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  • How long will it take?

    The expectation is for cleaning to take less than one day. The duration will be dependent on the size of the structure and the scope of work.

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  • Do I need to leave my structure during the cleaning?

    While it is strongly recommended that you leave the property during the cleaning, you are not required to do so.

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  • What is EPA’s role?

    EPA will provide oversight of the cleaning.

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  • What about cleaning basements or attics?

    Basements or attics will be considered for cleaning if they are finished and habitable areas.

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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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  • Will there be an increase in turbidity (cloudiness or muddiness) or silt in the streams?

    The increased flow from this work is expected to be minimal and should not impact turbidity or silt.

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  • Will returning the natural flow of water to Sulphur Run disturb areas with sheen?

    Conditions in the streams are much improved because of previous cleanup work conducted in 2023. Although oily sheens remain, they are settled in the sediment and do not impact surface water unless disturbed. The increased water flow to Sulphur Run will be minimal and is not expected to disturb sheen…

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  • Will there be photos and videos taken of my property?

    Yes, photos and videos of your property will be taken as a requirement of the program. This is done to ensure that the conditions of the property both pre- and post-cleaning are documented thoroughly.

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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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  • What is the status of the cleanup at the site?

    In October 2023, it was announced that the excavation work, which removed the known areas of contaminated soil at the derailment site, was complete. The soil double-check work has been ongoing for months and is expected to continue into the fall. The timeline of our expected completion plans for final…

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  • When can we access the streams again?

    The upcoming cleanup efforts will focus on oil-based compounds which, based on recent sampling, are the only derailment-related contaminants remaining in the creeks. Please obey all posted signage and continue to avoid access in Sulphur and Leslie Runs until further notice.

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  • What has changed?

    For the past several months as the collected wastewater has gone through the system, sample results have shown that the wastewater meets the standards set for vinyl chloride and other derailment-caused contaminants without treatment, meaning it can be disposed of as non-hazardous waste. Testing of the collected wastewater will continue…

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  • Why collect the rainwater and snowmelt around the derailment site?

    Until excavation work and confirmatory sampling are completed, any wastewater collected from the derailment site is considered a “listed hazardous waste” because it may have come into contact with vinyl chloride or other hazardous contaminants from the derailment. Even though the soil contamination has been removed, our double-check work is…

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  • Who will conduct the cleaning?

    Cleaning will be performed by workers contracted by Norfolk Southern who are trained and experienced with structure cleaning. Cleaning teams will wear the following: badges, identification clothing, safety vest, shoe covers, gloves (when appropriate for the task), and face coverings (upon request by the property owner or renter).

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  • How can we be assured that this cleaning will remove any persistent hazardous material or substances?

    Based on air monitoring and sampling conducted in and around the community, there is no evidence to suggest there is contamination of concern inside structures.

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