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EPA Awards More Than $30 Million to Connecticut to Support Local Clean Water Projects

October 6, 2018 / Lee Ann Rush / 0 Comments

(BOSTON) – On 10/04/2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the State of Connecticut was awarded a total of $30,770,000 in Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) grants to finance community-based water infrastructure projects, such as upgrades to municipal sewage plants and public drinking water systems.

"Communities across Connecticut will enjoy cleaner water and make important infrastructure upgrades thanks to this funding,"said EPA New England Regional Administrator Alexandra Dunn. "These low-cost loans further EPA's commitment to ensuring American communities have access to clean water, safe drinking water and the infrastructure necessary to support local needs."

"Connecticut is dedicated to continuing to improve the quality of our waterways by upgrading our wastewater treatment plants and ensuring they meet the highest standards through improved management of stormwater runoff," said Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Rob Klee. "Protecting our waters requires a major financial investment, and we are thankful for the support of our federal partners in helping our state achieve its water quality goals."

"The provision of potable drinking water is recognized as one of the great public health achievements in history," said Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino. "This funding demonstrates that our federal partners and the State of Connecticut are committed to ensuring that public drinking water infrastructure is sustainable for future generations."

The total amount of funding came through separate grants to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) in the amount of $19,663,000 for its Clean Water SRF program, and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) for $11,107,000 for its Drinking Water SRF program. With the funds awarded to the state, DEEP and DPH will fund a series of long- and short-term community-based projects that address high priority water quality and health based concerns.

In partnership with the Office of the Treasurer, the DEEP and DPH administer the State Revolving Fund programs at the state level. DEEP and DPH will oversee the engineering and construction aspects of the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF programs, respectively, as well as the individual projects funded by it, while the treasurer's office is the financial manager of both funds.

Under the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF programs, EPA provides grants to all 50 states plus Puerto Rico to capitalize state water loan programs. States contribute an additional 20 percent to match federal grants. EPA also provides direct grant funding for the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas. Since 1987, the SRFs have provided more than $160 billion in financial assistance to 38,000 water quality infrastructure projects and 14,000 drinking water projects.

Under the Drinking Water SRF, states provide various types of assistance, including financing to improving drinking water treatment, fixing leaky or old pipes, improving source of water supply, and replacing or constructing finished water storage tanks. Clean Water SRF programs provide loans to construct municipal wastewater facilities, control nonpoint sources of pollution, build decentralized wastewater treatment systems, create green infrastructure projects and protect estuaries.

For more information on the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund, visit https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf.

For more information on the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund, visit https://www.epa.gov/drinkingwatersrf.

EPA Announces Deletion of Old Southington Landfill Superfund Site, Other Cleanup Milestones in Connecticut

October 3, 2018 / Lee Ann Rush / 0 Comments

(BOSTON) – Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced major milestones at two Superfund site cleanups in Southington, Connecticut, the deletion of the Old Southington Landfill Superfund Site from the National Priorities List (NPL) and improvements at the Solvents Recovery Service of New England site that will minimize the environmental footprint of the cleanup.

"The deletion of the Old Southington Landfill from the Superfund list and the greening of the Solvents Recovery Service site signal important progress for communities here in Southington," said EPA New England Regional Administrator Alexandra Dunn. "The progress at these sites exemplifies EPA's and this administration's commitment to clean up contaminated sites while working with the local community every step of the way to ensure their concerns are heard and addressed."

"Working collaboratively with the EPA, we are taking action to correct the mistakes of the past. Today's announcement is concrete evidence of what we can do working together and with our communities to cleanup, protect and preserve Connecticut's environment," said Connecticut Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Rob Klee.

At the Old Southington Landfill site, EPA and the State of Connecticut have determined that cleanup actions conducted at the site are protective of public health and the environment. EPA and the state concluded that all necessary Superfund-financed cleanup activities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act have been implemented and that no further cleanup work by responsible parties is anticipated for the site.

At the Solvents Recovery Service site, as a result of remediation efforts that began in 2005, the groundwater pumped from the site now meets standards that are acceptable for discharge to the Southington municipal water treatment system. This development, along with the activation of an array of solar panels at the site, will reduce energy used for cleanup activities at the Solvents Recovery Service site by 97 percent.

Under the Trump Administration, the Superfund program has reemerged as a priority to fulfill and strengthen EPA's core mission of protecting human health and the environment.

EPA added the Old Southington Landfill to the NPL in 1984 after confirming that groundwater in a nearby municipal well contained volatile organic compounds at levels that exceeded state standards. EPA oversaw the cleanup of the site to address contamination in soil, surface water, and sediment at the landfill and adjacent Black Pond, as well as vapor intrusion into buildings downgradient of the landfill. Groundwater will be monitored by the responsible parties and overseen by EPA and the state to assure the continued effectiveness of the cap and overall remedy.

The final deletion of the Old Southington Landfill from the NPL became effective on September 12, 2018. The parties responsible for the cleanup of the site will continue to perform operation and maintenance activities along with long-term monitoring and EPA will continue to perform Five-Year Reviews. The goal of long-term monitoring and Five-Year Reviews is to ensure remedial actions conducted at the site continue to be protective of public health and the environment. This deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund if warranted.

EPA added the Solvents Recovery Service site to the NPL in September 1983 to facilitate the cleanup of sludge and other pollution from a former hazardous waste treatment facility that operated there for 36 years. Under a settlement with EPA in 1983, Solvents Recovery Service was required to improve its procedures for handling solvents, construct a groundwater pumping and treatment system to prevent the migration of contaminated groundwater, and install an off-site system to capture contaminated groundwater beyond the facility boundaries.

Great strides have been made to collaborate with key stakeholders to integrate beneficial reuse of Solvents Recovery Service property into the overall cleanup. A former railroad right-of-way that passes through the site was renovated, adding a new section to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, a regional "rails-to-trails" greenway which covers approximately 84 miles from New Haven, Conn., to Northampton, Mass. Additional work will be needed for several more decades to meet the State of Connecticut's goal for restoration of the groundwater to background levels.

Information about the Old Southington Landfill site is available on EPA's website at: www.epa.gov/superfund/oldsouthington

Information about the Solvents Recovery Service site is available at: https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0100124.

New England’s Warm Summer Leads to Slight Increase in Air Quality Alert Days

October 3, 2018 / Lee Ann Rush / 0 Comments

BOSTON – The EPA has confirmed that New Englanders experienced a slight increase in the number of unhealthy air quality days this year, compared to 2017. Based on preliminary data collected between March and September 2018, there were 28 days when ozone monitors in New England recorded ozone concentrations above levels considered healthy. By contrast, in 2017 there were 25 unhealthy ozone days in New England.

Hot, sunny, summery weather is conducive to ozone formation, and is variable from year to year. The 2018 summer was warmer than average in New England, and slightly warmer than the summer of 2017. Since 1983, New England has experienced a decrease in the number of unhealthy ozone days. In 1983, New England had 118 unhealthy days, compared with only 28 this year. This downward trend is due to a reduction in emissions that form ozone. The number of unhealthy days (when ozone concentrations exceed the 0.070 parts per million standard) vary from year to year, due to weather conditions.

The number of unhealthy ozone days in each state this summer, and for last summer are as follows:

State	2018 Ozone Exceedences	2017 Ozone Exceedences
Connecticut	23	20
Massachusetts	12	12
Rhode Island	12	6
New Hampshire	6	5
Maine	3	6
Vermont	1	1

"While we have made good progress reducing ozone pollution over the past several decades, more work needs to be done to ensure that people can enjoy good air quality, even during a hot and dry summer when conditions favor the formation of ground-level ozone," said EPA New England Regional Administrator Alexandra Dunn. "EPA is continuing to take action to reduce ozone pollution, so we are optimistic that air quality will continue to improve in New England."

In 2014, EPA finalized stringent standards for new cars sold after 2017. The automobile and gasoline rule, known as Tier 3, will help lower automobile pollution by a significant margin. The Tier 3 emissions standards for cars represent an additional 80% reduction of ozone causing pollution when compared to the average in 2014. EPA has also issued an update to the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which will significantly reduce summertime nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions from power plants in 22 states in the eastern U.S.

EPA recently finalized its designations for the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and EPA is continuing to work with our state partners to implement these standards. In the Northeast, average ozone levels have dropped by nearly 20 percent since the year 2000. Nationally, emissions of nitrogen oxides – the key precursor to ozone – have dropped by over 40 percent in the last decade.

Ground-level ozone is formed when volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen chemically react in the presence of sunlight. In New England, cars and trucks give off the majority of the pollution that makes ozone. Burning of fossil fuels at electric power plants, which run at high capacities on hot days, emit substantial amounts of ozone-making pollution. Gasoline refilling stations, print shops, household products like paints and cleaners, as well as gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment, also contribute to ozone formation.

More information:

View or sign up for Free daily air quality forecasts: https://www3.epa.gov/region1/airquality/aqi.html . Current air quality conditions and forecasts are also available at: www.airnow.gov .
Historical charts of unhealthy air days from 1983 through 2018 are available for each New England state on EPA New England's web site at: https://www3.epa.gov/region1/airquality/histexc.html.
A preliminary list of the unhealthy readings recorded this summer in New England by date and monitor location, and corresponding air quality maps for each day, can be found at: https://www3.epa.gov/region1/airquality/o3exceed-18.html.
EPA's most recent national air trends report: https://www.epa.gov/air-trends/ozone-trends#ozreg

Rhode Island Organizations and Residents Recognized by EPA for Environmental Achievements

September 12, 2018 / Lee Ann Rush / 0 Comments

BOSTON – Two organizations and three individuals in Rhode Island were recognized today at the 2018 Environmental Merit Awards ceremony of the US Environmental Protection Agency's New England regional office. These environmental leaders were among 28 recipients across New England honored for their work to protect New England's environment.

Wenley Ferguson of Save The Bay and Terrence Gray of the RI Department of Environmental Management were recognized with individual awards for contributions to the health and environment. And the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover Team as well as the organizations involved in the Rhode Island Pawcatuck River Restoration Project were recognized for their contributions. Additionally, Mayor Charles Lombardi of North Providence was given one of three Children's Health Awards.

"New England is rich with individuals, businesses, and organizations that exhibit their strong commitment to local communities and to a clean and healthful environment. EPA is very proud to recognize these meaningful accomplishments," said EPA New England Regional Administrator Alexandra Dunn.

EPA New England each year recognizes individuals and groups in the six New England states whose are distinguished by their work to protect or improve the region's environment. The merit awards, given since 1970, honor individuals and groups who have shown ingenuity and commitment. The Environmental Merit Awards, given for work or actions done in the prior year, are awarded in the categories of individual; business (including professional organizations); local, state or federal government; and environmental, community, academia or nonprofit organization. Also, each year EPA presents lifetime achievement awards for individuals.

The 2018 Merit Award Winners from Rhode Island were:

Individual

Wenley Ferguson, Save The Bay, Providence
Since 1990, Wenley Ferguson, Save the Bay's restoration coordinator, has used her expertise, can-do spirit, and collaborative nature for her work protecting habitat, assessing water quality and generally restoring Narragansett Bay and its watershed. Ferguson’s projects have included salt marsh, anadromous fish, and coastal buffer restoration projects and restoration monitoring. Recently, Ferguson focused looking at how rising sea levels was affecting salt marshes. She documented regional impacts of sea level rise and, working with others, found techniques to improve marsh health as sea level rises. Ferguson also works to protect marsh migration corridors through easements and removing barriers to migration. She has put in place projects to regrade eroding banks and has removed infrastructure vulnerable to flooding and erosion to enhance coastal habitats and public access. Ferguson also works with others to install rain gardens and complete other projects that filter stormwater. Recently, she installed stormwater filtration and infiltration structures on coastal roads that are susceptible to tidal flooding and erosion. She involves community volunteers in monitoring, planting and maintenance. An effective advocate for Narragansett Bay and its environment, Ferguson for 30 years has tackled challenges to its ecological health. She is skilled at mobilizing people to protect and restore the bay.

Terrence Gray, RI Department of Environmental Management, Providence
Appointed in 2013 as the first associate director for environmental programs at the RI Department of Environmental Management, Terrance Gray has authority over programs covering the bulk of DEM's regulatory work and many other programs. Gray, who oversees 160 employees, began at DEM in 1987 as an engineer, served as chief of the Division of Site Remediation; chief of the Office of Waste Management; and assistant director for Air, Waste and Compliance. He was pivotal in many successful efforts to clean up hazardous waste, redevelop former industrial sites, close landfills, stop illegal dumping, and improve waste management and recycling. He now leads DEM work on emerging contaminants. Gray is the "go to" person for businesses and other applicants flummoxed by permitting processes. In 2018, Gray kicked off a New Employee Cross Training Program for DEM's newest employees with the goal of ensuring new employees understand work done in DEM's Environmental Protection and Natural Resources bureaus and can serve as ambassadors of all the Department's goals, no matter in which program they serve. Gray also has been instrumental in partnering with both the Rhode Island Society of Environmental Professionals and the Environmental Business Council of New England to enhance the relationship between DEM and both regulated communities and environmental professionals. Gray has been a leader for strategic planning and regulatory reforms. He has been the lead advocate for improving internal processes, making DEM the state leader on Lean. His work to identify waste ensures permitting processes are clear, predictable, and reliable. Gray is a "servant leader," and a wonderful partner and colleague.

Environmental, Community, Academia, Nonprofit

Pawcatuck River Restoration Project, Hope Valley
Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association
The Nature Conservancy – Rhode Island Chapter
The efforts of the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association and The Nature Conservancy's Rhode Island Chapter restored a passage for fish, improved the flow of water, upgraded the water quality, and reduced flood risks. Five dam removals and river restoration projects in the last decade have left the headwaters of the Pawcatuck River open to spawning of migratory fish for the first time since colonial development of mills and dams there. This was made possible by more than $10 million of government funding, the leadership of the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association and The Nature Conservancy and the efforts of landowners and citizens. Among the projects, the Lower Shannock Falls Dam was removed and a natural river channel and a riverside park were created. Another project involved removal of Kenyon Mill Dam and construction of a pool and rock ramp next to a textile mill. Beyond the new spawning grounds and improved passage provided to migratory fish, these projects have reduced flood risks. They also have provided safe boating passage and improved the river for fishing. These restoration projects reflect the desire of the association and watershed communities in Rhode Island and Connecticut for the Wood-Pawcatuck rivers system to be designated as a Wild & Scenic River under the U.S. Department of Interior National Park Service. This effort is approaching the final stages to achieve designation.

Business

Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover Team, Newport
Jeremy Pochman, Robin Clegg, Brad Read, Dave McLaughlin
The Volvo Ocean Race, which covers 45,000 nautical miles over four oceans, stopped for 12 days in May at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI. Sail Newport, a local non-profit and official host in Newport, as well as Volvo Ocean Race, 11th Hour Racing, Clean Ocean Access, and Mega Disposal were nominated as a group for their combined focus on ocean health. The stopover drew more than 100,00 visitors, and this year's sustainability program theme was "Turn the Tide on Plastic." Two boats for the first time during this race collected data on water quality and plastic concentrations in some of the remotest parts of our planet. The Newport stopover featured the second Ocean Summit in Newport, RI, which was so popular more such summits are planned during the race to showcase innovative solutions to the plastic crisis. 11th Hour Racing, which works with the sailing community and maritime industries to protect and restore ocean health, helped put together the summit, drawing hundreds of experts and influencers. Host communities and businesses were urged to sign a pledge to work to reduce pollution, and Rhode Island was the first state to take the pledge. Clean Ocean Access, a Newport-based non-profit, led the Sustainability Committee, which put in place systems to eliminate single-use plastics, minimize the event footprint and divert thousands of pounds of waste from landfills. Hundreds of volunteers were involved.

Children's Health Award

City of North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi
Water utilities have reduced lead exposure by installing corrosion control treatments. In recent years, public health and regulatory agencies have focused on replacing lead service lines to reduce lead exposure in drinking water which, in children, can result in neurological and developmental damage. This means addressing complex issues that require the involvement of the community and significant cost. Most lead service lines are owned partially by the water utility and partially by property owners. North Providence, with mostly moderate to low income families, has more than 500 lead service lines. Under the leadership of Mayor Charles Lombardi, the city has leveraged federal HUD funding through the state Office of Housing and Community Development. These funds, which municipalities typically invest in low income neighborhoods, in North Providence were used creatively to get $270,000 to replace privately-owned lead service lines. The city will replace the publicly-owned lead service line for every private line replaced. North Providence knocked on doors to get residents to participate. This led to replacing about 40 lead service lines. Then the city held public forums and now plans to replace about 100 lines in 2018. Under Lombardi's vision, a creative solution was found and important public health changes made. Challenged by daunting numbers of lead pipes, North Providence is an inspiration to other communities wanting to eliminate lead pipes and protect their children.

In addition to the winners from Rhode Island, Nancy Siedman of Cambridge, Mass., was given the Ira Leighton "In Service to States" annual award for environmental achievement that has had an outsized impact in the state, the region, and nationally.

More information on EPA's Environmental Merit Awards, including photographs from the award ceremony: https://www.epa.gov/environmental-merit-awards-new-england

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