EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Response activities in New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Irene continue to move towards completion.  The household hazardous waste processing facility in Dover continues to ship materials to disposal facilities.  Remaining wastes are limited to approximately 75 drums and several cubic yard boxes.  Off-site compliance checks of the disposal facilities are the awaiting factor for shipping the last volume of materials.

Hurricane Irene operations in New York are limited to locations in Essex and Clinton Counties.  Orphan container collection continues as local governments find additional debris piles near the municipality of Upper Jay.  The remaining HHW pad is located in Lewis (Elizabethtown).  All other operational areas of NY have seen the completion of activities with the exception of Prattsville.  Landscaping and cleaning of the former HHW pad continue.

Operations conducted in response to Tropical Storm Lee in NY also continue to slow as goals are being completed.  River reconnaissance operations along the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers have been completed and boats are being used for collection of materials identified in previous missions in coordination with the terrestrial-based collection teams.  Materials collected continue to be received at the Barlow HHW pad, the only pad receiving materials.  The Owego HHW pad continues to ship wastes off-site to disposal and recycling facilities, and is projected for final disposal by week’s end.

CURRENT ISSUES

·         EPA received an increase in the Mission Assignment amount for operations to continue in response to Hurricane Irene in NY.

·         EPA is waiting for the approval of disposal companies through off-site compliance checks in Region 7.  Once obtained, materials will be shipped from the Dover, NJ facility to the appropriate facilities.

LONG TERM ISSUES

·         Concerns have been presented by NYSDEC regarding the expiration of Mission Assignments.  Once the MA is completed, due to time or monetary constraints, there is a concern that EPA will not provide disposal of wastes collected from local and county governments.  This was discussed at a meeting between EPA and NYSDEC in Binghamton on 10/26/2011.

HURRICANE IRENE OPERATIONS (NJ/NY)

NEW JERSEY RESPONSE ACTIONS

Disposal of wastes to off-site facilities is the sole project remaining for NJ operations.  Since the last reporting period, the remaining propane cylinders were sent to a recycling facility, while the last 30 yd³ container of oily wastes was shipped for disposal.  Approximately 75 drums and 7 yd3 boxes of waste remain to be disposed of.  EPA is awaiting the results of off-site compliance checks at four disposal facilities that have been designated to receive the waste materials.  A medical waste generator identification number from NJDEP is also being processed for a small amount of waste.  Once received, contractors will return to the Dover facility and assist on the removal of packaged wastes.

Below is a Waste Disposition Table for Dover, NJ Facility.  This table was last updated on 10/26/2011.

NEW YORK RESPONSE ACTIONS

On 10/21/2011 it was determined that monetary limitations in the Hurricane Irene Mission Assignments would cause a suspension in orphan container and HHW activities.  A request to FEMA for additional funding was processed on 10/24/2011 and EPA received the additional requested funding required to continue operations.  No operations were conducted between 10/22/2011 – 10/24/2011 for Hurricane Irene.

NYSDEC Region 4 Area 

The Prattsville HHW is the only remaining operational area in this region.  Currently, personnel are working on cleaning the area where the HHW pad was established in and conducting land restoration activities.  Once completed, there will be no further objectives in this region.  Several HHW materials left behind at Howes Cave and the Schoharie Debris Pile were removed on 10/27/2011.

Below is a Waste Disposition Table for the NYSDEC Region 4 Areas.  This table was last updated on 10/20/2011.  No additional updates have been provided since the last reporting period.  Although these locations are no longer actively collecting materials, wastes have been disposed of following the most recent dates posted.

NYSDEC Region 5 Area

The identification and collection of orphan containers continued in this region with focus in Jay, Upper Jay, Crown Point, Ticonderoga, Port Henry, and North Hudson.  Recovery efforts included the east side of the Au Sable River and at a property owned by the Upper Jay Fire District.  EPA anticipates operations in this area will be completed by 11/18/2011. 

CUMULATIVE HAZARDOUS WASTE SUMMARY 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 1320 on 10/27/2011.  Container counts may include numbers not previously reported from past operational periods.

 Note: Numbers listed in the table are accurate at the time of delivery of this report.  Field crews sometimes transfer numbers following the end of the reporting period due to communication issues.  As a result, daily totals may change in future reports to capture all containers collected for that operational period.  Because of this, operational period totals do not reflect true count numbers due to late reporting.  However, the grand cumulative numbers are accurate at the time this report.

TROPICAL STORM LEE (New York ONLY)

NYSDEC Region 7 Area

Boat Operations, Orphan Container Reconnaissance/Collection

·         With the completion of surveying the Susquehanna River between Oneonta, NY to the Pennsylvania border, river based reconnaissance activities for orphan containers were completed on 10/21/2011.  On 10/22/2011, boat operations transitioned into a role of assisting terrestrial-based crews for collecting orphan containers from hard to reach places near rivers and tributaries.  It is anticipated that all boat operations will be completed by 10/28/2011 with no continuation of assessments.  All targets identified from reconnaissance missions have been addressed.  Orphan containers and HHW collected from these points were sent to the Barlow Rd. processing area.

Land-based Operations, Orphan Container Reconnaissance/Collection

·         EPA continued efforts on land-base reconnaissance and collection of orphan containers.  Of the targets identified through previously conducted aerial reconnaissance missions, only 13 open areas remain to be addressed.  It is anticipated that all materials will be retrieved by 11/4/2011, completing all HHW and orphan container collection in response to TS Lee.  All materials collected are, and will be sent to the Barlow Rd. center for processing in preparation for disposal.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal

·         Edicott/Endwell (Scarborough Rd) - Transportation and Disposal from this former HHW pad were completed on 10/24/2011 with the final amount of wastes sent for disposal.  No additional activities will be necessary from this location, and all resources have been removed. 

·         Owego – The disposal of materials from this location commenced on 10/21/2011 and continued throughout the reporting period.  All wastes are scheduled to be removed by transportation companies by 10/28/2011 and sent to disposal facilities.

·         Barlow Rd (Kirkwood, NY) – This facility remains open for receiving orphan containers collected by EPA response crews only.  The HHW pad is not operational for public use.  Wastes continued to be sampled, bulked, and packaged for shipment to disposal facilities.  By 10/28/2011, Barlow Rd. is scheduled to be the last remaining HHW/orphan container staging and processing area for TS Lee response efforts.

Below is a Waste Disposition Table for the NYSDEC Region 7 Areas.  This table was last updated on 10/27/2011.

CUMULATIVE HAZARDOUS WASTE SUMMARY TABLE – TROPICAL STORM LEE

Below is a summery table indicating the amount of containers collected through HHW and orphan container recovery efforts in response to Tropical Storm Lee.  This data was collected at 1320 on 10/27/2011.  Container counts may include numbers not previously reported from past operational periods.

 Note: Numbers listed in the table are accurate at the time of delivery of this report.  Field crews sometimes transfer numbers following the end of the reporting period due to communication issues.  As a result, daily totals may change in future reports to capture all containers collected for that operational period.  Because of this, operational period totals do not reflect true count numbers due to late reporting.  However, the grand cumulative numbers are accurate at the time this report.

EPA REGION 2 COORDINATION ACTIVITIES

EPA Region 2 is currently manning the Regional Emergency Operations Center located in Edison, NJ.  Personnel are coordinating activities with local, county, and state officials throughout NY and NJ.  Staging for minor equipment continues until all operations in NJ are completed.  REOC personnel continue to monitor and respond to calls obtained through the Regional Public Liaison Hotline as well as the emergency hotline.

Starting the week of 10/31/2011, personnel in the REOC will be reduced for the remainder of operational activities.  One EPA resource will be dedicated for situational updates and daily work order processing.  The liaison officer will remain integrated but on a part-time basis.  Personnel working on approving cost accounting and monetary tracking will also maintain functions in the REOC. 

The REOC will re-start normal operating procedures for Day-Time Response operations that are exterior to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee activities.

Logistics are being transferred to the Binghamton contractor office for all NY operations.  This will streamline resource requests and delivery options.  Personnel in the REOC will monitor the handling of logistics and provide document control over such activities.  For logistical concerns relating to NJ operations, these requests and activities are being handled through the REOC and will remain so until the completion of all NJ operations.

SAFETY OFFICER

The New York Assistant Safety Officer, Greg DeAngelis conducted site visits to HHW's in NY in Owego, Barlow, Scarborough and Prattsville.  The NY ASO accompanied boat operation crews on three days.  No site visits were conducted in NJ.  Safety messages were sent out daily and posted on the website.  Safety message topics included HAZMAT transport, accident, injury and illness reporting, hand washing, handling household hazardous waste, safety planning, cold stress controls and weather alerts.  Safety is planning for final safety inspections of all HHW pads as they close out.

 LIAISON OFFICER

Steve Touw has been designated as the Liaison Officer (LNO) for Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee response efforts.  The LNO has notified FEMA that a time extension is required for EPA's Hurricane Irene field operations mission assignment in NJ.  An extension through 11/18 has been requested.

The LNO has contacted the NY State Police to determine the costs associated with the aerial reconnaissance overflights that were conducted on behalf of EPA in New York State.  The LNO will continue to coordinate with NYSP and FEMA to determine how those costs will be accounted for, either through EPA or directly from FEMA.

INFORMATION OFFICER

Pat Seppi, 646-369-0068, is the Public Information Officer designated for the response. The following items were addressed and/or completed during this reporting period;

·         An inquiry was received on 10/21/2011 from Congressman Jany regarding the suspention of EPA operations in the Essex and Clinton County areas.  PAD constructed a briefing for the Congressman and submitted it on 10/24/2011.

·         This week marked Emergency Response Week in the EPA Region 2 blog, Greening the Apple.  Articles regarding activities relating to the 2011 storms have been posted.

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

Liaison Officer, Steve Touw                                                              908-420-4458

Information Officer, Pat Seppi                                                           646-369-0068

REPORTING SCHEDULE

Situation Reports are generated once a week.

The next Situation Report will be distributed on Thursday November 3, 2011.

SPOT Reports will be distributed upon need.

Occupy Wall Street protests are being held outside the New York Regional Office.  Several events have been close to the building due to the proximity to City Hall.  The REOC is monitoring news reports and field reports.

Tropical Storm Rina is located near the Yucatan Peninsula and is not expected to impact regional assets and interests in the Caribbean at this time.

Weather conditions in the operational areas are predicted to provide rain and snow.  Coastal flooding warnings remain in effect for parts of New York and New Jersey.  Conditions are expected to be worse during the next 48 hours, with patterns changing following the end of the weekend.