1 \ Region 7 Fact Sheet Iowa Kansas Missouri % ^ PRO"^ Nebraska May 2003 Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) to Begin Tri-County Airport Site, Herington, Kansas INTRODUCTION The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 7, will begin conducting an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) to address contaminated soils in the vicinity of the north hangar (hangar 1) at the Herington Regional Airport (Tri-County Public Airport Site). This area is believed to be a source of ground water contamination at the facility. The EPA is preparing the EE/CA at the request of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) in anticipation of a response action to address contaminated soils in the north hangar area. BACKGROUND The Herington Army Air Field (HAAF)was utilized by the Department of Defense between 1942 and 1947. In 1948, the federal government transferred the property to the city of Herington. Since 1948, the city of Herington (or an agency of the city) has owned the Herington Regional Airport property. In addition to the use of the site by the Department of Defense and the city, the property has been leased to numerous other entities who have used it for industrial purposes. Starting in 1995, investigations of the former HAAF, and the surrounding area, have been conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, KDHE, EPA, and Raytheon Aircraft Company. Several volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including trichlorethylene (TCE), and vinyl chloride, were detected in ground water, as were fuel-related chemicals such as: benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene. Samples taken from residential wells located north and northwest of the site indicate that VOC contamination is above the EPA health-based levels for safe drinking water. TCE is a chemical commonly used as an industrial solvent. EE/CA PROCESS The EE/CA process for the Herington Regional Airport north hangar will involve reviewing available site investigations, conducting pilot studies to evaluate cleanup options at the north hangar area, and determining if additional response actions are necessary. After completing sampling and pilot study activities, a report will be prepared. This report provides background information on the site, identifies removal action objectives, addresses potential cleanup alternatives, and gives a recommendation for a final response action alternative. The report will be submitted for a public comment period of 30 days. The EPA will then respond to comments from the public and select the final response action for cleanup of soils in the north hangar area of the Herington Regional Airport. FUTURE ACTIVITIES In support of the EE/CA process, the EPA has determined that additional sampling is required, therefore, soil, water, and air samples will be collected the week of May 5, 2003. A pilot study to evaluate a treatment technology known as soil vapor extraction will also be conducted in May. ------- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Information about the Tri-County Airport site is available to the public at the Herington Public Library, located at 102 S. Broadway, Herington, Kansas. The library phone number is: (785) 258-2011 If you have questions about this fact sheet or need additional information about the site, 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 Bill Bunn Project Manager Office of External Programs U.S. EPA - Region 7 901 N. 5th Street Kansas City, KS 66101 Phone: 913-551-7792 2 ------- |