Page:EPA Responds to Puerto Rico Earthquakes; Assessing Sites and Facilities to Help the Puerto Rico Government.pdf/1



January 15, 2020

Contact Information Elias Rodriguez (rodriguez.elias@epa.gov) 212­-637-­3664

Brenda Reyes (reyes.brenda@epa.gov) 787­-977­-5869

San Juan, Puerto Rico The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responding to the recent series of damaging earthquakes in Puerto Rico. EPA is working under a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mission assignment focused on lending aid to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Puerto Rico government agencies as they assess water infrastructure. The agency is also using its own authorities to assess certain facilities and sites across Puerto Rico. EPA is conducting proactive and strategic engagement with its federal and public sector partners as well as the government of Puerto Rico while highlighting the foundation for a strong, resilient recovery that assures the protection of public health and the environment.

“Our hearts go out to all of those impacted in Puerto Rico, not only by the challenges these earthquakes pose, but by the ongoing recovery work from Hurricane Maria,” said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez. “EPA is fully committed to providing support to the government of Puerto Rico and assisting the communities impacted by these disasters.”

EPA is working in close coordination with the government of Puerto Rico using partnerships that were further strengthened during the response and long­term recovery from recent