1970
30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
2000
REMEMBER THE PAST
PROTECT THE FUTURE
\^i\ m*^S~'
&EPA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 7
EPA-903-R-99-005
IOWA | KANSAS | MISSOURI | NEBRASKA
-------
"EPA was born 30 years ago at a time
when rivers caught fire and cities were
hidden under dense clouds of smoke. We Ve
made remarkable progress since then. But
we can't rest on our success.
Our mission to protect the environment,
and to protect public health, is a mission
without end. New challenges loom over the
horizon as surely as the new day.
We must continue our work to ensure
that with each new dawn, the sun shines
through clear skies and upon clean
waters - and all our families enjoy the
blessings of good health."
- Carol M. Browner, EPA Administrator
|
\
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
^PRO'fc& REGION VII
901 N. 5TH STREET
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS 66101
OFFICE OF
THE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR
Here in EPA Region 7, we're a dynamic and changing organization that never stops looking
for better ways to protect the environment and the health of the 12 million people who live in
the region. We're involved... and we're evolving. It's wonderful to be a part of that. I came to
EPA as regional administrator in 1994 because I knew this would be a great time to be at
EPA. A lot of things have changed since then, but that hasn't. Now we've entered a new
century - we're doing great things - and it's still a great time to be at EPA.
Almost 70 percent of the 286,000 square miles of Region 7 is farmland. But Region 7 is
also industrial, with 56 percent of its 12 million people living in metropolitan areas such as
St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, Des Moines and Wichita. That provides us a full range of
environmental challenges, from well water and pesticides to toxic chemicals and incineration.
Of late, people have been asking me to predict the future of environmental protection in
Region 7. I'm not much on fortune telling. I have no doubt, though, that we will keep the best
of what we have learned in the last century. One of the best lessons I'm sure will continue
into this century is working closely with our partners: state and local environmental agencies,
tribal governments, business, industry, agriculture and citizen groups. Together, we help each
other identify needs, achieve common goals, and make the best use of shared resources. In
the process, we all work to protect the environment.
As for predicting the future, I'll leave that to you. You can see in the pages of this report
where we have been. There are many successes, from the restoration of dioxin-contaminated
Times Beach to a new Region 7 Headquarters building on an old, abandoned Brownfields
site. You can see where we are now, working together to determine our environmental future.
But that future depends on you, our partners: what you want, what you will do, and what
you will teach your children. When you know these things, perhaps you can predict our
environmental future. One thing I know for sure, it will still be a great time to be at EPA.
U2^-~"
Dennis Grams, P.E.
Regional Administrator
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EPA REGION 7 30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
1970
ironment
-------
Oome elements in the air have very detrimental
impacts on human health and the environment.
These elements are commonly referred to as
"pollutants." Most of Region 7 has had relatively
good quality air for as long as our monitors have
been recording air quality data.
Air Pollutants
EPA has established health-based air quality
standards for six criteria air pollutants. These
pollutants are: carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (03),
sulfur dioxide (SC^), nitrogen dioxide (NC^), lead
(Pb), and particulate matter (PM). The Clean Air
Act requires each state to develop air quality plans,
or State Implementation Plans (SIPs), which outline
how the standards for these pollutants will be met.
Control of emissions in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and
Nebraska has resulted in marked improvements in
air quality. Based on monitoring data from 1988 to
1997, the average pollutant concentrations for each
of the six criteria pollutants have been reduced in
Region 7. Even with these improvements, our most
populated cities frequently exceed air quality
standards. For example, St. Louis, Missouri (the
largest metropolitan area in Region 7) continues to
employ significant pollutant reduction measures to
meet the ozone standard.
A more important measure of air quality is the
number of people exposed to unsafe levels of air
pollutants. In 1990, approximately 3.2 million
residents of Region 7 lived in areas that routinely
exceeded one or more of the air standards. In 1999,
the total number of people living in areas exceeding
the air standards dropped to 1.9 million. This
represents a 41 percent reduction in the number of
people exposed to unhealthful concentrations of
pollutants in less than a decade. Despite this
success, 15 percent of Region 7's population still
live in areas with unhealthy air. We continue to
work hard to improve air quality for this segment
of the population.
Ozone Consortium
Region 7's Ozone Consortium was formed in
partnership with many planning agencies in
recognition that high ozone concentrations pose
serious health threats and that violations of the
ozone standard carry with them some of the most
difficult requirements of the Clean Air Act. Six
cities (Springfield, Missouri; Wichita, Kansas;
Davenport, Cedar Rapids, and Des Moines, Iowa;
and Omaha, Nebraska), all four state
environmental agencies, numerous planning
officials and elected officials now participate
in this consortium.
Revised Standards
In 1997, EPA adopted revised health-based
standards for particulate matter and ozone. Studies
found that the smallest particles (2.5 microns) can
cause the greatest damage to human lungs. To give
some perspective, the average human hair is 28
... Estimated 20 million people participate in first Earth Day event ... EPA is created and is initially tasked with primary
enacted in 1955 is amended to establish first comprehensive national program including uniform national air quality standards
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EPA REGION 7 30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
Criteria Air Pollutant Trends
120
100
80
60
20
0
Lead(ug/m3) -43%
CO (ppm) -27%
S02 (ppb) -45%
N02 (ppb) -6%
iPM10(ng/m?-23%
Ozone (ppb) -15%
1988 1997
times larger (in diameter) than
the largest of these particles.
Ozone studies found that the
current standard did not
adequately protect health.
Continuing air quality
evaluations reveal that ozone
concentrations in St. Louis and
Kansas City areas are exceeding
or are very close to exceeding
the new ozone standard. At least
six other cities in Region 7 have
air quality which threatens to
exceed the new ozone standard.
Air Toxics
Exposure to other airborne toxic
compounds such as benzene,
formaldehyde and mercury are
also potential threats to human
health and the environment.
EPA has recently begun to focus
attention on nearly 200 air
toxic substances.
Region 7 maintains two
independent databases which
document toxic emissions.
The Toxics Release Inventory
(TRI) is the oldest of the two
databases. It contains
information on toxic releases to
air, water and land reported for
major facilities. TRI data show
that between 1993 and 1997,
Region 7's toxic emissions were
reduced by approximately 8
percent. The new National Toxic
Inventory (NTI) database
shows that as much as 70
percent of Region 7's toxic
emissions are related to motor
vehicles, small facilities, and
commercial activities.
Region 7 is working with our
states to establish monitoring
networks in our most vulnerable
areas to evaluate air toxic
impacts to communities.
TRI Emission Trends
80
^ 70
1 60
50
H
u 30
a
g 20
Iowa
Kansas
' Missouri
' Nebraska
1990 1993
1997
Enforcement -
Not Just Fines
When settling federal
enforcement cases, Region 7
focuses not only on correction of
violations and remediation of
environmental harm, but also
on encouraging the violating
parties to go beyond the
minimum legal compliance
requirements by developing
supplementary environmental
projects as part of the set-
tlements. To take advantage of
this program, a company
implements a project that will
reduce or eliminate the amount
of pollutants released into the
environment in exchange for a
reduced penalty. Region 7
settlements which included
these supplemental projects
have reduced emissions by
an estimated 107 million
pounds of pollutants.
Charcoal Kiln Emissions
Reduced Through
Partnership
Residents of Missouri's scenic
Ozarks had a serious air quality
problem until the late 1990s
due to the charcoal industry.
Charcoal kilns operated without
air emission controls, and
emitted thousands of tons of
particulates and toxic gases,
including methanol and carbon
monoxide. In 1997, Region 7
and the State of Missouri
worked together to develop a
solution to this problem and
reduce emissions from these
sources. Through a settlement
agreement, the charcoal
products industry agreed to
reduce harmful emissions and
restore healthful air quality to
these Ozark residents.
-gion 7 office and laboratory established in Kansas City, MO ... Cheyenne Bottoms, KS, designated as a wetland of
.nowingly sprayed on roads for dust control at Times Beach, MO ... Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
-------
CLEAN AIR
The charcoal industry is working with Region 7 to reduce emissions. The emissions
strategy will result in a yearly reduction of air pollutants by 30 million tons.
Indoor Air Quality
EPA studies indicate that indoor
air levels of many pollutants
may be two to five times, and
sometimes more than 100 times,
higher than outdoor levels.
These levels of indoor air
pollutants are of concern,
because it is estimated that most
people spend as much as 90
percent of their time indoors.
Indoor air quality can be
affected by a variety of factors
including construction practices;
improper storage or use of
pesticides and cleaners; elevated
moisture levels; and synthetic
building materials and
furnishings. These factors can
lead to a buildup of pollutants
such as radon gas; lead; tobacco
smoke; carbon monoxide and
other combustion pollutants;
dust; volatile organic
compounds; and pesticides and
biological contaminants.
Region 7's program focuses on
providing information and
technical assistance on
improving indoor air quality
to the public as well as to
other government entities
and the private sector.
Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring
radioactive gas and the second
leading cause of lung cancer.
Test devices are used to
determine indoor radon gas
levels and when they exceed
EPA's action level of 4 picocuries
per liter (pCi/L). Iowa has the
largest number of homes in the
nation with radon levels above
the action level; Nebraska is
third. Region 7's program
focuses on providing outreach
and technical assistance in
evaluating radon levels
and mitigating problems
where needed.
Asbestos
Asbestos fibers can cause serious
lung diseases. Children are
particularly vulnerable to the
effects of asbestos exposure.
EPA's asbestos program centers
on public and private schools.
There has been an extensive
effort to inform elementary and
secondary school officials on
how to reduce exposure. The
law requires inspection of all
schools and the development of
management plans where
asbestos-containing materials
are found. These plans, updated
regularly, require schools to take
actions to reduce or eliminate
asbestos exposure. Region 7
has inspected 47 percent of
school districts for compliance
with the Asbestos Hazard
Emergency Response Act.
Radiation
The primary health effects of
exposures to ionizing radiation
are increases in the risk of
cancer and genetic changes
such as growth impairment
and mental retardation. In order
to prevent exposures and
incidents resulting in exposure
to humans, Region 7's efforts in
this area have consisted of
providing technical assistance
as well as responding to
radiation emergencies and
participating in emergency
preparedness activities.
international importance ... Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act enacted
e oil containing dioxin was
(FIFRA) originally enacted in 1947 amended to strengthen pesticide registration ... EPA institutes ban on use of pesticide DDT.
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EPA REGION 7 30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
Federal
Act (SD
1975
-------
Re
Legion 7 has a rich and varied abundance of
water resources. The major rivers and lakes
integrate the overall character of the land, but even
more evident, reflect the richness of rainfall in the
east that tapers off to the west. The surface water
resources consist of about 374,000 miles of rivers
and streams, and about 1,145,000 acres of lakes,
reservoirs and ponds. These waters are a significant
component of Region 7's environmental resources.
They provide water for drinking water, irrigation of
croplands, and industrial processes. The rivers and
lakes also provide habitat for fish and other aquatic
species, recreation, barge traffic, and hydroelectric
power generation.
The quality of surface water resources is judged by
their capability to maintain specific uses designated
in each state's water quality standards. Each water
body is designated for a variety of uses, including
swimming, wading, boating, public water supply,
fish consumption, or maintenance of aquatic life.
About 32 percent of the assessed lake areas and 51
percent of the assessed rivers and streams fail to
support uses designated by each state's water
quality standards. This results primarily from
contamination from pesticides, plant nutrients,
sediments, fecal coliform bacteria, and metals.
Monitoring data show that sedimentation was the
leading cause of impairment of water quality in
streams, while turbidity/suspended solids and
pesticides were the main causes in lakes.
Agriculture was the primary source of these
impaired uses in both streams and lakes. This
comes as no surprise considering the huge acreage
in the four states devoted to farming and the
reduction in impacts from point sources of
pollution. The reduction in point source pollution
has been due to expenditures during the past 25
years of billions of dollars for wastewater treatment
by both municipalities and industries.
Public Water Systems
A public water system is defined as any facility that
provides water to 25 or more persons, or 15 or
more service connections, at least 60 days of the
year. This includes not only cities, rural water dis-
tricts, and large privately-owned utilities, but also
subdivisions, mobile home parks, rural schools and
churches with their own source of water. There are
more than 4,000 community public water systems
in Region 7, serving more than 11.4 million people.
EPA has set standards for more than 80
contaminants in drinking water that may be a
threat to public health. These standards require
routine testing, and set maximum contaminant
levels which the public water systems must not
exceed. Any exceedances must be reported. In some
circumstances, EPA requires that public water
systems provide specific treatment levels to protect
consumers against potential contamination that is
difficult to detect through testing.
regulate effluent discharges to all water
A initiates actions to eliminate lead in gasolin.
e Drinking Water
emission standards
jxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) gives EPA authority to regulate chemicals produced
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EPA REGION 7 30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
The Safe Drinking Water Act
amendments of 1996 estab-
lished a strong new emphasis
on preventing drinking water
contamination problems
through the Drinking Water
State Revolving Fund.
Region 7 states are providing
more than 50 percent of their
project funds for loans to small
communities. These loans are
used to rehabilitate or develop
water sources; install or upgrade
treatment facilities; install or
upgrade water storage facilities
such as treated water reservoirs;
prevent microbiological
contaminants from entering the
water system; and install or
replace transmission and
distribution pipes to prevent
contamination caused by leaks
or breaks in the pipe, or to
improve water pressure.
Groundwater Protection
Groundwater is an important
resource in Region 7 that is used
extensively for domestic and
agricultural purposes. More than
85 percent of public water
systems in Region 7 rely on
groundwater as the drinking
water source. In many areas,
water from underground
aquifers is the only practical
source of water. Groundwater
has often been taken for granted
as a limitless and clean resource.
Region 7 provides funding and
support to states, tribes and
local governments for source
water, groundwater, and
wellhead protection programs
that emphasize preventing
contamination. Many public
water systems have imple-
mented protection programs
to safeguard supplies.
All four states have established
and implemented a Wellhead
Protection Program. Partnering
with entities such as the Rural
Water Association, Groundwater
Foundation, and Midwest
Assistance Program provides a
back-up system for educating
communities. In addition, each
of Region 7 states has submitted
to EPA its Source Water Pro-
tection Program for review and
River Miles
120r
100
80
60
20
NE MO KS IA
approval. Each state has
tailored its plan to provide the
best possible protection to its
public drinking water supplies.
Underground Injection
Control Program
The Underground Injection
Control (UIC) program, as part
of the Safe Drinking Water Act,
is designed to prevent contami-
nation of Underground Sources
of Drinking Water (USDW) by
injection wells. Basically, a
USDW is an aquifer or portion
of an aquifer which supplies a
public water system or contains
a sufficient quantity of
groundwater to supply a public
water system. Wells injecting
into or above a USDW have a
high potential for contaminating
aquifers that could serve or are
currently serving as drinking
water sources.
Region 7 has about 13,000
shallow injection wells registered
with either EPA or the states.
EPA is currently developing
additional regulations to
provide stricter controls over
this type of wells.
Management
Plans for Pesticides
The states in Region 7 have
developed generic Pesticide
Management Plans in
preparation of an anticipated
EPA requirement to protect
groundwater from certain
products. These plans are
an important management
tool for protecting regional
water resources.
City of Wichita
Solves River Problems
Since November 1973, The City
of Wichita, Kansas, has
monitored water quality
.vesource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) gives EPA broad authority to control hazardous wastes from "cradle to grave"
standards and compliance requirements ... Clean Water Act amendments focus on control of toxic pollutants
-------
CLEAN WATER
Safe Drinking Water Amendments, 1996, established strong new emphasis on
preventing drinking water contamination through source water protection.
downstream on the Arkansas
River near Derby, Kansas.
Levels of ammonia had been
high, and the City's sewage
treatment plant was the
principal contributor. Ammonia
levels were frequently as high as
8 milligrams per liter. The
acceptable level for ammonia is
about 1 milligram per liter.
During late 1990, the treatment
plant initiated nitrification
which reduces ammonia
discharges. Since that time,
levels have measured less than 1
milligram per liter, and fish
population data suggest water
quality is on the rebound.
In addition, since there is a
concentration of aircraft
industries in Wichita, the City
wanted to reduce two identified
metal wastes of concern,
cadmium and lead, discharged
to the City's sewage treatment
plant. An effective pretreatment
program from 1988 to 1996
reduced 95 percent of cadmium
and 70 percent of lead. Since
the City was able to produce
high quality biosolids, it
developed avenues for
applications to croplands.
Wichita now has agreements
with area farmers to apply safe
biosolids on approximately
20,000 acres.
Largest Civil Penalty
Under Clean Water Act
Levied Against Koch
Industries
One of the nation's largest
private oil pipeline companies,
Koch Industries, Inc., Wichita,
Kansas, agreed January 13,
2000, to pay a $30 million civil
penalty, improve its leak-
protection program, and spend
$5 million for purchasing and
restoring wetlands and other
beneficial environmental
projects. It was the largest civil
fine ever levied under the Clean
Water Act. Koch had spilled
three million gallons of oil and
related products from 1990
to 1997 into lakes and streams
in Kansas, Missouri, and four
other states.
The company will pay $1.5
million to buy and preserve
wetlands or wildlife habitat in
Kansas and Oklahoma. The
company will spend another
$ 1 million to conduct a
pipeline safety study in
Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma
aimed at educating the oil
and gas industry about oil
spill prevention.
The company must also hire
an independent firm to perform
an annual audit for at least
three years, and report on
whether the company is
meeting the requirements of
the settlement and applicable
environmental laws.
including generation, storage, transportation and disposal ... Clean Air Act amendments revise national air qualit
institutes controls on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) ... EPA bans use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in non-essential aerosol
-------
EPA REGION 7 30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
1980
1979
... Region
provides
-------
Re
Legion 7's landscape varies from the semi-arid
grasslands of the High Plains in western Kansas
and Nebraska to lush, rolling hills in the western
Corn Belt plains of eastern Iowa; and from the Pon-
derosa Pine ridges of northwestern Nebraska to the
oak-forested hills of the Missouri Ozark Highlands.
Most of Iowa, eastern Kansas, northern Missouri,
and eastern Nebraska have been converted to
cropland. Significant areas of remaining shortgrass
prairie in the western reaches are managed as
rangeland for livestock production. Dryland
farming during the early part of the century,
followed by extensive development of groundwater
and surface water resources during the past four
decades for cropland irrigation, continues to reduce
remaining rangeland areas.
Municipal Solid Waste
Across the country, many states, communities,
businesses, and individuals have found creative
ways to reduce and better manage municipal solid
waste through a mix of practices that includes
source reduction, recycling (including composting),
and disposal.
Everyone knows that reducing waste is good for the
environment. What most don't know is that solid
waste reduction and recycling help stop global
climate change. How? By decreasing the amount
of heat-trapping greenhouse gases that are linked
to everyday trash.
Solid waste reduction and recycling are important
parts of pollution prevention efforts in Region 7.
Four of the most important programs are
WasteWise, Jobs Through Recycling, Pay-As-You-
Throw, and Landfill Standards.
Climate Change Impacts
A solid waste grant in Iowa was used to examine
the impact of solid waste management options on
greenhouse gases in Iowa. Iowa's 1995 solid waste
diversion levels resulted in greenhouse gas benefits
that were larger than half of the priority options
identified in Iowa's Climate Change Action Plan.
This is particularly significant because these
reductions have already been achieved, well in
advance of the state's 2010 target date.
Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Superfund
Years ago, people did not understand how certain
wastes or practices might affect their health and the
environment. In response to citizens' growing
concern over health and environmental risks posed
by closed or abandoned hazardous waste sites,
Congress established the Superfund Program in
1980. Some common hazardous waste sites include
abandoned warehouses, manufacturing facilities,
processing plants and landfills.
Hazardous wastes sites are initially identified and
reported by a variety of sources, such as citizens;
businesses; local, tribal and state governments; EPA
and other federal agencies. When a potential
7 notified by anonymous caller that waste oil containing dioxin had been applied to roadways in numerous locations in MO
EPA the authority to address closed and abandoned hazardous waste sites
New cars meet emission standards for first
-------
EPA REGION 7 30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
hazardous waste site is reported,
EPA screens the site to
determine what type of action is
necessary. Some sites do not
require any action. Others are
referred to the states, to other
EPA programs, to other federal
agencies, or to those responsible
for cleanup or other action.
National Priority List Sites
in Region 7
Future
Construction
Underway
Construction
Completed
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
To date, 3,085 potential
hazardous waste sites have
been identified in Region 7.
Approximately 2,489 (about 81
percent) of these sites have been
assessed and removed from
EPA's inventory, because they
required no further action.
For some sites, Region 7
performed on-site investigations
including the testing of the soil,
water, and air to determine
what hazardous substances were
left at the site, and how serious
the risks may be to human
health and the environment.
Of the 69 Region 7 sites that
have been listed on the National
Priorities List, 54 (78 percent)
have the final remedy in place
or under construction.
Times Beach
Reborn as Missouri Park
Some sites take several decades
to clean up. The Times Beach
Superfund site, southwest of
St. Louis, was a formerly
incorporated town where roads
were sprayed with waste oil for
dust control in the early 1970s.
Region 7 confirmed the site was
contaminated with dioxin
during a 1982 investigation.
Twenty-six eastern Missouri
properties were also sprayed
with the contaminated oil.
The nearby Meramec River
flooded Times Beach in 1982.
Residents were forced to
evacuate. The Centers for
Disease Control recommended
that the residents who
evacuated, as well as those who
returned following the flood, be
permanently relocated. EPA
transferred $33 million to the
Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency for the permanent
relocation of residents and
businesses in 1983. By the end
of 1986, all residents were
permanently relocated.
Cleanup consisted of excavating
the contaminated soil from all
The Removal Program
The highest priority of the
Superfund program is to make
hazardous sites safe for those
who live or work nearby. These
activities may include
temporarily relocating people,
providing people with
sites and storing it at Times
Beach until a permanent remedy
was identified. EPA selected
incineration as the permanent
remedy to destroy the dioxin. An
incinerator was brought to the
Times Beach site in 1996.
The incinerator operated from
March 1996 to June 1997. More
than 263,000 tons of dioxin-
contaminated material were
treated. Once the operation was
completed, the incinerator was
demobilized and removed, and
the site was restored.
The Times Beach site is now
Missouri Route 66 State
Park, which opened on
September 11, 1999.
ROUTE 66
STATE PARK
QF wnftHL RESOURCES
> ; ,.
WIDER DEVELOPMENT
' :
The Times Beach site is now Missouri
Route 66 State Park, southwest of
St. Louis.
alternative drinking water, and
securing sites to eliminate
human risks. Superfund's
removal program delivers a
quick, limited-cost response to
1982
begins to regulate asbestos in schools under TSCA ... Region 7 publishes asbestos inspection manual which
extensive contamination, buyout of Times Beach, MO, is announced
ardous and Solid Waste Act amends RCRA
-------
CLEAN LAND
immediate threats posed by the
release of hazardous substances.
Region 7 receives an average
of 1,110 hazardous substance
release notifications a year. It
is advantageous for private
companies or parties to assist in
cleanups and avoid additional
expenses. EPA steps in only if
state and local authorities
exhaust all efforts and resources
to address a hazard or to
identify Potentially Responsible
Parties (PRPs).
Pesticides
Few chemicals have had as
much impact or been the
subject of as much controversy
in recent decades as pesticides.
A pesticide is any substance or
mixture of substances intended
for preventing, destroying,
repelling, or mitigating any pest.
Pests include insects, mice and
other animals; unwanted plants
(weeds); fungi; or micro-
organisms like bacteria and
viruses. Many household
products are pesticides.
One of the primary goals of the
pesticides program is to ensure
the proper application and use
of pesticides. In Region 7,
approximately 5,500 private
and 4,500 commercial pesticide
applicators were certified in
1999, and an additional 29,000
private and 9,300 commercial
applicators were re-certified.
Hazardous Waste
Management
Americans make and dispose of
chemicals and waste products in
large quantities. Since 1945, the
amount of waste generated in
the United States has multiplied
more than 500 times.
The Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA) regulates
hazardous wastes through their
entire life cycle. Hazardous
wastes are those which are
ignitable, corrosive, reactive
(explosive), and toxic. Many
other wastes are listed as
hazardous based on their source.
Region 7 has 100 facilities
ranked high for corrective action
cleanup. Twenty of these
facilities are in Iowa, 22 in
Kansas, 36 in Missouri, and 22
in Nebraska. Region 7 has
achieved human health
protection for 18 percent of the
facilities, just under the 1999
national goal of 20 percent. For
migration of contaminated
groundwater, Region 7 has
achieved controls at 17 percent
of high-ranked facilities, well
ahead of the 1999 interim goal
of 10 percent.
While progress on these
short-term cleanup indicators
has been good, much work
remains to ensure that all
immediate and long-term risks
associated with these facilities
have been addressed.
Underground
Storage Tanks
The national strategic plan for
the Underground Storage Tank
(UST) program has three key
goals: to complete the cleanup
of leaking tank sites; to prevent
future leaks with corrosion
protection and leak detection
devices; and to approve state
programs to replace the
federal program.
Underground Storage Tanks at a Glance
8,586 Active Tanks
12,834 Closed Tanks
21,420 Total Tanks
5,435 Releases
2,172 Cleanups Completed
9,506 Active Tanks
19,498 Closed Tanks
29,004 Total Tanks
5,407 Releases
1,961 Cleanups Completed
8,809 Active Tanks
17,943 Closed Tanks
26,032 Total Tanks
4,180 Releases
2,116 Cleanups Completed
11,399 Active Tanks
24.747 Closed Tanks
36,146 Total Tanks
5,196 Releases
3,788 Cleanups Completed
establishes national standards ... Region 7 confirms the presence of dioxin contamination at Times Beach, M.
requiring phaseout of land disposal of hazardous wastes and establishing underground storage tank program
-------
EPA REGION 7 30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
1985
1986
mergency
regulated
-------
'uring the past two decades, population growth
has occurred primarily within Region 7's urban
areas as people move from rural locations. More
than half of Region 7's population resides within
the urban areas, yet Region 7 retains its original
rural character. For example, 75 percent of the
towns have populations of 1,000 or less.
Children's Health in Region 7
Research has shown that children may be more
susceptible to diseases linked to environmental
exposures. Many EPA actions are directed toward
ensuring that America's children are protected from
environmental health hazards. These actions
include regulations and standards, science and risk
assessment, public awareness, community-based
programs, and education. While EPA's Office of
Children's Health Protection is primarily involved
with the first two, Region 7 is more involved in
the latter components.
Region 7 contributes through Environmental Justice
(EJ), Community-Based Environmental Protection
(CBEP), Brownfields, the American Indian
Program, and the Office of External Programs. For
instance, the American Indian Program and the EJ
program channel information and support into
tribal lands to protect Region 7's Native American
children. The EJ, CBEP, and Brownfields
programs/initiatives have helped to protect Region
7's minority and low-income children. All the
community-based programs contribute to the
protection of children's health and vitality,
primarily through partnerships with other
organizations and nonprofit agencies.
Each of these programs also relies on the expertise
and efforts of partners to administer enforcement
and ensure compliance with environmental
regulations. Additionally, it has been through the
tireless efforts of Region 7's major program
divisions, which ensure clean air, water and land,
that Region 7's children's health efforts have been
successful. A perfect example is Superfund's lead
removal activities. Certainly, it is this partnership
of enforcement that is most effective in protecting
children's health.
Lead
Despite significant reductions in blood lead levels
over 15 years, lead poisoning remains a serious
health risk for children. Iowa, Kansas and Missouri
are delegated the authority to implement and
enforce lead accreditation and certification
programs. These responsibilities are handled by
Region 7 in Nebraska and on tribal lands. The state
Response Act enacted requiring schools to inspect and manage asbestos-containing materials ... Safe Drinking Water Act
contaminants ... Martha C. Rose Chemical Co, Holden, MO: PCB-contaminated materials resulting in criminal charges ...
-------
EPA REGION 7 30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
health departments in Iowa and
Kansas are also expected to
conduct the renovation and
remodeling activities disclosure
program in their states.
EPA and Housing and Urban
Development implement the real
estate notification and lead
disclosure program in all states.
EPA has funded a number of
studies that indicate that both
children and adults in localized
parts of Region 7 have elevated
blood lead levels - for example,
in the inner cities of Omaha and
St. Louis, and around old lead
mining and smelter sites in
Jasper County in Missouri and
Cherokee County in Kansas.
Lead Removal is Top
Priority in Jasper County,
Missouri
The Jasper County Superfund
site is an inactive lead-zinc
mining and smelting area in
southwestern Missouri. Mining
operations began in the 1800s
and included hundreds of mines
and 17 smelters. One smelter in
the City of Joplin, which
operated until the 1970s,
resulted in air emissions
contaminating a large area of
soil. About 7,000 acres are
contaminated with more than
100 million tons of surface
mining wastes.
Sample results show that soil,
groundwater, and surface water
are contaminated with lead,
zinc and cadmium. Risks
include contaminated ground-
water, soil, or mine wastes.
About 5,000 residences within
Environmental Education
To encourage an environmental
ethic, Region 7 uses its mascot
Charlie Chipmunk to entertain
and educate children about the
benefits of recycling to help
clean neighborhoods, as well as
the dangers of lead-based paints
to young children. Charlie
Chipmunk and his friends make
visits to school rooms and
assemblies; march in street and
park parades; appear at health
fairs and have a huge part in
making Earth Day an annual
success. Charlie tells his stories
through booklets, has a rap song
and has his own web site:
www.epa.gov/region07/kids/
charlie.htm. In 1999, Charlie
performed for nearly 6,000
children at schools, Earth Day
events in Kansas City, Kansas,
and the Kansas City Zoo.
Other activities of benefit to
children and teachers are the
the sites were found to have
contaminated yard soil above
EPAs action level for lead. The
Missouri Department of Health's
1994 study found that 14
percent of children under seven
years old had elevated blood-
lead levels. The study concluded
that the most significant source
of contamination was the
residential yard soils.
In 1994, Region 7 began to
prioritize the cleanup efforts.
Numerous daycare centers and
residences were identified as
having soil lead concentrations
Environmental Education grants
which began in 1992. Through
1999, a total of 222 grants were
made in Region 7 totaling
$1,335,442 and given for a
variety of projects. While the
largest grant available is
$25,000, the smallest grant-just
$200 - was made to a St. Louis
kindergarten teacher who
developed a video which teaches
children about recycling.
Charlie Chipmunk makes appear-
ances at a variety of youth events
to spread the recycling message
and that kids can be free of lead-
paint dangers.
at levels requiring quick action.
A removal action began in
January 1995 which targeted
these daycare centers and
residential yards. About 2,500
properties were identified for
cleanup. Approximately 1,700
properties have been cleaned.
Cleanup should be finished by
the fall of 2000.
_ruperfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) provides additional enforcement authorities and settlement tools to
Water Act amendments phase out construction grants program, and increase attention on non-point sources of water pollution
-------
LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
Community involvement is a
significant part of site activities,
including a Community
Advisory Group and a Technical
Assistance Grant. EPA, the
Missouri Department of Natural
Resources, the Missouri Depart-
ment of Health and the Agency
for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry work together
as a team. A health education
program at the site alerts
parents to the dangers of lead.
Environmental Justice
The region's Environmental
Justice (EJ) Program has
developed training and a
schedule to train EPA staff.
Interim regional EJ guidance is
under development to determine
specific steps which should be
taken to address environmental
justice in our work. The staff
can map sites and communities
for EJ to determine if there is a
disproportionate burden.
Grants are used in the
Environmental Justice program
to ensure equal environmental
and health protection to
everyone. The Dallas County,
Iowa, Environmental Health
Department used its grant to
check blood lead levels in a low-
income, minority community. Of
956 children tested, more than
10 percent had blood lead levels
equal to or greater than the
standard of 10 micrograms per
deciliter. The national average is
4.4 percent. More than 42
percent of the county homes
were built before 1950 when
lead-based paints were
commonly used.
Twenty-one children with high
blood lead levels, living in 10
homes, were discovered between
April-September 1999. Nine of
10 rental units are now
considered lead-free. Only five
additional children with high
blood lead levels have been
identified since the program was
initiated. The county health
department is partnering with
private clinics to increase
screening efforts, and intends to
offer lead testing at spring
kindergarten roundups.
American Indian Program
The federal government has the
responsibility to work with
federally recognized tribes on a
government-to-government
basis and to ensure that the
rights of sovereign tribal
governments are fully respected.
Region 7 is home to nine
federally recognized American
Indian tribes located in Kansas
(four), Nebraska (four) and
Iowa (one). Region 7 tribes have
been collecting data, assessing
their environmental conditions
and determining priorities for
program development. Eight of
the nine tribes in Region 7 have
been awarded grants. Using
these grants, four tribes are in
varying stages of developing
pesticide programs; four have
been assessing the presence of
lead paint contamination; four
have been testing for radon in
reservation homes and other
buildings; five have been
assessing surface water quality;
and six have been using funding
to plan for open dump closures,
to operate recycling programs
and develop tribal codes.
Risk Management Plans
Benefit Rural Areas
Environmental risks due to
chemical accidents and
explosions are more likely to
occur in rural areas than in
large city complexes. These risks
exist in small, rural commu-
nities at facilities where
businesses or utilities store large
amounts of chemicals, including
anhydrous ammonia used as
fertilizer, gaseous chlorine used
to disinfect drinking water, and
propane used as a fuel.
Facilities submitted more than
14,500 risk management plans
(RMPs) to EPA in June 1999.
Nearly 18 percent or 2,635 of
these plans came from Region 7
businesses. Iowa, Kansas,
Missouri and Nebraska rank in
the top 12 states in the nation
for the most RMPs submitted.
Region 7, with state and local
partners, has worked to elimi-
nate and minimize potential
risks through pollution
prevention and emergency
planning and preparedness
programs. Owners have
identified the hazards associated
with the chemicals that they
manage. Local emergency
planning committees coordinate
their plans to handle any
potential problems.
EPA; increases state involvement and adds provisions for emergency planning and community right-to-know
FIFRA amended accelerating pesticide re-registration activiti
anservation Chemical Co, Kansas City, MO: one of
-------
EPA REGION 7 30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
first cou
ous waste
is involved;
up ... Cleanup decision on
eliminal
1989
inces Toxi<
-------
Ourface waters, wetlands, forests and prairies of
Region 7 provide nationally significant habitat and
environmental conditions essential to the survival
and diversity of the rich variety of plant and animal
species. These habitat areas, and the associated
indigenous and migratory species, form Region 7's
ecological resources.
Region 7 covers several eco-regions, including the
dry, short-grass and mid-grass prairies of the
western and central Great Plains, the tall grass
prairie areas of the Flint Hills and western Corn
Belt plains regions, the forested hills of the Ozark
Highlands and the alluvial plains of the Missouri
and Mississippi Rivers. Region 7 contains portions
of two North American migratory waterfowl
pathways, the Mississippi and the Central Flyways.
The principal factor affecting regional ecological
resources is loss of habitat, particularly the physical
destruction of habitat through land conversion to
agricultural uses. Other factors include stream
channel modification, river navigation, flood
control, diversion of streamflow for irrigation,
mining activities, and roadway construction.
Increasingly, conversion of natural areas and "old
stage" agricultural lands to urban development
causes habitat loss. Although agricultural
development and corresponding land conversion
have slowed during the past decade, agricultural
production continues to impact ecological resources.
Historically, the dry climate of western Kansas and
Nebraska "preserved" much of the natural prairie
as rangelands. However, development of the
region's water resources for irrigation has increased
conversion of rangeland. During the past three
decades, the use of agricultural pesticides and
fertilizers has increased significantly. These
chemicals may contaminate water and land
resources, and affect biological diversity through
direct toxicity or subtle changes to the balance of
plants and animals.
Wetlands provide essential habitat for many plant
and animal species and are areas of transition
between land and water. They are the vital link be-
tween the dry, upland areas and permanent, deeper
waters. Water levels may fluctuate from day to day
season to season, year to year. The amount and
duration of water reaching a wetland has a
significant influence on the type of vegetation
that will grow. This affects the function and value
of a wetland to humans and other creatures.
Because wetlands possess characteristics of land
and water, they are ideal for creatures which dwell
in both habitats.
Times Beach, MO, finalized ... Indoor Radon Abatement Act passed ... Lead Contamination Control Act establishes program to
establishes goal of "no net loss" of wetlands ... EPA bans the manufacture of most asbestos products
Pollution Act
-------
EPA REGION 7 30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
More than three million acres of
wetlands in Region 7 are
adjacent to rivers and streams,
in isolated forests, in fields
and meadows, along ponds
and lake edges. Although there
is no typical wetland type,
there are wetland types occur-
ring in Region 7 that are
similar in nature and functions
because of a common water
source, a soil type, or historic
formation pattern.
Some wetland types in Region 7
include: prairie potholes, wet
prairies, scrub-shrub wetlands,
playa lakes, fens, bogs,
bottomland hardwood wetlands,
and forested wetlands. These
wetlands range from under an
acre to thousands of acres.
Water depths can be as shallow
as saturated soil to standing
water six feet deep. Water levels
vary throughout the year.
Between the mid-1950s and the
mid-1970s, wetland loss in the
United States was due to filling
and draining for agricultural
and urban development. Iowa
has lost more than 89 percent of
its wetlands and Missouri more
than 87 percent. These two
states rank third and fourth
among U.S. states in wetland
losses. Nebraska and Kansas
have seen fewer historical
wetland losses. Recent national
surveys indicate that although
the percentage of wetland loss to
agriculture is decreasing, our
wetlands continue to be
degraded. Many Region 7
wetlands have been impaired
because of hydrologic
modification, nonpoint
source runoff from agricul-
tural lands, and contamination
with toxic materials such as
metals and pesticides.
Bald Eagle Pairs
1982 vs. 1998
In addition to wetland resources,
two of the largest U.S. rivers,
the Mississippi and the Missouri,
are located within Region 7. The
Missouri River is the longest
river in the United States, and
the Mississippi River drainage
area encompasses 40 percent of
the lower 48 states. Both rivers
have vast areas of associated
wetlands. The Platte River in
Nebraska is also an important
resource in Region 7. This
unique braided, multi-
channeled prairie river supports
several endangered species,
including the remaining
population of whooping cranes.
The important river systems in
Region 7 have been altered
greatly due to channelization,
levees and impoundments.
Today, the Missouri River is
one-third the size and two-
thirds as fast as it was when
Lewis and Clark made their
voyage of discovery. The
Mississippi River channel has
Wetlands in the Nebraska Sandhills.
become so separated from its
flood plain (through flood
control measures) that the
river's ability to cleanse itself of
nutrients has been reduced.
This has contributed to the
low oxygen zone in the Gulf
of Mexico.
The values of the wetlands,
rivers and streams in Region 7
are numerous. For example,
wetlands reduce flooding by
temporarily storing water and
releasing it slowly, which
reduces flood peaks. The
importance of this function of
wetlands became particularly
compelling during the Great
Midwest Flood of 1993,
which was the most devastating
flood in modern U.S. history,
costing more than $20 billion
in damages.
Wetlands influence groundwater
discharge and recharge;
influence local and regional
weather and climate; maintain
water quality by filtering
pollutants; reduce shoreline
erosion; and provide important
streamlines and strengthens EPA's ability to prevent and respond to catastrophic spills ... Pollution Prevention Act passed to
(CAA) amendments set timetables for reduction of acid rain, ozone layer depleting chemicals and other toxic air pollutants ...
-------
HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS
habitat for a variety of plants
and animals, many of which are
threatened or endangered.
Wetlands provide recreation,
hiking, birdwatching, hunting
and fishing. Further, because of
the presence of water and a
large amount of dissolved
nutrients, freshwater wetlands
are among the most productive
ecosystems on the planet.
Rivers and streams are vital
to the ecological and economic
health of Region 7. Major cities,
such as St. Louis, Omaha and
Kansas City, grew up along the
rivers. Streams and rivers
provide recreation, a means
for transporting millions of
dollars of goods a year, a source
for municipal water supplies,
and habitat to support fish
and wildlife.
Wetland Losses in Region 7
5 r Million
IA KS MO NE
I | Historic Acreage
^| Current Acreage
Major Wetland Regions
MuscatohFen-CJ
Salt and Rattlesnake Creeks
line)
Cheyenne Botto
V McPherson
nnescah River walnut and Caney
Fall and Verdigris R
In 1994 and 1995, Region 7,
with the states of Nebraska,
Kansas and Missouri, executed
the first Regional Environmental
Monitoring and Assessment
Program (ReMAP) study,
"Estimating the Status of the
Health of Fisheries in EPA
Region 7." This was the first in
a series of Region 7 ReMAP
projects. The study determined
the health status, or quality, of
the stream fisheries in Region 7
and established baseline data
which could be used to assess
long-term trends in stream
fishery health.
Hillsdale Lake
Hillsdale Lake is a federal
reservoir near Olathe, Kansas.
In the mid-1990s, a group of
citizens living in its watershed
became concerned over levels of
nutrients, and turbidity.
They formed the Hillsdale
Water Quality Project. To
develop a long-term manage-
ment plan for improvements,
members turned to Region 7 for
assistance. Regional specialists
served as consultants.
Water quality is holding its
own in the face of increased
suburban development.
Citizens' action with assistance of a
Region 7 team lead to reducing
turbidity and high nutrients in
Hillsdale Lake, near Olathe, Kansas.
promote cost-effective reduction of pollution at the source ... National Environmental Education Act is passed ... Clean Air Act
sidential Lead-Based Paint Reduction Act changes focus to hazards management ... EPA promulgates regulations to
-------
EPA REGION 7 30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
accelerate phaseout of chlon
affected, and recovered
originally
EPA reports
-------
J_ echnology Transfer in Central and
Eastern Europe
Several Region 7 programs conduct international
activities in cooperation with other agencies and
foreign governments. These activities recognize the
linkage between environmental issues and the
creation of new markets for U.S. technology, and
the development of equivalent standards for multi-
national producers such as agriculture.
Regional staff members have worked on projects in
Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Lithuania, Estonia,
Ukraine and Russia. These projects involved
environmental issues, such as water pollution from
agricultural practices in Russia, Poland and the
Baltic States. EPA's projects stimulated the
adoption of environmentally sound practices based
on educational programs, regulatory control and
economic incentives.
Poland Agriculture and
Water Quality Protection Project
Agriculture and related activities have a direct
impact on large segments of the human population
and ecological infrastructure of Poland. Poor
agricultural and rural waste management practices
contribute significantly to the degradation of
surface and groundwater quality.
The Poland Agriculture and Water Quality
Protection Project (PAWQP) was a four-year effort
designed to address agricultural water pollution
problems. The PAWQP was a cooperative effort
between Region 7 and the Polish Ministry of
Agriculture and Food Economy. The project was
implemented by the Center for Agricultural and
Rural Development (CARD) at Iowa State
University, Ames, Iowa, and the Institute for
Land Reclamation and Grassland Farming
near Warsaw, Poland.
Project activities focused on three areas:
demonstration of environmentally and econo-
mically sustainable agricultural practices;
dissemination of educational information; and
development of policies.
The Istra River Basin Small Watershed
Management Project
The Istra River Basin Small Watershed Manage-
ment Project introduced environmental
management methods to address water quality
problems observed in the Istra River watershed
near Moscow, Russia. Evidence provided by
Russian agencies indicated that the water supply
for the City of Moscow was threatened by
contamination. Since the Istra River system
scheduled
^vastating flood in Midwest: Region 7 established household hazardous waste disposal programs in areas
secondhand smoke poses serious health risks
;cutive Order calls for actions to address environmental justice in
-------
EPA REGION 7 30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
provides about 20 percent of
the drinking water for the City,
more than 12 million Russian
citizens were at risk of health
problems. The Istra Project,
which officially began in 1995,
consisted of four components -
environmental education,
monitoring, geographic
information systems, and
agriculture - which were
implemented emulating the
concept of community-based
environmental protection.
Nemunas River Delta -
Kursiu Lagoon Project
The Nemunas River drains 73
percent of Lithuania as well as
portions of Belarus, Poland,
and the Kaliningrad Oblast of
the Russian Federation. The
outflow from the Nemunas
River is the Kursiu Lagoon
Russia is an area for environmental
work by EPA Region 7. Staff helped
Russians with agricultural water
pollution issues. Pictured is St. Basil's
Cathedral in Red Square, Moscow.
which has major economic and
ecological significance.
Region 7, under a grant from
the State Department, initiated
this project to develop a
scientifically and economically
defensible plan to manage the
system. A corollary goal was to
assist the Lithuanian environ-
mental research and manage-
ment community in developing
the capacity to address
environmental problems on an
integrated, whole-ecosystem
basis through application of
state-of-the-art technology.
Great Plains International
Data Network
The Great Plains has had
significant environmental
alterations from human activi-
ties over two centuries. The
ability of the Great Plains to
sustain and replenish itself has
become a significant concern.
The general goal of the Great
Plains Data Network was to
initiate international coopera-
tion between agencies in
Canada, the United States and
Mexico, and to identify
environmental, social and
economic challenges facing
the Great Plains.
The network will educate its
members on data and technical
issues through sharing and
integrating data. Educating the
public on important research
results should encourage
changes in the management of
the Great Plains region.
Thailand receives technical assistance
from EPA Region 7. Originally the site
of an air quality study, Thailand is
now receiving help in building other
environmental programs.
Redeveloping Abandoned
Property: BrownRelds
In some areas, properties once
used for industrial and
commercial purposes have
been abandoned and many
are contaminated. These areas
are called "Brownfields."
Since 1995, EPA has funded
13 cities, counties and colleges
for Brownfields Assessment
Demonstration Pilots in
Region 7. These pilots will test
redevelopment models, remove
regulatory barriers, and
facilitate site assessment,
environmental cleanup and
redevelopment efforts.
Brownfields Activity in
Missouri Lead Belt
The City of Bonne Terre,
Missouri, on the northern edge
of the Missouri Lead Belt, has
suffered economically from the
closure of mines more than 20
years ago. Mining waste has
contaminated soil and surface
minority and low-income populations ... EPA initiates Brownfields program to promote the process of transforming abandoned
upgraded from endangered to threatened statt
-site incinerator becomes operational at Times Beach, MO, to destroy
-------
HEALTHY PLANET
water in some areas. Bonne
Terre residents and potential
new businesses are concerned
about the potential human
health and environmental risks,
particularly from the fine lead
tailings blown by the wind.
Through its Brownfields effort,
Bonne Terre will evaluate
potential environmental risks
and develop a 140-acre
commercial/retail zone plus
industrial park on Brownfields
that lie near Superfund mine
waste properties. The City
Council has sanctioned a Bonne
Terre Brownfields Committee,
including a representative of the
Council, the City Manager, the
City Economic Development
Director, and a representative
of the Mineral Area College
to carry out the Brownfields
project. This Brownfields
project will restore otherwise
undevelopable land within the
city limits into productive use,
and create a model plan to help
neighboring municipalities
facing similar challenges.
Kansas City is a
Brownfields Showcase
Community
Region 7 opened its Brownfields
Showcase Communities project
in September 1998. The area,
including Kansas City, Kansas,
and Kansas City, Missouri, was
selected as one of 16 showcase
cities chosen from among 231
applicants nationwide. Unified
Government Mayor Carol
Marinovich of Kansas City,
Kansas, and former Mayor
Emmanuel Cleaver of Kansas
5,000th Removal
Action Celebration
A celebration was held when
the EPA announced its 5,000th
removal action at the Great
Lakes Container Superfund site,
northeast of downtown St.
Louis, Missouri, in September
1998. Region 7 celebrated this
accomplishment with EPA
headquarters and other state
and local officials.
The facility, abandoned in 1985,
had been a drum reclamation
plant. Hundreds of drums,
some containing hazardous
substances, were illegally buried
at the site with trash and used
tires dumped on the 11 acres.
Fire at the site in 1995 alerted
officials to the hazards and
prompted several environmental
investigations. Discovered
were high levels of lead,
polychlorinated biphenyls
City, Missouri, held a "ribbon-
tying" ceremony, uniting the
cities. Other participants
included government officials,
business leaders and
community groups - all
partners in the Brownfields
Showcase Communities project.
The Brownfields Showcase
Communities project has federal
agencies working in partnership
with local communities to
revitalize urban areas through
reuse of Brownfields properties.
Kansas City is a national model
demonstrating the benefits of a
(PCBs) and other hazardous
substances in the soil.
In all, EPA excavated and
removed 55,000 tons of
contaminated soil; collected 680
drums of hazardous substances;
removed asbestos-containing
materials; decontaminated and
removed buildings, cisterns
and tanks; and treated and
discharged 580,000 gallons
of water.
The site is now restored for
potential industrial use, making
way for continued economic
development in the St. Louis
metropolitan area.
Director Michael Sanderson, Region 7
Superfund Division; Timothy Fields,
Jr., Assistant Administrator for Solid
Waste and Emergency Response,
Washington, D.C.; Assistant Regional
Administrator Nathaniel (Nat) Scurry,
Region 7 Office of Policy and
Management; and Region 7
Administrator, Dennis Grams.
focused, coordinated effort to
address Brownfields. EPA is
providing $600,000 in funding
and technical assistance to the
metropolitan area to help the
cleanup and redevelopment.
or idle sites into productive u;
.einventing Environmental Regulations" results in 25 EPA initiatives ... Bald eagle
dioxin-contaminated soil... Safe Drinking Water Act amended to improve public involvement, focus on source water protection
-------
EPA REGION 7 30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
1997
at Times
y, MO, to
-------
ndustrial expansion, urban sprawl, increasing
numbers of vehicles traveling Interstate highways,
and pollution prevention all offer challenges to
Region 7 as well as the other nine regions which
make up the Environmental Protection Agency.
World population hit 6 billion in 1999 - actually
doubling since 1960. Credit the increase to people
living longer and fewer infant deaths.
Industrial expansion and urban sprawl are posing
additional air quality management challenges
to Region 7's air program and our states'
environmental agencies. Urban sprawl in the U.S.
doubled in the 1990s. In a five-year period - 1992
to 1997 - developers took 16 million acres of land
at a rate of 3.2 million acres yearly. Compare it to
the ten-year period between 1982 and 1992 when
the yearly rate was 1.4 million.
New research indicates some of the air quality
health-based standards are not adequate for
protection. Pending the results of ongoing legal
deliberations regarding these standards, millions of
Region 7 residents may be added to those who live
in areas with unhealthful air. Three years of data
collection on particulate matter is needed. Particu-
late matter and ozone remain as future challenges.
Air toxic emissions and exposures are largely
uncharacterized in Region 7. The region must
improve its toxic modeling and monitoring to
evaluate the problems and work with national
efforts to reduce these toxic emissions. Success
depends on developing air quality plans in
partnership with impacted communities. Managing
emerging health and environmental threats will be
the challenge to add to already achieved successes.
The Ozone Consortium in Region 7 explores volun-
tary transportation and fuels planning measures to
prevent violations of the health-based standard.
The air program in Region 7 will seek to meet
EPAs National Strategic Goals to improve air
quality for citizens living in areas that do not meet
air quality standards for carbon monoxide, sulfur
dioxide, lead and nitrogen dioxide by 2005; and to
improve air quality for those areas not meeting the
air quality standards for ozone (smog) and
particulate matter by 2010.
Region 7's toxic emissions are created by motor
vehicles and small facilities or other commercial
activity. Fuel strategies and pollution prevention
initiatives will be important to achieve the national
goal: a 75 percent reduction from 1993 levels of
toxic air emissions to reduce public health threats
by the year 2010.
Beach, MO
n Water Action Plan developed jointly by several Federal agencies and intended to revitalize
promote partnership ... Great Lakes Container Corp, St Louis, MO: cleanup marked 5,000th Superfund site completed in nation
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EPA REGION 7 30 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS
This four-state region has
extensive agricultural activity -
more than 120 million acres
under cultivation - and tied to it
is the issue and challenge of
sustainable development.
Sustainable development adds
new questions and consider-
ations to everyday decisions:
What are the long-term impacts,
and have environmental impacts
been incorporated into the
decisions as well?
Region 7's water programs
division administers the
pesticides program. During
1999, our states conducted
3,800 pesticide inspections. A
most challenging enforcement
issue is complaints that sprays
drift to adjoining properties
instead of an intended field or
to a neighboring home, causing
physical exposure or foliage
damage. These misapplications
result in enforcement either by
the state or Region 7.
More fully characterizing the
extent and nature of water
pollution through improved
monitoring programs presents a
major challenge to Region 7.
This will mean helping to build
monitoring consortiums in each
state that have adequate
resources and effective strategies
appropriate for each state.
The Iowa legislature
appropriated $ 1 million and
established a monitoring council
to revise its monitoring strategy.
Members of the Kansas
Biological Survey collect and
store databases through the
Central Plains Center for
BioAssessment. Kansas
exchanges information between
scientists, government officials
and the public on water quality.
Population Trends
in Millions
1970 1980 1990 2000
Nebraska Kansas
^^ Missouri
Through a memorandum of
understanding, Missouri will
combine databases and
expertise of its Department
of Natural Resources with the
Department of Conservation to
conduct monitoring on a three-
year cycle. Nebraska's
Department of Environmental
Quality is in its third year of a
five-year rotating basin cycle
that depends upon random
water sampling.
Region 7 must work with other
federal, state and local agencies
to respond to natural and man-
made disasters. EPA and our
partners must be prepared to
act with a coordinated response
to floods, earthquakes, and even
if necessary, terrorist attacks.
One of the most recent exciting
industry/public/government
partnerships is a voluntary
effort to improve chemical
safety and emergency
preparedness within Wyandotte
County, Kansas, where the
Region 7 office is located. These
efforts have resulted in a
chemical safety guidebook
for the community.
The idea initially came out of
an EPA compliance assistance
workshop, and from it, the
formation of the Wyandotte
County Coalition for Chemical
Safety. In addition to local
companies, the coalition
includes the American Red
Cross, Kansas University
Medical Center, United
Government of Wyandotte
County, Kansas City, Kansas
and the EPA.
The guidebook contains
information on emergency
notification procedures as
well as evacuation plans.
Distribution of the guidebook
has been through public forums
including a local health and
safety fair during the 1999
Earth Day weekend.
In considering future challenges,
we must continually evaluate
our health-based standards
using strong science and the
best technology. We must
use new technology to
reduce pollution from current
sources. Chemicals must be
evaluated for impacts on
both people and places.
A publishes report on community-based environmental protection ... Region 7 signs agreement with Haskell Indian
ited in Kansas City, KS ... Proposal to remove the bald eagle from the endangered species list announced; the nation's symbol
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FUTURE CHALLENGES
Regional Office
The new Environmental
Protection Agency Region 7
office building, located in
Kansas City, Kansas, is an
excellent example of a
public/private partnership for
reuse and greening of a former
Brownfields property. The new
EPA Regional Office building
boasts an expansive view of
the confluence of the Kansas
and Missouri Rivers, and the
spectacular skyline of Kansas
City, Missouri. It was once the
site of an abandoned hotel.
Historically, the property was
also home to a gas station, tin
shop, battery repair facility,
slaughterhouse, furniture shops,
and a paint store. The degraded
condition of the property prior
to redevelopment, in addition
to its former historical uses,
supported the perception that
it was contaminated with
hazardous materials. This
perception hindered reuse of
the property. However, an
environmental assessment of the
property detected only low levels
of lead contamination that were
below any action levels.
Working on a cost-constrained
project, Region 7 was able to
obtain a design, materials and
products for the new building
that met various green criteria
such as energy efficiency, re-
cycled material content, and less
toxic products. As an outgrowth
of that effort, the EPA green
team members continued to
work on assembling green
concepts, and developed an
accountability method to make
contractors for federal buildings
consider these concepts.
Directory of State Environmental and EPA Region 7 Offices
Iowa Department of
Natural Resources
Henry A. Wallace Bldg.
502 East 9th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319-0034
(515) 281-5918
(515) 281-8895 (Fax)
www. state. ia. us/dnr/
Kansas Department of Health
and Environment
400 SW 8th St., Suite 200
Topeka, KS 66603-3930
(785) 296-1529
(785) 368-6368 (Fax)
www. kdhe. state. ks. us
Missouri Department of
Natural Resources
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
(573) 751-3443
(573) 751-7627 (Fax)
www.dnr.state.mo.us
Nebraska Department of
Environmental Quality
1200 N St., Suite 400
P.O. Box 98922
Lincoln, NE 68509-8922
(402) 471-2186
(402) 471-2909 (Fax)
www.deq.state.ne.us
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency,
Region 7
901 N. 5th St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7000
(913) 551-7066 (Fax)
(800) 223-0425 Action Line
www.epa.gov/region07/
Nations University, Lawrence, KS, to strengthen relationship ... Region 7 begins operations in new Regional Office building
is no longer endangered after three decades of efforts (including the ban on DDT) to protect it and provide for its recovery ...
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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, REGION 7
901 N. 5th St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
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