Statement of Congressman John D. Dingell, Ranking Member
Committee on Energy and Commerce

SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HEARING ON “HURRICANE KATRINA: ASSESSING
THE PRESENT ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS”

September 29, 2005

Mr. Chairman, it is very important for this Subcommittee to conduct meaningful oversight on the environmental and infrastructure issues associated with the post-hurricane rebuilding of this Nation’s Gulf Coast region, including New Orleans. The challenges are many and the resource needs in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are great.

This hearing is the first opportunity for the Committee Members to understand the status of assessments of (1) the contamination that has been released from Superfund sites; (2) contamination from underground storage tanks containing gasoline; (3) contamination from above ground storage tanks containing hazardous waste; and (4) chemical and petroleum spills. I, for one, have many questions as to the environmental consequences of this disaster. Are these assessments nearing completion? And if so, is there a comprehensive plan in place to expedite the necessary cleanup? What will be the cost? Will the long-term and short-term costs come from the Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA) Superfund budget, which is already under stress and seriously underfunded? Will other Superfund site cleanups around the country be further delayed because of personnel diversions to or funding needs of the Gulf Coast region?

In addition, hundreds of drinking water systems were knocked out. What is their operational status and the costs of repair? The American Water Works Association has preliminarily placed the cost of repairing affected public drinking water infrastructure at $2.25 billion. Will this money come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recovery fund or from EPA’s underfunded State Revolving Loan Fund?

We also know that the contaminated sediment problem is widespread -- particularly in the flooded areas. Initial tests have found fuel oil, E. coli, and chemical contaminants. When will comprehensive sampling and testing of a broad array of toxic chemicals be completed? How many private homes and businesses are affected by contaminated sediments? Is the EPA or other authorities allowing residents to return to their homes before contaminated sediment tests are concluded and analyzed? How are the health risks, and possible actions to reduce them, being communicated to residents?

Finally, is there a plan to establish a health registry for the first responders and citizens who may have the most exposure to the toxic floodwaters?

Mr. Chairman, thirty days have elapsed since the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. There still appear to be more questions than answers and much work to be done.

I look forward to the information and answers from our witnesses today. I welcome their testimony.

- 30 -

(Contact: Jodi Seth, 202-225-3641)