U.S. EPA Heartland Region

Last week, EPA Region 7 staff visited the Santee Sioux Nation and Ponca Tribe of Nebraska for EPA Day.

At the Santee Sioux Nation Boys and Girls Club and Ponca Youth Camp, kids were able to visit booths from different EPA programs and participate in hands-on activities, learning about everything from water and air quality to pollinator protection and pollution cleanup.

In addition to EPA Day events, staff from our air and water programs conducted site visits, learning more about Tribal environmental priorities and finding opportunities for collaboration. Staff also had the opportunity to learn more about the history, culture, and traditions of both Tribal Nations, strengthening relationships and fostering mutual understanding.

Events like these encourage our youth to learn more about the environment, discover their unique talents and interests, and pursue careers in STEM fields!

Last week, EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Air Aaron Szabo visited the Region 7 office in Lenexa, Kansas.

Szabo met with staff for discussions regarding top-level agency policies and priorities.

Our Region 7 team uses many tools to protect public health here in the Heartland.

Recently, a cross-divisional team shared a presentation on how they partnered the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska to improve their drinking and wastewater systems, as well as their trash collection program. 🗑️

On Friday, EPA announced a $40 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan for South Sioux City, Nebraska, to support upgrades and expansions to its wastewater treatment facility.

This loan will help finance the city’s Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion Project, which will directly provide wastewater services to residential and commercial customers. The new facility will reduce costs for residents and businesses while protecting local waterbodies.

Read more here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-40-million-wifia-loan-expand-wastewater-services-northeastern-Nebraska.

Last week, EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy toured the on-site laboratory of the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) in St. Louis.

The facility represents a substantial cost and time savings for the Army Corps of Engineers’ St. Louis District. The lab tests samples locally, allowing for quicker soil, air, and water analysis at St. Louis remedial sites.

The North County Sites Community Advisory Group (CAG) is meeting tomorrow, Thursday, June 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Fire Station #3 of the Black Jack Fire Protection District.

An online option is available at the following link for those who will be joining virtually:
https://cbi-org.zoom.us/j/89527882167?jst=2 .

Meeting ID: 895 2788 2167
Passcode: nccag26

Last week, EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy viewed remediation work being done by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Cades Cove neighborhood of Florissant, Missouri.

The site is currently undergoing the excavation and removal of contaminated soil, with strict controls in place to prevent the spread of contamination. Air monitoring is also being conducted at the site to ensure the safety of both workers and the public.

Once remediation is complete, the land will be restored to a condition that meets the highest safety standards and returned to the homeowners.