News Briefs: (1) EPA Extends Public Comment on Implementing Proposed Particle Standards; (2) EPA Posts Results of Additional Samples Taken at the Murphy Oil Site
*News Briefs *If you need more information on any of these subjects, call the listed Press Officer. For Release: (Washington, D.C. - April 5, 2006) *(1) EPA Extends Public Comment on Implementing Proposed Particle Standards * *(2) EPA Posts Results of Additional Samples Taken at the Murphy Oil Site* *(1) EPA Extends Public Comment on Implementing Proposed Particle Standards * Contact: John Millett, (202) 564-4355 / millett.john@epa.gov EPA is announcing a 90-day extension to the public comment period for its proposal on how best to implement any new standards that may result from the recently proposed revisions to the particulate matter air quality standards. EPA proposed revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter on Jan. 17, 2006. The comment period for the proposed revisions to the NAAQS for particulate matter has not changed and will close on April 17, 2006. On Feb. 9, 2006, EPA proposed an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comment on implementing the possible new standards. Since publication of the Feb. 9 notice, EPA has received several requests for additional time to submit comments on the implementation proposal. Therefore, the public comment period is being extended for 90 days and will now end on July 10, 2006, rather than on April 10, 2006. The purpose of the notice is to assure the public that EPA is aware of and is considering the multiple issues associated with implementing potential revised standards for fine particle pollution and new standards for coarse particles while recognizing that no final decision has been made whether or how to revise the current particulate matter standards. The notice announces that the agency will seek comment on key implementation issues to ensure that all points of view are considered by EPA. Additional information on the advance notice of proposed rulemaking (http://www.epa.gov/air/particlepollution/actions.html [ http://www.epa.gov/air/particlepollution/actions.html ]) Information on particle pollution (http://www.epa.gov/air/particlepollution [ http://www.epa.gov/air/particlepollution ]) *(2) EPA Posts Results of Additional Samples Taken at the Murphy Oil Site *Contact: Dale Kemery, (202) 564-4355 / kemery.dale@epa.gov* *On April 4, EPA updated its website to include the results from additional samples collected at the Murphy Oil Site. Pursuant to a FEMA mission assignment, US EPA is overseeing Murphy Oil's ongoing sampling activities of residential and other properties. Today EPA posted samples taken as part of two ongoing efforts. The first set of samples relates to ongoing activities to assess the level of contamination at residential and other sites. Ten percent of the samples Murphy collects are split between Murphy and EPA. EPA sends the split samples for independent analysis. Thus far, Murphy has collected 7473 sediment samples from 4424 properties. Of the 7473 sediment samples collected, US EPA has sent 776 split samples for separate analyses. US EPA has received, evaluated and is posting the results of the first 732 samples. Additional soil samples are taken after cleanup at each property to confirm that LDEQ's Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program (RECAP) Standards have been met. Ten percent of the confirmatory samples Murphy collects are split between Murphy and EPA. EPA sends the split samples for independent analysis. Thus far, US EPA has sent 22 split samples for separate analyses. US EPA has received, evaluated and is posting the results of 21 of these samples. The levels of compounds detected in the samples were below their respective RECAP standards. More information on these results (http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults/murphy/index.html [ http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults/murphy/index.html ]) R096 You can update or cancel your subscription at any time [ https://www.govdocs.com/service/user.html?code=USAEPA ]. You need only your e-mail address (and your password if you have selected one). This service is provided free of charge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If you have any questions or problems about this service, please contact help@govdelivery.com [ mailto:help@govdelivery.com ] for assistance. Sent by the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW . Washington DC 20460 . 202-564-4355