EPA boat operations in New Orleans, which had been halted temporarily, resumed with an additional 50 people rescued. Approximately 550 rescues have been made by EPA.

EPA is assisting the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals in assessing drinking water and will deploy 45 more EPA personnel to Louisiana during the week of Sept. 5. EPA is providing assistance on water assessment to Mississippi at its emergency operations center and expects to assist with site assessments. EPA estimates the number of water systems affected by the hurricane is now 72 in Alabama, 436 in Louisiana and 466 in Mississippi. Systems running on generators will need additional fuel to stay operational. An EPA mobile laboratory will be deployed next week to provide analytical services as drinking water service is restored to communities.

EPA is continuing collection and analysis of flood water samples for biological and chemical contaminants in Louisiana.

EPA has mobilized 12 environmental emergency response teams to provide assistance with overall search and recovery efforts and is conducting initial assessments of the environmental impacts including potential impacts from chemical facilities, oil refineries, and water treatment plants. Rapid needs assessment is being done over the next two days to identify damage in New Orleans. EPA and state officials are compiling a comprehensive database of potential pollution sources in preparation for additional over-flights and on-ground inspections in the coming weeks.

EPA's environmental surveillance aircraft is being used to assess spills and chemical releases. On Sept. 2, the aircraft surveyed the smoke plume of a fire at a reported chemical facility. Low levels of chemical compounds were detected in air.

EPA personnel continue to oversee and offer technical assistance in the disposal of hazardous waste and other debris left behind by the storm. Teams are working closely with the Coast Guard to conduct assessments of potential oil spills and chemical releases caused by the hurricane. EPA will be providing environmental guidelines for residences and commercial buildings. EPA has practical and scientific expertise in the environmental health hazards caused by flood waters, especially the effects of molds and mildew.

EPA emergency response personnel are working in partnership with FEMA to continue to help assess the damage and prepare for cleanup in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. EPA is responsible for cleanup of hazardous material including oil and gasoline in the area. Our national and regional Emergency Operations Centers are activated 24 hours a day.

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EPA Response Activity - September 2

EPA today began collecting and analyzing flood water samples in Louisiana for biological and chemical contaminants. EPA estimates 684 drinking water systems have been affected by the hurricane: 72 in Alabama,, 434 in Louisiana and 178 in Mississippi. Systems running on generators will need additional fuel to stay operational. EPA's mobile laboratory is in Baton Rouge providing technical analysis to help drinking water systems restore service.

EPA's environmental surveillance aircraft, ASPECT, is being used to assess spills and chemical releases. The ASPECT plane was deployed today to assess a chemical fire in New Orleans. The plane flew 4 passes over the facility at 3000' altitude. Results show that although the smoke plume from the fire was very large and very visible, very little chemical contamination was detected in the plume. Very low levels (less than 10 ppm) of ethylene, methanol, chlorinated methane (Freon 22), and possibly isoprene were detected. These chemicals were detected only directly over the fire and have not been detected downwind..

The Army Corps of Engineers has requested EPA provide 50 personnel to perform environmental assessments of construction sites for temporary housing efforts. EPA personnel continue to oversee and offer technical assistance in the disposal of hazardous waste and other debris left behind by the storm. Teams are working closely with the Coast Guard to conduct assessments of potential oil spills and chemical releases caused by the hurricane. EPA will be providing environmental guidelines for residences and commercial buildings. EPA has practical and scientific expertise in the environmental health hazards caused by flood waters, especially the effects of molds and mildew.

With 69 EPA watercraft available for rescue efforts, approximately 500 rescues have been made by EPA. Boat operations have been discontinued, however, until the Federal Emergency Management Agency deems it safe to resume them.

EPA emergency response personnel are working in partnership with the FEMA to continue to help assess the damage and prepare for cleanup in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. EPA is responsible for cleanup of hazardous material including oil and gasoline in the area. EPA's national and regional Emergency Operations Centers are activated 24 hours a day

Beginning today, EPA expects to deploy an incident management team to Baton Rouge to integrate with Louisiana officials and manage EPA's mission. EPA has mobilized 12 environmental emergency response teams to provide assistance with overall search and recovery efforts and conduct initial assessments of environmental impacts, including potential impacts from chemical facilities, oil refineries, and water treatment plants.

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EPA Response Activity - September 1

EPA emergency response personnel are working in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to continue to help assess the damage and prepare for cleanup in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. EPA is responsible for cleanup of hazardous materials including oil and gasoline in the area. EPA employees have been deployed to the region to assist with assessment and cleanup. Our national and regional Emergency Operations Centers are currently operating 24 hours a day.

EPA has mobilized 12 environmental emergency response teams to the affected areas in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. These teams are providing assistance with overall "search and recovery" efforts and are conducting initial assessments of the environmental impacts of Hurricane Katrina, including potential impacts from chemical facilities, oil refineries and water treatment plants. EPA is operating 69 watercraft to the area to support the rescue efforts. EPA's New Orleans response team has helped in over 200 rescues using watercraft. EPA's environmental surveillance aircraft is being used to assess spills and chemical releases along the coasts of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

EPA teams are currently assessing, evaluating, and supporting drinking water and wastewater facilities in the hurricane area. EPA estimates that the number of water systems affected by the hurricane is 60 in Alabama, 290 in Louisiana and 130 in Mississippi. Those systems that are running on generators will need additional fuel to stay operational. EPA is sending its mobile laboratory to Baton Rouge today to provide technical analysis to help drinking water systems restore service. EPA also is coordinating a multi-state water-quality-testing analytical network to aid systems in recovering.

EPA personnel are overseeing and offering technical assistance in the disposal of hazardous materials and other debris left behind by the storm. Teams are working closely with the Coast Guard to conduct assessments of potential oil spills and chemical releases caused by the hurricane. EPA's debris task force is preparing a debris management plan and evaluating landfill conditions and capacity in the hurricane area.

Environmentally safe clearance standards for the re-occupation of residences and commercial buildings will be established by EPA. EPA has practical and scientific expertise in the environmental health hazards caused by flood waters, especially the effects of molds and mildew.

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EPA Response Activity - August 31

EPA emergency response personnel continue to help assess damage and prepare for cleanup in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. EPA is responsible for cleaning up releases of oil and other hazardous materials in the area. Currently our efforts continue to be focused on aiding the priority for 'search and rescue' efforts in affected areas.

We are coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the US Coast Guard, and other federal and state agencies. Our emergency operations centers are in operation and our staff is working in national and regional interagency response coordination centers. Response efforts are now underway 24 hours a day.

In Mississippi and Alabama:

EPA has staged 7 assessment teams in Alabama to assess affected areas in both Alabama and Mississippi and 3 assessment teams in Mississippi. We are coordinating closely with the Coast Guard to conduct assessments of potential spills and releases. A Water Division Assistance Team has been deployed to Mississippi to assess damage to local drinking water systems and help restore the systems to deliver safe drinking water in the affected areas.

We are planning to deploy Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology (ASPECT) airplane over Mississippi to conduct over-flight assessments of spills and chemical releases.

In Louisiana:

EPA has mobilized 4 response teams to Louisiana and has provided boats to the affected areas to assist with search and rescue.

EPA is preparing to deploy personnel to assist the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Services to assist drinking water supply systems as they restore healthy water supplies to communities. EPA is evaluating the need for chlorine to restore systems in Louisiana. 'Boil Water' notices are likely to remain in effect even after supplies are restored, as many systems may face long-term repairs to their distribution systems. EPA is currently working on waivers for the treatment and discharge of flood waters.

Our Baton Rouge team is coordinating with local federal/state response planning entities, the State of Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to prepare plans for future removal of debris and disposal.

Yesterday, EPA deployed our ASPECT airplane over Baton Rouge and New Orleans to conduct over-flight assessments of spills as well as possible airborne chemical releases. The aircraft was scheduled to conduct assessments of 4 areas beginning near Baton Rouge and continuing south and east past the New Orleans area. Details of the assessment are pending.

EPA staff is standing by around the country to travel where needed to aid the overall federal effort. We are evaluating our laboratory capacity for analyzing floodwaters and are considering how to remove polluted floodwaters.

We will release information from environmental assessments as it becomes available.

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Nationwide fuel waiver issued to bolster fuel supplies

Emergency fuel waivers issued nationwide Aug 31 - In order to increase the supply of gasoline and minimize potential gasoline supply disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina, EPA is waiving the requirement to sell "summer gasoline" which contains a lower volatility limit. This action has the effect of allowing early use of wintertime gasoline. EPA is also allowing the use of diesel fuel which exceeds 500 ppm sulfur content. Both waivers are effective immediately and will continue through September 15th of this year and are applicable throughout all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.

Remarks by Administrator Stephen L. Johnson
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Thank you very much. Today, I am exercising my authority under the Clean Air Act to temporarily waive specific standards for gasoline and diesel fuels to ensure that the Hurricane Katrina natural disaster does not result in serious fuel supply interruptions around the country.

As we are all well aware, we are seeing increasingly serious impacts from the hurricane in a number of fuel markets around the United States. Yesterday afternoon I exercised this authority with respect to four states: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. It has become clear that the consequences of the hurricane have become more widespread. So today, I'm sending letters to the governors of the remaining 46 states and territories providing temporary relief from volatility and sulfur standards. This action will result in a needed increase in fuel supply.

These waivers are necessary to ensure that fuel is available throughout the country to address public health issues and emergency vehicle supply needs. Under the Clean Air Act emergency authority, I am making the waivers effective through September 15, 2005. These waivers only apply to volatility standards - the rate at which fuel evaporates - and the amount of sulfur in fuel.

EPA is committed to working with our state and federal partners to address this extraordinary national disaster.

Thank you very much.

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EPA Response Activity - August 30

EPA emergency response personnel are helping assess damage and prepare for cleanup in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. We are responsible for cleaning up releases of oil and other hazardous materials in the area.

We are coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the US Coast Guard, and other federal and state agencies. Our emergency operations centers are operating, and our staff are working in national and regional interagency response coordination centers. Response efforts are now underway 24 hours a day.

We have committed $500,000 for initial field efforts in each state of Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. Three EPA teams are traveling each are traveling to Alabama and Mississippi. The Alabama teams are meeting in Mobile. The Mississippi teams are meeting in Hattiesburg and moving toward the coastal areas of Gulf Shores and Biloxi as those areas become accessible. Another team is in Mississippi to assess damage to and help repair local drinking water systems. Mobile command centers in each state provide local office space and equipment to coordinate efforts. Recreational vehicles are being sent as needed to provide temporary staff housing.

In addition to ground teams, an EPA on-scene coordinator flew with the Coast Guard on August 30 to assess coastal Alabama and Mississippi. They are examining industrial facilities, water treatment plants, and power plants.

In Louisana, flooding has prevented EPA teams from reaching the affected areas, so our efforts are limited to aerial inspections. Our Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology (ASPECT) airplane is flying over Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Initially, the flight plan will cover from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, New Orleans to the Delta, the Delta north, and the Delta West. The crew's primary goal is to examine oil and chemical facilities, but they will also look at other buildings in the area.

Aerial inspections may take several days to complete. Communication with our field teams during this period is extremely limited.

Additional EPA staff are standing by around the country to travel where needed.

We are evaluating our laboratory capacity for analyzing floodwaters. In addition, we are considering how to remove polluted floodwaters.

We will release information from environmental assessments as it becomes available.

Information from EPA's Atlanta office (covering Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi)
Information from EPA's Dallas office (covering Lousiana)
Alabama Department of Emergency Management
Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency

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EPA grants emergency fuel waiver for Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi

Aug 30 - EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson has determined that the impact of Hurricane Katrina created an "extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstance" in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. The situation will prevent the distribution of an adequate supply of fuel to consumers that is compliant with the Clean Air Act. This is "a natural disaster, that could not reasonably have been foreseen or prevented and not attributable to a lack of prudent planning on the part of the suppliers of the fuel to these affected States," according to a fuel waiver granted to the states by the EPA today.

Under the Clean Air Act, EPA will temporarily allow all parties in the fuel distribution system, including refiners, importers, distributors, carriers and retail outlets (regulated parties) to supply gasoline meeting a Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) standard of 9.0 psi in areas of the affected states where a lower RVP is required.

Further, because of the expected shortage of motor vehicle diesel fuel meeting the 500 parts per million (ppm) sulfur standard, EPA will temporarily allow regulated parties to supply motor vehicle diesel fuel to affected states having a sulfur content greater than 500 ppm.

This waiver is effective immediately and will continue through the remainder of the high-ozone period, through Sept. 15, 2005. However, retail outlets or wholesale purchaser-consumers that receive motor vehicle diesel fuel having a sulfur content greater than 500 ppm, under the terms of this waiver may continue selling or dispensing this fuel after Sept. 15, 2005, until their supplies are depleted.

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Spill Notification

Aug 29 - As business and industry officials return to their facilities in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the EPA reminds them to report spills to the National Response Center. The Center is integral to these facilities' long-established procedures in preparedness and planning for natural disasters like hurricanes. The Center serves as the sole point of contact for reporting all oil, chemical, radiological and biological releases in the United States.

Industries and businesses that encounter spills or discharges in the hurricane's aftermath should contact the Center immediately at (800) 424-8802 or (202) 267-2675. The Center is available to take calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The Center supplies EPA's response personnel with incident reports of oil discharges and chemical releases. This information helps EPA determine the Agency's next steps in responding to the natural disaster. The information from the Center's reports, coupled with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Rapid Needs Assessment, will help EPA ensure the protection of public health and the environment. EPA also coordinates with state and local agencies to support the affected communities.

An additional emergency response tool is the ASPECT plane, which was developed through a partnership between EPA and the U.S. Department of Defense. ASPECT, or Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology, is operated by EPA and provides emergency responders with information on possible chemical releases. The ASPECT plane provides near-real-time data to first reponders on the ground. EPA anticipates deploying the plane as soon as conditions allow.

EPA will continue to provide information as it becomes available. Reporters should contact the EPA Press Office at (214) 665-2200 for interviews and additional information.

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Helping states manage fuel supplies

As of August 29, 3:00 p.m., Florida has been the only state to send a formal request to EPA for assistance in managing fuel supplies in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.

In response to a request from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Florida DEP) last week, EPA notified Florida DEP that EPA will exercise its enforcement discretion to allow regulated parties to supply gasoline with a Reid Vapor Pressure up to 9.0 psi through midnight Tuesday, August 30, 2005. Additionally, EPA will exercise its enforcement discretion to allow regulated parties to supply motor vehicle diesel fuel meeting the 500 ppm sulfur standard through Friday, September 2, 2005, in counties affected by Katrina.

EPA will continue to monitor Hurricane Katrina and to work closely with the states impacted by the hurricane.

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EPA Prepares for Hurricane Katrina

Aug 28 - In response to FEMA's call for help, EPA has activated its response network and has personnel at the FEMA center in Denton, Texas, the State of Louisiana command center in Baton Rouge, the Mississippi Emergency Operations Center in Jackson, and the Alabama Emergency Operations Center in Clinton. EPA is responsible for coordinating work to address oil and chemical spills in the area.

Once safe travel into the impacted area is possible, EPA will deploy additional response members to help ensure measures to protect public health and the environment can be taken quickly. In the wake of a natural disaster, EPA assists state and local authorities in conducting aerial and ground surveillance to evaluate potential problems involving oil and hazardous chemicals.

Last year, EPA deployed about 150 Response Support Corps members from across the country to Florida to help the disaster victims. EPA went door-to-door in the disaster-affected communities to disseminate information about available disaster assistance.

Created in 2003 to enhance EPA's emergency preparedness, the Response Support Corps is a pool of several hundred employees from across the country to provide assistance during emergency response.

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Week 1: August 28 - September 3

EPA Regional Information

EPA Response Activity - September 3

EPA Response Activity - September 2

EPA Response Activity - September 1

EPA Response Activity - August 31

Nationwide fuel waiver issued to bolster fuel supplies

EPA Response Activity - August 30

EPA grants emergency fuel waiver for Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi

Spill Notification

Helping states manage fuel supplies

EPA Prepares for Hurricane Katrina

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