EPA Response Activity - October 1

Fuel Waivers – On 9/30, EPA issued the following fuel waivers for certain diesel and gasoline requirements for affected areas across the country to minimize or prevent fuel supply disruptions resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

• EPA issued an emergency waiver to add the Commonwealth of Kentucky to the 9/13 waiver of the low-sulfur highway diesel fuel requirements in Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADDs) I (East Coast) and III (Gulf Coast) and the State of Tennessee.
• EPA issued an emergency fuel waiver to temporarily raise the per-gallon cap on sulfur in conventional gasoline produced at the ExxonMobil refinery in Baytown, Texas, through 10/6, and to allow this fuel to be distributed and sold in Kentucky, Tennessee and PADDs I and III. More about fuel waivers

Sampling – On 9/30, sampling continued on flood, outfall, and surface water, and sediment in the New Orleans area. EPA's soil/sediment sampling in affected areas along the Gulf Coast is scheduled to begin 10/3. EPA's ocean water testing vessel, the Bold, is surveying the waters of the Mississippi Sound and the Gulf of Mexico in the plume of the Mississippi River.

Mobile Labs – EPA has two bacteriological analyses mobile labs to test drinking water in Louisiana, and one in Gulfport, MS.

Air Screening Data – On 9/30, EPA posted ASPECT air screening data from flyovers conducted on 9/25 to assess chemical and petroleum facilities near Beaumont and Freeport, TX. Sampling efforts resulted in chemicals detected at or below the instrument's ability to accurately detect the chemicals and these results do not demonstrate an immediate health effect to the public. Results can be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults/air/aspect.html

National Priorities List – EPA teams continue to assess National Priorities List (NPL) sites in the area affected by Rita. Twenty seven of the 28 TX sites have been assessed. Five NPL sites will be assessed in Louisiana. There are 15* NPL sites in the hurricane Katrina-affected area of LA, 6 in AL and 3 in MS. Initial assessments have been conducted on these sites. EPA is still in the assessment phase, and will continue to monitor all the impacted NPL sites. Water and sediment samples have been collected at the Agriculture Street site.

*In previous updates, one additional "NPL Equivalent" site was included in the Louisiana NPL total.

Drinking Water Assessment -- In LA, there are a total of 1591 drinking water facilities that served approximately 5 million people. As of 9/30, EPA has determined that 378 of these facilities are operational, 80 are operating on a boil water notice, 32 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 1101 (most of these facilities are in unaffected areas). In MS, there are a total of 1,368 drinking water facilities that served approximately 3.2 million people. EPA has determined that 1,253 of these facilities are operational, 79 are operating on a boil water notice and 36 are inoperable. It should be noted that operational facilities may still be in need of repair or reconstruction. EPA's Water program is continuing to assess all drinking water plants in the affected area.

Wastewater -- In the LA affected area, there are a total of 173 Public Owned Treatment Works (POTW). As of 9/29, EPA has determined that 140 of these facilities are operational and 33 facilities are either not operating or their status is unknown. In the MS affected area, there are a total of 118 POTW. EPA has determined that 114 of these facilities are operational and 4 facilities are either not operating or their status is unknown. In the AL affected area, 7 facilities are operating and 1 is not operating. It should be noted that operational facilities may still be in need of repair or reconstruction. EPA's Water program continues to assess wastewater treatment plants in the affected area.

Debris Assessment and Collection – Collection activities continue for household hazardous wastes (HHW) and orphan containers in the hurricane affected area. In addition, EPA personnel continue to offer technical assistance in the disposal of hazardous waste and other debris left behind by the storm. As of 9/30, EPA has collected over 50,000 HHW/orphan containers throughout the affected region. Collection sites are in place in LA, MS, and AL. The draft Debris Removal Plans for LA, AL, and MS, are in final review. The plans will enable Federal agencies and the states to comprehensively manage large scale and complex debris.

Disaster Declaration Activity

Amendment # 1 to FEMA-1606-DR for the State of Texas amends the declaration to authorize Federal funds for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 100 percent of total eligible costs, for a total of 34 days, through and including October 27, 2005.

Amendment # 2 to FEMA-1606-DR for the State of Texas adds thirteen counties for Individual Assistance. (FEMA HQ)