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Waste Management Permit Issued for Facility Containing Closed Hazardous Waste Landfill Cells in Keokuk, Iowa

Release Date: 09/30/2009
Contact Information: Beckie Himes, (913) 551-7253, himes.beckie@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Sept. 30, 2009) - EPA Region 7 has issued a post-closure hazardous waste management permit to Cyprus Specialty Metals Company, Roquette America Railway, Inc., and the City of Keokuk, Iowa, for a local industrial facility property containing two closed hazardous waste landfill cells.

The facility, located at 2301 Twin Rivers Drive, also known as One Commercial Street, in Keokuk, has shared ownership. Cyprus Specialty Metals Company owns the two now-closed hazardous waste landfill cells at the property. The facility property other than the two landfill cells is owned primarily by Roquette America Railways, Inc., with smaller portions owned by the City of Keokuk.

EPA has issued a post-closure hazardous waste management permit to the property owners under provisions of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The permit requires the parties to monitor the integrity of the two closed hazardous waste landfill cells by inspecting and maintaining the landfill covers.

The permit also requires the permittees to conduct annual ground water sampling and analysis around the landfill cells. If unacceptable levels of contamination are detected around the landfill cells, the permittees must correct the release. The permittees must also investigate and respond to releases of hazardous waste from other areas at the facility, besides the two landfill cells, that have been identified as having the potential for such releases.

The post-closure hazardous waste management permit is in effect for a period of 10 years from issuance.