Jump to main content.

Fact Sheet

September 2006

Proposed Cleanup Plans Released for Public Comment - U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

INTRODUCTION

EPA Region 7 invites the public to comment on the proposed cleanup plan for seven areas of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth.  The public comment period will start on October 2, 2006, and end on November 30, 2006.

EPA will hold a public availability session so community members can learn about the proposal.  EPA will be available to answer questions one-to-one. All members of the public are welcome to attend anytime from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and ask questions about the proposed cleanup plans.  See detailed information below.

PROPOSED CLEANUP PLANS

The proposed cleanup plans cover seven sites:

The proposed cleanup plans for these sites are as follows:

FTL 07 Landfill
The existing landfill cap will be extended and improved to better contain the waste and prevent water from entering the waste.  The landfill cap will be maintained and repaired as necessary, and land use will be limited to activities which will not damage the cap.  Groundwater will be monitored to ensure that contaminant levels are decreasing.

FTL 10 Fire Training Burn Pit
Contaminated soil, which is leaching contaminants to groundwater, will be excavated and removed.  Groundwater will be monitored to ensure that natural attenuation is occurring and contaminant levels are decreasing.  Land use controls will be implemented to ensure that groundwater at the site is not used.

FTL 15 Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
Additional carbon source material will be injected into the groundwater to help degrade contaminants in groundwater.  Groundwater will be monitored to ensure that natural attenuation is occurring and contaminant levels are decreasing.  Land use controls will be implemented to ensure that groundwater at the site is not used.  In addition, fans will be installed on Building 487 to remove contaminant vapors accumulating under the foundation.

No further action is planned for the other four sites (FTL 11, 12, 20 and 60).  The sampling results indicated no significant release or threat of release from the sites.  Also, the risk assessments indicated no unacceptable risk to human health and the environment.

This work is addressed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

BACKGROUND

Fort Leavenworth is an active U.S. Army installation where officers are trained for staff work.  Also, Fort Leavenworth provides long-term confinement for military prisoners in the United States Disciplinary Barracks. Other significant activities include coordination of combined arms collective training and the National Simulation Center.  The Fort has been active since 1827.

THE CONTAMINATION

Fort Leavenworth disposed of municipal wastes, incinerator ash and scrap wood in FTL 07 between 1967 and 1970.  Waste in this landfill has caused soil and groundwater contamination.

Fire training activities at FTL 10 and FTL 11 involved large quantities of fuels and other flammable liquids which were burned on the ground or on concrete slabs, causing soil and groundwater contamination.

Dry cleaning operations at FTL15 used solvents stored in underground tanks, which leaked and contaminated the soil and groundwater.

Fort Leavenworth also conducted maintenance processes which generated wastes, such as sewage potentially containing pesticides and herbicides (FTL  20), used furniture stripping solvent (FTL 60) and waste oil (FTL 12), that led to contamination of soil, groundwater, and sediment. 

Investigations detected the presence of the following contaminants:

In Soil: 

In Groundwater:


How to Submit Your Comments

Please submit your written comments on the proposed cleanup plan to:

Daniel Gravatt
EPA Region 7 ARTD/RCAP
901 North 5th St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-7324 or
Toll free: 800-223-0425

Written comments will be accepted from October 2, 2006, to November 30, 2006.

How to Learn More - -Attend the Public Availability Session

EPA will be available to answer questions one-to-one. The public is welcome to attend anytime from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and ask questions about the proposed cleanup plans:
For Whom:
  

Fort Leavenworth community and other members of the public
When:
  

November 2, 2006, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where:
  

Leavenworth Public Library, Board Room, 417 Spruce St.
Who:
  

EPA will be available to answer questions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EPA encourages the public to review the Administrative Record and comment on the proposed cleanup plan. Comments or requests should be submitted by November 30, 2006.

Guidelines for Commenting:

The administrative record is available at the following locations:
Leavenworth Public Library
417 Spruce St.
Leavenworth, KS 66048
(913) 682-5666
Hours of Operation:
Mon. – Thurs., 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Fri. – Sat., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sun., 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

EPA Region 7 Records Center
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7166
Hours of Operation:
Mon. – Fri., 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

A formal public hearing has not been scheduled, but will be held if there is sufficient public interest.  Requests for a public hearing must be made in writing to the EPA contact at the address listed on page 1 and must state the nature of issues to be raised at the hearing.  EPA will evaluate any request and hold a formal hearing if it finds that a hearing will contribute to the decision-making process by clarifying significant issues affecting the cleanup remedy. 

EPA will make a final cleanup decision only after the public comment period ends and all comments are reviewed.  EPA may modify the proposed remedy or choose another one based on any new information and comments from the public.

Individuals may write to the EPA contact on page 1 to join the mailing list.  Joining the mailing list will allow an individual to receive any updated information directly throughout the cleanup process.

If you have questions or want to receive further information, please contact:

Shawntell Martin
Office of External Programs
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-7003
Toll free:  1-800-223-0425
martin.shawntell@epa.gov

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.