TORNADO TOUCH DOWNS, EXTENSIVE DAMAGE REPORTED IN CHICAGO AREA

ABC7Chicago.com

Multiple tornadoes touched down in the Chicago area recently, causing considerable damage to homes, businesses leaving behind widespread destruction to residences, commercial establishments, and vehicles. A string of tornadoes were spotted on the ground in various locations, including Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, where numerous warehouses on the west side of the airport were damaged.

Substantial home damage was reported west of South Elgin and surrounding areas. Large trees were snapped and car windows blown out, illustrating how powerful the tornado was. Elsewhere roofs were blown from several homes in Countryside, also located in Cook County.

NATIONAL GRID TO PAY $5.38M FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY GLOUCESTER GAS LIGHT COMPANY

WesternDredging.org

National Grid has agreed to pay $5.38 million to state and federal agencies due to claims over environmental damage caused by the Gloucester Gas Light Company. From 1854 to 1952 hazardous chemicals were released by the plant contaminating soil, groundwater, and sediment in Gloucester Harbor. The plant was in the business of transforming coal and oil into gas leaving tar, sludge, and oil as byproducts. Of the settlement $5.3 million will be used of restoration projects implemented by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, officials said.

MAN ACCUSED OF CAUSING $14M IN DAMAGES BY FLOODING S.F. HIGH-RISE WANTS CHARGES CUT

www.SFChronicle.com

Michael Nien lived on the 15th floor of a 28-story residential tower at 100 Van Ness. According to police reports, in October 2022 he allegedly ran down the hallways of the building banging on doors. He then stopped on the 11th floor and twisted open a high-pressure fire hose valve causing water to flood through hallways and seep into hundreds of apartments below resulting in $14 million worth of damages.

Nien was charged with felony vandalism and resisting arrest. His attorney has filed a motion to reduce charges from a felony to misdemeanor. Developer Oz Erickson and Emerald Fund associate Brynn McKiernan argued that the felony charges should stick due to the damages and the 260 residents who had to relocate for three months while the building was repaired.

6 MILES OF CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER CLOSED AHEAD OF HOLIDAY WEEKEND DUE TO E. COLI CONTAMINATION

www.WSBTV.com

A sewage discharge has caused the closure of a six-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River in Roswell, Georgie due to E. coli contamination. E. coli is the common name for various strains of bacteria.

Jason Ulseth, a member of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper says that contamination was found on June 29th at the bottom of the riverbed. Additionally, portions of disintegrated toilet paper were seen floating in the area according to Ulseth. Crews have been tracking and sampling the contamination for over a week. Ulseth says it is difficult to know when the closure will be lifted.

‘FOREVER CHEMICALS’ ARE IN FORT WORTH’S DRINKING WATER

www.DallasNews.com

In March 2023 the Environmental Protection Agency proposed the first-ever national drinking water standard for six perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS. Under these rules public water utilities such as Fort Worth’s water department will be required to monitor for the 6 chemicals in the PFAS family.

Fort Worth plans to initiate monthly testing starting July 2023 in addition to federally mandated testing that started January 2023. City staff plans to pursue any grant money and low-interest loans available to fund “treatability studies.” These studies would explore a possible engineering processes to treat PFAS such as carbon absorption, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange.

ATTORNEY GENERAL BROWN SUES 3M, DUPONT, AND OTHER CHEMICAL MANUFACTURERS FOR PFAS CONTAMINATION OF MARYLAND’S WATERS AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES

www.MilitaryPoisons.org

3M, Dupont, and other chemical manufacturers of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are being sued by Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. The two lawsuits filed allege that these corporations have caused PFAS contamination of the State’s environment and put the health of Maryland’s residents at risk.

PFAS exposure has been linked to diseases such as kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and low birth weight, and may also impair the immune system, including the immune response to vaccines.

The two lawsuits seek to recover damages as well as the costs associated with the investigation, cleanup, and restoration of natural resources from PFAS contamination.

ROLLING HILLS CALIFORNIA LANDSLIDE WIPED OUT $1 MILLION+ HOMES

www.WFLX.com

Multiple homes in Rolling Hills Estates were damaged in the aftermath of a massive landslide. Evacuation orders for 16 residents were issued by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, leaving residents with 20 minutes to collect their belongings and evacuate. No injuries were reported but a dozen homes were totaled.

Officials are waiting on geologists to determine what caused the landslide. The Rolling Hills Estates City Council is expected to declare a local state emergency and the Los Angeles County assessor pledged support to impacted residents through reassessing property values and lowering or eliminating their property tax.

SEVERE STORM RIPS ROOF OFF NORTH HUDSON APARTMENT BUILDING

www.Fox9.com

Approximately 14,000 families lost power, as a result of a severe storm across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. About 5,000 families were out of power after the storm subsided. The storm uprooted trees, snapped them in half, warped trampolines, and left piles of hail.

Ed Ratledge was asleep on the couch in his apartment when, “Both bedrooms, ceiling came down, completely straight down”…“If I would've been sleeping in the bedroom, the whole thing would've came down on me”.

Suzanne, another resident impacted by the storm said that it, “Seemed to come out of nowhere. Suddenly there's wind and hail. I thought our windows were gonna blow in,”…”Things just flying everywhere, so scariest storm I've been in a very long time”.

BEACH CLOSURES IN NEW ENGLAND BECAUSE OF CONTAMINATION

www.Boston.com

Beaches across New England are being closed or placed under an advisory because of high levels of contamination. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported that 78 public beaches were closed. In New Hampshire, nearly a dozen beaches and bodies of water were placed under some sort of advisory. In Maine, 8 beaches closed due to contamination. In Vermont, 10 State Parks did not allow swimming.

Heavy rainfall was linked to flooding, contamination, and agricultural runoff into lakes, ponds, and coastal waters. The contamination in most of the closures is from high levels of E. coli associated with waste; however, other closures were for algae blooms, which can be toxic. Exposure from swimming in contaminated waters can cause skin rashes, gastrointestinal and respiratory issues.

Massachusetts officials are being called on by environmental groups to take control of sewage overflows and pollution runoff. According to the Environmental Massachusetts Research & Policy Center, last year 274 Massachusetts beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one testing day.

ST. PAUL APARTMENT FIRE DISPLACES 30 RESIDENTS, MAY HAVE BEEN SPARKED BY FIREWORKS

BringMeTheNews.com

A grass fire at an apartment building in St. Paul resulted in the response of 12 fire companies, 4 fire chief officers, 2 ambulances, and over 60 fire department personnel. The apartment building was damaged, but no injuries were reported.

The fire was likely caused by fireworks, which investigators found firework debris near the origin point. Furthermore, residents recalled hearing fireworks shortly before the flames began. As a result of the fire, residents of the complex were displaced, and the Department of Safety and Inspections condemned all 17 units in the building. The Red Cross responded to provide assistance.

CONTAMINATION PILES FROM MINING NEAR CUBA, NEW MEXICO TO BE CLEANED

www.KRQE.com

Two contaminated sites at the Nacimiento Mine near Cuba, New Mexico are the focus of cleanup plans. The South Ore Pile and Heap Leach Pile are part of the abandoned copper Mine that was operational from 1970 to 1975.

Work at the Mine resulted in approximately 100,000 cubic yards of low-grade ore contaminating the South Ore Pile. Additionally, during its operation for in-situ mining, contamination spread to the nearby aquifer, resulting in a water treatment plant continuous work to address the groundwater contamination.

Williams Express, the responsible party for the cleanup and is working to excavate, remove, consolidate, and cap the contaminating materials. Cleanup is expected to be completed by November 2023.

COLOMBIANS LIVING BY A “TOXIC” LANDFILL

www.GlobalWitness.org

The rural community of Patio Bonito, near Barrancabermeja in Colombia, suffers from pollution caused by a landfill established in 2015. The landfill is currently operated by French company Veolia, but a report from human rights group Global Witness suggests that corporate mismanagement, both by the previous operator Rediba and Veolia, contributed to the contamination. The landfill has led to environmental damage, affecting water, food sources, and marine ecosystems, as well as causing health issues among residents.

Global Witness urges Veolia to take urgent action to address the harms suffered by the community and environmental defenders who have spoken out against the landfill. Community concerns include documented die-offs of fish and wildlife, as well as health impacts on residents. Reports suggest a link between the landfill and rare birth defects and skin conditions among children in the area.

Veolia denies disregarding environmental laws and claims to operate with respect for human rights and environmental regulations. Despite the threats and challenges faced by activists and community members, some individuals remain determined to continue advocating for nature protection and human rights.

FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATORS BUST UTAH REAL ESTATE SCHEME FOR $16.7 MILLION

TheGroupSLC.com

The Federal Trade Commission and Utah regulators have reached a historic damage settlement against Response Marketing Group, a Utah-based real estate investment firm. They have agreed to pay $15 million and are banned from selling money-making opportunities. The lawsuit accused the company of using false promises to sell expensive real estate investment training programs.

Response Marketing attracted consumers through free events nationwide, promising access to tools for successful real estate investing. However, they deceptively pitched additional costly training programs, resulting in most consumers not becoming successful investors or recouping their expenses.

The settlement involves Response Marketing's affiliates and four individuals allegedly owning the company. The company must pay consumers $15 million in redress, and failure to do so will result in an additional $15 million in civil penalties payable to the Utah DCP. This settlement is Utah's largest consumer protection division settlement, holding Response Marketing and its affiliates accountable for harming consumers across the country.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION LIABILITY UNDER COMMERCIAL LEASES

Brodies.com

Environmental clauses in commercial leases are increasing. Single let properties often hold tenants liable for contamination, while multi-let buildings may make landlords responsible.

Pre-existing contamination can pose complex issues, leading to confusion over responsibility. Landlords may mistakenly assume that once a property is leased, environmental liability transfers entirely to the tenant. However, this is not always the case, as some clauses only cover specific statutory regimes initiated by local authorities.

Claims from third parties or other environmental legislation may still land at the landlord's doorstep. Tenants may negotiate specific clauses to address liability. Landlords may have to agree to assume liability for pre-existing contamination, depending on the property's nature and location.

GOVERNOR ABBOTT ISSUES STORM DAMAGE DISASTER DECLARATION FOR CAMERON COUNTY

www.NewsChannel10.com

Governor Greg Abbott announced a disaster declaration for Cameron County due to severe storms and a tornado causing property damage.

Texans impacted by the storm can report damages through the iSTAT damage survey to determine eligibility for federal assistance. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is providing ongoing assistance in Cameron County, supporting the community as they move forward from this storm.

Governor Abbott directed the TDEM to collaborate with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for joint disaster damage assessments. This partnership aims to ascertain the state's eligibility for federal disaster assistance. Texans can self-report property damage using iSTAT at damage.tdem.texas.gov.

TDEM continues to have recovery personnel actively engaged in Cameron County, supporting local officials and the community in their efforts to recover from the storm's impact. A Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) is now open in Cameron County to provide disaster recovery information from local, state, and nonprofit partners.

EPA ANNOUNCES LATEST ACTION TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES FROM COAL ASH CONTAMINATION

www.TampaBay.com

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken action to safeguard communities from the risks posed by coal ash disposal. Coal ash, a byproduct of burning coal in power plants, can contain contaminants like mercury and arsenic. The goal is to protect communities already burdened by pollution.

The proposed rule would require proper closure and remediation of inactive coal ash surface impoundments, addressing a federal regulatory gap identified in 2018. Additionally, certain protections from EPA’s coal ash regulations will be applied to areas outside of regulated units where coal ash has been disposed.

GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION NEAR SHAW AIR FORCE BASE RAISES CONCERN

www.WLTX.com

Shaw Air Force Base has taken steps to address environmental concerns arising from groundwater contamination. The contamination, caused by firefighting foam used in previous training exercises, has impacted neighboring communities, prompting the base to monitor water sources since 2018.

The pollution stems from historical operations at the base, and its effects have led to the delivery of bottled water to affected neighborhoods. Plans are now underway to potentially install new water systems to mitigate the issue. In March, the EPA proposed a standard (a maximum contaminant level), but it is not finalized or established nationally.

BOMBS IN A SWAMP: ROBESON COUNTY RESIDENTS BATTLING PROPOSAL FOR PRIVATE MILITARY TRAINING SITE

NCNewsline.com

In Southern Robeson County, a 610- acre swamp near Rowland has become the center of a complex proposal. Alottabang, LLC, seeks to establish an explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) training facility for the military and police on this site, involving disarming and detonating of bombs.

The detonation of bombs in the swamp could contaminate groundwater, creeks, and rivers, endangering drinking water supplies for countless residents in the area and potentially extending into neighboring South Carolina. Public safety and health concerns further escalate the situation, as the proximity of the facility to residental areas raises fears about potential accidents and potential contamination to both people and wildlife.

METHAMPHETAMINE CONTAMINATION FORCES THE CLOSURE OF MOUNTAIN METRO LOBBY AND RESTROOMS AT DOWNTONW COLORADO SPRINGS TERMINAL

www.KKTV.com

The Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT) states that the lobby and restrooms at their Downtown Terminal will be closed until further notice due to methanphetamine contamination. To address the problem, MMT plans to hire a remediation contractor certified by the State of Colorado. Once the remediation work is completed, the facility will undergo testing again, ensuring that it meets the state standards and is safe for public use.

The issue of methanphetamine contamination is not unique to MMT’s Downtown Terminal. It appears that several libraries across the state of Colorado have also faced closures due to methanphetamine contamination in the past. “Mountain Metro is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its riders, drivers, and staff,” said Acting Transit Services Manager Lan Rao. 

CALIFORNIA PROPOSES FUNDING TO CLEAN LEAD FROM TOXIC PARKWAYS

www.LATimes.com

California state officials recently announced that the state budget proposal commits $67 million to clean thousands of lead-contaminated parkways in front of homes, schools and parks near the former Exide battery smelter in southeast Los Angeles County. The funding will come from fees the state collects on car battery purchases.

Over the course of several decades, the plant released substances like lead and arsenic into the environment. As a result, a substantial number of properties, estimated to be around 10,000 within a radius of 1.7 miles from the plant, may have been impacted by the contamination, according to the state’s assessment. In such situations, remediation efforts can involve testing, cleanup, and potentially even relocation or compensation for affected residents.