Trump approves federal emergency declaration for Potomac River sewage spill | Washington DC
Donald Trump on Saturday approved a federal emergency declaration over a break in the sewer main north of Washington, D.C., threatening to stink up the 250th anniversary celebrations in the U.S. capital this summer.
“The President’s action authorizes Fema to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the distress and suffering inflicted by the emergency on local populations and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, protect property, public health and safety, and reduce the threat of disaster.” a version Statement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Millions of gallons of raw, untreated sewage are spilling into the Potomac River following the explosion of the 72-inch Potomac Interceptor pipe last month. Washington Post in question: “Raw sewage flowed toward the capitol in what is now one of the largest sewage spills in U.S. history.”
Earlier this month, local utility company DC Water estimated that 243 million gallons of wastewater leaked from 54 miles (87 km) of line before a temporary bypass was installed.
Saturday’s emergency declaration allows Fema to mobilize to support cleanup and recovery efforts in Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas of Maryland and Virginia. Sewage leaks have led to environmental concerns, recreational recommendations and increasing questions about infrastructure maintenance.
On Wednesday, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a local public emergency. Bowser also wrote a letter to Trump asking him to declare a major disaster for Washington. Leakage has reached dangerous levels to parcel Bacteria in the Potomac and the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment recommend avoiding contact with the river.
Trump blamed local and state officials for the spill and called it an “ecological disaster,” directing federal officials to “protect” the Potomac. But authorities are wrangling over which agency or organization is responsible.
Jay Apperson, spokesman for the Maryland Department of the Environment. he told The Hill “Although the portion of pipe that broke is in Maryland, DC Water owns and operates the Potomac Interceptor and is regulated and inspected by the federal government, specifically the U.S. EPA,” he said in an email. [Environmental Protection Agency]”.
“Also, although the interceptor is in the State of Maryland, the breakout is more precisely within the C&O Canal National Historical Park, which is National Park Service property,” he added.
Trump wrote at Truth Social On Tuesday, Bowser, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger formed a network saying they “must take IMMEDIATE action” and said the federal government could “solve” the problem.
This came after Moore, a Democrat, blamed Trump for the leak.
“The President’s facts are wrong again. For the last century, the federal government has been responsible for the Potomac Interceptor, the source of the sewer spill. Over the last four weeks, the Trump Administration has failed to act, shirking its responsibility and putting people’s health at risk,” said Ammar Moussa, the governor’s spokesman.
