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  • Where can I find the East Palestine City Park soil sampling results?

    You can find East Palestine City Park soil sampling results at: East Palestine City Park soil sampling results

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  • What if there is a gap in coverage of the GLEJGP?

    EPA has set up national technical assistance centers (TCTACs), including one solely for tribes and tribal nations, that are geared towards communities. There are two in Region 5: one in Minneapolis and one in Chicago. The TCTACs are separate from this RFA ; however, they cover the entire Great Lakes…

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  • What were the results from the phase 1 of soil sampling?

    Phase 1 of soil sampling is complete, and we have received most of the preliminary data. The vast majority of results are within typical ranges for soil. Samples taken on private properties are all within typical soil levels, and only a few samples taken along public right-of-way (next to roads…

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  • What are the next steps?

    The sampling data will be evaluated to determine if additional sampling or other action is necessary (additional information will be made available soon). Evaluation of results and future sampling plans will guide EPA’s future work and environmental monitoring in the East Palestine area.

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  • How were soil sample locations chosen?

    The study area was determined based on evacuation zones, plume modeling, field observations, and areas most likely to be impacted by the vent and burn. Event Reconstruction Plume Map

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  • Does EPA have a minimum threshold/definition for the Regional scale program? In other words, what does Regional mean or is it open to applicants to determine at any scale?

    GLNPO wants to be extremely flexible and encourage PRs to think about which regions they could expect to effectively cover when creating their application. There are no additional criteria from EPA on how big or small the Project RFA should be.

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  • Where can I find soil sampling data and results?

    EPA will release validated (final) and non-validated (preliminary) soil sampling results from East Palestine and surrounding Ohio and Pennsylvania areas as they become available. As soon as the quality of non-validated preliminary data has been fully assessed and documented, EPA will post validated data on the East Palestine, Ohio Train…

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  • What do the symbols and words on my water well sampling results mean?

    One common symbol on results is μg/L, which stands for microgram per liter. This indicates the mass of a chemical in one liter of water. Columbiana County Health District has a guide to help understand terms in well sampling results reports. You can find the guide at Columbiana Health Data…

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  • Could a regional application, include an entire state?

    Yes, with the caveat that the entire state must fall within the historic bounds of the Great Lakes basin. For example, if the Principal Recipient is proposing a GLEJGP for the state of Illinois, projects may fall in the portion of the state within the Great Lakes basin, but not…

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  • What are soil sampling results compared to?

    Levels of contaminants in soils are compared to EPA regional screening levels and known typical concentration levels in soil. Screening levels are a tool that responders use to identify potential risks to human health and the environment and if there is a need for further investigation. Screening levels are health…

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  • What is the status of the soil sampling effort?

    As of early May 2023, 148 locations have been sampled. Each location includes a shallow sample (0-1 inch) and deeper sample (1-6 inches). The data were validated by experienced chemists to assess the quality of the preliminary data. During the data validation process, chemists check to see that the data…

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  • What chemicals did the soil sampling plan focus on?

    The soil sampling plan focused on determining if the area was impacted by soot and ash from the vent and burn and if the area was significantly impacted compared to areas not impacted by soot and ash. Samples were analyzed for semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and dioxins (including furans). To…

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  • Why was the well water priority zone boundary extended?

    The priority zones are extended to reflect additional testing done by Columbiana County Health District and Norfolk Southern. The purpose of this extension is to ensure that drinking water supplies downstream to the Ohio River are monitored. The extension is not due to any additional environmental or health concerns. As…

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  • Does funding through this grant include municipalities within the Chicago River watershed?

    Yes, including the historic Chicago River watershed.

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  • Will basin wide PR serve areas without a designated PR for smaller part of the region, or will their service areas overlap?

    If the Project RFA will be serving the entire basin, I.e., a basin-wide GLEJGP, this could be delegated within a coalition (if it is a coalition that has applied). Otherwise, the PR organization will be serving the entire basin. If there is a basin-wide PR as well as a smaller…

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