EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

New Jersey operations relating to Hurricane Irene have been permanently suspended.  This includes the collection of household hazardous waste and orphan containers as well as any response efforts for oil and hazardous material spills.  It was learned on September 22, 2011 that additional funding, required for EPA to complete activities outlined in Mission Assignments, was not going to be available.  EPA commenced the demobilization of all HHW and orphan container collection resources promptly.  All containers, debris, and waste were removed from the Paterson HHW facility and transported to the Dover HHW processing facility, where materials are currently being bulked, packaged, and disposed of, as this concluded all field collection operations.  The Dover HHW facility is scheduled to continue processing materials for disposal until all materials have been shipped or funding expires.

Activities in New York responding to Hurricane Irene are on a slow decline.  All HHW collection and staging areas in Greene County have closed, with the exception of Prattsville.  Other operational areas will see the closure of HHW staging pads by the end of September and beginning of October.  Although there has been an increase in the amount of orphan containers found and collected, the amount of HHW received has decreased.

Operations in NY responding to the effects of Tropical Storm Lee have increased since the last reporting period, but are now on a steady path.  EPA continued to operate 4 HHW staging areas in Broome/Tioga Counties.  Additional assessments were conducted in Chemung and Chenango Counties and EPA is waiting for results to indicate if HHW needs exist.  Water operations commenced to conduct orphan container assessments on the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers, as well as contributing tributaries and streams.  On September 22, 2011 it was learned that additional funding required for EPA to complete operations outlined in Mission Assignments may not be available.  It is estimated that EPA activities in the Southern Tier of NY may be suspended the beginning of October 2011.

CURRENT ISSUES

·         Response activities in the Broome and Tioga County area remain at a steady state.  EPA resources from outside Region 2 are assisting in efforts following the aftermath of TS Lee.

·         Owego Heat Treat facility in Apalachin, NY sustained significant impacts from flood waters.  A number of pressurized tanks along with drums and cylinders present a potential threat to human health and the environment.  EPA OSCs are working with the local government and the facility owner to conduct stabilization operations. 

·         Additional funding to support operations in NY relating to Lee has been requested.

LONG TERM ISSUES

·         No additional long term issues to report.  

HURRICANE IRENE OPERATIONS (NJ/NY)

NEW JERSEY RESPONSE ACTIONS

EPA had been requesting an increase in funding to Mission Assignments in support of the collection of HHW and orphan containers as well as response to oil and hazardous materials spills.  On September 22, 2011 it was learned that additional funding would not be provided.  All efforts to locate, identify, and remove orphan containers and HHW were permanently suspended at close-of-business that day.

EPA has provided to NJDEP and FEMA a list of activities that were not completed by EPA.  This includes the following:

·         Conduct a full assessment of the Passaic River.  EPA was scheduled to begin boat operations in the Paterson area to conduct an assessment of the River for oil/hazmat containers and debris.

·         Based on the assessment of the Passaic River, conduct collection and recovery activities of orphan containers identified.

·         Conduct a full assessment of Paterson, NJ.  The municipality is struggling to conduct recovery efforts as the area continues to flood with passing storms.  The town has relied heavily on EPA for the collection and removal of HHW from impacted areas..

·         Pick-up of HHW and orphan containers were to be collected from many municipalities including Wayne, Paterson, Woodland Park, Bloomingdale, Little Falls, Totowa, Lake Hiawatha, Pequannock, Rockaway Borough, Denville, and others.

·         EPA has been the contact for orphan container and HHW collection and anticipating requests from Clifton, Haledon, Hawthorne, Passaic, and West Millford.

·         Lake Hiawatha requested EPA assistance on the removal of orphan containers, including home heating oil tanks that were damaged or displaced as a result of Hurricane Irene.  The municipality holds a list of residential properties in need of assistance.

·         Lake Hiawatha officials requested EPA to pump-out basements that are filled with oil.  Several residential properties are in the process of foreclosure and were impacted by flood waters.  Oil remains in the basement of these homes.

Emergency Response Task Force

·         The Task Force was not activated and was dissolved on September 22, 2011.

Passaic County

Oil / Hazardous Materials Response and Recovery Actions

• HHW was collected from the municipality of Little Falls on 09/22/2011. 
• EPA contacted HHW coordinators and local government officials throughout municipalities in Passaic County to notify of the suspension of EPA activities.
• A letter was submitted to the Passaic County HHW Coordinator stating that EPA activities were suspended by COB September 22, 2011.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal

·         Paterson  –  Facility was operational and received material from surrounding communities until 09/22/2011 COB.  By 09/23/2011 all containers were transported to the Dover HHW processing facility.  All support materials will be removed by 09/26/2011. 

Morris County

Oil / Hazardous Materials Response and Recovery Actions

·         EPA coordinated the retrieval of HHW collected from Cedar Knolls, Pequannock, and Dover on 09/22/2011.

 Household Hazardous Waste / Bulk Liquid Collection and Disposal

·         Dover – The HHW staging and processing facility received materials from municipalities throughout Morris County.  Segregation and categorization of materials continued as materials were bulked and packaged.  Disposal of flammable materials continued.  Dover is no longer accepting incoming material and is scheduled to close on or around October 15, 2011.

·         Whippany – No activities occurred at this bulk waste storage area.  A bulk liquid tank remains to be removed.

NEW YORK RESPONSE ACTIONS

NYSDEC Region 4 Area 

Oil / Hazardous Materials Response and Recovery Actions

·         EPA conducted assessment and recovery operations of orphan containers in Middleburgh, Oak Hill, Fort Hunter, Esperance, Arkville, and Prattsville.

·         Additional assessments were conducted in Fleischmanns, Margaretville, and Middletown as new debris fields were found.  Town supervisors showed EPA a field approximately one mile long with orphan containers embedding in the debris.  The ACE was notified of the debris, who may contact EPA to conduct additional recovery efforts in the areas.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal

·         Greene County

·         Hunter – The facility stopped collecting material at close-of-business 09/24/2011.  Personnel completed the transport of materials to the Prattsville facility.

·         Windham – The facility stopped collecting material at close-of-business 09/24/2011.  Personnel completed the transport of materials to the Prattsville facility.

·         Catskill – The facility stopped collecting material at close-of-business 09/24/2011.  Personnel completed the transport of materials to the Prattsville facility.

·         Prattsville – Facility was operational.  Material was received from local sources as well as staging areas from outside the county.  Materials are being bulked and packaged.

·         Delaware County

·         Arkville – Although this staging area was closed to the public on 09/18/2011, it will re-open for the week of 09/26/2011.  Materials continued to be packaged, secured, and sent to the Prattsville HHW.  Operations are scheduled to be completed by 09/30/2011.

·         Sidney – Facility was operational and materials are being packaged, secured, and transported to the Prattsville HHW.  Operations are scheduled to be completed by 09/30/2011.

·         Schoharie County

·         Howes Cave – This central HHW staging area for the NYSDEC Region 4 area was operational and receiving materials.  Preparations have commenced for the transport and disposal of bulk material.

·         Schoharie Debris Pile – This is the central staging area for all debris in the Village of Schoharie.  Crews continued to segregate and containerize HHW.  The facility is no longer collecting material and is in the process of moving all materials to the Howes Cave facility for processing and disposal.

NYSDEC Region 5 Area

Oil / Hazardous Materials Response and Recovery Actions

·         EPA continued HHW collection and orphan container recovery in Au Sable Chasm, Au Sable Forks, and Jay.

·         Assessments for orphan containers located in surface waters are being planned.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal

·         Lewis – Facility was operational and receiving materials from EPA collection crews and local area residents.  Materials are being characterized and bulked.

CUMULATIVE HAZARDOUS WASTE SUMMERY TABLE – HURRICANE IRENE

Below is a summery table indicating the amount of containers collected through HHW and orphan container recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Irene.  This data was collected at 1200 on 09/25/2011.  Container counts may include numbers not previously reported from past operational periods.

The REOC completed long-term staffing needs for field activities in New York and New Jersey.  Staffing of the REOC personnel was also completed for support of Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee, and Day-Time response operations.

Contingency Plans have been developed for Tropical Storm Ophelia.  Although it is no longer anticipated to cause impacts to interests in Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands, the potential for land impacts remains questionable.

The 09/22/2011 safety message was sent out to the field.  Safety SOPs and AHAs that ER had submitted were reviewed and approved for implementation in the field.  They will be posted on the website.  Safety staffing has now been finalized through the end of October.

The 09/23/2011 safety message included risks and prevention techniques associated with mosquito-borne diseases.  This included signs and symptoms for West Niles and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.  Lyme Disease was also narrated in the daily safety message that was distributed throughout the operational areas in New York and New Jersey.  The Assistant Safety Officer relocated to the Binghamton area and met with VP Health and Safety for ERRS to discuss the various plans associated with pending water operations as well as how to better improve the safety associated with all operations in upstate NY.   HHW collection site visits followed throughout the rest of the day.

By 09/25/2011 the NY ASO conducted safety visits to the Hunter, Sidney, and Owego HHWs.  Several safety problems with segregation and storage of chemicals resulted in a new HHW collection pad being established at the Owego site to provide more separation between incompatible chemicals and more room for proper storage.  Boat operations were observed in NY and some areas for improving boater safety were identified and provided to the OSC.  This includes PPE, decontamination, equipment, and communications.  Safety assistance is being provided to the Owego Heat and Treat operation.

Steve Touw has been designated as the Liaison Officer (LNO) for Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee response efforts.  The LNO continues to communicate with FEMA on the request for a funding increase to EPA's TS Lee field operations Mission Assignment in New York.  The LNO has stressed to FEMA the importance of obtaining the MA funding increases before the ERRS contractor needs to shut down operations and begin demobilizing on 9/27/2011. 

All Community Involvement Coordinators have returned to normal duty stations in New York and New Jersey.  Should additional assistance be required, CICs will re-deploy to the field.

·         Pat Seppi, 646-369-0068 Public Information Officer, Edison REOC

·         Larisa Romanowski 515-703-0101, CIC for NYSDEC Region 4.

·         Natalie Loney, 718-288-7253 CIC for NYSDEC Region 7.

·         David Kluesner, 908-420-7261 CIC for New Jersey. 

The following table is a reflection of the most current available resources at the time and day of reporting.  It reflects the amount of personnel solely on the day of reporting.  Because the Situation Report details over several days, the following table may not be a representation of every work day.

WEBSITE:  http://www.epaosc.org/R2HurricaneIreneResponse

If you find that you are having trouble viewing the website, please contact the EPA duty officer at (732) 906-6850

EPA Edison REOC                                                                        732-906-6850

Afterhours Notifications, National Response Center (NRC)             800-424-8802
Regional Incident Commander (RIC) for NY, James Daloia             908-420-4505
Regional Incident Commander (RIC) for NJ, Christopher Jimenez    908-420-4484

FEMA IMAT (Albany), Dwayne Harrington, OSC                          908-420-4492

Liaison Officer, Steve Touw                                                             908-420-4458

Information Officer, Patricia (Pat) Seppi                                           646-369-0068

Situation Reports are generated on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The next Situation Report will be distributed on Wednesday September 28, 2011. 

The REOC continues to monitor Tropical Storm Ophelia and Tropical Storm Philippe.  Flood Watches and Warnings remain in effect for operational areas in New Jersey and New York.

General Weather for the next Operational Period:

·         Rain is expected in all operational areas with additional flooding as a potential.

·         Temperatures in NJ will range from low50s to low 80s.

·         Temperatures in NY will range from low 40s to low 70s.