1 \ Region 7 Fact Sheet Iowa Kansas Missouri % ^ PRO"^ Nebraska May 2003 Omaha Lead Site Listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) Omaha Lead Site, Omaha, Nebraska INTRODUCTION The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 7, added the Omaha Lead Site to the National Priorities List (NPL) on April 30, 2003. The NPL is a list of the nation's hazardous waste sites with the highest priority for cleanup. These sites, once listed, are eligible for long-term response action money as authorized by Congress under the Superfund program. BACKGROUND The Omaha Lead site includes surface soils present at residential properties, child care facilities, schools, and other residential-type properties in Eastern Omaha which is located in Douglas County, Nebraska. The total area of the Omaha Lead site is approximately 8,840 acres, where an estimated 65,615 residents are located. The site boundaries run from Ames Avenue on the north to "L" Street on the south and 45th Street on the west to the Missouri River on the east. In 1998, the Omaha City Council solicited assistance from EPA in addressing problems with lead contamination in the Omaha area, prompted by cleanup activities at the Asarco facility. Asarco was a lead-refining plant which operated from the early 1870s until 1996 and was located on approximately 23 acres on the west bank of the Missouri River in downtown Omaha. During the operational period, lead and other heavy metals were emitted into the atmosphere through smoke stacks. The pollutants were transported downwind in various directions and deposited on the ground. CURRENT PROCESS The EPA is currently sampling yards in eastern Omaha for lead. In March and April, 21,600 letters and access agreements went out to property owners and another 12,000 are scheduled to go out shortly. The EPA and its contractor, Black & Veatch, plan to sample 12,000 properties by the end of December 2003. EPA will host the following availability sessions to discuss lead contamination and encourages the public to attend:: When: Monday, June 9, 2003 Where: Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Hall 23rd & "O" Street Omaha, Nebraska Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. *** An Hispanic translator will be present OR When: Tuesday, June 10, 2003 Where: Teachers Administration Center (TAC) Building 30th & Cumins Street Omaha, Nebraska Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ------- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION If you live in Douglas County and suspect that someone in your home has elevated lead levels in his/her body, EPA recommends that you contact the Douglas County Health Department at: (402) 444-7489. Free lead testing is available for any child between the ages of 6 months and 6 years old. If you have questions about this fact sheet, the upcoming availability sessions, or the Omaha Lead Site in general, please contact: Debbie Kring Community Involvement Coordinator Office of External Programs U.S. EPA - Region 7 901 N. 5th Street Kansas City, KS 66101 Phone: 913-551-7003 or Toll Free: 1-800-223-0425 OR Don Bahnke Project Manager Superfund Division U.S. EPA - Region 7 901 N. 5th Street Kansas City, KS 66101 Phone: 913-551-7747 2 ------- |