SEPA Environmental
Management
Report
Region 7
1985

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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT REPORT
REGION VII
1985

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I			i
PART II	ii
REGIONWIDE ISSUES	R-l
Groundwater	R-l
Asbestos	R-5
MISSOURI MULTIMEDIA ISSUES	MO-1
KANSAS MULTIMEDIA ISSUES	KS-1
MISSOURI/KANSAS BI-STATE ISSUES	MK-1
IOWA MULTIMEDIA ISSUES	IA-1
NEBRASKA MULTIMEDIA ISSUES	NE-1
ATTACHMENT
Significant Environmental Problem Summary Tables

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PART I
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT REPORT
REGIONAL OVERVIEW
Region VII has made significant strides in FY 85 in resolving many of the problems
mentioned in the last EMR. Several of the solutions will undoubtedly be applicable
to other environmental problems in the Region and the nation.
With the assistance of our State and local governments, the Region has utilized
its resources efficiently to respond to newly identified problem areas, adhere to
new national initiatives, and prevent the occurence of future problems. The major
revisions to RCRA, new initiatives under air toxics, improved asbestos programs
under the Toxics and Air Quality programs, initiatives under the nonpoint source
program, and a continually active Superfund program comprised some of the Region's
highest priority efforts during FY 85, and are expected to continue as such into
the near future. The Region's hazardous waste sites presently on the National
Priority List are shown on the map on the following page.
Our invaluable partnership with the States and local governments will extend
throughout FY 86. The Region will continue to utilize State/EPA Agreements,
including our enforcement agreements with the States, to set our cooperative
strategies ensuring compliance with all environmental laws. To monitor progress
towards this compliance, the Region will maintain and improve its sampling, data
analysis, and data interpretation techniques to provide for the highest quality
environmental information possible.
Region VII will also strive to advance the state-of-the-art of various environ-
mental technologies. The EPA's mobile incinerator has provided an excellent
example of internal coordination between Region VII and various offices within the
agency, notably the Office of Research and Development. The knowledge gained from
the incinerator's destruction of dioxin should precipitate major advances in the
awesome task of dealing with hazardous wastes.
Part II includes the Region's major geographic areas being confronted by signifi-
cant environmental problems. The Region expects to devote considerable effort to
resolve these problems in the foreseeable future.
We continue to be optimistic about our ability to resolve the problems listed in
this EMR. The current Agency Priority List accurately reflects the major program
emphases necessary to address these problems.
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NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST - REGION 7
LEGEND
LABOUNTY SITE
CHEROKEE COUNTY
ELLISVILLE SITE
AIDEX CORP.
ARKANSAS CITY DUMP
DOEPKE DISPOSAL SITE
SYNTEX FACILITY
DES MOINES TCE
FULLBRIGHT LANDFILL
TIMES BEACH SITE
MINKER/STOUT/ROMAINE CREEK
JOHNS' SLUDGE POND
SHENANDOAH STABLES

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PART II
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT REPORT
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
Region VII has identified its most significant environmental problems. These
problems are discussed from a geographical perspective and include cross-cutting,
multimedia concerns.
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REG IONWIDE ISSUES
GROUNDWATER
The four states of Region VII are widely varied in their geography, geology,
precipitation, water availability, and land use. Consequently, the quality
and quantity of groundwater throughout the Region vary widely also. In
general, groundwater concerns can be grouped into four broad categories and
their associated subsets as follows:
Geology - Karst Topography
"Karst" is the term used to designate fractured limestone or dolomite underlying
a surface layer of soil. Neither limestone nor dolomite has enough internally
connected pore spaces (primary porosity) to transmit water by itself; however,
both develop cracks and fissures (secondary porosity) as they age, and these
spaces are further enlarged by the dissolving action of water. In time, large
conduits, passages, and even caves are formed, allowing water to be transmitted
very rapidly and in huge quantities. Additionally, as the underlying material
dissolves, surface soil collapses into the spaces, and sinkholes are formed.
Because of the sinkholes and other enlarged passages, surface contaminants
can easily enter groundwater supplies without benefit of filtration by the
soil. Also, undesirable substances can leach through the soil and be carried
long distances.
Region VII's two most significant areas of karst topography are in the northeast
22 counties of Iowa and in the southern half of Missouri. Of particular
concern in these areas are the application of agricultural chemicals (notably
fertilizers and pesticides) and the introduction into drinking water supplies
of septic tank effluent from thousands of individual sewage systems. Contaminants
of concern include nitrates, pesticides, bacteria, and a wide range of chemical
wastes.
The Iowa Geological Survey has, for the last three years, been conducting an
intensive study in the northeast Iowa karst region. This study has produced
several recommendations to reduce groundwater contamination in karst topography.
However, research and demonstration of effective techniques to reduce aquifer
contamination are needed. The Regional Office has worked with the states and
will continue to assist them in these endeavors. The Office of Research and
Development and the Office of Water will be instrumental in assisting these
types of studies, as well as in disseminating the information obtained from them.
A coordinated effort between the Office of Water, the Office of Research and
Development, and the Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances in devising a
policy and providing technical assistance to the states and regional offices
would be worthwhile.
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Agricultural Drainage Wells
In the past, marshes, ponds and high groundwater tables seriously hampered
farming efforts in certain parts of the region, particularly in Iowa. Forty
percent of the land now farmed in the upper Des Moines River basin of north
central Iowa was considered too wet to be productive in the early 1900's.
Therefore, tile lines and ditches were installed, while some fields were drained
to nearby streams.
Since this area is underlain by karst systems, geologists and well drillers
realized that a possible solution to poorly drained land was to allow rapid
infiltration into the fractured bedrock. With additional experience came the
knowledge that certain bedrock formations contained fractures large enough to
swallow up large amounts of field drainage without becoming plugged with silt.
These are the areas where "drainage wells" became quite common. Some areas
in the north central part of the State contain as many as eight agricultural
drainage wells per square mile. During a typical year about five million
gallons of excess water must be artificially drained from a flat 40 acre field.
The EPA's Underground Injection Control (UIC) program will be utilized to
reduce the risk of ground water pollution caused by drainage wells. The EPA
estimates that approximately 700 injection wells exist in Iowa, most of which
are agricultural drainage wells. However, other wells, such as those for
disposal of water from heat pumps, industrial cooling processes, and large
septic tank systems, are also present. The EPA will use tjie UIC provisions to
assess the State-wide ground water contamination potential and to implement
corrective and preventive measures.
Recharge Areas
Where aquifers are exposed at the surface of the ground or where they lie under
only a thin layer of permeable material, rain and melting snow easily percolate
into the aquifers to replenish (i.e., recharge) ground water supplies. Soluble
fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural chemicals, as well as liquids
like petroleum products and sewage, also have the potential to migrate into
ground water supplies in such areas.
In Region VII, these recharge areas include the Sand Hills in Nebraska, the
northeast karst area in Iowa, the Ozarks in Missouri, and the Arkansas River in
southwestern Kansas. Care needs to be exercised in controlling development and
agricultural/industrial activities in and around these areas because contamination
incidents there have wide-ranging implications for others who use the groundwater
supplies coming from these locations.
Non-Point Sources of Pollution
Because the states in Region VII are heavily agricultural, many of the ground
water quality issues are related to agriculture. Significant among these is
the problem of nitrate contamination, due primarily to the repeated use of
fertilizers to enhance crop production. For example, the nitrogen application
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rate on corn is as much as 160 pounds per acre per year. As a rule, far more
nitrogen is applied to crops than they are able to assimilate; therefore, the
excess either washes off of fields into surface streams or dissolves and percolates
into ground water supplies. In the past, nitrates have been implicated in
methemoglobinemia ("blue babies"); more recently, evidence indicates that
nitrate in the body may contribute to cardiovascular disease and to increased
risk of cancer. Steps to reduce the misapplication of nitrogen fertilizers
include:
1.	Avoidance of over-application of chemical nitrogen fertilizer and
animal manure.
2.	Terminating fall application of nitrogen fertilizer, since it has been
known to permit deep percolation of nitrates before crops can utilize
the nutrient.
3.	Applying nitrogen fertilizer only during the growing season, using
several light, intermittent applications rather than a single, large
application.
Pesticides
Chemicals used to kill unwanted plants and insects have been detected in ground-
water supplies in increasing quantities. Pesticides, like fertilizers, tend to
be applied in greater quantities than are actually needed; consequently, they
often leach through the soil and into groundwater supplies. Fortunately, many
pesticides are not water soluable and are filtered out by soil particles as
they pass through. Others break down very quickly and are degraded before they
enter groundwater. But those pesticides which do get into groundwater supplies
and are ingested by human beings or animals tend to accumulate in fatty tissue
and build up over time. The increased use of no-till agriculture, which decreases
surface runoff and increases infiltration, is expected to adversely impact the
quality of groundwater supplies. Unfortunately, historic ground water quality
data on pesticides are scattered and incomplete. A coordinated effort between
the Office of Water, the Office of Research and Development, and the Office of
Pesticides and Toxic Substances in devising a policy and providing technical
assistance to the States and Regional Offices would be worthwhile.
Site Specific Problems
Many groundwater related problems occur not as the result of a specific type
of activity, such as agriculture, but rather because the broad range of
municipal, commercial, and industrial functions makes some type of groundwater
pollution almost inevitable. Contamination episodes which present local as
well as regional threats to groundwater occur at site-specific locations, and
include the following two broad classes:
Known Sources
Where both the contaminant and its source are known, actions can be taken to
mitigate damage to groundwater. Such actions include monitoring, flow tracking,
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confinement of the contaminant plume, and cleanup of the aquifer. Additionally,
the expense of cleanup can be allocated to the party responsible. Recent such
sites within the Region include trichloroethylene (TCE) in the water supply
in Liberty, Missouri; contamination of groundwater by an explosive (RDX) in
Grand Island, Nebraska; salt water contamination of fresh water supplies in
Wichita, Kansas; elevated levels of radiation in Weldon Springs, Missouri;
leaking waste disposal site at Charles City, Iowa; and an improperly abandoned
lead mining operation along the Kansas - Oklahoma border.
Unknown Sources
Where the contaminant is identified but its source is unknown, cleanup becomes
substantially more difficult. In addition, the state and/or federal government(s)
must bear the expenses associated with site restoration. An example of such
an unknown source is TCE in the Des Moines, Iowa, drinking water supply.
A noteworthy example of the use of the UIC program to prevent future ground-
water contamination is the in situ uranium mining in northwestern Nebraska.
In order to properly prepare for and respond to groundwater issues, the
Region will require support from and cooperation with its States as well as
with the various Headquarters offices.
Groundwater Depletion
Because of the excellent availability of ground water in Region VII, it is
widely used, particularly in states like Nebraska and Kansas which have no
extensive surface water systems. Additionally, because these states also
irrigate heavily, especially in their arid western sections, groundwater
supplies tend to be overused by withdrawing more water from the ground than
is recharged by natural means. Such depletion occurs in the Ogallala Aquifer
in Nebraska and Kansas and the Equus Beds in Kansas. Care needs to be exercised
in the amount and rate of pumpage from ground water supplies so that this
resource is still available in the future. Currently, EPA and the Bureau of
Reclamation are jointly involved in a demonstration project to see if surface
water from the Platte River in Nebraska can be artificially recharged into
groundwater supplies without causing a deterioration of ground water quality.
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ASBESTOS
Asbestos is one of the known human carcinogens; no safe level of exposure to
asbestos fibers has been identified. Epidemiologic research has provided
reasonable assurance of the cause and effect relationship between inhalation of
asbestos fibers and cancer of the lungs, esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum.
The additional risk of mesothelioma is associated only with asbestos exposure.
Concerns with asbestos exposure in the Region focus on dangers resulting from
deterioration, remodeling, or demolition of public and private buildings, including
schools, since these activities disturb asbestos, resulting in the liberation of
large quantities of asbestos fibers. The greatest danger exists in those buildings
where remodeling or demolition occurs or is planned and no one knows whether asbestos
insulation is present. However, experience has shown that even in buildings where
asbestos insulation is not being disturbed, hazardous situations can exist because
the asbestos-containing material has deteriorated, eventually falling apart and
releasing fibers.
No reliable estimates can be made at this time on the number of people exposed to
asbestos in buildings. A few examples can be cited to demonstrate the magnitude
of the problem. Two major Region VII airports contain asbestos insulation to
which approximately 35,000 people are exposed daily. The seven-story Missouri State
Office building in Kansas City, Missouri has been evacuated due to 260,000 square
feet of 15 percent asbestos on the ceilings and some walls. Five other office
buildings exist in which thousands of employees and visitors are exposed to
asbestos daily.
Region VII has been conducting a voluntary asbestos-control program for several
years, assisting building owners in evaluating the hazard, identifying asbestos
control options and developing remedial specifications. The Region has responded
to these requests for technical assistance by performing onsite evaluations at
virtually every kind of public and private building, from convention centers and
jails to restaurants and nuclear power plants. Technical advice has also been
provided to over 2,500 telephone inquiries regarding such buildings. Over half
of Region VII's asbestos resources are being utilized in this manner, and requests
for technical assistance from building managers and homeowners continue.
Region VII has trained 125 Missouri inspectors to identify and evaluate the
exposure potential to asbestos in the 3,000 State-owned and -leased buildings.
The building inspections have been completed. The State requested and received
assistance on setting policies regarding asbestos pipe insulation and asbestos-
vinyl floor tile.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) also has been trained to evaluate asbestos hazards
in over 4,000 postal buildings in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and southern
Illinois. Region VII helped USPS develop asbestos abatement specifications for
these sites and has inspected some removal jobs finding several NESHAPS violations
and unsafe practices. Advice was given to USPS on how to achieve contractor
compliance with the specifications.
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Although EPA is now addressing the issue of asbestos in schools, the Agency needs
to develop regulations for asbestos in both public and private buildings.
Limitations on staffing, program funds and travel monies for these activities
continue to limit severely the extent of Regional assistance available. Resource
limitations also restrict the Region's ability to assure compliance with existing
rules. In addition, asbestos abatement techniques need further refinement. Asbestos
abatement guidance developed for schools is often not appropriate to multi-story
buildings, leaving the Region to devise their own guidance materials.
Each of Region VII 's States has expressed willingness to participate in such
abatement programs within the limits of their resources. The Region's States are
aware of asbestos exposure situations in non-school buildings, particularly in
the State office buildings, and have worked with the Regional Office on a
partnership basis to deal with this problem. Several State legislatures have
recognized the potential hazard of asbestos in public buildings and have requested
state-wide surveys of all State-owned buildings.
Human exposure to airborne asbestos fibers in public buildings continues to be
one of the most visible and controversial situations in the Region. The Region
feels an obligation to respond to requests and provide technical assistance to
protect the public health from a known carcinogen. The EPA presently has no
authority under the Clean Air Act to require the removal of asbestos. The NESHAP
for asbestos applies only after an owner decides to demolish or renovate a building
that contains asbestos. Likewise, the TSCA asbestos in schools identification
rules provide no authority to require removal of asbestos, but only to require
building inspection and identification of asbestos. Congressional pressure,
employee concerns, news media scrutiny and recommendations from the medical
community will continue to force EPA to address the problem of asbestos in non-
school buildings.
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MISSOURI MULTIMEDIA ISSUES
Air Quality in Eastern Missouri
St. Louis contains nonattainment areas for both ozone and carbon monoxide. Both
of these pollutants are predominantly attributable to automobiles.
Ozone (O3) - On April 11, 1983, EPA proposed to disapprove the 1982 O3 SIP for
St. Louis because the SIP did not demonstrate attainment of the O3 standard by
December 31, 1987. The Agency's disapproval also hinged on the fact that the State
was unable to initiate an automobile inspection/maintenance (I/M) program. Subse-
quently, the State submitted the revised State Implementation Plan (SIP) on
August 24, 1983, and implemented an I/M program on January 1, 1984. Although EPA
assisted the State in developing the revised plan, an error in attainment demonstra-
tion resulted in the St. Louis area still needing an additional 15,000 kilogram
per day reduction to meet the standard.
On October 15, 1984, EPA approved portions of the St. Louis O3 SIP, but took no
action on the attainment demonstration or the I/M program. The I/M program was
approved by EPA August 12, 1985. The State submitted a revised demonstration
August 1, 1985. The State has proposed implementation of Stage II, vapor recovery at
service stations in the St. Louis area.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) - Monitoring data have shown a primary nonattainment area
bounded by Interstate 270 and the Mississippi River.
Radiation Sites in Eastern Missouri
The Atomic Energy Commission processed uranium ore at two sites in St. Louis from
World War II until 1966. Waste from these sites has been found at seven sites in
the area. Other operations, such as a cyclotron facility, a radiopharmaceutical
manufacturer, and heavy metal refiners, have, or may have, produced and disposed of
radioactive waste at five additional locations.
The public has expressed concern over two former AEC sites at Wei don Spring and
Lambert Field. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) ordered the
U.S. Army to sample for radon (Rn) gas in the area around the Weldon Spring site.
The EPA's Montgomery, Alabama Lab has loaned Rn sampling equipment to the U.S. Army
for monitoring at Weldon Spring. The State of Missouri and EPA have begun a
detailed information review of all the sites. One objective has included the
location of the source of radioactive thorium in the Mississippi River. One
site, the Weldon Spring Quarry, was nominated for the Superfund National Priority
Listing in October 1984.
Chlordane in Eastern Missouri Surface Water
Chlordane - The Meramec River which flows into the St. Louis area and its
tributaries have shown elevated levels of various pollutants including chlordane.
Two intensive surveys have been conducted by Region VII and State agencies to
discover the extent of the problem. The Region has asked the Centers for Disease
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ST. LOUIS NONATTAINMENT AREAS
1-270
I=£4
NONATTAINMENT AREAS
OZONE
CO

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Control to evaluate the need for a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation
of commercial fishing on the Mississippi River. The State issued an advisory
against consumption of fish from the Meramec River. Follow-up studies are
being planned to check water quality and fish tissue, concentrations of chlordane.
The highest levels were reported from sites near Fenton which contain
8.6 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of chlordane. The highest level was from
fish containing 2.2 mg/kg chlordane collected near the Highway 21 bridge. FDA
"action level" 0.3 mg/kg, is used to judge whether commercial fishing products
can be safely consumed.
The source of chlordane contamination is currently unknown, but is probably
attributable to past agricultural and termite protection uses.
Waste Mater Treatment Plant Discharges
Consistent with EPA's National Municipal Policy (NMP) for managing progress toward
complying with the July 1, 1988 secondary treatment requirements, the Region has
initiated negotiations with the City of St. Louis and the State of Missouri regarding
the schedules for secondary treatment.
The Region has also issued an administrative order to St. Louis, requiring
submission of municipal compliance plans, and draft consent decrees are currently
being developed. Compliance schedules for construction have been placed in NPDES
permits issued to St. Charles, which require compliance by July 1, 1988.
Both the St. Louis and St. Charles treatment plants are large dischargers to
the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Brining these facilities into compliance
would abate a substantial discharge of pollutants to these receiving streams.
Hazardous Wastes in Eastern Missouri
The St. Louis area has experienced several hazardous waste incidents, as shown on
the figure.
Findett Corporation - The Findett Corporation offers an example of a "cross-media"
environmental site. The company operates on a site near St. Charles, on the flood-
plain of the Mississippi River. The facility covers about four acres, however,
contamination originating at the facility is believed to cover a much greater
area. The City of St. Charles' well field is about one mile from the site.
Among other activities, between 1963 and 1974, Findett reprocessed fluids
containing PCBs. Wastes from the reprocessing were disposed of in a small
pond on the Findett property. In December 1977, Findett excavated and backfilled
a portion of the pond after site inspections indicated PCB contamination.
In 1979, EPA conducted further investigations at the site which showed that the
pond area was still contaminated with PCBs. In 1980, EPA issued an administrative
order, under the authority of the Clean Water Act, directing cleanup of the
quench pond. Sampling conducted in 1981, following excavation, indicated high
levels of PCBs were still present and migrating beyond the immediate quench pond area.
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EPA issued a second administrative order under Section 3013 of RCRA, requiring
Findett to implement a monitoring and sampling analysis plan. Findett submitted
its final report on December 14, 1984. On October 15, 1984, the site was proposed
for a second update to the National Priority List.
The EPA is currently working on a remedial investigation/feasibility study and
community relations workplan for the site.
Dioxin Sites - A Missouri waste oil reclaimer sprayed dioxin contaminated oil for
dust control on various eastern Missouri sites, including horse arenas, truck
terminal lots, private driveways, and roadways. In addition, contamination was
spread to several secondary sites when horse arenas were excavated after horses
died or became ill due to the dioxin exposure. To date, the presence of dioxin
has been confirmed at 25 St. Louis areas.
The EPA has pledged $33 million to purchase properties at Times Beach because of
widespread contamination. The permanent relocation of families is being carried
out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is nearly complete.
Efforts to purchase all other properties in Times Beach are still ongoing.
Permanent relocation of families is also taking place at the Minker-Stout site
from which 11 families have been permanently relocated. This effort was also
handled by FEMA.
Other sites which have been identified are being handled on a case-by-case basis.
Where an unacceptable public health risk has been determined to exist, families
have either been offered temporary relocation or immediate measures have been
taken to reduce health risks which might result in exposure to dioxin contaminated
soil.
The EPA moved its mobile incinerator to the Denny Farm site in southwestern
Missouri to conduct a field demonstration of the use of incineration to treat
dioxin waste. (For more information, refer to the S.W. Missouri/S.E. Kansas
section.) A RCRA permit was issued on October 19, 1984, and other necessary
permits were obtained from the State of Missouri to operate the incinerator.
This approach has provided scientific data for other incinerator projects
while at the same time effectively disposing of selected dioxin materials.
A civil complaint was filed on January 20, 1984, seeking remedies from the
responsible parties for six of the contaminated dioxin sites in Missouri. The
MDNR has withdrawn the application for a permit to store dioxin contaminated soil
at six sites in the interim control storage facility in Times Beach. Therefore,
the Agency is pursuing site-by-site plans to excavate and consolidate waste at
individual sites, and restore those portions cleaned up.
Currently, the Sullins portion of the Minker-Stout site has been cleaned up and
restoration is proceeding, and cleanup work is underway at the Cashel portion of
the Minker site. Cleanup work is also proceeding on mobile homes on contaminated
soil at the Quail Run site.
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HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES
- ST. LOUIS AREA

1-270
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
ID
11
12
13
14
15
18
17
10
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
38
37
ARROWHEAD CA).fPGROUNDS
CHLANDRA PROPERTY
GRAY SUMMIT TRAILER PARK
MAHONEY RESIDENCE
VENTURE FARMS
SADDLE AND SPUR STABIES
SANDCUT ROAD
MASTIS SPRING
ROMAINE CREEK
BUBBLING SPRINGS ARENA
CAS1IEL RESIDENCE
MINKER RESIDENCE
MINKER VICINITY WELLS
MINKER AREA NEIGHBORS
STOUT RESIDENCE
STOUT AREA NEIGHBORS
OVERNIGHT TRANSPORT
JONES TRUCKING
RISS INTERNATIONAL, rNC.
IIAMTLL TRANSFER COMPANY
CONTROL AREA ACROSS FROM IlAXCIl
CASTLKWOOD SWIM POOL
HORSEFAIJ. RESIDENCE
MEI/S TAVERN/DRENTS
WATERMAN ROAD it CLEAR SPRINGS
17MES BEACH
ROCKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
MID AMERICA ARENA
Manchester methodtst church
BAXTER GARDEN CENTER
CREVE COEUR PARK
BATH AND TENNIS CLUB
SOUTHERN CROSS LUMBER
WELDON SPRINGS (RADIATION SITEO
EiJJsvrLLE site
HNDEIT CORP.

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Asbestos - The terminal building at Lambert Field in St. Louis contains friable
chrysotile fibers to which 100 employees and 25,000 passengers are exposed daily.
Another possible route of exposure in the St. Louis area is the University City
police office which contains 1,500 square feet of 80 percent asbestos.
Air Quality in Missouri Lead Belt
Lead has been mined in Missouri since the late 1800's. Lead smelting was first
conducted in the Herculaneum area, which is on the Mississippi River about
30 miles south of St. Louis. A primary lead smelter was built at Herculaneum in
1892. That smelter has been expanded and updated over the years and is now the
largest primary lead smelter in the United States. More recently, additional
lead deposits were discovered in the "New Missouri Lead Belt" in southeastern
Missouri. Mining operations in this area in the 1960's, and two additional
primary lead smelters began operation there in 1968. Currently, about 90 percent
of the lead ore which is produced in the country is mined in Missouri, and about
85 percent of the primary lead smelting capacity is located in the State. The
lead State Implementation Plan (SIP) has been approved by EPA; however, the
approval included exceptions. The SIP contains emission reduction programs for
the AMAX and St. Joe smelters designed to reduce the lead levels to the national
ambient air quality standard at their property lines. Expanded air monitoring
networks have been established around the smelters to check the adequacy of the
control measures. Preliminary results from the monitors indicate that the lead
levels have decreased around the St. Joe and AMAX smelters, but still exceed the
standard. Additional controls will have to be identified and implemented if the
standards are not met.
While the ASARC0 primary lead smelter in Missouri was not shown to violate the
standard in the orignal Missouri lead SIP, subsequent modeling has indicated
violations of the lead standard near the plant. Because no one currently resides
on this property, the State of Missouri and the ASARC0 contend that the areas do
not represent ambient air, and thus the standards do not have to be met at those
locations. On October 21, 1983, EPA proposed to disapprove the Missouri lead
SIP. A final rulemaking was submitted to Headquarters for review in March 1984.
Before considering other options, all parties agreed to an independent contractor
evaluation of the controls that have been placed at the plant and recommendation
of other available control measures. The contractor has submitted the final
report, and the EPA is considering options available for demonstrating attainment
of the lead standard. To date, the final rulemaking is being held in Headquarters.
Other Media Issues in Missouri Lead Belt
The Lead Belt area of Missouri presents an example of cross-media transfer.
Although the area is regulated from an air media standpoint, lead is found in the
other media as well. In particular, fish tissue studies on the Big River have
indicated elevated lead levels in certain aquatic fauna. Studies on several
water discharges are being planned to assess the biotoxicity of several metals.
M0-4

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KANSAS MULTIMEDIA ISSUES
Hazardous Waste in Central Kansas
Various sites are affecting the quality of groundwater as a result of contamination
of toxic organics and heavy metals.
Strouther Field Industrial Park - This Cowley County site covers nearly 2.3 square
miles about 4 miles north of Arkansas City. The park consists of about 20 indus-
trial or commercial businesses, as well as two inactive solid waste landfills.
The landfills were probably used for the disposal of various industrial wastes.
Samples collected and analyzed by the State of Kansas as part of EPA's Synthetic
Organic Chemical Survey have indicated the presence of chrlorinated organic
chemicals in several wells supplying water to the Strouther Field Industrial
Park. The principal contaminants include trichloroethylene, 1,2-dichloroethylene,
1,1,1-trichloroethane, tetrachloroethylene, and 1,1-dichloroethylene. The State
collected a second series of samples from the Strouther supply wells, as
samples from several private wells in the nearby community of Hackney, the water
distribution system, influent and effluent from the Strouther Field Waste Water
Treatment Plant, two monitoring wells onsite, and several offsite control locations
(for comparison purposes). Additional groundwater monitoring is underway to
determine the source, as well as offsite migration, of the contamination.
About 2,300 people use the groundwater within a 3-mile radius of the site as a
source of their drinking water.
Enforcement actions have included issuing of an administrative order to General
Electric (GE) by the State of Kansas to conduct additional investigative work for
the groundwater contamination plume. The State of Kansas considers GE to be one
of the principal parties responsible for the area's contamination.
National Industrial Environmental Services (MIES) - The NIES site covers 160 acres
10 miles northeast of Wichita and 3 miles south of the unincorporated community
of Furley, in Sedgwick County, Kansas. About 30 households are located within a
9 square mile rural agricultural area surrounding the site.
A hazardous waste landfill on the 80 acre north half of the site began operation in
1977, under a State permit. Six evaporation and treatment ponds were also in use.
The facility received widely varied wastes, including liquid chromium, liquid
cyanide, acids, bases, chlorinated and nonchlorinated solvents, sludges, and bulk
solid waste. In January 1982, the State closed the site when it discovered that
groundwater, surface water, and soil offsite were being contaminated with toxic
organic chemicals, including known carcinogens.
In May 1982, Chemical Waste Management, Inc., the current facility owner, submitted
a hydrogeological report and remedial action plan to the State. The plan recommended
digging drainage ditches, drilling an underground injection well to dispose of
liquid waste, closing treatment and evaporation ponds, capping existing landfill
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areas, and then constructing a new landfill. The drainage trench and new
landfill have been constructed, and the old landfill areas have been capped.
Groundwater pumped from the trenches is being hauled to an offsite disposal
facility. Monitoring wells are being sampled on a monthly basis.
Beginning in August 1984, the State issued several Administrative Orders to
the Company for additional cleanup actions. The EPA negotiated with CWMI in
the Spring of 1985 that resulted in the signing of two Consent Administrative
Orders pursuant to Section 106 of CERCLA {Superfund) and Section 3008(h] of
RCRA, on May 31, 1985.
Superfund Activities - NIES was proposed as a candidate site for the NPL on
Update #2 published in October 1984. Removal actions are being implemented
by the Company in compliance with CERCLA Section 106 Consent Order and
RCRA Section 3008(h).
Big River Sand Company - Eighty acres of sand pits containing 1,800 drums of
paint wastes are underlain by groundwater contaminated with solvents and heavy
metals. About 1,000 people live within a three {3)-mile radius of the site
and use the groundwater as a source of drinking water.
During the mid 1970's, the previous owner/operator of the site allowed drums
of paint-related waste to be deposited on the property at the edge of a 5-acre
sand pit lake.
Monitoring by the State of Kansas in 1982 and 1984, has detected solvents and
heavy metals in nearby residential wells. A County court order was issued
requiring the previous owner to remove the drums and transfer them to his own
property adjacent to the site. After some 200 drums had been transferred, the
State asked that the work cease because workers lacked personal protective equip-
ment. Later, the drums remaining on the site and their contents were either
recycled, or disposed of in a satisfactory manner. In August 1984, the original
owner removed the 200 deteriorated drums from his property.
The EPA has proposed the site be included in the second update to the National
Priorities List.
Groundwater Issues in Central Kansas
Wichita has various sites which have threatened the quality of its groundwater.
In addition, the area is also prone to saltwater intrusion from oil, gas, and
salt mining-related wells which were either uncapped or have broken casings.
These wells serve as points of entry of various contaminants into the area's
groundwater supply.
A recent episode involving the water wells used in nearly 200 homes and
businesses north of Wichita has received public and media attention. Various
volatile organic compounds have been detected in the wells. Consumers have
complained of odor and taste problems. The source of the pollutants is currently
unknown, but landfills, septic tanks, and improper dumping practices have been
postulated. The level of contamination ranges from .05 ppb to 558 ppb.
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Trichloroethylene has been detected beneath a Cessna plant in the Wichita area.
The State of Kansas is currently determining whether any of the contamination
has spread from the Cessna site, and meanwhile, residents in the area have been
advised to boil their drinking water for at least ten minutes.
Chlordane in Kansas Surface Waters
Chlordane - Chlordane has been detected in fish tissue analyses conducted in the
Arkansas River at Derby, Kansas. Chlordane concentrations of 0.82 milligrams per
kilogram have been detected in whole fish samples of carp. However, follow-up
analysis indicated only 0.04 mg/kg which is well below the FDA's 0.3 mg/kg
action level for fish fillets.
Need for Headquarters Assistance for Chlordane Issue - The Office of Water could
assist the Region by developing analytical procedures to satisfy both EPA's need
for nationwide consistency in ambient monitoring program using whole fish, and
USDA's "fillet only" requirements.
Water Quality in Four Mile Creek
The EPA has conducted modeling on Four Mile Creek in Spring Branch. The study
area includes the stream system from the head waters at 13th Street to the conflu-
ence with Walnut River. Spring Branch from the Park Metals sewage treatment
facility to the confluence with Four Mile Creek is also included in the study area.
Five sewage treatment plants, two along Spring Branch and three along Four Mile
Creek, are located in the study area. Results from the modeling have indicated
that water quality problems exist in several of these small metropolitan streams.
It is anticipated that a regional advanced wastewater treatment plant will be
built to resolve this problem. Also, the Kansas Department of Health and
Environment is expected to designate Four Mile Creek as a water quality limited
stream segment. Similar activities are planned for Park City, north of Wichita.
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MISSOURI/KANSAS BI-STATE ISSUES
The geographic area of southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas presents a
plethora of environmental problems well suited to a multi-media approach to the
assessment of environmental quality and the implementation of action plans.
Dioxin Sites in Southwestern Missouri
The Missouri dioxin problem has centered on the various sites containing contami-
nated soil in residential and commercial areas containing 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-
p-dioxin (TCDD); concern has focused on limiting potential human exposure to the
dioxin.
EPA moved the Mobile Incinerator to the Denney Farm Site in southwest Missouri
to conduct a field test and demonstration on the use of the incinerator to
treat dioxin wastes. A major barrier to effective environmental cleanup of
selected dioxin materials has been overcome with the successful mobile incinera-
tor trial burns, which meet the Federally required 99.9999 per cent destruction
and removal efficiency criteria for the destruction of dioxin. The wastes,
both liquid and solid, contained dioxin at levels up to 35 parts per million
(ppm) of the most toxic form of dioxin. More than 40 tons of soil and 1,750
gallons of contaminated liquids were burned. The performance goals for safe
stack emissions, clean ash, and clean cooling water were achieved, and all
incinerator input and output streams were monitored constantly to assure quality
performance of the unit. The destruction and removal efficiency results ranged
from 7 to 15 times better than State and Federal RCRA permits required for
particulate matter and hydrochloric acid emissions, an outstanding performance
showing that the EPA mobile incinerator performs exceptionally well on either
TCDD waste liquids or solids. The test burns have established incinceration
technology as a viable alternative for destruction of dioxin, and have enabled
the EPA to propose delisting the residues from subsequent burns in the incinerator.
Future activities with the EPA incineration system will include a field demon-
stration at the Denney Farm site in which a wide variety of dioxin-contaminated
solids and liquids will be incinerated. This demonstration began in July 1985.
When the demonstration is finished, most of the known dioxin-contaminated material
in southwest Missouri will have been destroyed.
Tri-State Mining District in Southeastern Kansas
The large geographic area referred to as the Tri-State Mining District encompasses
Cherokee County in Kansas, Jasper County in Missouri, and Ottawa County in Oklahoma
As a result of extensive lead and zinc mining and related activities for almost
100 years, huge tailings piles containing lead, zinc, cadmium and fiberous materials
cover an estimated 4,000 acres in southern Cherokee County alone. Acidic water in
abandoned mine shafts in the area contain high concentrations of lead and cadmium.
This mine water surfaces in Oklahoma in Tar Creek, which flows near population
centers and a large recreational area, the Lake of the Cherokees. Water from a
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shallow aquifer which contains mine workings from the Cherokee County site has
been found to exceed EPA drinking water standards for sulfate, iron and manganese.
Water from the Roubidoux Formation, a deep aquifer which is below and separated
from the shallow aquifer by several hundred feet of relatively impervious strata,
has been generally found to meet drinking water standards.
An EPA aerial photographic study of Cherokee County in 1982 identified tailings
piles that are susceptible to water erosion with the runoff going into nearby
streams. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) initiated
epidemiological studies in Cherokee County to evaluate further health effects
and to assess possible air contamination problems. A cooperative field investiga-
tion by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and KDHE analyzed the hydrologic and
chemical water quality of mines, wells and streams in Cherokee County.
Although a number of studies have been conducted on the Cherokee site by various
governmental agencies, little current quantitative data on surface or groundwater
quality is available, and very little air quality data for the site has been
collected and analyzed. Questions on potential hazards from conditions at the
Cherokee County site remain, with insufficient data to evaluate the level of
risk for several potential hazards. Continued contamination of the shallow
aquifer could eliminate this water source. Potential contamination of the deep
aquifer, the major source of water for public water supplies, could limit or
eliminate the use of this supply for the area population. Surface water contami-
nation has made Short Creek, a major tributary to the Spring River, unsuitable
for public water supply or contact recreation. The use of contaminated water
for crop irrigation or livestock watering could have a substantially adverse
impact on agriculture, which is the major industry in the county since mining
has disappeared.
EPA has directed attention to the Cherokee County Site and is conducting a
remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS). The initial RI/FS
activities have been focused on one of six subsites based on the presence of
physical surface effects of abandoned mining. The primary objective of the
remedial investigation will be to assess whether the mining and processing in
the subsite have resulted in contamination which presents a potential or actual
threat to public health and the environment. Experience gained in the investi-
gation will be used to define investigations at the other subsites. General
objectives of. the investigation include the assessment of the sources of ground-
water and surface water contamination, potential sources of air quality contami-
nation, pathways for migration of contamination, specific areas contributing to
contamination and potential alternative remedial actions for the site.
Close liaison between the environmental and water agencies in Kansas, Oklahoma,
Missouri and EPA in Regions VI and VII will be needed to resolve these problems.
Under provisions of the Kansas Water Plan, Kansas will be initiating a compact
or agreement with the other two states to work in the tri-state area. Interagency
cooperation is also required among agencies at the Federal level, particularly
with those agencies involved in mining-related programs. Headquarters can play
a supportive role in this Superfund effort by being alert to the need for an
inter-Regional approach to the geographic area, since portions of the states of
Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri comprise the mining district and affect population
areas.
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Phosphogypsum Mining Area in Southwestern Missouri
Another concern in this geographic area is a result of former long-term productions
of phosphoric acid from phosphate ore by two companies, W. R. Grace and Farmer's
Chemical. Both the sites contain about 1.7 million tons of phosphogypsum waste
on 70 acres of land. Both plants no longer process phosphate ore, but are
producing other agricultural chemicals. These phosphogypsum piles are located
in the vicinity of Joplin, Missouri and have been found to contain naturally
radioactive material, including high quantities of uranium, radium and other
naturally occurring radionuclides, which may have an adverse health effect on
people living nearby. Environmental and health effects which may result from
this site include effects of chemicals and radioactivity at the downstream
water supply, radiation health effects of radon from the piles and possible
radiation exposure from use of the phosphogypsum. In addition, the site is
within the region that was mined extensively for lead and zinc in the late
1860's. Piles of lead and zinc tailings underlie the phosphogypsum disposal
area, and surface water samples downstream of the pile exceed the water quality
criteria or drinking water standards for cadmium, fluoride, iron, manganese,
nickel, total phosphorous and zinc.
Initial field evaluations of these sites were conducted in 1982, and the sites
have been placed in the Superfund tracking system. A radiological assessment
study, conducted by EPA's Las Vegas Lab, was begun with an initial site visit
in September 1983. A detailed radiological field study of both sites was
begun in August 1984. A portion of the study data is being evaluated in the
Regional Office.
It will be necessary to consider this site in its context as one of the several
tailings disposal sites in this geographic area. Groundwater studies will be
needed to determine possible effects from that pathway. Remedial actions, if
required, must be based on evaluation of the final data from the radiological
field study and further definition of the scope of radon exposure. All such
actions must also be considered in light of other Agency actions in the area.
Superfund Sites in Southwestern Missouri
Within this same general geographic area are two hazardous waste sites which
were proposed for the second update to the Superfund National Priorities List
in 1984.
During a drinking water study, EPA analyzed the City water wells in Republic in
Greene County, Missouri. Trichloroethylene (TCE) was detected in the raw drinking
water from one well, which was closed due to contamination. Further investigations
by the City and the State identified the TCE source as the property owned by Solid
State Circuits, a manufacturer of printed circuit boards. Remains of the plant,
which was destroyed by a fire in 1979, were excavated from the basement, and three
monitoring wells were installed. The State initiated remedial measures at the site
by pumping out the onsite well, and plan to excavate any remaining debris and/or
contaminated soil and to plug the abandoned well. Republic's water wells, serving
7,800 people, are within 500 feet of the site, thus, concern about health effects
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of the contamination center on the proximity of the site to the public water
supply. The State, as lead Agency, plans to require remedial actions by Solid
State Circuits and the present property owner. EPA is negotiating a removal order
with the company.
The second hazardous waste site in this area also involves water well contamination.
The North-U Drive wells are north of Springfield, Missouri and within Greene County.
Initial investigation revealed that seven separate wells at five locations were
contaminated with various combinations of volatile organic chemicals. The site is
located in an area of highly permeable formations and the contaminated wells are
1,500 feet from Fulbright Spring, a major water source for Springfield's area
population of 133,000. The State undertook additional sampling in April 1984 to
determine the extent of contamination, levels of contamination, and presence of any
other contaminants. The Regional Office has continued a removal action at the
site, including the extension of water lines to affected residences and plugging at
least 12 private wells. The State is preparing a Superfund Cooperative Agreement
to conduct a remedial investigation/feasibility study of the site.
Air Quality in Northeastern Kansas/West Central Missouri
On February 20, 1985, Region VII EPA called for a revised ozone plan for the
Kansas City area. In 1983, the Region had turned dawn a request from Kansas and
Missouri to redesignate the Kansas City area as attainment for the ozone standard.
Violations of the standards occurred in 1983, and continued through 1984. Concerns
heightened, since public health problems can result if the primary air quality
standards are not attained. As a result, revised SIP's were required from both
States with a 1-year period given to develop the plans.
The Region provi ded contractor assistance to inventory area sources of volatile
organic compounds (V0C) in the Kansas City area and to monitor hydrocarbon and
NOx concentrations during the summer of 1984. These actions are necessary elements
of an ozone SIP. In addition, the Agency's Field Operation Support Division
conducted a 2-week tampering survey of motor vehicles from April 22 through May 3.
The EPA also plans to advise the States concerning additional control measures.
After adoption in 1985, of additional planned regulations to control major sources
of V0C emissions, all sources of V0C emissions will be limited as required by EPA
policy. The States' progress in meeting the Clean Air Act deadline has been
impeded by resource constraints.
Hazardous Maste/Superfund Sites in Northeastern Kansas/West Central Missouri
There are five hazardous waste sites of concern in the Kansas City area:
1. The Doepke Disposal Site, in Johnson County, Kansas, is located on the
bluffs of the Kansas River Valley. Since the disposal site was closed in
1970, leachate containing toxic organic and inorganic chemicals has left
the site and flowed into the Kansas River. The site had received industrial
wastes including paint sludges, metal tailings and fiberglass resins;
recent samplings found boron, phenols and nitrates in downstream surface
waters and leachate seeps. There is also concern for possible groundwater
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contamination, and a groundwater monitoring well has been installed.
County residents receive drinking water primarily from 21 wells located
less than a mile downstream from the site. The Region has initiated a
remedial investigation and feasibility study.
2.	The Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (AAP) is located on the eastern edge
of Independence, Missouri in Jackson County and extends over seven square
miles. The plant has manufactured and loaded small arms ammunition since
1941. There are eleven residences on the facility grounds; these homes
and the plant are served by onsite wells. The facility has 38 disposal
areas, including nine where hazardous waste has been documented. Eight
of the waste disposal areas are no longer used; one, the Northwest Lagoon,
received 900 gallons of hazardous wastes, including barium, cadmium,
chromium, lead, mercury, silver, and spent halogenated and nonhalogenated
solvents. Although the lagoon has been treated, covered, graded and
reseeded, heavy metals have been detected in an onsite monitoring well,
indicating that the closure was not adequate. The plant is participating
in the Installation Restoration Program, the Defense Department's program
to cleanup its hazardous waste sites. A records search phase has been
completed and a preliminary survey is now underway.
3.	The Lee Chemical Site is near the southern edge of Liberty, Missouri in
Clay County. Analysis of the City's water wells serving 23,000 people,
indicated the presence of trichloroethylene (TCE). As a result, contami-
nated wells have not been used for drinking water, and well water that is
used is treated to remove TCE. Lee Chemical, a packager of chemicals, was
identified as the source of contamination. Although the building and
visible chemicals were removed from the property, soil samples show that
TCE is still onsite. The State, as lead agency, plans to conduct remedial
actions, including excavating contaminated soil and purging the aquifer.
4.	The Sugar Creek Amoco Oil Refinery site is located on the south bluff of
the Missouri River near the confluence of Sugar Creek. It is a major
point source of pollution requiring extensive action for proper cleanup.
Wastes found at several sites within and outside the refinery include
lead and chromium in tank bottom wastes, total dissolved solids, odors
and phenols, oil seeping from underground pipes and tank bottoms and
excessive amounts of lead and gasoline in the groundwater. The plant
grounds are saturated with residues and oils contaminated with various
inorganics. Several waste disposal sites at the refinery include two
surface impoundments for sludge storage, an aerated lagoon for treating
refinery wastewaters, a filter solids landfarm, and leaded tank bottom
disposal areas (defined as hazardous under RCRA). EPA has agreed to a
closure implementation plan for this site. Amoco has been evaluating a
chemical fixation process for treating waste contained in its RCRA
regulated impoundments. Additional remedial actions may be needed.
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HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES - K.C. AREA
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5. The Conservation Chemical Company in Kansas City, Missouri is located on
the alluvium of the Missouri River. Spills and disposal of wastes have
caused contamination of the groundwater and the Missouri River. The site
has generated arsenic and several organic contaminants, including trichloro-
ethylene (TCE) and vinyl chloride, which have been detected in high
concentrations in the groundwater. A civil action was brought against
CCC and four major generators under the authority of RCRA 7003 and CERCLA
106 and 107. A settlement was reached on August 2, 1985, and the defendants
agreed to construct a slurry wall around the site, cap the site and pump
and treat water extracted by interior withdrawal wells. Defendants will
also undertake operation and maintenance responsibilities.
An additional significant water quality problem in the Kansas City area is the
finding of chlordane in the edible portions of fish samples which has exceeded
the FDA action limits (0.3 mg/kg in edible portions), causing concern for human
health and for other wildlife in the food chain. Chlordane is toxic to both
vertebrate and invertebrate animals and is also suspected of being a human
carcinogen. It is extremely persistent in the environment, and has been detected
in various concentrations in ambient water, finished drinking water, rainwater and
soils. Chlordane is most soluble in fats and oils, accumulating in fish tissue to
high levels of concentration. Since 1980, fish have been collected each year from
predetermined sites throughout the Region and analyzed for over 100 toxic compounds,
including most of the priority pollutants. During 1984, whole fish and fillet
portions were again analyzed. High levels of chlordane were found in the Missouri
River at Kansas City (4.5 mg/kg in carp), and in the Blue River near Swope Park in
Kansas City (11.0 mg/kg). As a result, the Region has recommended an extensive
survey of the Blue River basin to examine sludges, sediments and fish in the
basin, as well as an analysis of fillet samples from commercially or recreationally
important fish. In addition, an assessment of the risk associated with consumption
of these fish must be made and appropriate steps taken to limit consumption
accordingly. Since chlordane can no longer be applied legally for agricultural
use as a pesticide, it is generally accepted that the continuing contamination is
the result of past application practices. However, since no significantly decreasing
trend has been observed, increased attention will be given to defining the extent
and magnitude of the environmental problem.
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IOWA MULTIMEDIA ISSUES
Tricholoroethylene in Groundwater
A plume of trichloroethylene (TCE) and other contaminants has contaminated the
public water supply in Des Moines, Iowa, serving a population of approximately
200,000. The site has been placed on the National Priorities List for Superfund
cleanup action. Although TCE was first detected in the Des Moines drinking
water supply in late 1974, and follow up sampling and monitoring have been
continued since that time, the extent of the plume and all possible sources of
the contamination are still unknown. The plume consists of (TCE), vinyl chloride,
trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, mercury, and other chemicals. Sampling has revealed
that TCE was entering the system through the waterworks' north infiltration
gallery, which is one of three sources of water utilized by the City. Des Moines
also obtains raw water directly from the Raccoon River and has an intake on the
Des Moines River. Groundwater monitoring wells have been installed by EPA and
numerous water and soil samples have been analyzed in an effort to define the
problem and contaminant sources. Analyses of finished water have detected TCE
in the range from 1 ppb to 94 ppb; currently the TCE level has been averaging
less than 1 ppb. The levels of TCE in the finished drinking water warrant
continued monitoring and investigation, but does not constitute an immediate
health hazard.
The Iowa Department of Water, Air and Waste Management has increased the permit
conditions/requirements for the Des Moines system to require additional water
monitoring for all chemicals that have been identified. Samples from early
monitoring wells identified the Dico Company, a manufacturer of metal wheels
and brakes, as a contributor of the TCE; however, in 1981, EPA began additional
investigations to determine other possible sources of the contaminants. Deeper
monitoring wells were installed in 1982 to replace the original wells in order
to define further the contamination and groundwater flow patterns. As of yet,
other sources of contaminants are only suspected. A remedial investigation and
feasibility study conducted by EPA is now underway. The objectives of the
remedial investigation are: (a) to confirm and clarify the present understand-
ing of groundwater flow in the vicinity of the site and the waterworks infiltra-
tion gallery; (b) to identify the source or sources of groundwater contamination;
(c) to define pathways of surface water flow from the site or sources and investi-
gate the potential of off-site migration; (d) to develop a potential list of
viable remedial action alternatives from the data collected.
In November and December of 1984, 20 more monitoring wells were constructed to
measure the groundwater levels, and monthly monitoring of these wells began.
The Remedial Investigation Final Report is expected in October 1985, with the
preliminary feasibility study expected to be submitted for public comment in
May 1986.
The role of EPA Headquarters offices and involved programs will be to continue
providing support to the Region in the process of developing remedial options.
The State serves a coordinating role during EPA's investigation and has requested
that the Des Moines waterworks take the actions necessary to reduce the levels
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of TCE in the finished water. The waterworks has closed the valves in the
north infiltration gallery in an effort to reduce the contamination levels.
The Des Moines TCE site represents a significant environmental problem as
evidenced by its placement on the Superfund National Priorities List in September
of 1983. Wiile vrork has been proceeding to attempt to define the nature and
scope of the problem, ultimate resolution of the situation is not yet accomplished.
Hazardous Waste in Cedar River Basin
LaBounty - Charles City, Iowa. Approximately 6,400,000 cubic feet of arsenical
sludge and organic waste were disposed of on the floodplain of the Cedar Fiver by
Salsbury Laboratories. Leachate from these pollutants have contaminated alluvial
aquifers which in turn have discharged into the Cedar Fiver.
Ttoo additional sites with arsenic contamination problems have been identified and
are currently being reviewed:
1.	Shaw Avenue - Charles City, Iowa. This area has the same types of wastes
found in the LaBounty site and may have similar impacts to surface and
groundwater. It is currently being proposed to be included as a National
Priority List site.
2.	Nashua Impoundment - Nashua, Iowa. Investigations of the impoundment
conducted in FY 1985 and 1986 have led to the State of Iowa's decision to
evaluate the suitability of sites for land applying 1400 acre-feet of
potentially arsenic-contaminated sediment.
The leachate contains 36 separately identified compounds and metals. Those of
most concern are arsenic, orthonitroaniline, and trichloroethane.
Salsbury Laboratories of Charles City was engaged in the production of veterinary
biological preparations, pharmaceutical preparations, veterinary feed additives and
intermediate organic chemicals. From 1953 to 1977, Salsbury Laboratories disposed
of processed wastes on property leased from Mr. Duane LaBounty. Disposal at the
site was halted by the Company in December 1977, pursuant to an administrative
order issued by the Iowa Department of Environmental Ouality.
The EPA issued an administrative order to Salsbury Laboratories on July 6, 1979.
In response the Company has undertaken remedial measures. The program consisted of
installing of a comprehensive groundwater monitoring system, capping the site with
clay, constructing surface water diversion structures, and storm sewer rerouting.
The site appears on the National Priorities List. A focused feasibility study was
completed and recommended the construction of an upgradient cutoff wall to divert
groundwater around the fill material and into the Cedar River. The EPA has issued
a consent order to Salsbury on the LaBounty site requiring the installation of the
cutoff wall and monitoring to confirm its effectiveness. The Company agreed to pay
$300,000 in settlement of cost incurred by the government related to this site.
In addition to the construction of an upgradient groundwater cutoff wall, three
addtional lower Cedar Valley Aguifer groundwater monitoring wells are being installed.
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Chlordane in the Cedar River
Results from fish tissue analyses have revealed elevated levels of chlordane in
fish taken from the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids. Channel catfish fillet chlordane
levels were found at 0.63 milligrams per kilogram and white bass fillets showed
0.32 milligrams per kilograms chlordane. Since FDA's action limits for the edible
fillet portion of fish is 0.3 milligrams per kilogram, these findings cause concern.
Region VII has recommended that additional data collection be conducted prior to
requesting the State to restrict fishing in the Cedar River. The State has
conducted additional sampling of the Cedar River and nearby Cedar Lake. Pre-
liminary results of the latest studies show that Cedar River fish have lower
levels of chlordane than previous samples, but that Cedar Lake fish have
1.0 mg/kg of chlordane. Further sampling is underway to assess the in-lake
problems.
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CHARLES CITY
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CHARLES
SANITARY
SEWER
Salsbury
Laboratory
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NEBRASKA MULTIMEDIA ISSUES
Rainwater Basin Wetlands
One of the Administrator's areas for renewed priority is the protection of
wetlands through vigorous attention to reviews of dredge and fill permit applica-
tions under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and enforcement actions against
unpermitted activities. The Rainwater Basin area (refer to attached map)
extends over 17 south-central Nebraska counties and is a significant portion of
9 of those counties, covering 4,200 square miles. Soil survey maps from early
in this century indicate that Nebraska has lost 90 percent of its wetlands due
to filling and draining agricultural practices. These isolated wetlands, which
are not adjacent to rivers or streams, have shrunk from 4,000 marshes to only
400 basins and 21,000 acres. Of the remaining wetland acreage, approximately
half is protected by State or Federal wildlife agencies. Destruction of the
wetlands accelerated rapidly in the 1950's with the advent of advanced earth-
moving equipment used to place more land into crop production.
The Rainwater Basin is an important staging, resting and breeding area for
migratory fowl, including the endangered whooping crane. Approximately 5-7
million migrating ducks and geese (260 different species) use the Basin area as
a stopover each spring and fall. The drastic reduction in available wetland
habitat has caused waterfowl to overcrowd the remaining wetlands, making them
more vulnerable to disease. Since 1975, fowl cholera epidemics have resulted in
the death of approximately 200,000 waterfowl. These conditions worsen during
drought years. The Rainwater Basin may be thought of as a "bottleneck" in the
migratory flyway, through which increasingly fewer migratory waterfowl are able
to pass.
The Corps of Engineers (C0E) is responsible for issuing permits which allow for
filling activities in the waters of the U.S. Prior to July 1982, the C0E processed
individual 404 permits for discharge activities. After July 1982, C0E
regulations for isolated wetlands came under a nationwide permit (authorizing
filling without individual permits) and therefore, without review by EPA, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) or review by the State of Nebraska. This
process accelerated the disappearance of wetlands. On October 5, 1984, following
a major court decision, the Corps promulgated regulations which
essentially returned the 404 permit requirement to its status prior to the 1982
regulations. In cooperation with the Omaha District C0E, Nebraska Game and
Parks Commission, Nebraska Department of Environmental Control, and the FWS,
EPA has developed a strategy for implementing an Advanced Identification Deter-
mination (AID) for specific wetland areas under Section 230.80 of the 404(b)(11)
Guideline to identify areas unsuitable for filling. While the AID process does
not prohibit destruction of such areas by filling, it does provide identification
of the environmental importance of the area, and does require that a Section
404 dredge and fill permit not be issued without substantial justification.
NE-1

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RAINWATER BASIN WETLANDS PROJECT
NEBRASKA
SIOUX
DAWES
SHERIDAN
CHERRY
BOYD
KEYA PAHA
[•out.
-------
Objectives of the AID strategy are: (a) to educate the public on the importance
of wetlands, including the role of wetlands as pollution filtration systems and
natural flood control mechanisms; (b) to increase the awareness of wetland
landowners of the applicability of permit requirements to their lands; and
(c) to signal to landowners that permits to fill Rainwater Basin wetlands will
not be easily obtained and that the involved regulatory agencies will take
enforcement actions against unpermitted dischargers. Implementation of the AID
process presumes joint cooperation between EPA, COE, and the appropriate State
agencies to present the regulated community with a "united front," and to insure
that the regulatory positions of involved agencies are coordinated with respect
to the Rainwater Basin wetlands.
The following strategy steps have been proposed to activate AID for the Rainwater
Basin, (a) EPA will cooperate with the COE to negotiate a joint strategy,
including a community involvement program, (b) The two lead agencies, EPA and
COE, will invite all appropriate State agencies and the Fish and Wildlife
Service, to provide technical support. All agencies would gather information
from their files on the Rainwater Basin, (c) Actual wetland selection will be
a cooperative venture by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, COE, and EPA. With support from COE, EPA will select counties
for a community involvement program, (d) A series of public workshops will be
held to address concerns of landowners, local agencies and officials, and
organizations with an interest in the project. A list of proposed wetland sites
would be published in local newspapers and the Federal Register. At additional
public meetings, the wetlands proposed for AID designation will be announced,
along with reasons for the selection, (e) Final decision for site selections
will be made by the EPA Regional Administrator and by the District Engineer for
the COE, before publication in the Federal Register.
A major barrier to the AID process is expected in raising the question of
converting wetlands to agricultural use. While the Rainwater Basin wetlands
are of continental significance for migratory waterfowl and therefore nationally
significant, the controversy over land use must be addressed on the individual
landowner's economic level, as well as on environmental grounds. A comparative
analysis is planned of the economics of wetland conversion and agricultural use
versus landowner participation in one of the available wetland protection
programs. A possible need for Headquarters involvement in implementing the
protection strategy may arise in the future when specific funding sources will
be identified.
There are many pitfalls to overcome if the Advanced Identification Determination
process in the Rainwater Basin is to be successful and positively received by
the State and affected landowners. Of utmost importance is that EPA be able to
state the case for protecting wetlands in the area, to coordinate efforts to
regulate the use of these wetlands within available alternatives, and to minimize
institutional and public resistance.
NE-2
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1985 Environmental Management Report
Significant Environmental Problems
ATTACHMENT
Page 1
REGIONAL OFFICE: Region VII
Problem Title/Description
Geographic
Scope
Major
Source
Major
Impacts
Levels of
Public Concern
Contami nants
of Concern
Regionwide Issues





A. Groundwater
Contamination
Regionwide
Infiltra-
tion of
agricul-
tural
ferti1i-
zers &
pesticides
overpump-
i ng/over-
drafti ng
Valuable aquifers threated with
contamination
Hi gh
NO3, pesticides
& other chemical
wastes
B. Asbestos exposure
from deterioration,
remodeling, or
demolition of public
& private buildings
Regionwi de
Asbestos
contai ni ng
building
material &
insulation
Human health impacts & associated
dangers from exposure to a known
carcinogen
Moderate
Asbestos
-------
1985 Environmental Management Report
Significant Environmental Problems
ATTACHMENT
Page 2
REGIONAL OFFICE: Region VII
Problem Title/Description
Geographic
Scope
Major
Source
Major
Impacts
Levels of
Public Concern
Contami nants
of Concern
Missouri Multimedia Issues





A. Air Quality
St. Lou is
Metro Area
Industrial
emissions
especially
from auto
assembly,
highway
traffic &
consumer
so 1 vent
use
Metro area residents in affected
counties totaling over two million
residents exposed to violations of
health related standard
Mo derate
Ozone & carbon
monoxi de
B. Radiation from two for-
mer Atomic Energy
Commission (AEC) sites
which processed U ore, a
radiopharmaceutical
manufacturer, a cyclo-
tron facility, & heavy
metal refiners
Seven
sites near
Missouri
River in
Eastern
Missouri
Radio-
i sotop
processors
& refiners
Radioactive thorium in the Missouri
River, exposure to racbn gas, general
proximity of AEC sites to metropoli-
tan population
High
Variety of radio-
active materials,
particularly U &
Th
-------
1985 Environmental Management Report
Significant Environmental Problems
ATTACHMENT
Page 3
REGIONAL OFFICE: Region VII
Problem Title/Description
Geographic
Scope
Major
Source
Major
Impacts
Levels of
Public Concern
Contami nants
of Concern
C. Water quality
1. Chlordane contamina-
tion
Waste water treatment
plant discharges
D. Hazardous Wastes
1. Findett Corporation
2. Dioxin sites
Meramec
River &
ributaries
in the
St. Louis
area
St .Louis
Metro Area
Past agri-
cultural
& termite
protection
practi ces
St. Louis
& St.
Charles
treatment
plants
Near St.
Findett
Charles on
fluid re-
floodplain
processing
of Missis-
plant
sippi

Ri ver

Various
Waste oil
sites in
sprayed
eastern
for dust
Missouri;
control by
25 con-
waste oil
fi rmed
reclaimer
dioxin

sites in

the St.

Louis area

Primary impact on fish population;
implications for human health & other
wildlife in the food chain. State
has issued an advisory against fish
consumption from the river
Potential impacts on quality of water
in receiving streams (Mississippi &
Missouri Rivers)
Hi gh
Chlordane
Moderate
Plant discharges
Extent of contamination at	facility
site not yet well defined;	City's
public drinking water well	field
located a mile from site
Potential human exposure to dioxin
at high concentrations
Moderate
PCB's
High
Dioxin
i
-------
1985 Environmental Management Report
Significant Environmental Problems
ATTACHMENT
Page 4
REGIONAL OFFICE: Region VII
Problem Title/Description
Geographi c
Scope
Major
Source
Major
Impacts
Levels of
Public Concern
Contami nants
of Concern
E. Missouri Lead Belt
South-
eastern
MO
Lead
smelter
Violation of lead air standard near
the plant; elevated lead levels in
aquatic fauna tissues
Moderate
Lead
-------
1985 Environmental Management Report
Significant Environmental Problems
ATTACHMENT
Page 5
REGIONAL OFFICE: Region VII
Problem Title/Description
Geographic
Scope
Major
Source
Major
Impacts
Levels of
Public Concern
Contaminants
of Concern
Kansas Multimedia Issues
A. Hazardous Waste
1. Cowley County
2. National Industrial
Envi ronmental
Services (NIES)
3. Big River Sand Co;
South-
central
Kansas
160 acres
in Sedg-
wick Cty,
KS
80 acres
of sand
pits in
Central
KS.
Commercial
&
i ndustri al
busi ness
in Strother
Field
Industrial
Park
Hazardous
waste
1andfi11
Potential impact on drinking water
wells serving 2300 people within a
3-mile radius of the site.
Moderate
Previous
site
operator
deposi ted
1800 drums
of paint-
related
wastes
Groundwater, surface water & soil
offsite has been contaminated
Groundwater underlying wastes is
contaminated; groundwater used as
drinking water source for 1000 people
within a 3-mile radius of the site
High
Moderate
Chlori nated
organic chemicals
Toxic organic
chemicals includ-
ing known
carcinogens
Solvents & heavy
metals from paint
wastes
-------
1985 Environmental Management Report
Significant Environmental Problems
ATTACHMENT
Page 6
REGIONAL OFFICE: Region VII
Problem Title/Description
Geographi c
Scope
Major
Source
Major
Impacts
Levels of
Public Concern
Contaminants
of Concern
B. Water Quality





1. Groundwater
South-
central
Kansas
Oi1, gas &
salt
mi ni ng-
related
wel 1 s
Wells serve as points of entry for
contaminants into groundwater
Moderate
Saltwater
intrusion
2. Four Mile Creek in
Spring Branch
Four Mi 1e
Basi n
Kansas
Fi ve
sewage
t reatment
pi ants
Water quality problems for several
small metropolitan streams
Moderate
Discharges from
treatment plants
-------
1985 Environmental Management Report
Significant Environmental Problems
ATTACHMENT
Page 7
REGIONAL OFFICE: Region VII
Problem Title/Description
Geographic
Scope
Major
Source
Major
Impacts
Levels of
Public Concern
Contami nants
of Concern
Missouri/Kansas Bi-State
Issues





A. Dioxin contamination in
various Missouri sites
Southwest
Mi ssouri
Waste oil
sprayed
for dust
control
Contaminated soil in residential and
commercial areas with potential for
human exposure
High
Dioxin (2,3,7,8-
TCDD)
B. Tri-State Mining
District
Cherokee
Cty, KS;
Jasper Cty
MO; &
Ottawa Cty
OK
Extensi ve
lead &
zi nk
mi ni ng
Water in mines, wells and streams
contaminated with toxic metals
Moderate
High concentra-
tions of lead &
cadmium; one
aquifer exceeding
drinking water
standards for
C. Former phosphate ore
mining & production of
phosphoric acid
Vicinity
of Joplin,
MO
Phospho-
gypsum
production
at two
pi ants
Surface water exceeding the water
quality criteria for several toxic
metals; possible radiation health
effects from tailings piles and
possible exposure from use of the
phosphogypsum
Moderate
Natural radio-
active material
including uranium
& radium
D. TCE contamination in
drinking water in
Republic
Greene Cty
MO
Sol id
State
Ci rcuits
pi ant
property
City water wells within 500 feet of
NPL site
Moderate
TCE
-------
1985 Environmental Management Report
Significant Environmental Problems
ATTACHMENT
Page 8
REGIONAL OFFICE: Region VII
Problem Title/Description
Geographic
Scope
Major
Source
Major
Impacts
Levels of
Public Concern
Contami nants
of Concern
E. Contamination at North-
U Drive wells in
Spri ngfi eld
Greene Cty
MO
Unknown
Several private water wells
contaminated; potential impact for
the major water source of City's
133,000 population
Mo derate
Various combina-
tions of volatile
organic chemicals
F. Air quality in metro-
politan Kansas City
Kansas Cty
Metro Area
Hydrocar-
bon emis-
sions from
auto
traffic,
stationary
sources &
consumer
so 1 vent
use
Continuing violations of the health
related ozone standard
Mo derate
Ozone
G. Hazardous waste sites in
the metro area:





1. Doepke Disposal Site
Johnson
Cty, KS
Industri al
wastes
i nc ludi ng
pai nt
sludges,
met a 1
tai lings &
fiberglass
re sins
Leachate flowing into Kansas River &
possible groundwater contamination
near the site of the County's 21
drinking water welIs
Moderate
Leachate seeps of
toxic organic &
inorganic chemi-
cals including
boron, phenols &
nitrate
-------
1985 Environmental Management Report
Significant Environmental Problems
ATTACHMENT
Page 9
REGIONAL OFFICE: Region VII

Geographi c
Major
Major
Levels of
Contami nants
Problem Title/Description
Scope
Source
Impacts
Public Concern
of Concern
2. Lake City Army
Seven sq
Department
Contamination of on-site wells, indi-
Moderate
Hazardous wastes
Ammunition Plant
miles in
of Defense
cating that closure of waste lagoon

including toxic

Jackson
ammuni ti on
is inadequate

metals & spent

Cty, MO
pi ant


sol vents
3. Lee Chemical site
Southern
Abandoned
Contamination of City's drinking
Moderate
TCE

edge of
Lee
water wells



Liberty,
Chemi cal




MO in CI ay
site




Cty




4. Sugar Creek Amoco
Sugar
Sugar
Groundwater degradation from oil
Low, Amoco is
Residues & oils
Oil Refinery site
Creek con-
Creek
seepage due to leakage of underground
working w/EPA
containing

fluence
Amoco Oi1
pipes & tank bottoms; contamination
to develop
various inor-

w/Mi ssouri
Ref i nery
of surface water from surface im-
adequate
ganics excessive

Ri ver
(closed)
poundments & lagoons during heavy
closure plan
amts of lead &



rains
under RCRA
gasoline in




regulations
groundwater
5. Conservation Chemical
A1 luvi um
Surface
Contamination of groundwater with
Moderate
Arsenic & several

of the
impound-
potential to contaminate Missouri

organic contami-

Mi ssouri
ments at
Ri ver

nants, including

Ri ver
former


TCE & vinyl


chemical


chl oride


fertilizer





plant



-------
1985 Environmental Management Report
Significant Ertvi ronmental Problems
ATTACHMENT
Page 10
REGIONAL OFFICE: Region VII
Problem Title/Description
Geographic
Scope
Major
Source
Major
Impacts
Levels of
Public Concern
Contaminants
of Concern
H. High levels of chlordane
in fish tissues
Missouri &
Blue River
in Kansas
City area
Past
pesticide
applica-
ti on
practices
Primary impact on fish population;
implications for human health & other
wildlife in the food chain
Moderate
Chiordane
-------
1985 Environmental Management Report
Significant Environmental Problems
ATTACHMENT
Page 11
REGIONAL OFFICE: Region VII
Problem Title/Description
Geographi c
Scope
Major
Source
Major
Impacts
Levels of
Public Concern
Contaminants
of Concern
Iowa Multimedia Issues





A. TCE contamination of
public water supply
Des Moines
Iowa
Unknown
Potential for impact on city popula-
tion of 200,000
Moderate
TCE
B. Cedar River, IA





a. Hazardous Waste
Central
north-
eastern
IA
Salsbury
Lab's
improper
Iandfi11
practices
Drinking water & river contamination
High
36 compounds &
metals including
arsenic, ortho-
nitroanilene, <5
TCE
b. Water Quality
Cedar
Ri ver
Past
pesticide
applica-
ti on
practices
Primary impact on fish population;
implications for human health &
other wildlife in the food chain
Moderate
Chlordane
-------
1985 Environmental Management Report
Significant Environmental Problems
ATTACHMENT
Page 12
REGIONAL OFFICE: Region VII
Problem Title/Description
Geographic
Scope
Major
Source
Major
Impacts
Levels of
Public Concern
Contaminants
of Concern
Nebraska Multimedia Issues
Protection of Rainwater
Basin wetland area
South-
central
Nebraska
(17-county
area,4,000
sq miles)
Agri cul-
tural
practices
to convert
wetlands
into crop
producing
1 and
Reduction in healthy waterfowl popu-
lation, loss of wetlands for flood
control and pollution filtration
Moderate
Suspended solids,
pesticides, &
other agri cul-
turally-related
contami nants
-------