Citation:

KITCHENS, J. PRESENTATION IN ATLANTA: WORKING TO KEEP WASTE OUT OF THE LANDFILLS AND STREAMS - EPA REGION 4 RESPONSE SUPPORT CORPS ACTIVITIES, A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE. Presented at Atlanta Federal Health & Safety Council, Atlanta, GA, July 11, 2006.

Impact/Purpose:

The objective of this research is to develop a state-of-the-art observation and forecasting system for the marine and coastal environments of the Gulf of Mexico's adjoining rivers, bays, shelf and waters. An integral component of the modeling system is the development of chemical and non chemical loadings from runoff in near and upland watersheds. This research has two subtasks1) Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico and 2) Development of real time predictive capability for environmental security assessments.

Subtask 1 Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico

Nutrients and sediments discharged into the Gulf of Mexico, largely from the Mississippi River Basin, are contributing to the formation of a zone of low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) along the coast of Louisiana and Texas. The major vehicle for conducting an environmental assessment for the hypoxic zone is a modeling approach for characterizing and prioritizing sources of nutrient loadings initially within the Mississippi River basin.

To meet this objective, the following assessments/activities need to be developed: 1) determination of the relative nutrient contribution of all sources: atmospheric, nonpoint and point sources; 2) aggregation of the total nutrient loads to the receiving water body); 3) establishment of load/dose/response relationships.; 4) establish agreement of water quality criteria and biological targets for the Gulf; and 5) determination of total nutrient load targets that restore oxic conditions to the Gulf environment based upon model projections.

Subtask 2 Real time predictions for environmental security assessments.

Federal agencies and others have established programs for operational modeling and data collection in rivers, estuaries and coastal areas of the United States. These systems are designed to provide support for technological and natural disasters but are not sufficient to support the range of threats realized since the September 11th attacks primarily because of incomplete information about oceanographic conditions and restricted capability for modeling the transport and fate of certain pollution classes such as radiological agents.

To meet this goal, the following activities need to be developed: Identify exposure pathways, evaluate human health and ecological risks, develop remedial strategies for mitigation and provide for public outreach including dissemination of risk information and simulation results.

Description:

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina it became evident that there were a multitude of problems created by the storm. Although human concerns were foremost, it became evident that during recovery environmental problems must be addressed. The Environmental Protection Agency's effort in the wake of Katrina was to minimize and mitigate damage to the environment. The EPA responded with many resources and personnel; however, due to the enormity of the area affected, more personnel were needed to assist in these efforts. This is where the EPA Region 4 Response Support Corps comes into the picture. The Corps is composed of personnel throughout the Agency who have committed their time to assist in time of great need. They operate on a purely volunteer basis and with the blessing and support of their management. This presentation is a personal perspective of one EPA employee who volunteered to help with the cleanup efforts in Mississippi.

Record Details: