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Superfund

Superfund Success Stories: EPA Region 7

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Carter Carburetor Site

About the Carter Carburetor Site

Site Profile Page

Carter Carburetor Site
Site Profile Page

The Carter Carburetor Site was operated by the Carter Carburetor Corporation and Carter Automotive Products, both of which were subsidiaries of ACF Industries, Inc. from the 1920s until about 1984. The plant consisted of several connected multi-story manufacturing, testing, office, and warehouse buildings that contained more than 500,000 square feet of space. During its operational life, the plant manufactured carburetors for gasoline- and diesel-powered engines. In 1984, ACF Industries, Inc. closed the plant and dismantled much of the equipment. Although numerous chemicals were used in the plant's manufacturing process, the primary environmental contaminants at the site include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), trichloroethylene (TCE), and asbestos.

Why this site is being featured

Cleanup of the site began in 2013 with the removal of asbestos and hazardous debris from buildings on the property. Demolition and removal of the buildings began in 2015. Additional waste removal work, on-site waste treatment, and other cleanup work is expected to continue into late 2017. The cleanup will allow the property in one of St. Louis’s oldest neighborhoods, a designated Environmental Justice area, to be redeveloped and returned to productive use for the community.

2015 Building demolition at Carter Carburetor site2015 Building demolition at Carter Carburetor site

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Omaha Lead Superfund Site

About the Omaha Lead Superfund Site

Site Profile Page

Omaha Lead Superfund Site
Site Profile Page

The Omaha Lead Superfund Site, consisting of approximately 27 square miles of property within the metro area of Omaha, Nebraska, is the single largest residential lead contamination site in the nation. Soils across a broad swath of Omaha were contaminated with lead over the span of more than a century, primarily from the operation of a major lead smelter situated along the west bank of the Missouri River, which sent particulate lead aloft from its smokestacks and deposited it on the landscape. Other sources of lead contamination at the site included a former paint manufacturer, a former lead battery plant, and the decay of lead-based paint from homes and other structures.

Why this site is being featured

In 1998, noting health data that showed elevated blood lead levels in the city’s children, Omaha’s City Council asked EPA to help address lead contaminated soils in the city’s residential yards, as well as childcare facilities, schools, playgrounds and parks. Since EPA began its work in 1999, the agency has sampled more than 40,000 properties and cleaned up more than 13,000 properties that were found to contain elevated levels of lead. After 16 years of work on the cleanup, child blood lead levels have dropped measurably in the city. EPA will transition much of the remaining sampling and cleanup role to the City of Omaha in 2016, under terms of a $31 million cooperative agreement.

Historical postcard image of the riverfront smelterHistorical postcard image of the riverfront smelter
Residential yard remediation activityResidential yard remediation activity

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Kansas City Structural Steel Site

About the Kansas City Structural Steel Site

Companies smelted silver ore and fabricated steel products at the 22-acre Kansas City Structural Steel Site for more than a century. The activities contaminated soil with heavy metals, including lead. Site cleanup took place from 1990 to 1995.

Why this site is being featured

El Centro, a local nonprofit, acquired the site property in 1995, after signing an agreement with EPA to ensure long-term protectiveness of the remedy. El Centro worked with local government officials to pursue redevelopment of the site, and in 2014 ground was broken on La Plaza Argentine, a multi-tenant shopping center. On September 10, 2014, EPA Region 7 presented the Leading Environmentalism and Forwarding Sustainability (L.E.A.F.S.) award to Walmart and to the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association for creating the new Walmart Neighborhood Market retail store. Additional reuses of the property are being considered.

Buildings at the American Smelting and Refining Co. site, 1901. (Source: Kansas City Public Library) Buildings at the American Smelting and Refining Co. site, 1901. (Source: Kansas City Public Library)
2.	Construction of the new commercial space at Kansas City Structural Steel site, June 2014Construction of the new commercial space at Kansas City Structural Steel site, June 2014
EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks presents the L.E.A.F.S. award to Walmart and to the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association for the reuse of the Kansas City Structural Steel Site. (September 2014)	 EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks presents the L.E.A.F.S. award to Walmart and to the Argentine Neighborhood Development Association for the reuse of the Kansas City Structural Steel Site. (September 2014)               

More Info on the Kansas City Structural Steel Site

  1. Fact Sheet: Celebrating Success: Kansas City Structural Steel, Kansas City, Kansas (PDF)(1 pg, 384 K, About PDF)
  2. Fact Sheet: Return to Use Project - 2006 Demonstration Project: Kansas City Structural Steel (PDF)(2 pp, 635 K)
  3. Press Release: Kansas City Structural Steel Superfund Site in Kansas City, Kansas, Set for Redevelopment (3/27/2014)

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Lake City Army Ammunition Plant Site

About the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant Site

Site Profile Page

Lake City Army Ammunition Plant Site
Site Profile Page

The 3,935-acre Lake City Army Ammunition Plant Site is U.S. government-owned, contractor-operated facility that was established by the Remington Arms Company in 1941 to manufacture and test small caliber ammunition for the U.S. Army. It has remained in continuous operation, producing munitions for the nation’s military services, except for one 5-year period following World War II.  Industrial operations at the site, including military manufacturing, have contaminated ground water, surface water and soils with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), explosives, perchlorates and heavy metals. Cleanup, operation and maintenance activities and monitoring are ongoing.

Why this site is being featured

Federal ownership provides inherent authority for the U.S. Army to control land use and take action against unapproved uses at the site, but also entails statutory and regulatory obligations. Numerous requirements are placed on federal agencies that manage land to ensure the protection of human health and the environment. Under a 1989 Federal Facility Agreement, EPA and the State of Missouri oversee environmental actions taken at the site.

Aerial view of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, in Independence, MissouriAerial view of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, in Independence, Missouri
 
Injection wells and solar-powered equipment used to treat groundwater contamination at the Lake City Army Ammunition PlantInjection wells and solar-powered equipment used to treat groundwater contamination at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant

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Chemical Commodities, Inc. Site

About the Chemical Commodities Inc. Site

Site Profile Page

Chemical Commodities, Inc. Site
Site Profile Page

The Chemical Commodities, Inc. (CCI) Site is a 1.5-acre property located in Olathe, Kansas. Chemical Commodities, Inc., generated and transported chemicals improperly, leading to ground water and soil contamination. Residents were concerned about public health and the environment because of emanating odors, contaminated rain water runoff and fires. Contaminants of concern include heavy metals, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides. Ground water monitoring, inspections, and maintenance of ventilation systems in nearby residences are ongoing.

Why this site is being featured

Cleanup of the site was completed by responsible parties in 2012, and the site is now a pollinator habitat garden and serves as a sanctuary for monarch butterflies and other vital pollinators.  The monarch butterfly and pollinator sanctuary features walking trails and information stations for visitors and can also be used by the community to host pollinator educational events.

Historic view of the Chemical Commodities, Inc. site prior to cleanup.Historic view of the Chemical Commodities, Inc. site prior to cleanup.
Walking trails and pollinator sanctuary following cleanup at Chemical Commodities, Inc. site.Walking trails and pollinator sanctuary following cleanup at Chemical Commodities, Inc. site.

More Info on the Chemical Commodities Inc. Site

  1. Video: "Plants, People, Pollinators: Environmental Education and Stewardship Chemical Commodities, Inc. Superfund Site in Olathe, Kansas

  2. Buzzing with Life: Environmental Education and Stewardship: The Chemical Commodities, Inc. Superfund Site in Olathe, Kansas (PDF)(18 pp, 2.2 MB)

  3. Return to Use Initiative 2012 Demonstration Project: Chemical Commodities, Inc. (PDF)(2 pp, 323 K)

  4. EPA Press Release: EPA Recognizes Boeing for Leadership in Revitalization at CCI, Inc. Superfund Site in Olathe, Kansas

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