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Daily Update: EPA Cleanup Continues in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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Daily Update: EPA Cleanup Continues in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
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DALLAS, TEXAS (October 12, 2025) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), continues to lead the cleanup of the impacted area in Roseland, Louisiana, following a fire at the Smitty's Supply facility on August 24.
Response by the Numbers:
-10,496,703 gallons of liquid wastes recovered
-6,648,705 gallons of liquid wastes removed for disposal
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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Daily Update: EPA Cleanup Continues in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
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DALLAS, TEXAS (October 12, 2025) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), continues to lead the cleanup of the impacted area in Roseland, Louisiana, following a fire at the Smitty's Supply facility on August 24.
Response by the Numbers:
-10,496,703 gallons of liquid wastes recovered
-6,648,705 gallons of liquid wastes removed for disposal
-22,400 feet of containment boom laid
-4938 bales of sorbent material
-Over 450 EPA and contractor personnel deployed
Accomplishments to date include extinguishing the fire and stabilizing the facility to prevent leaks; installing earthen dams, booms, and rainwater collection 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.
EPA is continuing to conduct additional sampling of the river, ponds, and ditches in the area to increase the amount of information and data we have about the range of pollutants that are present in the water and sediment.
EPA and its partner agencies continue to engage with Smitty's Supply to ensure the cleanup activities conducted at the facility remain efficient and complimentary of cleanup efforts in the drainage ditches, ponds, and the river.
Cleanup Operations
EPA response personnel continue to oversee the recovery of oily waste from the ditches on the perimeter of the facility and Highway 10. Impacted soil and vegetation is being removed and will be shipped off for disposal at approved, permitted disposal facilities.
EPA continues to flush the stormwater run-off channels in the facility to remove oily waste and debris. Other facility operations include the decanting of product within frac tanks - or the separation of collected oily wastes from water - and discharging the water into the ponds. Empty frac tanks are decontaminated and demobilized from the site.
Working with Our Partners
EPA and the LDEQ are jointly responding to questions and concerns submitted by the community via LDEQ's hotline. Both agencies are coordinating efforts to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent information is provided, reflecting a unified approach to addressing community needs.
Yesterday, EPA and LDEQ, with support from the United States Coast Guard, investigated a possible sheen sighting that was determined to be normal biological material. EPA continues to investigate reports of sheen in the river and Lake Pontchartrain.
Community Engagement
EPA has met with over 1,900 community members and answered their questions at regular office hours and events that have taken place since September 12. EPA is also continuing to go door-to-door to engage with residents in Roseland.
EPA has interacted with 244 residents through its door-to-door efforts since October 5.
Residents are invited to continue engaging with our response staff at the upcoming events listed below.
Community Office Hours:
-Hammond Northshore Regional Air Show: Sunday, October 12, 8 am - 5 pm
-House of the Rock Church: Sunday, October 12, 9:45 am - 11 am
Online Resources
Visit EPA's response website for regular updates, including sampling results, cleanup progress, field photos, and an interactive story map: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire Exit EPA's website.
Social Media Highlights
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook Exit EPA's website, X Exit EPA's website, Instagram Exit EPA's website.
Facebook:
U.S. EPA South Central Region: EPA continues on-the-ground outreach in Tangipahoa Parish, with updated times and locations for community office hours supporting residents affected by the Smitty's Supply fire. See the times and locations for today!
For more updates please follow: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire Exit EPA's website
CLICK HERE TO READ AND SHARE Exit EPA's website.
U.S. EPA South Central Region: On October 11, EPA received a report from Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality of oily product in the Tangipahoa River, south of Lee's Landing. EPA sent reconnaissance teams down-river to investigate. Fortunately, no pockets of oily product were found, but out of caution, EPA deployed absorbent boom in suspected areas to catch any potential material that could travel past Lee's Landing. Since day one, EPA has been fulfilling its mission to protect human health and the environment, and we continue to do that here in Louisiana for the Tangipahoa Parish community. Stay up to date with the latest information about the Smitty's Supply Fire Response: www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire Exit EPA's website
CLICK HERE TO READ AND SHARE. Exit EPA's website
X:
@EPA Region 6 : EPA continues on-the-ground outreach in Tangipahoa Parish, with updated times and locations for community office hours supporting residents affected by the Smitty's Supply fire. See the times and locations for today!
For more updates please follow: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire Exit EPA's website
CLICK HERE TO READ AND REPOST Exit EPA's website.
@EPA Region 6: On October 11, EPA received a report from Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality of oily product in the Tangipahoa River, south of Lee's Landing. EPA sent reconnaissance teams down-river to investigate. Fortunately, no pockets of oily product were found, but out of caution, EPA deployed absorbent boom in suspected areas to catch any potential material that could travel past Lee's Landing. Since day one, EPA has been fulfilling its mission to protect human health and the environment, and we continue to do that here in Louisiana for the Tangipahoa Parish community. Stay up to date with the latest information about the Smitty's Supply Fire Response: www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire Exit EPA's website
CLICK HERE TO READ AND REPOST Exit EPA's website
Media Availability
For interview requests or to coordinate site visits, contact Edward Mekeel at mekeel.edward@epa.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/daily-update-epa-cleanup-continues-tangipahoa-parish-louisiana-6
Santee Sioux Nation Remains Under Manganese Drinking Water Advisory
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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Santee Sioux Nation Remains Under Manganese Drinking Water Advisory
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LENEXA, KAN. (OCT. 10, 2025) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 would like to clarify the following information after receiving community feedback on the status of the Santee Sioux Nation's drinking water advisory for manganese.
EPA's Oct. 2, 2025, press release does not change the status of the previously issued drinking water advisory for manganese, and the Santee Sioux Nation remains under a drinking
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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Santee Sioux Nation Remains Under Manganese Drinking Water Advisory
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LENEXA, KAN. (OCT. 10, 2025) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 would like to clarify the following information after receiving community feedback on the status of the Santee Sioux Nation's drinking water advisory for manganese.
EPA's Oct. 2, 2025, press release does not change the status of the previously issued drinking water advisory for manganese, and the Santee Sioux Nation remains under a drinkingwater advisory for manganese above the EPA Health Advisory levels.
Based on the EPA Health Advisory levels, Santee Sioux Nation issued public notices recommending that water from the public drinking water system not be consumed. The Tribe continues to supply residents with bottled water as an alternate water source, and water from the public drinking water system can be used for bathing and washing dishes and clothes.
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Visit the Region 7 Media page
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook and Instagram
Follow us on X: @EPARegion7
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/santee-sioux-nation-remains-under-manganese-drinking-water-advisory
SBA Relief Still Available to the Crow Tribe of Montana Private Nonprofits Affected by May Storm
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Relief Still Available to the Crow Tribe of Montana Private Nonprofits Affected by May Storm
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Special announcement
Senate Democrats voted to block a clean federal funding bill (H.R. 5371), leading to a government shutdown that is preventing the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from serving America's 36 million small businesses.
Every day that Senate Democrats continue to oppose a clean funding bill, they are stopping an estimated 320 small businesses
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Relief Still Available to the Crow Tribe of Montana Private Nonprofits Affected by May Storm
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Special announcement
Senate Democrats voted to block a clean federal funding bill (H.R. 5371), leading to a government shutdown that is preventing the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from serving America's 36 million small businesses.
Every day that Senate Democrats continue to oppose a clean funding bill, they are stopping an estimated 320 small businessesfrom accessing $170 million in SBA-guaranteed funding.
As a result of the shutdown, we wanted to notify you that many of our services supporting small businesses are currently unavailable. The agency is executing its Lapse Plan and as soon as the shutdown is over, we are prepared to immediately return to the record-breaking services we were providing under the leadership of the Trump Administration.
If you need disaster assistance, please visit sba.gov/disaster.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2025/10/10/sba-relief-still-available-crow-tribe-montana-private-nonprofits-affected-may-storm
SBA Relief Still Available to North Dakota Private Nonprofits Affected by June Storm
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Relief Still Available to North Dakota Private Nonprofits Affected by June Storm
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Special announcement
Senate Democrats voted to block a clean federal funding bill (H.R. 5371), leading to a government shutdown that is preventing the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from serving America's 36 million small businesses.
Every day that Senate Democrats continue to oppose a clean funding bill, they are stopping an estimated 320 small businesses from
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Relief Still Available to North Dakota Private Nonprofits Affected by June Storm
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Special announcement
Senate Democrats voted to block a clean federal funding bill (H.R. 5371), leading to a government shutdown that is preventing the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from serving America's 36 million small businesses.
Every day that Senate Democrats continue to oppose a clean funding bill, they are stopping an estimated 320 small businesses fromaccessing $170 million in SBA-guaranteed funding.
As a result of the shutdown, we wanted to notify you that many of our services supporting small businesses are currently unavailable. The agency is executing its Lapse Plan and as soon as the shutdown is over, we are prepared to immediately return to the record-breaking services we were providing under the leadership of the Trump Administration.
If you need disaster assistance, please visit sba.gov/disaster.
***
Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2025/10/10/sba-relief-still-available-north-dakota-private-nonprofits-affected-june-storm
SBA Disaster Relief Still Available to West Virginia Private Nonprofits
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Disaster Relief Still Available to West Virginia Private Nonprofits
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Special announcement
Senate Democrats voted to block a clean federal funding bill (H.R. 5371), leading to a government shutdown that is preventing the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from serving America's 36 million small businesses.
Every day that Senate Democrats continue to oppose a clean funding bill, they are stopping an estimated 320 small businesses from accessing $170
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Disaster Relief Still Available to West Virginia Private Nonprofits
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Special announcement
Senate Democrats voted to block a clean federal funding bill (H.R. 5371), leading to a government shutdown that is preventing the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from serving America's 36 million small businesses.
Every day that Senate Democrats continue to oppose a clean funding bill, they are stopping an estimated 320 small businesses from accessing $170million in SBA-guaranteed funding.
As a result of the shutdown, we wanted to notify you that many of our services supporting small businesses are currently unavailable. The agency is executing its Lapse Plan and as soon as the shutdown is over, we are prepared to immediately return to the record-breaking services we were providing under the leadership of the Trump Administration.
If you need disaster assistance, please visit sba.gov/disaster.
***
Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2025/10/10/sba-disaster-relief-still-available-west-virginia-private-nonprofits
National Postal Museum To Host Maynard Sundman Lecture
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The Smithsonian Institution National Postal Museum issued the following news release on Oct. 9, 2025:
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National Postal Museum To Host Maynard Sundman Lecture
David S. Ball Will Speak on "Astrophilately: Intersection of Space and Postal History"
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The Smithsonian's National Postal Museum will host the 22nd Maynard Sundman Lecture Thursday, Nov. 6, at 4 p.m. ET at the museum and also online on Zoom. Admission is free, but registration is required.
David Ball, astrophilatelist and NASA Solar System Ambassador, will discuss how personal stories, philately and rockets
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The Smithsonian Institution National Postal Museum issued the following news release on Oct. 9, 2025:
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National Postal Museum To Host Maynard Sundman Lecture
David S. Ball Will Speak on "Astrophilately: Intersection of Space and Postal History"
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The Smithsonian's National Postal Museum will host the 22nd Maynard Sundman Lecture Thursday, Nov. 6, at 4 p.m. ET at the museum and also online on Zoom. Admission is free, but registration is required.
David Ball, astrophilatelist and NASA Solar System Ambassador, will discuss how personal stories, philately and rocketsintertwine. For nearly 100 years, human ambitions to reach and explore space have been paired with philatelic aspirations. This intersection of space and postal history--astrophilately--uses philatelic material related to space exploration, including covers and their postmarks linking the date and location of key events in aerospace history, to tell stories of humankind's conquest of the heavens.
About David S. Ball
Ball is a recognized collector, exhibitor and author on aerophilately and astrophilately. His writings have been published in The American Philatelist (published by the American Philatelic Society), The Airpost Journal (published by the American Air Mail Society), The Israel Philatelist (published by the Society of Israel Philatelists), The Astrophile (published by the Space Unit Study Group), The Philatelic Exhibitor (published by the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors) and many others.
His book, American Astrophilately: The First Fifty Years, was nominated in 2010 for the American Astronautical Society's Eugene M. Emme Astronautical Literature Award, which recognizes the outstanding book that advances public understanding of astronautics. The book received a gold medal in the American Philatelic Society literature competition. With 14 contributors, the book introduces astrophilately and some of its specialties through a collection of essays and images.
Ball uses these philatelic materials in his capacity as a NASA Solar System Ambassador. This NASA program works with motivated volunteers across the nation to communicate the science and excitement of NASA's space exploration missions and discoveries with their communities. As an ambassador, Ball has hosted events at public libraries, Merrimack College and Framingham State University and its McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning.
Ball serves as U.S. delegate to the Astrophilatelic Section of the Federation Internationale de Philatelie (FIP) and is a nationally accredited philatelic judge with specializations in aerophilately, astrophilately and Holy Land, polar and postal history.
He is currently president of the American Air Mail Society. He is also active in the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors, the American Society of Polar Philatelists and the Society of Israel Philatelists, and is a 25-year member of the American Philatelic Society. He is also currently the awards chair and security manager on the organizing committee for the Boston 2026 World Expo.
Ball is a retired Air Force officer and health-care professional and was previously the executive director of the Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History in Weston, Massachusetts. He has been fascinated by space exploration since watching the Apollo astronauts walk on the face of the moon a half-century ago.
The public can visit the museum's website (https://postalmuseum.si.edu/maynard-sundman-lecture-series) for additional information and registration instructions.
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About the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
The National Postal Museum is devoted to presenting the colorful and engaging history of the nation's mail service and showcasing one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of stamps and philatelic material in the world. It is located at 2 Massachusetts Ave. N.E., Washington, D.C., across from Union Station. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). For more information about the Smithsonian, call (202) 633-1000 or visit the museum website.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/national-postal-museum-host-maynard-sundman-lecture-2
Daily Update: EPA Cleanup Continues in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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Daily Update: EPA Cleanup Continues in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
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DALLAS, TEXAS (Oct. 10, 2025) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to lead the cleanup of the impacted area in Roseland, Louisiana, following a fire at the Smitty's Supply facility on August 24.
Response by the Numbers:
-10,276,203 gallons of liquid wastes recovered
-6,360,375 gallons of liquid wastes removed for disposal
-22,400 feet of containment boom laid
-4,873 bales of sorbent material
-Over
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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Daily Update: EPA Cleanup Continues in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
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DALLAS, TEXAS (Oct. 10, 2025) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to lead the cleanup of the impacted area in Roseland, Louisiana, following a fire at the Smitty's Supply facility on August 24.
Response by the Numbers:
-10,276,203 gallons of liquid wastes recovered
-6,360,375 gallons of liquid wastes removed for disposal
-22,400 feet of containment boom laid
-4,873 bales of sorbent material
-Over450 EPA and contractor personnel deployed
Accomplishments to date include extinguishing the fire and stabilizing the facility to prevent leaks; installing earthen dams, booms and rainwater collection around the site to contain runoff; deployed boom and sorbent material in ponds and the Tangipahoa River to capture contaminated runoff; and increased the recovery rate of oily material.
EPA is also continuing to conduct additional sampling of the river, ponds, and ditches in the area to increase the amount of information and data we have about the range of pollutants that are present in the water and sediment.
EPA appreciates the continued coordination and response efforts of our state and local partners and the cooperation of residents as our recovery efforts continue.
Cleanup Operations
EPA's cleanup operations in the Tangipahoa River are focused on flushing oily waste in the river downstream to established collection points where it is removed and placed in containers for disposal. At the ponds, crews are working 24 hours a day to contain and recover oily wastes.
EPA has increased the efficiency of oil recovery with new equipment, including drum skimmers, rope skimmers, and five marsh excavators.
EPA crews at the Smitty's Supply response have been working to manage recent significant rainfall, including installing stormwater control measures, fortifying ditches, and building underflow dams to prevent material from reaching the river. The plan included a controlled release of stormwater from the Smitty's Supply facility to move across the road and into the ponds adjacent to the site. EPA operations crews confirmed runoff was contained to the ponds and did not reach the Tangipahoa River.
EPA continues to follow recommendations from the U.S. Coast Guard regarding safe boating operations, and as such, has paused work on the river due to high water conditions.
EPA and its supporting agencies, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, investigated a reported sheen south of Lee's Landing in the Tangipahoa River and Lake Pontchartrain using aerial drone overflights. There was no indication of sheen in the river, past EPA's containment booms, or on Lake Pontchartrain. EPA, the U.S Coast Guard, and LDEQ will continue to investigate reports of sheen associated with the Smitty's Supply fire response in the river and the lake.
For the safety of residents and response crews, operations at the facility and ponds require Highway 51 near the Smitty's facility to remain closed to allow the safe movement of trucks, rigs, frac tanks, and other large equipment. EPA appreciates the continued understanding and patience of residents in observing this important safety measure.
Community Engagement
EPA has met with over 1,500 community members and answered their questions at regular office hours and events. Residents are invited to continue engaging with our response staff at the upcoming events listed below.
Community Office Hours:
-Loranger High School football game: Friday, October 10, 6 - 7:30 pm
-Hammond Northshore Regional Air Show: Saturday, October 11, 8 am - 5 pm
-Roseland Dollar General: Saturday, October 11, 10 am - 5:30 pm
-Hammond Northshore Regional Air Show: Sunday, October 12, 8 am - 5 pm
-House of the Rock Church: Sunday, October 12, 9:45 am - 5 pm
Online Resources
Visit EPA's response website for regular updates, including sampling results, cleanup progress, field photos, and an interactive story map: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire Exit EPA's website.
Social Media Highlights
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook Exit EPA's website, X Exit EPA's website, Instagram Exit EPA's website.
Facebook:
U.S. EPA South Central Region: EPA continues on-the-ground outreach in Tangipahoa Parish, with updated times and locations for community office hours supporting residents affected by the Smitty's Supply fire. For more updates please follow: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire Exit EPA's website
CLICK HERE TO READ AND SHARE. Exit EPA's website
U.S. EPA South Central Region : EPA continues to conduct sampling of ditches, ponds and the Tangipahoa River at the Smitty's Supply Fire Response in Roseland, LA. The results will help us learn more about what pollutants could be in the water and sediment. To stay up to date with the latest information, visit: www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire Exit EPA's website.
CLICK HERE TO READ AND SHARE Exit EPA's website.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Daily Smitty's Supply Fire Response Update
For more information: https://spgv.io/6186B9B2 Exit EPA's website
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X:
@EPA: Daily Smitty's Supply Fire Response Update
For more information: https://spgv.io/6019B9Bv Exit EPA's website
CLICK HERE TO READ AND REPOST Exit EPA's website.
@EPA Region 6: EPA continues on-the-ground outreach in Tangipahoa Parish, with updated times and locations for community office hours supporting residents affected by the Smitty's Supply fire. For more updates please follow: https://www.epa.gov/smittys-supply-fire Exit EPA's website
CLICK HERE TO READ AND SHARE. Exit EPA's website
Media Availability
For interview requests or to coordinate site visits, contact Kellen Ashford at ashford.kellen@epa.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/daily-update-epa-cleanup-continues-tangipahoa-parish-louisiana-4
