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EPA Agrees to Reassess Bannister Federal Complex

Release Date: 04/26/2010
Contact Information: David Bryan, 913-551-7433, bryan.david@epa.gov


Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., April 26, 2010) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 announced it is going to reassess the entire Bannister Federal Complex for possible inclusion on the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL is EPA's list of the most serious hazardous waste sites identified for possible long-term remedial response under Superfund.

The Sierra Club and Physicians for Social Responsibility sent a request April 15 asking Region 7 to “conduct a full and complete reinvestigation and reassessment of the entire Bannister Federal Complex.” The original EPA assessment was conducted in 1987.

“We believe that the concerns being raised show that a reassessment is both prudent and necessary and is an appropriate next step,” said Karl Brooks, Region 7 administrator. “We have been working with the General Services Administration since February on an initial characterization of environmental elements at the site, and we are nearing completion of an environmental work agreement for us to oversee a complete assessment of GSA-managed property looking forward to repurposing the site.’’

The Hazard Ranking System (HRS) is the principal mechanism EPA uses to place uncontrolled waste sites on the NPL. It is a numerically-based screening system that uses information from initial, limited investigations to assess the relative potential of sites to pose a threat to human health or the environment.

The system assigns numerical values to the likelihood that a site has released or has the potential to release hazardous substances into the environment; characteristics of the waste (for example, toxicity and waste quantity); and people or sensitive environments affected by the release. The process includes assessing ground and surface water, soil and air.

EPA will also seek public input following the reassessment on any recommendations made regarding the NPL listing.