The EPA, working in cooperation with the City of Donna, Donna Irrigation District, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Texas Parks and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS), and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) are conducting a removal action for the depopulation of PCB-contaminated fish from the Donna Canal. Historical fish data from DSHS has documented that the larger, edible sized fish in Donna canal are contaminated with PCBs above U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowable consumption limits.
On February 16, 2009, EPA, USFWS, and EPA contractors re-mobilized to the site to conduct Phase 2 of the fish depopulation work. This phase mirrors the work done in Phase 1 and is being conducted to remove fish missed during the first phase.
As of February 20, 2009, approximately 5,535 fish have been removed from Donna Canal. Seventeen different species have been identified by USFWS.
Whole body and fillet samples collected from several different edible species of fish have been sent to a laboratory for analysis of PCBs and % Lipids (Whole body only). Three surface water samples from Donna Canal and one drinking water sample from the City of Donna Water Treatment Plant have also been collected and submitted to the laboratory for analysis.
A community meeting was held on February 19, 2009, in the City of Donna. EPA, USFWS, TCEQ, DSHS, ATSDR, City of Donna, and Donna Irrigation District provided information to the public regarding the results from Phase 1 work as well as the current and planned activities of Phase 2.
Work on Phase 2 is expected to be completed by February 27, 2009.
None at this time.
All fish removed from Donna Canal during Phase 2 activities are temporarily being placed in 55-gallon drums on-site until disposal profiling and analysis is completed for the off-site transportation and disposal at an EPA approved hazardous waste landfill.
All fish barriers installed during Phase 1 will be removed after Phase 2 work is completed.
None.
|
