The EPA says it’s making progress in the cleanup of the Tangipahoa River more than a month after the explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland. The update comes just days after Governor Landry took to social media to urge the EPA to pick up the pace. During a news conference, in which Landry attended, EPA Region Six Administrator Scott Mason says crews have cleaned up most of the oil that ended up in the waterways.
(infographic courtesy of United States Environmental Protection Agency)
“We’ve recovered over 4 million gallons of oily materials from the Tangipahoa River, and ponds, so we estimate that we’re 75% complete with the oily material recovery effort,” Mason said.
Mason says they’re also working to prevent additional oily materials from reaching the river or the ponds.
“We’ve deployed 22,400 feet of containment boom and 1,700 bales of sorbent pads that absorb these petroleum-based liquids,” Mason said.
Mason says they’re also working with state partners on soil sampling, working to determine whether there’s a risk to human health for farmers or other outdoor workers.
“All results are below EPA thresholds that would indicate increased risk to human health,” Mason stated.
