Enforcement and Assistance in New England
Emergency Planning and Preparedness 2005 Year in Review
Environmental
emergencies involving the release, or threatened release, of oil,
hazardous materials or chemicals may potentially affect communities
and the surrounding environment. Releases may be accidental, as
in the case of a spill at a chemical plant, or may be deliberate,
as in the case of 9/11. Releases may also be caused by natural
disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and recent floods
in New England. The EPA-NE Emergency Planning & Community Right-To-Know
Team works with a variety of private and public entities to plan,
prevent and prepare for responding to spills, releases and other
environmental emergencies. To that end, the Team assists industries
in reporting chemical storage, activity, and releases; assists
state and local governments in developing and implementing preparedness
and emergency response plans; and provides individuals with “right-to-know” information
about toxic chemicals in their communities.