Search Frequent Questions

Filter By:

Active filters:

Remove all filters

Displaying 1 - 15 of 55 results

  • How does EPA oversee cleanup at the derailment site?

    EPA leads the Unified Command consisting of different agencies to approve Norfolk Southern’s workplans and weekly activities. EPA also coordinates with other agencies to perform oversight, such as with Ohio EPA, the Columbiana County Health District, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. EPA and Ohio EPA personnel oversee safety…

    • Last published:

  • What’s the difference between short-term and long-term chemical exposure levels?

    Acute or short-term exposure assumes that a person has been exposed to a chemical for a short period of time. Long term, also known as chronic, exposure assumes a person has been constantly exposed to a chemical for a lifetime, or approximately 70 years.

    • Last published:

  • Are organizations located outside of the Great Lakes region eligible to apply for this RFA?

    Your organization could be eligible. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in Section III.A., B., & C. of the RFA in order to apply. Only applications from eligible entities that meet the threshold eligibility requirements will be considered. Applicants should carefully review all threshold eligibility requirements. Applicant eligibility information…

    • Last published:

  • Can foreign governments or private entities apply?

    No. From page 21 of the RFA: Qualified non-federal entities eligible to apply for grants include non-federal governmental entities: State agencies; any agency or instrumentality of local government; interstate agencies; and federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations. Institutions of Higher Education and non-profit organizations are also eligible to apply. Non-profit…

    • Last published:

  • Is our East Palestine City Park safe for activities?

    Yes. Results show that levels of dioxin and semi-volatile organic compounds are well below any levels that we would consider restricting activities, and all are either at or below typical background levels for soil in the United States. In addition, the village has cleaned all recreational equipment, including the pool…

    • Last published:

  • What is being done to control dust?

    Norfolk Southern contractors use engineering controls to reduce dust generated from cleanup activities and disturbed soil surfaces. All contaminated material leaving the derailment site is secured and tarped, and all contaminated material on site is tarped nightly. Trucks are decontaminated before they leave the site, and large water trucks are…

    • Last published:

  • What are the health agencies doing?

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) are analyzing their Assessment of Chemical Exposure (ACE) survey results to assess the health impacts of the train derailment. CDC and ATSDR continue to support the Ohio and Pennsylvania health departments and will be…

    • Last published:

  • Now that the track is rebuilt, what else needs to be done and how long will it take?

    There is still a lot of work to do. Contaminated soil to the north and south of the tracks need to be removed. A full site assessment, including extensive sampling, of areas and properties near the derailment site needs to be conducted. A full assessment of impacted creeks will be…

    • Last published:

  • Applications focused solely on applications on improving access, recreational, and workforce development activities are prohibited, but may a PR propose a project that solely focuses on these activities?

    No, subawards focused solely on those things are also not eligible. From page 10: Note: Subawards may also include activities that improve communities’ access and enjoyment of restored areas, provided they are a part of and enhance an eligible project that accomplishes and is directly related to one of the…

    • Last published:

  • Would surveying or similar human subject research be allowable as a component of a PG’s application or is any such research expressly prohibited?

    Human subjects research and surveys could be eligible activities, provided they are part of a project that otherwise meets the eligibility requirements stated in the RFA. Applicants and potential subawardees should be advised that those activities are subject to the human subjects research and Paperwork Reduction Act review processes, which…

    • Last published:

  • Are projects located in Lake Champlain eligible for funding?

    Projects located in Lake Champlain are not within the eligible geographic bounds. Proposed GLEJGPs must be implemented within the historic Great Lakes Basin, including projects impacting connecting waterways such as the U.S. portions of the St. Mary’s River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Lawrence River (at or upstream from…

    • Last published:

  • Is this grant eligible to all of Ohio or only portions of Ohio within the Great Lake's watershed.

    Proposed projects must be implemented within the historic Great Lakes Basin , including projects impacting connecting waterways such as the U.S. portions of the St. Mary’s River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Lawrence River (at or upstream from the point at which the St. Lawrence River becomes the international…

    • Last published:

  • What does the reporting look like? Will the PR have to report back on the impact of all grantees funded, and if so, how often will this be required?

    Yes, reporting will be required. EPA will help facilitate the reporting process, but we will be looking for reporting from the principal recipient on all sub awarded projects and the impacts that that have that those projects have had, as well as all final reports.

    • Last published:

  • If there is a government shutdown, will work continue on the cleanup?

    A 45-day continuing resolution was recently passed to avoid a shutdown. EPA’s emergency response efforts, such as in East Palestine, would move forward under a lapse in appropriation. As a result, EPA personnel would continue to fully support those efforts during a lapse.

    • Last published:

  • What is the process for refilling excavated areas at the derailment site?

    Areas that were excavated as part of the derailment cleanup effort will be backfilled with clean soil. Before soil is chosen as backfill it is tested for chemicals and heavy metals. While the source of backfill is still being identified, some areas have been temporarily backfilled with ballast (large gravel)…

    • Last published: