Press Release from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to oversee the Smitty’s Supply fire cleanup response being carried out by Smitty’s Supply and the State of Louisiana. Under a consent order with Smitty’s Supply, the company took over the cleanup of the facility on October 15. At the same time, EPA issued a Pollution Removal Funding Authorization (PRFA) to the State of Louisiana to continue cleanup efforts on the Tangipahoa River and nearby ponds under EPA oversight. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has been performing the cleanup of the river and ponds as the state on-scene coordinator, working under EPA as the federal on-scene coordinator.
On Friday, Tangipahoa Parish re-opened Highways 51 and 10. Motorists are advised by the parish to reduce speed and be aware of large vehicles coming from the site. Highway 10 may drop to one lane depending on the needs of current operations.
“With Tangipahoa Parish reopening the highways, the community takes a major step closer to getting back to a sense of normalcy after the Smitty’s Supply fire,” said Regional Administrator Scott Mason. “EPA appreciates the partnership with parish leadership, residents, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and other partner agencies as we worked together to protect human health and make significant progress on cleanup operations.”
Accomplishments to date at the Smitty’s Supply fire response include extinguishing the fire and stabilizing the facility to prevent leaks; building earthen dams, setting booms, and installing rainwater collection systems around the site to contain runoff; deploying boom and sorbent material in ponds and the Tangipahoa River to capture contaminated runoff; and increasing the recovery rate of oily material. To date, no oily waste has migrated off-site or the ponds during the cleanup, including during multiple rain events over the past several weeks.
EPA will continue to monitor progress and remains committed to working with LDEQ to protect the health and safety of the Tangipahoa Parish community.
Cleanup Operations impacting the Tangipahoa River, EPA established stormwater control measures, fortified ditches, and built underflow dams. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality will continue to evaluate and maintain these measures to ensure no oily waste from the ponds reach the Tangipahoa River.
Response by the Numbers
– 11,771,520 gallons of liquid wastes recovered*
– 8,015,983 gallons of liquid wastes removed for disposal*
– 103 EPA and contractor personnel deployed
– 279 LDEQ and contractor personnel deployed*
* based on daily amounts provided by LDEQ
Community Office Hours
EPA will continue to engage with community members at events and by going door-to-door.
-Dollar General Roseland, October 25, 11AM – 1PM
Community Engagement
EPA has met with over 2,800 community members throughout Tangipahoa Parish and answered their questions during established office hours and other events that have taken place since September 12.
EPA has interacted with 476 residents through its door-to-door efforts since October 5.
Online Resources
Visit EPA’s response website for sampling results, photos, an interactive story map, and updates on LDEQ’s cleanup progress: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire.
