Return to Use Initiative
2004 Demonstration Project
Superfurid Redevelopment Initiative
Fulbright Landfill: Springfield, MO
THE SITE: The Fuibright Landfill Superfund Site consists of two landfills
that are approximately one mile apart: the 98-acre Fulbright Landfill
and the 114-acre Sac River Landfill. The landfills accepted industrial and
domestic wastes in the City of Springfield, Missouri from 1962 to 1974.
The Fulbright Landfill was listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) in
1983.Both the Fulbright Landfill and the Sac River Landfill were listed on
the Missouri registry of hazardous waste sites in 1984.Cleanup activities
at the site addressed volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and
cyanide contamination in ground water at the site. All construction at
the site is complete and ground water monitoring continues to show
that the plume is contained on site. Since their closings, the Fuibright
Landfill and the Sac River Landfill have remained vacant parcels in the
flood plains of the Little Sac and South Dry Sac Rivers.
THE OPPORTUNITY: The site's location on the Little Sac and South
Dry Sac Rivers makes it ideal for recreational reuse. In fact, the City of
Springfield and OzarkGreenways Inc.,a non-profit group,in conjunction
with the Springfield Green County Parks Department, are currently
implementing a plan for a South Dry Sac Greenway that would place a
trail along a 12-mile stretch of the Little Sac and Dry Sac Rivers.
THE BARRIERS: The Fulbright Landfill Superfund Site property has
been vacant for 35 years. During this time, the shoreline of the South
Dry Sac River has eroded, exposing small amounts of landfill debris.
The City of Springfield needed to carry out shoreline restoration work
and soil sampling before the property could be used for recreation.
Institutional controls (ICs) currently restrict future use of the property
and stakeholders have requested assurance that the site is ready for
recreational reuse.
THE SOLUTION: Reuse of the Fuibright Landfill Superfund Site wili
require cooperation among a large group of stakeholders, including
EPA, the City of Springfield, and the Missouri Department of Natural
Resources. Under the Return to Use Initiative, these stakeholders have
committed to devising a plan for carrying out the necessary steps to
protect the existing remedy and prepare the site for reuse. ICs currently
restrict future use; however, EPA and the City of Springfield have agreed
to work together to implement new restrictions that allow for the safe
future use of the property. EPA is currently supporting an enhanced
stakeholder process to determine what specific types of future uses
Before:
Cleaned up landfills ready for
reuse; 212 acres of available prop-
erty
After:
Planned recreation area
Barriers:
Institutional controls impeding
reuse; Superfund site stigma
Solution:
EPA, MDNR,and local officials
work together to create a plan to
take the necessary steps to reuse
the site;enhanced stakeholder
process;future RfR Determination
updated. December 2005

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might be compatible with the site's remedy. As part of this process, EPA and the City of Springfield are exploring
reuse options as well as innovative techniques to protect the site's existing remedy. EPA has completed the
third Five-Year Review for the site, which allowed the Agency to assess any additional obstacles to reuse. The
City of Springfield recently completed shoreline restoration work and provided soil sampling data to EPA to
confirm that the site's soils do not pose health risks to recreational users and to determine the soil's suitability
for future plantings at the site. During the Five-Year Review process, EPA investigated the remedy, the types
of reuses the remedy can support, and the steps necessary for the remedy to remain protective and allow
for reuse at the site. It is anticipated that EPA will issue a Ready for Reuse (RfR) Determination for the site, a
technical determination that the site is ready for a specified type of reuse.
FUTURE REUSE: The Sac River and Fulbright Landfill Stakeholder Committee has held multiple meetings in
2004 and 2005 to consider potential future uses for the site. Ideas included the development of a municipal
tree nursery, construction of sports fields and a model airplane flying zone, environmental education
demonstration projects, and incorporation of the former landfills into the planned South Dry Sac River
Greenway.The initial draft of the RfR Determination has been completed, and is awaiting implementation of
appropriate and effective ICs at the site before completion.The City of Springfield is planning a public event
for the RfR Determination signing in spring 2006 as well as an event celebrating the opening of the South Dry
Sac River Greenway.With a new Five-Year Review and a Ready for Reuse Determination, the Fulbright Landfill
Superfund Site will be ready for recreational reuse activities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Tonya Howell, Region 7 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator, at
913.551.7589 or howell.tonva@epa.gov.
View of the central area of the Fulbright Landfill, looking southeast. Potential future uses identified by the Stakeholder Committee in-
clude passive recreational uses such as walking and equestrian trails, picnic areas, and interpretive focal points.
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative	2
updated December 2005

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