Biden executive order will create FEMA Disaster Recovery Coordinator for East Palestine recovery

President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed an executive order to create a coordinator to work with state and local governments and Norfolk Southern Railroad to monitor long-term recovery efforts following the February train derailment and hazardous materials spill in East Palestine. Thirty-eight cars of a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying several types of chemicals ruptured and caught fire, affecting the eastern Ohio city and nearby communities. The continued environmental cleanup of the site has included disposal of contaminated soil and water and monitoring of the air, soil and water for remaining dangerous contaminants. The executive order directs the following federal agency actions: Federal Emergency Management Agency Within five days of the executive order, FEMA will designate a Federal disaster recovery coordinator to oversee long-term recovery efforts in the affected communities. The coordinator will conduct a comprehensive assessment of any unmet needs that are not addressed by Norfolk Southern and would qualify for Federal assistance. The coordinator will also collaborate with the federal, state and local governments, the private sector and voluntary, faith-based and community organizations supporting the recovery. Ohio's request for a major disaster declaration pursuant to the Stafford Act will be held open. If the FEMA Administrator receives new information from the state, including needs that are not being addressed by Norfolk Southern, she will immediately submit a recommendation on whether a major disaster declaration is warranted. Environmental Protection Agency EPA will continue to direct removal of contaminated soils and wastewater from the derailment site, in compliance with state and Federal law. In addition, EPA will ensure that any remaining contamination in surface stream sediments is addressed and that air and water monitoring will continue. Within 30 days, EPA will provide a report to the President on the status of air, soil, and water monitoring and whether Norfolk Southern continues to comply with the Federal Unilateral Administrative Order to address the imminent and substantial endangerment caused by the company's derailment. Moving forward, EPA will provide the President with an updated report every 60 days until all cleanup, assessment, and monitoring work required by EPA's Order has been completed. Health and Human Services Administration Within 60 days, HHS will provide the President with a report summarizing key conclusions from the public health testing and assessment that has been conducted to date, and the resources HHS and the CDC have provided to address any health conditions related to the derailment. In coordination with the affected States, HHS will continue to monitor the public health consequences of the derailment, including determining whether any acute medical conditions develop. If such medical conditions develop, HHS and EPA will each evaluate whether a public health emergency should be declared. HHS will provide technical assistance to Ohio and Pennsylvania in the event that either state considers submitting a proposal for services through the Medicaid program for individuals affected by the derailment. Department of Transportation Within 60 days, DOT will provide the president with a report detailing the actions the department is taking in response to the East Palestine train derailment. This report will be updated within 120 days of the final National Transportation Safety Board investigation, and DOT will provide the president a preliminary set of follow-on actions to ensure accountability.