that our waters are as clean as possible and that beachgoers are educated about when it is and isn't safe to swim in our oceans and lakes."

"Protecting the people of Boston from coastal flooding and enhancing the environment along its shoreline are top priorities for the City of Boston and the Boston Planning & Development Agency," said Rich McGuinness, Deputy Director for Climate & Coastal Resilience Infrastructure Delivery. "We have been fortunate to partner with Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management and the Dorchester community this year to develop schematic designs for Tenean Beach that achieve those goals. This recently published report is the first step towards completing design and starting construction in this critical area of our city. We look forward to the work ahead."

EPA's 2023 BEACH Act grant funding will be allocated to the following New England states, contingent upon their meeting the eligibility requirements:

EPA Region 1

Massachusetts $275,000
Connecticut $236,000
Maine $272,000
New Hampshire $214,000
Rhode Island $228,000

More information on BEACH Act grants.

Check the relevant state, Tribal, or territorial beach program website for closing or advisory information at a particular beach.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard

BOSTON (Aug. 11, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $236,000 grant to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to protect the health of beachgoers. This funding is part of $10.6 million in grants, announced in May, to help coastal and Great Lakes communities. The funding will support water quality monitoring and public notification programs for beaches.

"With so many beach closures across New England this summer, people want to know 'where can I go swimming in clean water?'," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Today's grant will advance environmental justice in communities vulnerable to and overburdened by water quality impacts by supporting critical monitoring and notification programs. We will continue to work closely with our state, municipal and local partners to deliver information that people need to make good decisions about their health. The results of monitoring can also help us enforce environmental laws and make investments so beach closures become a thing of the past."

This grant helps fund programs to ensure that beachgoers know when our coastal waters are safe for swimming and recreation.

"I'm thrilled to see this federal grant go to New Hampshire to help safeguard the well-being of our beachgoers," said U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen. "This funding will deliver much-needed resources to monitor our state's coastal waters, ensuring safe and enjoyable outdoor experiences for residents and visitors."

"New Hampshire's beaches draw locals and tourists to their shores every year, and it is critical that we keep people safe when they go in the water. Excited to see this funding coming to New Hampshire to help monitor our water quality and protect the health of Granite Staters," said U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan.

"New Hampshire is known for our iconic lakes and beaches — we must protect them to ensure families feel safe enjoying a day on the water," said Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02). "I'm thrilled to see these resources heading to our state to protect beach and lake goers, and I will continue working to preserve our environment for generations to come."

Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, EPA awards grants to eligible state, Tribal, and territorial applicants to help them and their local government partners monitor water quality at coastal and Great Lakes beaches. When bacteria levels are too high for safe swimming, these agencies or their local partners notify the public and post beach warnings or closings.

Since 2001, EPA has awarded nearly $216 million in BEACH Act grants, including over $25 million to New England states, and almost $4.5 million to New Hampshire, to test beach waters for illness-causing bacteria and help with public notification and identification of the problem. This program is essential for protecting the health of beachgoers across the country.

EPA's 2023 BEACH Act grant funding will be allocated to the following New England states, contingent upon their meeting the eligibility requirements:

EPA Region 1

New Hampshire $214,000
Maine $272,000
Massachusetts $275,000
Connecticut $236,000
Rhode Island $228,000

More information on BEACH Act grants.

Check the relevant state, Tribal, or territorial beach program website for closing or advisory information at a particular beach.

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Public Beaches

ATLANTA (Aug. 11, 2023) - On Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Representative Troy Carter (LA-2) will celebrate a $13 million grant to the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice in New Orleans. The grant will help community-based organizations throughout the South access funding from the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic Investing in American agenda.

Members of the media should RSVP to region4press@epa.gov. Please include your name, media affiliation and contact information.

WHAT:          Deep South Center for Environmental Justice Grant Celebration

WHERE:       The Shop at the Contemporary Arts Center  
                        900 Camp St, 3rd Floor, New Orleans, LA

WHEN:          Monday, August 14th at 10 am

WHO:            U.S. EPA Region 6 Chief of Staff Iris Gonzalez

                        U.S. EPA Region 4 Acting Regional Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle

                        U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, Sr. (LA-2)

                        Dr. Beverly Wright, Founder & Executive Director, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice

# # #

BISMARCK (August 10, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $248,000 in Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funding to help North Dakota communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs.  

States may now apply for grant assistance to fund projects that will help municipalities strengthen their wastewater and stormwater collection systems against increasingly intense rain events and prevent contaminants from polluting waterways. Thanks to program updates made by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program will ensure small and financially distressed communities receive grant assistance at no cost. 

“Heavy rainfall can flood communities, overload facilities that collect and treat wastewater and contaminate our waterways with sewage and pollution,” said KC Becker, EPA Regional Administrator. “With $248,000 in grant funding, EPA is helping North Dakota address the threat of stormwater inundation in communities that need it most.” 

Stormwater management is a complex environmental challenge for communities across the country. The costs to construct, operate and maintain stormwater infrastructure can be significant. This investment follows changes made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to prioritize projects for small and/or financially distressed communities and prevents cost share requirements from being passed on to these communities.  

This funding for North Dakota is part of the $50 million in grants that EPA made available nationally. Learn more about the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. 

Background 

Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern. Stormwater can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils and sediment and convey them to nearby waterways. Stormwater and groundwater can also enter wastewater collection systems through stormwater routed to the sewage system, manholes in low-lying area, and leaky or broken sewer pipes. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater, stormwater can overwhelm the wastewater sewer pipes and contribute to sewer overflows during heavy storm events.  

In the past, states and communities shared a portion of the costs associated with projects funded through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law changed the program so that 25% of Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funds go to available projects in small and/or financially distressed communities. To encourage investment in these critical projects, EPA also modified the grant program so that state grantees are not required to contribute cost share money for projects in small or financially distressed communities. 

SALT LAKE CITY (August 10, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $248,000 in Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funding to help Utah communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs.  

States may now apply for grant assistance to fund projects that will help municipalities strengthen their wastewater and stormwater collection systems against increasingly intense rain events and prevent contaminants from polluting waterways. Thanks to program updates made by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program will ensure small and financially distressed communities receive grant assistance at no cost. 

“Heavy rainfall can flood communities, overload facilities that collect and treat wastewater and contaminate our waterways with sewage and pollution,” said KC Becker, EPA Regional Administrator. “With $248,000 in grant funding, EPA is helping Utah address the threat of stormwater inundation in communities that need it most.” 

Stormwater management is a complex environmental challenge for communities across the country. The costs to construct, operate and maintain stormwater infrastructure can be significant. This investment follows changes made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to prioritize projects for small and/or financially distressed communities and prevents cost share requirements from being passed on to these communities.  

This funding for Utah is part of the $50 million in grants that EPA made available nationally. Learn more about the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. 

Background 

Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern. Stormwater can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils and sediment and convey them to nearby waterways. Stormwater and groundwater can also enter wastewater collection systems through stormwater routed to the sewage system, manholes in low-lying area, and leaky or broken sewer pipes. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater, stormwater can overwhelm the wastewater sewer pipes and contribute to sewer overflows during heavy storm events.  

In the past, states and communities shared a portion of the costs associated with projects funded through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law changed the program so that 25% of Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funds go to available projects in small and/or financially distressed communities. To encourage investment in these critical projects, EPA also modified the grant program so that state grantees are not required to contribute cost share money for projects in small or financially distressed communities. 

CHEYENNE (August 10, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $248,000 in Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funding to help Wyoming communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs.  

States may now apply for grant assistance to fund projects that will help municipalities strengthen their wastewater and stormwater collection systems against increasingly intense rain events and prevent contaminants from polluting waterways. Thanks to program updates made by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program will ensure small and financially distressed communities receive grant assistance at no cost. 

“Heavy rainfall can flood communities, overload facilities that collect and treat wastewater and contaminate our waterways with sewage and pollution,” said KC Becker, EPA Regional Administrator. “With $248,000 in grant funding, EPA is helping Wyoming address the threat of stormwater inundation in communities that need it most.” 

Stormwater management is a complex environmental challenge for communities across the country. The costs to construct, operate and maintain stormwater infrastructure can be significant. This investment follows changes made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to prioritize projects for small and/or financially distressed communities and prevents cost share requirements from being passed on to these communities.  

This funding for Wyoming is part of the $50 million in grants that EPA made available nationally. Learn more about the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. 

Background 

Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern. Stormwater can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils and sediment and convey them to nearby waterways. Stormwater and groundwater can also enter wastewater collection systems through stormwater routed to the sewage system, manholes in low-lying area, and leaky or broken sewer pipes. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater, stormwater can overwhelm the wastewater sewer pipes and contribute to sewer overflows during heavy storm events.  

In the past, states and communities shared a portion of the costs associated with projects funded through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law changed the program so that 25% of Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funds go to available projects in small and/or financially distressed communities. To encourage investment in these critical projects, EPA also modified the grant program so that state grantees are not required to contribute cost share money for projects in small or financially distressed communities. 

DENVER (August 10, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $531,000 in Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funding to help Colorado communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs.  

States may now apply for grant assistance to fund projects that will help municipalities strengthen their wastewater and stormwater collection systems against increasingly intense rain events and prevent contaminants from polluting waterways. Thanks to program updates made by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program will ensure small and financially distressed communities receive grant assistance at no cost. 

“Heavy rainfall can flood communities, overload facilities that collect and treat wastewater and contaminate our waterways with sewage and pollution,” said KC Becker, EPA Regional Administrator. “With $531,000 in grant funding, EPA is helping Colorado address the threat of stormwater inundation in communities that need it most.” 

Stormwater management is a complex environmental challenge for communities across the country. The costs to construct, operate and maintain stormwater infrastructure can be significant. This investment follows changes made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to prioritize projects for small and/or financially distressed communities and prevents cost share requirements from being passed on to these communities.  

This funding for Colorado is part of the $50 million in grants that EPA made available nationally. Learn more about the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. 

Background 

Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern. Stormwater can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils and sediment and convey them to nearby waterways. Stormwater and groundwater can also enter wastewater collection systems through stormwater routed to the sewage system, manholes in low-lying area, and leaky or broken sewer pipes. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater, stormwater can overwhelm the wastewater sewer pipes and contribute to sewer overflows during heavy storm events.  

In the past, states and communities shared a portion of the costs associated with projects funded through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law changed the program so that 25% of Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funds go to available projects in small and/or financially distressed communities. To encourage investment in these critical projects, EPA also modified the grant program so that state grantees are not required to contribute cost share money for projects in small or financially distressed communities. 

PIERRE (August 10, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $248,000 in Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funding to help South Dakota communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs.  

States may now apply for grant assistance to fund projects that will help municipalities strengthen their wastewater and stormwater collection systems against increasingly intense rain events and prevent contaminants from polluting waterways. Thanks to program updates made by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program will ensure small and financially distressed communities receive grant assistance at no cost. 

“Heavy rainfall can flood communities, overload facilities that collect and treat wastewater and contaminate our waterways with sewage and pollution,” said KC Becker, EPA Regional Administrator. “With $248,000 in grant funding, EPA is helping South Dakota address the threat of stormwater inundation in communities that need it most.” 

Stormwater management is a complex environmental challenge for communities across the country. The costs to construct, operate and maintain stormwater infrastructure can be significant. This investment follows changes made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to prioritize projects for small and/or financially distressed communities and prevents cost share requirements from being passed on to these communities.  

This funding for South Dakota is part of the $50 million in grants that EPA made available nationally. Learn more about the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. 

Background 

Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern. Stormwater can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils and sediment and convey them to nearby waterways. Stormwater and groundwater can also enter wastewater collection systems through stormwater routed to the sewage system, manholes in low-lying area, and leaky or broken sewer pipes. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater, stormwater can overwhelm the wastewater sewer pipes and contribute to sewer overflows during heavy storm events.  

In the past, states and communities shared a portion of the costs associated with projects funded through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law changed the program so that 25% of Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funds go to available projects in small and/or financially distressed communities. To encourage investment in these critical projects, EPA also modified the grant program so that state grantees are not required to contribute cost share money for projects in small or financially distressed communities. 

HELENA (August 10, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $248,000 in Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funding to help Montana communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs.  

States may now apply for grant assistance to fund projects that will help municipalities strengthen their wastewater and stormwater collection systems against increasingly intense rain events and prevent contaminants from polluting waterways. Thanks to program updates made by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program will ensure small and financially distressed communities receive grant assistance at no cost. 

“Heavy rainfall can flood communities, overload facilities that collect and treat wastewater and contaminate our waterways with sewage and pollution,” said KC Becker, EPA Regional Administrator. “With $248,000 in grant funding, EPA is helping Montana address the threat of stormwater inundation in communities that need it most.”  

Stormwater management is a complex environmental challenge for communities across the country. The costs to construct, operate and maintain stormwater infrastructure can be significant. This investment follows changes made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to prioritize projects for small and/or financially distressed communities and prevents cost share requirements from being passed on to these communities.  

This funding for Montana is part of the $50 million in grants that EPA made available nationally. Learn more about the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. 

Background 

Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern. Stormwater can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils and sediment and convey them to nearby waterways. Stormwater and groundwater can also enter wastewater collection systems through stormwater routed to the sewage system, manholes in low-lying area, and leaky or broken sewer pipes. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater, stormwater can overwhelm the wastewater sewer pipes and contribute to sewer overflows during heavy storm events.  

In the past, states and communities shared a portion of the costs associated with projects funded through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law changed the program so that 25% of Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funds go to available projects in small and/or financially distressed communities. To encourage investment in these critical projects, EPA also modified the grant program so that state grantees are not required to contribute cost share money for projects in small or financially distressed communities. 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (August 10, 2023) – During the week of August 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will begin additional cleanup work at the CTS of Asheville, Inc. Superfund Site (Site) located at 235 Mills Gap Road.

The cleanup will consist of using In-Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO) to treat trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination in a 1.9-acre area of the Site. ISCO involves injection of chemicals into the ground to oxidize and break down contaminants into harmless byproducts like carbon dioxide and water. The same area was treated with ISCO between September 2019 and March 2020 and has been monitored since. As of July 2023, TCE concentrations in the area have been reduced by 70% and this additional “polishing” step is required to achieve the Site cleanup goal of a 95% reduction. 

During this polishing event, a total of 40,000 pounds of potassium permanganate will be injected into soil below ground through 12 existing wells. The work is expected to take three weeks during which time residents are urged to respect boundaries around the site where workers and equipment will enter and exit.

When the ISCO polishing event is finished, groundwater monitoring will continue every six months in the treatment area until the cleanup goal is achieved.

The ISCO treatment at the Site was required under a March 7, 2017, interim cleanup settlement between EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice with the responsible parties - CTS Corporation, Mills Gap Road Associates and Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation. EPA expanded the interim cleanup to include ISCO in response to public input.

To date, the companies have spent an estimated $9 million to cleanup the Site. A final site-wide cleanup to address any contamination remaining after the ISCO treatment has had a chance to work will follow in the years ahead. https://www.epa.gov/superfund/cts-millsgap

For more information, visit the EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/superfund

EPA Settlements with Renovation Companies Protect Public from Lead-Based Paint Health Hazards

SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced settlements with three companies over claims of violations of federal law that protect the public from lead-based paint. The settlements address renovation, repair, and painting work performed by the companies – MCEC Inc., Kreative Paintworks, and ZPainters – at residential and commercial properties in the greater Los Angeles area.

"Exposure to lead-based paint can have serious health implications and remains a common source of lead poisoning in children, especially children under the age of six who are particularly vulnerable to lead," said EPA Pacific Southwest Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Amy Miller. "Holding companies accountable when they do not comply with lead-safe work practices and training requirements is a critical element of protecting public health."

EPA claims the firms violated numerous provisions of EPA’s Lead-Based Paint (LBP) Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. Two of the three cases against the companies were initiated by tips and/or complaints submitted by the public to the EPA. As part of the settlements, MCEC Inc. agreed to pay a $16,692 civil penalty, Kreative Paintworks agreed to a $10,000 civil penalty, and ZPainters agreed to pay a civil penalty of $3,053.

The Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requires, under federal law, that workers be certified and trained in the use of lead-safe work practices and that firms engaging in this type of work be EPA-certified. The Rule also requires the general contractor or the subcontractor have at least one person assigned to the project that has been properly trained in the management of LBP so they can train others and ensure LBP is properly managed or disposed of on-site. In addition, the Rule requires firms to maintain records of their compliance for at least three years from the time the renovation is completed.

Any renovation, repair, or painting project in a pre-1978 home or building can easily create dangerous lead dust, which is why the EPA requires projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, childcare facilities, and preschools be performed by lead-safe certified contractors. 

These enforcement actions demonstrate EPA’s commitment to address childhood lead exposure. Though harmful at any age, lead exposure is most dangerous to children below the age of six. Lead exposure can cause behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems and diminished IQ. Although the federal government banned consumer use of lead-containing paint in 1978, it is still present in millions of older homes, sometimes under layers of new paint.

Learn more about the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, Pacific Southwest Lead-Based Paint Tips & Complaints, and the Toxic Substances Control Act.

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of nearly $50 million in regular funding through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program to help communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs. States may now apply for grant assistance to fund projects that will help municipalities strengthen their stormwater collection systems against increasingly intense rain events made worse by the climate crisis and prevent contaminants from polluting waterways. Thanks to program updates made by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda, the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program will also ensure small and financially distressed communities receive grant assistance at no cost.

“Against the backdrop of extreme weather fueled by the climate crisis, heavy rainfall can flood communities, overload facilities that treat wastewater, and contaminate our waterways with sewage and pollution. Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we’re providing communities with critical resources to manage stormwater and sewer overflows with resilient infrastructure to prevent these serious challenges,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “With $50 million in grant funding and new requirements under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Biden-Harris Administration is helping address the threat of stormwater inundation in communities that need it most.”

Stormwater management is a complex environmental challenge for communities across the country. The cost to construct, operate, and maintain stormwater infrastructure can be significant, which can strain ratepayers, especially those in small and financially distressed communities. This investment follows changes made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to prioritize projects for small and/or financially distressed communities and prevent cost share requirements from being passed on to these communities.

Learn more about the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program.

Background

Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern. Stormwater can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment and convey them to nearby waterways. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater in combined sewers, stormwater can also contribute to combined sewer overflows during heavy storm events.

EPA is working with local and state partners to leverage the resources of the federal government to meet the needs of these communities. In the past, states and communities shared a fixed portion of the costs associated with all projects funded through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law changed the program so that 25% of Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funds go to available projects in small and/or financially distressed communities; it also limited states’ abilities to pass on the burden of cost sharing to these communities. To encourage investment in these critical projects, EPA modified the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program so that state grantees are not required to contribute cost share money for Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program projects located in small or financially distressed communities. However, grant portions that go to communities other than small or financially distressed communities will include a cost share requirement.

SEATTLE (August 10, 2023) – The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved Washington State’s updated Smoke Management Plan under the Clean Air Act. The Smoke Management Plan regulates prescribed burning on forest land aimed at reducing fuel loading, restoring forest ecosystems, and potentially reducing the risk to communities from catastrophic wildfires, while minimizing air quality impacts from smoke.

“As wildfires become more frequent and severe, particularly here in the Northwest, we are working closely with our local, state, tribal and federal partners to help prevent, prepare for, and mitigate those risks and impacts,” said Casey Sixkiller, Regional Administrator of EPA’s Region 10 office in Seattle. “By increasing the flexibility in the tools and timing for prescribed burning, we can better prevent and reduce the health impacts of smoke from wildfires on our communities.”

Key revisions to Washington’s Smoke Management Plan are expected to modernize the approval process so that prescribed fire can be a more effective tool to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires while also preventing and managing air quality impacts.

“Prescribed burning is a critical component of DNR’s continued forest health work,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “Using ‘good fire’ to remove potential fuels safely and efficiently makes our forests and grasslands healthier and less susceptible to the explosive wildfires that have filled Washington’s summer skies with smoke the last decade. With this plan, we’ll be able to do the work we need to keep our skies and lungs clear.”

“In recent years, wildfire smoke has repeatedly blanketed Washington, taking an enormous toll on the health of our state’s communities,” said Heather Bartlett, Ecology’s deputy director. “This updated plan provides an important tool for preventing wildfire, and we’re pleased we were able to work with our partners to protect air quality and public health.”

Wildfire has had a serious impact on communities across Washington during the past decade with many large-scale wildfires impacting air quality. Prescribed fires are increasingly used as a land management tool to help reduce the likelihood of potentially catastrophic wildfires by reducing the buildup of unwanted fuels and strengthening ecosystems. Prescribed burning —the controlled application of fire to wildland fuels— is done under specific environmental conditions and protocols, confined to a predetermined area and on a limited intensity and scale required to attain forest land management objectives. The State anticipates increasing the application of prescribed fire in response to the increasing threat of wildfires in Washington.

The Department of Natural Resources has jurisdiction for prescribed burning on forest lands in Washington State, while the Department of Ecology is responsible for updating and implementing the Clean Air Act State Implementation Plan. EPA last approved the Washington Smoke Management Plan in 2003. Following significant wildfires, the Washington State Legislature directed the Department of Natural Resources to study prescribed burning practices and improvements needed to the Smoke Management Plan and to increase the pace and scale of prescribed burning to reduce fuel loads and help prevent catastrophic wildfire. Ecology submitted the updated Smoke Management Plan for review, approval, and inclusion in the State Implementation Plan in August 2022.

For more information on prescribed burns, restrictions and permits in Washington state, visit the Department of Natural Resources Burn Portal at: https://burnportal.dnr.wa.gov/

For wildfire smoke information in Washington state, including health risks, air monitoring and forecast smoke levels, visit Ecology’s Smoke and Fire Management page at: https://ecology.wa.gov/Air-Climate/Air-quality/Smoke-fire

The interagency Washington Smoke Blog provides also real-time information on current wildfire smoke conditions and wildfire updates at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

EPA Region 10 (Pacific Northwest) - Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and 271 Tribal Nations. Visit us online, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and subscribe to our RSS feed.

NEW YORK - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the public comment period for its proposed changes to address contaminated soil and debris at the Woodbrook Road Dump Superfund site in South Plainfield, New Jersey to September 13, 2023. EPA held a public meeting at the South Plainfield Township Courtroom on July 27, 2023, to explain the proposed changes to the public.

The proposed changes that are being announced today document that the estimated cost of the selected cleanup rose from $45.4 million in 2018 to $70 million in 2023 due in part to inflation and increased construction costs. In addition, in 2021, New Jersey created the Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve which includes the Woodbrook Road Dump site.

In 2020, EPA reviewed the selected cleanup plan for the site. The results of EPA’s review, carried out in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, confirmed that the 2013 selected cleanup plan remains the best option.

EPA’s cleanup plan for the site was originally documented in a 2013 Record of Decision and modified in a 2018 Explanation of Significant Differences. The cleanup plan includes:

• Removing an estimated 4,000 cubic yards of soil and debris that contains capacitors, capacitor parts and PCB-contaminated soil and debris with PCB concentrations greater than 100 parts per million (ppm) to an approved off-site disposal facility.
• Removing an estimated 143,000 cubic yards of soil and debris that contains PCBs at concentrations greater than 1.1 ppm to an approved off-site disposal facility.

Written comments on the proposed Explanation of Significant Differences may be mailed or emailed to Diane Salkie Sharkey, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway – 18th Floor, New York, NY 10007, Email: salkie.diane@epa.gov.

For additional background and to see all of the changes in the proposed Explanation of Significant Differences, visit the Woodbrook Road Dump Superfund site profile page.

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PHILADELPHIA (August 9, 2023) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ), Virginia Department of Health, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and Henrico County will host a community meeting to address concerns regarding Ethylene Oxide (EtO) and Per-and Polyfluoralkyl Substances (PFAS) in Henrico, Virginia.

The open house style in-person meeting will take place on Aug. 23 at 6-8 p.m. in the Varina Library located at 1875 New Market Road in Henrico, Virginia.

EPA officials, along with federal, state, and local environmental and health partners, will be available to address questions and comments from the public, and will share information about health risks associated with PFAS and EtO in Henrico, Virginia.

Visit EPA’s website to learn more information about Ethylene Oxide (EtO) and Per-and Polyfluoralkyl Substances (PFAS).

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the receipt of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s (NASEM) external peer review report of the draft Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Toxicological Review of Formaldehyde (Inhalation). Formaldehyde is a chemical intermediate used in the manufacture of many products, such as plywood adhesives and resins, insulation, and fertilizers. The IRIS assessment of formaldehyde focuses on hazard identification and dose-response assessment of the potential noncancer and cancer human health effects that may result from inhalation exposure to formaldehyde for a lifetime.

“EPA appreciates NASEM’s independent review of the IRIS assessment of formaldehyde,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator in EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “EPA looks forward to evaluating the recommendations provided in the committee’s report to further strengthen the conclusions presented in the assessment.”

EPA commissioned the NASEM to convene a committee to conduct the external peer review of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Formaldehyde (Inhalation). The consensus NASEM study report released today acknowledges the substantial improvements made by EPA. The NASEM committee notes that EPA’s draft “follows the advice of prior National Academies reports and that its findings on hazard and quantitative risk are supported by the evidence identified.” The primary recommendation provided by the NASEM committee is focused on improving the clarity and accessibility of the assessment’s methods.

EPA is currently assessing the recommendations provided by the NASEM committee and plans to use the report to revise the draft IRIS formaldehyde assessment prior to finalization. EPA’s program and regional offices intend to use the final assessment as part of the scientific input for developing risk assessments and as scientific information to support future risk management decisions.

Learn more information on the IRIS Formaldehyde Assessment.

View the NASEM report.

Learn more about EPA’s IRIS program.

BOSTON (Aug. 9, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the State of Vermont, set up a temporary hazardous materials collection site in Middlesex in response to the historic July flooding event. Residents and businesses can bring their flood-related hazardous materials to the State of Vermont hazardous materials collection site at the former Middlesex Police Barracks at 1078 U.S. Route 2 in Middlesex through this Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 4 PM when this temporary collection facility will be shut down for good. 

Flood-related hazardous materials must be a part of a flood clean-out. Hazardous materials can include cleaners, chemicals, paint, paint thinners/strippers, pesticides, gasoline, oil, propane and other gas cylinders, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, mercury thermostats, mercury thermometers, and other dangerous or toxic wastes. This does not include explosives, fireworks, flares, ammunition, sharps, electronics, and non-hazardous flood debris or solid waste. For flood-related explosives, fireworks, flares, and ammunition contact your local fire department or police.

Businesses with hazardous materials can bring up to ten (10) 5-gallon containers of flood-related hazardous materials to the State of Vermont collection site in Middlesex, Vermont, or call local collection locations and events to ask if they are accepting hazardous waste from businesses.

Businesses that generate hazardous waste or that have larger amounts of flood-related hazardous materials should call the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Hazardous Materials Program at (802) 828-1138 for assistance.

Other Tips for Flood Debris Management:

• Use gloves, a mask, and eye protection.
• Handle household chemicals with care.
• Secure materials from children and pets.
• If an item is leaking, place the container in a pail. 
• Do not mix chemicals
• Do not pour chemicals on the ground or put them down the drain

Residents and businesses can call the DEC Solid Waste Management Program at 802-828-1138 with questions on flood-related hazardous materials.

More information

Vermont Flood-Related Hazardous Materials Assistance

Vermont Flood Recovery Resources

EPA Flood Recovery Resources

EPA Flood Resilience Guide for Water and Wastewater Utilities

BOSTON (Aug. 8, 2023) - Today, EPA New England announced the release and availability of a report (pdf) (2.5 MB) that maps "blue carbon" along the northeastern coast.

Blue carbon is the term used to describe carbon stored in coastal and marine salt marshes, seagrass, and mangroves. These aquatic habitats are much more efficient at accumulating/sequestering carbon than terrestrial habitats. An acre of forest will have less sequestered carbon in its soil than the equivalent acre of seagrass, salt marsh or mangrove.

"Healthy, growing seagrass and salt marshes are key to pulling carbon out of the atmosphere where we don't want it, and storing it in vibrant coastal ecosystems, where we do want," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "These ecosystems are important nursery habitats for many commercial fish and shellfish species. They are also the first line of defense against coastal flooding, which often impacts disadvantaged communities first and worst. The findings from this effort and resulting map products can help inform land and coastal management policies, fisheries management, and climate change mitigation practices."
The findings from this effort and resulting map products can help inform land and coastal management policies, fisheries management, and climate change mitigation practices."

The goal of this effort was to produce a baseline database and map of both vegetated blue carbon habitat acreage and sequestered carbon. Due to data limitations (e.g., sediment core samples are only to a depth of 30 centimeters), the carbon stock estimate represents a mere fraction of the actual quantity of accumulated carbon in these habitats.

• The target geographic area has an estimated 218,222 acres of eelgrass meadows and salt marsh, which are estimated to provide a reservoir of 7,523,568 megagrams of blue carbon. Using the EPA greenhouse gas equivalency calculator, this quantity of stored carbon is equivalent to:
• The emissions from 5,994,024 passenger vehicles driven in one year.
• The burning of 30,521,000,000+ pounds of coal.
• The emissions associated with the energy use of 3,474,000 homes for a year.
• The emissions offset by the operation of 7,498 wind turbines for a year.
• The quantity of carbon accumulated in one year in 32,646,000 acres of upland forest.

Sequestered carbon in New England is predominately from salt marsh habitats, which is a habitat type at great risk due to sea level rise and coastal development.

Background

During the 2017 Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premier (pdf) (1.1 MB), the management of "blue carbon resources to preserve and enhance their existing carbon reservoirs" was identified as a possible regional climate change action to mitigate and reduce greenhouse gases.

In June 2020, Region 1 initiated an effort to establish a baseline of New England's blue carbon inventory. Working with New England state and federal (USGS and USDA) agencies, academic experts, and non-governmental organizations and utilizing a contract with the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), datasets of New England's eelgrass meadows and salt marsh habitats (current and historic) and marine soil cores were identified and entered into an interactive map on the Northeast Ocean Data Portal. Soil organic carbon stocks within these marine habitats were also used to calculate blue carbon stocks. The joint effort has been detailed in the "Blue Carbon Reservoirs from Maine to Long Island NY" Report (pdf) (2.5 MB).

NEW YORK - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized the update to its original cleanup plan for the Matlack, Inc. Superfund site in Woolwich Township, New Jersey. The update to the plan will address a newly discovered source of contamination at the site and will ensure a comprehensive and effective cleanup.

“Following the public meeting and hearing directly from the community, EPA has finalized its cleanup decision for the Matlack, Inc. Superfund site,” said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “This updated plan will address an additional source of contamination found at the site and will bring us closer to being able to complete the cleanup.”

As a result of past truck maintenance and tanker washing operations at the site, as well as on-site disposal of drums, the soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater are contaminated with volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, which can potentially harm people’s health.

EPA’s finalized plan for cleaning up the drum disposal area involves a technology called in-situ thermal treatment. In situ (or in place) thermal treatment methods remove harmful chemicals in soil and groundwater using heat. The chemicals move through soil and groundwater toward wells, where they are collected and piped to the ground surface to be treated using other cleanup methods. Some chemicals are destroyed underground during the heating process.

This method is separate from and in addition to EPA’s original 2017 cleanup plan.

On March 29, 2023, EPA proposed this cleanup plan to the public and held a virtual public meeting on April 12, 2023, to explain the plan and take comments. The Record of Decision Amendment released today addresses the comments received and formalizes EPA’s selected cleanup plan for the drum disposal area.

Visit the Matlack, Inc. Superfund site profile page for additional background and site documents.

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WASHINGTON (Aug. 8, 2023) – Mewbourne Oil Company (Mewbourne) has agreed to pay a $5.5 million penalty and undertake projects expected to cost at least $4.6 million to ensure 422 of its oil and gas well pads in New Mexico and Texas comply with state and federal clean air regulations and offset past illegal emissions.

These terms are in settlement of claims alleged in a civil complaint – filed jointly by the United States, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) – which alleges that, at more than 100 of its oil and gas production operations in New Mexico and Texas, Mewbourne failed to obtain required state and federal permits; failed to capture and control air emissions from storage vessels; and failed to comply with inspection, monitoring and recordkeeping requirements. EPA and NMED identified the alleged violations through field investigations and repeated flyover surveillance conducted in 2019, 2020, and 2022. Mewbourne’s actions taken pursuant to the deal will eliminate more than 11,000 tons of harmful pollutants from the air each year.

“Today’s settlement will eliminate 11,000 tons of harmful air pollutants annually and ensure that Mewbourne complies with the Clean Air Act,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “The result will be cleaner, healthier air for communities in New Mexico and Texas.”

“Good air quality is essential to the health of our communities, and we need to ensure that oil and gas facilities are properly designed, maintained, and monitored in order to meet national standards,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We will continue to work to improve air quality and public health, including holding oil and gas production operations, like Mewbourne, accountable for their violations of federal and state law.”

“Compliance with air quality regulations is essential to ensure the health of our people and the protection of our environment,” said NMED Cabinet Secretary, James Kenney. “We will continue to conduct oil and gas investigations and aggressively enforce violations.”

In addition to paying a $5.5 million fine – to be shared equally by the United States and the State of New Mexico – the consent decree, filed together with the complaint, requires the company to take numerous steps to ensure that 422 well pads covered by the Decree and located in New Mexico and Texas are operated lawfully. New Mexico’s portion of the fines will be sent to the State of New Mexico’s general fund.

Mewbourne will spend at least $3.6 million to implement extensive design, operation, maintenance, and monitoring improvements, including installing new tank pressure monitoring systems that will provide advance notification of potential emissions and allow for immediate response action by the company.

Mewbourne’s compliance with the consent decree will result in annual reductions of more than 9,900 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 1,300 tons of methane. VOCs are a key component in the formation of ground-level ozone, a pollutant that irritates the lungs, exacerbates diseases such as asthma, and can increase susceptibility to respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

In addition, as a co-benefit of these reductions, the consent decree will result in significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, including reducing methane – a powerful greenhouse gas. 1,300 tons of annual methane reductions equates to more than 33,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Eliminating the release of this amount of methane per year is similar to eliminating the annual use of 3.4 million gallons of gasoline. Greenhouse gases from human activities are a primary cause of climate change and global warming. This enforcement effort furthers EPA’s commitment to deliver public health protections against climate-impacting pollution and other pollutants for communities across America and helps deliver on EPA’s top commitment in its strategic plan, which is to tackle the climate crisis.

Mewbourne will also spend at least $1 million to offset the harm caused by the alleged violations by replacing over 2,000 pollutant-emitting pneumatic devices with non-emitting devices on an accelerated schedule. This offset project will reduce VOC emissions over 15 years by approximately 4,500 tons beyond that required by existing regulation.

The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria pollutants that are considered harmful to public health and the environment. Ozone is a criteria pollutant that is created when oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and VOC react in the atmosphere. VOC and NOx are emitted by oil and gas production facilities, such as those operated by Mewbourne. During the timeframes of Mewbourne’s alleged violations, air quality monitors in the relevant counties in New Mexico registered rising ozone concentrations exceeding 95% of the NAAQS for ozone. In counties where ozone levels reach 95% of the NAAQS, NMED is required by New Mexico state statute to take action to reduce ozone pollution.

Mewbourne is an independent oil and gas producer engaged in the exploration, development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States. The company is a large producer in the Permian Basin, which is a shale oil and gas producing area located in southeast New Mexico and West Texas.

This settlement is part of EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative, Creating Cleaner Air for Communities by Reducing Excess Emissions of Harmful Pollutants.

The consent decree is available for public viewing on the Department of Justice website. The United States will publish a notice of the consent decree’s lodging with the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico in the Federal Register and will accept public comment for 30 days after the notice is published. The Federal Register notice will also include instructions for submitting public comment.