U.S. EPA Highlights Newsletter - June 2018

June 2018 News and Events The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a historic national summit to address challenges with PFAS in communities nationwide. Over 200 federal, state, local, and tribal officials joined NGOs, industry representatives, and community organizations to gather valuable information and share best practices for handling PFAS issues and protecting our nation's drinking water. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt unveiled his four-step action plan to ensure EPA thoroughly addresses PFAS. The summit and action plan received bipartisan praise. Throughout the summer, EPA will visit and similarly engage with additional communities across the country, including New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and North Carolina. As peak beach season arrives in the United States, EPA plans to award up to $9.3 million in total to 39 states, territories, and tribes to develop and implement beach monitoring and notification programs. Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, EPA awards grants to eligible state, territorial, and tribal applicants to help them and their local government partners monitor water quality at coastal and Great Lakes beaches. For specific information on grants under the BEACH Act, grant guidance, and contact information for state and local beach programs, see: www.epa.gov/beach-tech/beach-grants To check on the latest closings and advisories at particular beaches, the public should contact the relevant state, tribal, or territorial beach program listed at: www.epa.gov/beaches/state-territorial-tribal-and-epa-beach-program-contacts Mike Stoker was sworn in as the Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. He hit the ground running by meeting with local officials in Hawaii. EPA announced grants awarded to Louisiana to help Gulf coastal restoration, which received widespread praise. Under President Trump's leadership, EPA provided assistance to 16 local communities through the Local Foods, Local Places program. This action supports local farmers, improves public health, and grows local economies. The Administration further provides support for community health, and revitalization through the Healthy Places for Healthy People (HP2), a federal initiative that engages with community leaders and health care partners to create walkable, healthy, economically vibrant downtowns and neighborhoods. EPA joined other federal partners in announcing technical assistance to help six communities use local health facilities as a driver for improving health and revitalizing the local economy. EXIT Executive Order on Promoting Agriculture and Rural Prosperity in America EPA Recognizes Federal Green Challenge Winners and Their Efforts to Save Resources and Taxpayers' Money. Program Updates Superfund EPA continues to work on cleaning up our nation's toxic Superfund sites. Here are some of the latest updates: Administrator Pruitt Updates List of Superfund Sites Targeted for Immediate, Intense Action EPA Updates Superfund National Priorities List, Commits to Clean Up Six New Sites EPA's Office of Enforcement to Host Listening Sessions on Superfund Task Force Recommendations About Superfund: https://www.epa.gov/superfund Brownfields EPA Announces $15.7 Million in Supplemental Funds for Cleanups of Contaminated Brownfield Sites in Communities Across the U.S. About Brownfields: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields Toxic Release Inventory EPA Finalizes Action Promoting Greater Transparency on Certain Chemicals Used in Cleaners and Detergents, Adds Nonylphenol Ethoxylates to Toxics Release Inventory About TRI: https://www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program Visit the EPA's Newsroom Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education Office of the Administrator / U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  PublicEngagement@epa.gov

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EPA Recognizes Jersey City, N.J., Superfund Site for Excellence in Reuse

 

                                                           EPA Recognizes Jersey City, N.J., Superfund Site for Excellence in Reuse

Contact: Elias Rodriguez, (212) 637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y. –  June 28, 2018) Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Pete Lopez today presented New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Jersey City and Prologis, Inc. – the company responsible for the cleanup and reuse of the site – with the Excellence in Site Reuse Award. NJDEP Deputy Commissioner Debbie Mans, Jersey City Deputy Mayor Marcos Vigil and representatives from Prologis, Inc. accepted the Excellence in Site Reuse Award for work at the PJP Landfill Superfund site in Jersey City, N.J.

The award recognizes Superfund site partners who have collaborated with EPA to support redeveloping Superfund sites in ways that are beneficial to the community and compatible with the cleanup.  The PJP Landfill Superfund site is home to a newly constructed warehouse and distribution center, continued commercial use, public open space and restored wetlands.

"This has truly been a collaborative effort between local, state and federal agencies and the community to turn this once environmentally compromised site into an economic and community asset," said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez. "The Excellence in Reuse award underscores how Superfund cleanups translate into tangible benefits for local communities, businesses and an area's entire ecosystem. Redevelopment of this site will continue bringing economic, ecological and recreational benefits to the Jersey City community."

"This is truly an environmental success story, one in which a landfill that once was notorious for long-burning underground fires and exposed wastes has been reclaimed for productive commercial use," DEP Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe said. "We are proud to accept this award, which acknowledges the many years of hard work the DEP – in partnership with the EPA, Jersey City and Prologis – has dedicated to turning a major environmental problem for the city into a project that is creating jobs and economic development."

"The City is excited to be involved with the transformation of the once blighted landfill into a viable, mixed-use waterfront property for the public to enjoy," said Jersey City Deputy Mayor Marcos Vigil.

"When we acquired this former landfill back in 2008, we knew it would take a great deal of tenacity and teamwork to transform a site many thought could never be developed," said Prologis' Senior Vice President Steve Campbell. "The key to success was a public-private partnership that allowed Prologis to work closely with Waste Management Corporation, the EPA, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey local and state political leadership and, most importantly, the local community. The outcome has been positive for both the environment and the regional economy."

 

 

A past and present view of part of the PJP Landfill Superfund site beneath the Pulaski skyway, Jersey City, N.J., and future location of a community park. Photo credits: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (archival photo), Courtesy of EPA (cleaned-up, present day).

Today, the site has been redeveloped and includes a Prologis distribution center. (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Prologis)

From about 1970 to 1974, the PJP Landfill Company operated a commercial landfill at the site, accepting chemical and industrial waste. Landfill operations contaminated groundwater, soil and sediment with hazardous chemicals and for over a decade, between 1970 and 1985, the landfill had frequent subsurface fires. In 1983, EPA added the site to the National Priorities List.

NJDEP addressed subsurface fires and other immediate concerns in the mid 1980's by capping a 45-acre portion of the site. In addition, NJDEP excavated and re-compacted over one million cubic yards of contaminated materials.  NJDEP also removed drums and capped about half of the landfill.  When outside parties expressed interest in purchasing the site property for potential redevelopment, NJDEP and EPA redesigned the cap to accommodate redevelopment.

In March 2008, AMB Corporation purchased a portion of the site for a large warehouse.  Jersey City purchased 32 acres of cleaned up land in 2010, with the goal to create green space and a park on its portion of the site – the Skyway Park.  The park, currently in its planning phase, will address a community need for open space and waterfront access.  In 2014, Prologis completed the Pulaski Distribution Center, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)- certified warehouse for retail packaging and distribution operations.  

Businesses on the site employ about 1,223 people, providing estimated annual employment income of nearly $53 million.  In 2016, site properties generated $1.8 million in tax revenues, and had a total estimated property value of $24 million.

Remaining acreage at the site has been designated for wetlands and habitat restoration.

For a fact sheet about the PJP Landfill redevelopment, and for more Superfund redevelopment success stories, visit: www.epa.gov/superfund/pjp-landfill and https://www.epa.gov/superfund-redevelopment-initiative

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://facebook.com/eparegion2.

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EPA Plans to Award $272,000 to U.S. Virgin Islands for Beach Water Quality Monitoring

EPA Plans to Award $272,000 to U.S. Virgin Islands for Beach Water Quality Monitoring Contact: Tayler Covington, (212) 637-3662, covington.tayler@epa.gov (New York, N.Y. – June 27, 2018) As tourism continues to recover in the U.S. Virgin Islands after two devastating hurricanes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 2 office expects to award up to $272,000 to the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) to help protect beachgoers, contingent upon the number of eligible recipients that apply for grant funds nationwide and the availability of funding. "Enjoying the beach is a quintessential pastime for Americans every summer," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "Through EPA's BEACH grants, we are ensuring communities across the country can keep their beaches safe and enjoyable for all." "Helping the U.S. Virgin Islands recover from Hurricanes Irma and Maria remains a top priority," said Regional Administrator Pete Lopez. "This grant supports the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources' vital program to protect public health and the environment, even as it supports maintaining the scenic beaches of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas for tourism and the residents' quality of life." DPNR is expected to receive $272,000 for the 2019 swimming season to implement the beach monitoring and notification program at 43 beaches throughout the territory: 20 beaches on St. Croix, 8 beaches on St. John, and 15 beaches on St. Thomas. Little Cinnamon Beach at St. John. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service. Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, EPA awards grants to eligible state, territorial and tribal 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 notify the public by posting beach warnings or closing the beach. Since 2002, state and local governments, territories, and tribes have used more than $157 million in EPA BEACH Act grants to monitor beaches for fecal indicator bacteria, maintain and operate public notification systems, identify local pollution sources, and report results of monitoring and notification activities to EPA. Grant funding under the BEACH ACT is part of a broader EPA effort to find and eliminate sources of water pollution that contribute to beach closures. U.S. Virgin Islands' beach monitoring notifications can be found in weekly updates at http://www.vitema.vi.gov/news. Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://facebook.com/eparegion2. 18-046                                                             # # #

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EPA Plans to Award $316,000 to Puerto Rico for Beach Water Quality Monitoring

EPA Plans to Award $316,000 to Puerto Rico for Beach Water Quality Monitoring Contact: Tayler Covington, (212) 637-3662, covington.tayler@epa.gov (New York, N.Y. – June 27, 2018) As tourism continues to recover in Puerto Rico after two devastating hurricanes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to award up $316,000 to the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board (PREQB) to help protect beachgoers, contingent upon the number of eligible recipients that apply for grant funds nationwide and the availability of funding. "Enjoying the beach is a quintessential pastime for Americans every summer," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "Through EPA's BEACH grants, we are ensuring communities across the country can keep their beaches safe and enjoyable for all." "Helping Puerto Rico recover from Hurricanes Irma and Maria remains a top priority," said Regional Administrator Pete Lopez. "This grant supports the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board's vital program to protect public health and the environment, even as it supports maintaining the Islands scenic beaches for tourism and the residents' quality of life." PREQB is expected to receive $316,000 for the 2019 swimming season at 35 beaches throughout the island. After Hurricanes Irma and Maria, EPA supported PREQB's efforts to restore its science laboratory to full capability for microbiological and chemistry analysis, which plays an integral role in collecting data for the beach monitoring program. Because Puerto Rico has no significant seasonal variability through the year, beach monitoring is conducted year-round. Swimmers in Puerto Rico. Photo courtesy of the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, EPA awards grants to eligible state, territorial and tribal 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 notify the public by posting beach warnings or closing the beach. Since 2002, state and local governments, territories, and tribes have used more than $157 million in EPA BEACH Act grants to monitor beaches for fecal indicator bacteria, maintain and operate public notification systems, identify local pollution sources, and report results of monitoring and notification activities to EPA. Grant funding under the BEACH ACT is part of a broader EPA effort to find and eliminate sources of water pollution that contribute to beach closures. Puerto Rico's beach monitoring notification data can be found at http://www2.pr.gov/agencias/jca/Pages/Monitor%C3%ADadePlayas.aspx  Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://facebook.com/eparegion2.              18-045

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EPA Outlines Expectations for Next Phase of Chesapeake Bay Restoration Effort

Contact: David Sternberg 215-814-5548 sternberg.david@epa.gov

EPA Outlines Expectations for Next Phase of Chesapeake Bay Restoration Effort

PHILADELPHIA (June 20, 2018) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent letters to Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia outlining what the agency expects to see in state and local implementation plans for the third phase of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). 

"The Phase III Watershed Implementation Plans will provide clear roadmaps for how federal, state, and local partners will work together to achieve their Bay TMDL nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment reduction goals," said EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "EPA worked hand in hand with the seven Bay jurisdictions in developing the expectations for these plans." 

The expectations included in today's letters were developed to support the goal of having all the practices and controls in place by 2025 to achieve the nutrient and sediment reductions necessary to meet water quality standards in the Bay and its tidal tributaries. They also build on the jurisdictions' earlier Water Implementation Plan (WIP) strategies by:

• Further optimizing their choices of pollution reduction practices;
• Incorporating lessons learned from previous efforts, new science and information from the mid-point assessment;
• Developing comprehensive local engagement strategies; and
• Building and sustaining the necessary programmatic and funding capacity to achieve the 2025 goals.

These expectations also incorporate recent decisions made by the Chesapeake Bay Partnership Principals Staff Committee (PSC), which includes the seven Bay jurisdictions, EPA, and the Chesapeake Bay Commission.  

To date, the states and the District of Columbia have made progress on their phase I and II goals, and that progress is having a measurable impact. For example, in 2017, scientists recorded the highest number of acres of underwater grasses ever seen in the watershed and the first time in the history of monitoring that total abundance surpassed 100,000 acres. In addition, over 40 percent of our tidal waters are now meeting water quality standards, which is the highest recorded in the history of the Chesapeake Bay Program.

Background

In December 2010, EPA established the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (Bay TMDL). The Bay TMDL is the largest ever developed by EPA, encompassing a 64,000-square-mile watershed. The Bay TMDL identifies the necessary pollution reductions from major sources of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment across the Bay jurisdictions necessary to meet water quality standards.

Based on a 2009 baseline, the Bay TMDL calls for watershed-wide reductions of 25 percent for nitrogen, 24 percent for phosphorus, and 20 percent for sediment to meet these standards.

The Bay TMDL is designed to ensure that all pollution control measures needed to fully restore the Bay and its tidal rivers are in place by 2025. The Phase III WIPs will outline the jurisdictions' pollution reduction strategies for the time period from 2018-2025.

For more information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/chesapeake-bay-tmdl.

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EPA Awards $500,000 Supplemental Funding for Montgomery County Brownfields

Contact: Roy Seneca seneca.roy@epa.gov, 215-814-5567

EPA awards $500,000 Supplemental Funding for Montgomery County Brownfields

(AMBLER, Pa.) June 19, 2018 – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $500,000 in supplemental funding to Montgomery County, Pennsylvania to assist with the cleanup of contaminated brownfields properties.

"This funding will provide Montgomery County with resources to continue its cleanup work on contaminated properties throughout the county," said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "Returning these lands to beneficial reuse is the goal, and this grant will help the county reach that milestone at additional locations."

Montgomery County is one of 33 municipalities nationwide to receive a portion of the $15.7 million in supplemental funding for existing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grantees so they can carry out cleanup and redevelopment projects.

"The Redevelopment Authority and Montgomery County are appreciative of the financial and technical support provided by EPA in helping us return numerous brownfields sites to productive use," said John Nugent, Executive Director of the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority. "Our collaborative work with EPA can be seen in projects where remediation has resulted in significant job creation, assisted with economic viability and supported the development of affordable housing."

Today's announcement took place at the former Ambler Boiler House property, a former industrial site that was cleaned up with a prior RLF grant and is now the Ambler Boiler House office building, a multi-tenant workplace where more than 300 people are employed.

Since 1999, EPA has provided Montgomery County with nearly $4 million in brownfields funding to assess, cleanup and spur redevelopment of brownfields sites. The most recent funding was used to remediate parking lots at the Boiler House office complex and the Ambler Crossings luxury apartments. Past brownfields funds have been used for sites in Pottstown, Upper Dublin and Abington Townships.

The Brownfields RLF program supports EPA's commitment to assist communities in addressing environmentally challenged properties and meet their local revitalization priorities. The funds help communities reuse vacant and abandoned properties and turn them into community assets such as housing, recreation and open space, health facilities, social services, transportation options, infrastructure and commerce opportunities.

RLFs specifically supply funding for loans and sub-grants to carry out cleanup activities at brownfields sites. These funds are provided to communities that have shown success in cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields sites.

A recent national study shows that cleaning up brownfields areas leads to residential property value increases of 5 - 15.2 percent within a 1.24-mile radius of the site. Another study analyzing data near 48 brownfields found that an estimated $29 to $97 million in additional tax revenue is generated for local governments in a single year after cleanup. This is two to seven times more than the $12.4 million EPA contributed to the cleanup of those brownfields.

More information on EPA's Brownfields program is available at: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields and a complete list of grantees is available at: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/announcing-fy18-supplemental-funding-brownfields-revolving-loan-fund-grants.

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Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Settlement With NYCHA and NYC To Fundamentally Reform NYCHA Throug

CONTACT:  EPA Mary Mears     (212) 637-3660 U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE James Margolin, Dawn Dearden Nicholas Biase (212) 637-2600 HUD OIG Darryl Madden  (202) 402-4837                                                                           HUD Brian Sullivan (202) 708-0685 Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Settlement With NYCHA and NYC To Fundamentally Reform        NYCHA Through the Appointment Of a Federal Monitor and the Payment By NYC Of $1.2 Billion           Of Additional Capital Money Over the Next Five Years Consent Decree Provides Comprehensive Relief, Requiring NYCHA to Promptly Address Lead Paint Hazards, Remedy Mold and Pest Infestations, and Provide Adequate Heat and Elevator Service New York, N.Y. (June 11, 2018) — Scott Pruitt, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ben Carson, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD"), and Helen M. Albert, Principal Deputy Inspector General, performing the duties of the Inspector General, HUD Office of the Inspector General ("HUD OIG"), announced today the simultaneous filing of a Complaint against defendant NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY ("NYCHA") and a proposed settlement agreement, in the form of a Consent Decree, with NYCHA and the City of New York (the "City").  The Complaint alleges that NYCHA for years has violated and continues to violate basic federal health and safety regulations, including regulations requiring NYCHA to protect children from lead paint and otherwise to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing.  The Complaint further alleges that NYCHA has repeatedly made false statements to HUD and the public regarding its lead paint compliance, and has intentionally deceived HUD inspectors.  To fundamentally reform NYCHA and ensure that it provides housing that complies with federal law, the Consent Decree – which is subject to the review and approval of the Court – imposes a strong federal Monitor and requires the City, among other things, to provide $1.2 billion of additional capital funding to NYCHA over the next five years, and $200 million every year thereafter until the problems are fixed and the Consent Decree is no longer necessary. Along with other federal, state, and city funding, there will be approximately $ 4 billion available for capital improvements the first four years. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said:  "Instead of protecting children from lead poisoning, NYCHA systematically violated EPA and HUD lead paint safety regulations and covered up its noncompliance.  Today's landmark settlement puts a stop to that.  It is not only a great example of what EPA and HUD can achieve by working together, but it also sends a strong message to housing authorities, landlords, and renovators – violating the law and endangering public health will not be tolerated.  This agreement will dramatically improve the living conditions of New York City's most vulnerable residents."   U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated:  "NYCHA's failure to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing is simply unacceptable, and illegal.  Children must be protected from toxic lead paint, apartments must be free of mold and pest infestations, and developments must provide adequate heat in winter and elevator service.  NYCHA has put its residents at risk.  Today's unprecedented settlement will improve life for the 400,000 residents who call NYCHA home, while ensuring accountability, reform, and oversight at this troubled institution. The City's commitment of resources to NYCHA is extraordinary and promises real relief for NYCHA residents." HUD Secretary Ben Carson said:  "This historic agreement marks a new era for New York City's public housing, one that puts families and their children first.  New York City and New York State are making an unprecedented commitment to put NYCHA on a new path.  The cooperation of Federal, State and city officials will vastly improve the living conditions for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who call NYCHA home." HUD OIG Principal Deputy Inspector General Helen M. Albert said:  "We are proud of the integral work that the OIG staff performed which led to today's settlement.  This represents a consequential partnership with the U.S. Attorney and others to ensure that those who reside in NYCHA housing will do so in safe and sanitary conditions." According to the Complaint filed today in Manhattan federal court: For years, NYCHA has failed to comply with key HUD and EPA lead paint safety regulations, including by failing to inspect apartments for lead paint hazards and failing to remediate peeling lead paint.  NYCHA also fails to ensure that its workers use lead-safe work practices.  Children have been harmed as a result of NYCHA's failures.  Between 2010 and 2016, at least 19 lead-poisoned children were found to have been exposed to deteriorated lead paint in their NYCHA apartments, and thousands more were put at risk.  NYCHA also fails to provide "decent, safe, and sanitary" housing as required by HUD regulations.  Mold grows unchecked at many NYCHA developments, often on a very large scale, threatening the health of residents with asthma.  Across the city, NYCHA residents are provided inadequate heat in winter, leading to frigid apartment temperatures.  Pest and vermin infestations are common.  Elevators fail, leaving elderly or disabled residents trapped in their apartments or sleeping in building lobbies.  NYCHA has repeatedly made false statements to HUD and the public regarding these matters.  These include false certifications by NYCHA each year that it would comply with HUD's lead paint safety regulations.  NYCHA also deceived HUD about living conditions at NYCHA, going so far as to publish a "Quick Tips" training guide for how to hide conditions from HUD's inspectors. *                *                * The United States has filed a proposed Consent Decree today, which would resolve the allegations in the Complaint.  The Consent Decree remains subject to review and approval by the Court.  The Consent Decree provides for the appointment of a federal monitor to oversee fundamental reform at NYCHA.  The Monitor has the authority, under the review of the Court, to set the performance standards that NYCHA must meet, devise the plans by which NYCHA will achieve those standards (including by implementing changes to NYCHA's management, organization, and workforce structure), and require NYCHA to select independent contractors to perform certain work.  The Monitor will be selected by the United States, after consultation with City and state officials and NYCHA stakeholders, and subject to approval by the Court. The Consent Decree also commits the City of New York to provide an additional $1 billion in capital funds over the next four years, over and above what the City has budgeted, and at least an additional $200 million in capital funds each subsequent year until the conditions identified in the Complaint are addressed.  Further, the Consent Decree requires NYCHA to comply immediately with HUD's and EPA's lead-safe work practices rules and to provide notice to residents in any apartment where NYCHA has identified lead paint. *                *                * In the Consent Decree submitted today, NYCHA admits, acknowledges, and accepts responsibility for the following: At least once a year, beginning no later than 2010 and extending through 2016, NYCHA's certifications to HUD contained untrue representations that NYCHA "will comply with" HUD's federal lead paint safety regulations.   In more than half of NYCHA's developments, NYCHA's inspections (including statistical sampling) have confirmed the presence of lead paint somewhere on the premises, and in at least 92 developments, the inspections (including statistical sampling) have confirmed the presence of lead paint inside apartment units.  Since at least 2010, NYCHA has not performed most of the biennial lead paint risk assessment reevaluations required by regulation for developments containing lead paint.  From at least 2012 to 2016, NYCHA failed to perform visual assessments of apartments for lead paint hazards as required by regulation.  In 2016, NYCHA began performing visual assessments in units where children under six reside, but NYCHA has not yet performed visual assessments in the majority of apartments that may contain lead paint.  Since at least 2010, NYCHA has not ensured that staff use lead-safe work practices when performing work on surfaces that may contain lead paint. Currently, after NYCHA has removed mold from apartments, the mold returns at least 30% of the time.  In Winter 2017-2018 alone, more than 320,000 residents, 80% of the public housing population, lost heat. In 2016 alone, NYCHA experienced an average of more than 13 outages per elevator. NYCHA's data reflects more than 260,000 work orders for roaches between 2013 and 2016.  For the same period, there were more than 90,000 mouse work orders and nearly 36,000 rat work orders. For a decade, NYCHA provided its staff with a list of "Quick Fix Tips" to improve its Public Housing Assessment System inspection scores. Mr. Berman thanked HUD, HUD OIG, and EPA for their invaluable assistance in this matter.  Mr. Berman also thanked Mark Peters and the Department of Investigation for their important wok in this area. This case is being handled by the Office's Environmental Protection Unit in the Civil Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Robert William Yalen, Mónica P. Folch, Jacob Lillywhite, Talia Kraemer, and Sharanya Mohan are in charge of the case. Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://facebook.com/eparegion2. 18-040                                                  ###

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EPA News Release: EPA Issues Sit Reuse Award For Redevelopment at Fairmont, WV Superfund Site

 

CONTACT: Roy Seneca seneca.roy@epa.gov (215) 814-5567 EPA recognizes ExxonMobil, Enso Properties with Site Reuse Award For redevelopment of Fairmont, W.Va. Superfund Site Agency also announces $200,000 Brownfields Grant to Fairmont FAIRMONT, W.Va.  (June 6, 2018) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented its Excellence In Site Reuse Award to ExxonMobil Corporation and Enso Properties LLC for outstanding work in promoting the reuse of the Sharon Steel/Fairmont Coke Works Superfund Site in Fairmont, West Virginia. "ExxonMobil Corporation and Enso Properties have worked aggressively to convert a formerly contaminated 97-acre site into property that is productive again for the community and ripe for more redevelopment," said EPA's Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. "These companies have partnered to enhance the quality of life in a West Virginia community through a commitment to protecting the environment and enriching neighborhoods." The West Virginia State Police Troop 1 Headquarters is built on a three-acre portion of the Sharon Steel/Fairmont Coke Works site with 50 additional acres currently available for reuse.  Along with the award presentation, EPA's Regional Administrator Servidio also announced that the City of Fairmont will receive a $200,000 Brownfields grant to conduct site assessments on properties that may be contaminated and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Assessments will focus on the Riverfront, Downtown, and University Districts. Funds also will support community outreach. EPA placed the Sharon Steel/Fairmont Coke Works site on its Superfund National Priorities List in 1996 due to soil, surface water and groundwater contamination from years of coke production, waste treatment and waste disposal operations that took place prior to 1973. ExxonMobil is responsible for the cleanup. EPA and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) have oversight for all cleanup activities.  In 1999, EPA, WVDEP, the City of Fairmont, and other local partners, entered into a Project XL (Excellence and Leadership) Agreement with ExxonMobil. Project XL was an EPA national program developed to test innovative strategies to achieve better and more cost-effective environmental and public health protections. The project at the Sharon Steel/Fairmont Coke Works site focused on aligning cleanup and reuse priorities. Green remediation practices have been used during the cleanup including the recycling of waste that was excavated from the landfill. Enso Properties, L.L.C. was the real estate entity that aggressively focused on having the new State Police Headquarters constructed on the site.  For more information on EPA's Superfund Redevelopment Initiative Reuse Awards, visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund-redevelopment-initiative/superfund-redevelopment-initiative-reuse-awards . For more information on EPA's Brownfields Program: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields . For more information on how Brownfields restoration has positively impacted local economies and the quality of life for neighboring communities: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-success-stories .

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