Newsletter: East Palestine Train Derailment Response, 9-21-2023
Newsletter serving Serving East Palestine, Negley, Darlington, and surrounding communities
- Progress Made
- The Look Ahead
- Site Status Check
- Community Corner
- Did you Know?
- Top 3 Questions of the Week
- Safety Minute
- Upcoming Events
- Stay Informed
- About this Publication
Progress Made
Full Site Characterization Begins
EPA, in conjunction with the Unified Command for the train derailment response, has approved the workplan for the next phase of cleanup. The “soil characterization” workplan details the comprehensive sampling as the cleanup enters the last stages of excavation. Sampling has begun and is intended to be a “double-check” to ensure that the cleanup has been fully successful and that no contamination has spread during response activities. This does not indicate a concern that contamination from the derailment may have affected a larger area. It also ensures that areas previously cleaned up are re-evaluated to confirm completeness. If residual contamination is discovered through these efforts, EPA will direct further cleanup actions as needed. The workplan and additional information are available on the EPA website.
Completed Excavation of Car Scrapping Area 3
The soil excavation and backfilling work at Car Scrapping Area 3 has been completed. Backfilling occurs after sampling results are used to clear excavated grids, showing that contaminated soil was removed. The remaining work to be done in Car Scrapping Area 3 is restoring a stormwater culvert.
Structure Cleanings Are Ongoing
Many residents have taken advantage of the structure cleaning program, which began in August to address concerns about dust generated by the cleanup work. 26 homes have been cleaned as part of the program as of Saturday, September 16.
The Look Ahead
At the Derailment Site
- Sitewide characterization will continue in areas near the derailment location where equipment, materials, and debris were handled as part of the overall emergency response.
- Sampling results from the on-site wastewater treatment system show treated wastewater can be disposed of off-site as non-hazardous. Each tank of treated wastewater is sampled before being shipped off-site.
- Excavations in the South Ditch and Car Scrapping Area 4 will continue.
- Shipments of excavated soil for off-site disposal will continue.
- Some shipments of untreated, hazardous wastewater will continue.
In the Greater Community
- Upcoming road closure:Beginning on September 25, North Pleasant Drive will be closed from East Martin to Taggart Street for approximately 10 days. The closure will allow for sheet piling installation and the excavation of contaminated soil underneath the road. Trucks that currently use North Pleasant Drive for off-site shipments will be re-routed down East Martin to the James Street railroad crossing. Area residents may notice increased truck traffic along the temporary route. The road will be restored once the work is completed.
- Indoor cleaning of eligible homes and businesses and pre-cleaning interviews will continue.
- Stationary and mobile air monitoring continues around the community and within the derailment site.
Community Corner
Upcoming community canvassing
EP Strong
Teams of community members are going door-to-door to make sure you are connected!
Volunteers with local churches and The Way Station will be going door-to-door in East Palestine on October 12 and 13 to check in with residents and discuss available resources related to the train derailment response.
Be on the lookout for more information about this canvassing effort and how you can volunteer to help!
Did you know?
Ecological Assessments in Surface Waters
Ohio EPA is overseeing an assessment of surface water that may have been affected by the train derailment. Biological sampling assesses fish, habitat, macroinvertebrate and native mussel communities in surface waters. Fish and habitat sampling is complete in Leslie Run and will continue in Bull Creek and North Fork Little Beaver Creek. Macroinvertebrate sampling efforts have started and will continue through the end of September. Mussel surveys in Bull Creek and North Fork Little Beaver Creek are dependent on water levels which remain high after recent rain events.
Site Status Check as of September 15
- EPA Community Welcome Center: over 1040 visitors
-
North Track: In operation
South Track: In operation -
Leslie Run:Stream monitoring is ongoing
Sulphur Run:Stream monitoring is ongoing -
115,797 est. tons of solid waste shipped offsite
Top 3 Questions of the Week
Safety Minute
It’s back to school time! As the fall begins, it’s a good idea to review basic school bus safety tips with your family. When you’re driving, remember to always stop for school buses when
their red lights are flashing and the stop arm opens, which indicates that children are getting on or off the bus.
Talk about bus safety with your kids and remind them to play it SAFE:
• Stay at least ten feet from the curb.
• Always wait for the bus to completely stop before boarding.
• Face forward when seated.
• Exit the bus only after it has stopped completely.
Learn more tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Upcoming Community Events
East Palestine Clinic
- Location: 139 N. Walnut St., East Palestine, OH 44413
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Same day appointments available
- Phone: 330-362-4920
EPA Welcome Center:
- Location: 25 N. Market St., East Palestine OH 44413
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Sunday Closed
- Phone: 330-775-6517
Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center:
- Location: 191 E. Rebecca St., East Palestine, OH 44413
- Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10:00a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Wednesday 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday Closed
- Phone: 800-230-7049
Stay Informed
EPA will be releasing weekly short videos call “This Week at E.P.” to share what work will be occurring on site in the upcoming week. You can find them on our website: East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment Videos
Follow the EPA Great Lakes Facebook and Twitter pages for social media updates on the ongoing cleanup and other EPA activities in your region.