WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. and Ohio EPA Offcials testified before Valley Congressman, Bill Johnson in the House of Representatives regarding the East Palestine train derailment disaster Tuesday morning.

U.S. EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore and Ohio EPA Director, Anne Vogel testified and discussed exactly what they've been doing in response to the derailment.

Both Vogel and Shore said they've been working hard to hold Norfolk Southern accountable and are continuing air, soil and water testing and are continuing the removal and dispoal process of contaminated soil.

In his opening statement, Congressman Johnson described the soil removal and disposal process as a "bumpy road."

"As we speak, there is a many thousands of tons toxic dirt pile still sitting there very slowly being trucked out because the proper legal certified disposal process was turned into political football," Johnson said.

Johnson questioned Shore regarding an incident in which an authorized waste disposal facility prohibited the disposal of the contaminated soil turning trucks around at the gate.

Shore claimed this incident occurred before the EPA assumed responsibility under the unilateral order for facilities not to deny soil. However, Congressman Johnson disagreed.

"I was there when that order was given, and it was a couple of weeks later before those trucks were turned around," Johnson said.

According to Shore, at this point, the emergency response period has transitioned to a remediation period and the EPA's current goal is to "compel Norfolk Southern to do the job of cleaning up the mess it made."

The EPA indents to continue air, water and soil testing programs for years to come after the initial cleanup.

Director Vogel told Congress that Ohio EPA's priority continues to be removing the contaminated water and soil from East Palestine and that she expects this process to take at least two more months as soil and track removal continues.

The railroad will not be allowed to rebuild the tracks until Ohio EPA confirms that all contaminated soil has been removed.

Ohio EPA is currently conducting weekly water testing, as well as testing four sentinel wells located between the contaminated creeks. Test results have not shown any contamination related to the derailment.

"We know [Leslie Run and Sulphur Run] are contaminated, but we were encouraged that earlier this month, we found sensitive aquatic life such as hellbender salamanders downstream of the derailment," Vogel said.

Columbiana County General Health District Health Commander, Dr. Wesley Vins addressed resident concerns of short term health conditions such as sore throats and headaches, as well as long term health concerns such as cancers.

Vins says anyone concerned about any of these symptoms or conditions should visit the East Palestine health clinic currently located at the First Church of Christ near downtown East Palestine.

"The temporary services include a completion of an assessment of chemical exposure or ACE survey with a registered nurse during a one-hour evaluation prior to a physical exam conducted by a physician. Toxicology and stress counseling are also available," Dr. Vins said.

According to Representative, Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, this will not be the last hearing of this kind promising that next time, representatives from Norfolk Southern will be there to testify.