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 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