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Fact Sheet

June 2005

EPA To Hold Public Availability Meeting
Tri-County Public Airport Site, Herington, Kansas

INTRODUCTION
EPA Region 7 will hold a public availability meeting Monday, June 20, in the Pilot’s Lounge at the Herington Regional Airport (Tri-County Public Airport Site) to discuss the removal action scheduled to start the week of June 27 at the Hangar 1 area (U.S. Stone). Work to be done and the effect of additional truck traffic on County Road (CR) 2600 will be discussed.

SITE BACKGROUND
The Herington Army Air Field was used between 1942 and 1947 by the Department of Defense. The federal government transferred the property to Herington in 1948. The property has also been leased to numerous other tenants that used it for industrial purposes.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, EPA, and Raytheon Aircraft Co. have been investigating the former Army air field and the surrounding area for contamination. Several volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including trichloroethylene (TCE), and vinyl chloride were detected in ground water, as were fuel-related chemicals such as benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene. Samples taken from residential wells north and northwest of the site indicated VOC contamination that exceeded EPA health based levels for safe drinking water. TCE is commonly used as an industrial solvent.

EPA PUBLIC AVAILABILITY MEETING

When: Monday, June 20, 2005, 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Pilot’s Lounge, Herington Regional Airport, Herington, Kansas.
What: A short presentation by EPA staff, who will then be available to answer questions. Herington and Morris County officials are planning to attend.

NON-TIME-CRITICAL REMOVAL ACTION
Ongoing investigations have detected soil contamination immediately adjacent to the Hangar 1 area, primarily north of the northwest corner of the hangar. The contaminants include TCE and vinyl chloride. The high levels are contributing to contamination of the ground water. The removal of the contaminated soils and replacement with non-contaminated fill material will contribute to the overall remedial action.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information on this fact sheet or the site, please contact:

Jan Lambert
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
Phone: (913) 551-7768
Toll free: (800) 223-0425
lambert.janette@epa.gov

 

 

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