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Fact Sheet

September 2007

Removal Action to Begin at University of Nebraska ARDC, Former Nebraska Ordnance Plant, Mead, Nebraska

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 announces that work to remove wastes that were buried by the University of Nebraska in four areas at its Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC) in Mead should begin the week of September 10th. Cleanup work should last for about 8-12 weeks.

The University will excavate wastes buried in disposal trenches at Load Lines 1 and 2 of the Former Nebraska Ordnance Plant (NOP), and from trenches known as Burial Site “A” and Burial Site “D” located on the eastern side of the Former NOP.  Wastes including chemical wastes, low-level radiological wastes, and biological tissue wastes will be addressed during the cleanup work. Wastes from the trenches will be excavated, segregated at the excavation sites, packaged in sealed containers, and shipped to various permitted waste disposal facilities off-site.

Workers wearing protective equipment, including protective clothing, gloves and respirators will be directing the excavation work. Heavy equipment, such as trucks, excavators, and backhoes will be used to excavate and move contaminated material. Wastes will be temporarily stored at the excavation sites in various storage containers, including drums, sealed containers, and larger roll off containers prior to being shipped off site for disposal.   

The University will be conducting monitoring at the site to ensure that working conditions are safe and individuals near the cleanup areas are not exposed to hazardous substances. The areas surrounding the excavation sites will be fenced and secured during the course of work. The work will be conducted subject to a Removal Action Work Plan that has been approved by the EPA. The Work Plan is available in the Site Information Repositories.

Representatives from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services System, and the EPA will be overseeing the University's cleanup work. EPA held a public meeting in November 2006 to discuss this cleanup work.

BACKGROUND

The majority of the University waste disposal activities occurred during the late 1970s and into the 1980s. University wastes included chemical wastes, low-level radiological wastes, and biological tissue wastes.

Historical records indicate that the trenches at Load Line 1, the trench at Load Line 2, and Burial Site “D” contain low-level radiological waste.

There are two trenches at Load Line 1, which is located on the west side of the Site. Wastes that were buried include, radioactive liquid vials, solid radioactive wastes and other wastes. The fluids contain solvents such as toluene, xylene, and 1,4-dioxane.

The trench at Load Line 2 is located east of the Load Line 1 trenches. Records indicate that radioactive animal carcasses and solid radioactive wastes are buried in the Load Line 2 trench.

Burial Site “D” is located south of the Former ARDC/NOP landfill and sewage treatment plant, on the southeast portion of the Site. Four burial trenches are present at Site “D”. Wastes at Site “D” are believed to be similar to those at Load Line 1, but may include additional chemical wastes, such as solvents, phenol, and pesticides.

Burial Site “A” is a trench located west of the Natural Resource District Reservoir on the east side of the Site. No available records indicate that radiological wastes were buried at Site “A”. Wastes at Site “A” are described as chemical wastes, including flammable, corrosive, toxic, and reactive wastes.

INFORMATION REPOSITORIES

Site Information can be found at the following locations:

Mead Public Library
316 S. Vine Street
Mead, Nebraska 
Phone:  (402) 624-6605

Wahoo Public Library
637 N. Maple
Wahoo, Nebraska
Phone:  (402) 443-3871       

EPA Record Center
901 N. Fifth Street
Kansas City, Kansas
Phone:  1-800-223-0425

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS

If you have questions about this Removal Action, please contact:

     Debbie Kring
     Community Involvement Coordinator
     U.S. EPA – Region 7
     901 North Fifth Street
     Kansas City, Kansas  66101
     Phone:  (913) 551-7725 or
     Toll Free:  1-800-223-0425
     Fax:  (913) 551-7066
     e-mail:  kring.debbie@epa.gov

     Scott Marquess
     Project Manager
     U.S. EPA – Region 7
     901 North Fifth Street
     Kansas City, Kansas  66101
     Phone:  (913) 551-7131
     Toll Free:  1-800-223-0425
     Fax:  (913) 551-7063
     e-mail:  marquess.scott@epa.gov

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