Ensuring the People of East Palestine Are Protected Now and in the Future
Headline: Federal Agencies Ordered to Support East Palestine Cleanup and Recovery
What it does: Agencies must use their authorities and resources to hold Norfolk Southern accountable, direct and carry out cleanup, monitor health and the environment, and support long-term recovery.
- Requires extensive removal of contaminated soil and wastewater from the derailment site.
- Imposes ongoing air, water, and soil monitoring and public health testing for residents.
- Pauses Ohio's disaster declaration while federal assessments identify unmet recovery needs.
Summary
This order directs federal agencies to hold Norfolk Southern fully accountable and to support cleanup and recovery after the February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The Environmental Protection Agency is leading removal of contaminated soils and wastewater under a legal order, while air, water, and soil monitoring continues.
The order requires agencies to provide technical and public health support, assess unmet needs beyond the cleanup, and oversee long-term recovery to protect residents' health and the community's future.
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