HOUSTON – Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt visited Houston, Texas, today to review the Agency’s response efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Harvey.
“EPA remains committed to providing the necessary resources and personnel to ensure those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Harvey receive proper Agency attention,” said Administrator Pruitt. “We continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure Superfund sites are being properly secured, fuel prices remain stabilized, and infrastructure and environmental assessments are thoroughly carried out.”
Administrator Pruitt began his visit to Texas by touring the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund site and received a briefing from on-the-ground EPA response personnel. Administrator Pruitt was joined by Acting Regional Administrator for Region 6 Samuel Coleman, Chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Bryan Shaw, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials.
While Administrator Pruitt toured the site, an EPA dive team was conducting underwater inspections. EPA will continue to keep the public informed as assessments of the site continue and site determinations are made by the dive team.
Following his tour of the San Jacinto Superfund site, Administrator Pruitt received an aerial tour of additional affected Superfund sites in the region by the United States Coast Guard. Sites included: Patrick Bayou, U.S. Oil Recovery, San Jacinto River Waste Pits, Highlands Acid Pits, French Unlimited, Brio Refining, and Dixie Oil Processors.
EPA personnel will continue to monitor Superfund sites in Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey, compile data on regulated facilities, sample possible environmental contaminants, and conduct air monitoring of the affected areas.