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Fact Sheet
June 2009
Removal Action, Des Moines (ex) Ordnance Plant Site, Ankeny, Iowa
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 will oversee removal activities at the Des Moines (ex) Ordnance Plant Site (DMOP) in Ankeny, Iowa. The removal will be conducted by John Deere Des Moines Works and the City of Ankeny beginning the week of June 22, 2009. There will be three phases of removal activities at the Site. The first removal will consist of earthen lagoon dewatering and/or sediment removal, soil pile removal, and soil excavation. The second phase will include concrete lagoon dewatering, sediment removal, and structure/underground piping removal. The third phase will consist of capping the landfill.
The current removal will consist of the following activities:
- Remove accumulated water and sediment from earthen lagoons at the site.
- Remove soil piles from the north-central portion of the site.
- Excavate impacted soils in the former grease storage lagoon, near the equalization lagoon, and near the north and south sedimentation lagoons.
This first removal action is expected to take more than two and one-half months. Residential activities should not be disrupted. There will be a presence of heavy equipment and some noise from the removal activities. Work will be conducted during normal business hours daily.
PAST ACTIVITIES
EPA reached an agreement with John Deere, U.S. Army and the City of Ankeny, to clean up the lagoon/landfill complex. The agreement focuses on the 38-acre tract at the Site. EPA's agreement with the three parties provides that they jointly pay toward the environmental cleanup work at the Site.
In March 2009, a Site investigation was conducted that included sampling to determine the nature and extent of the Site groundwater impacts, and Saylor Creek sediment impacts; to determine the nature and extent of lagoon water and lagoon sediment impacts for proper disposal; to determine the extent of soil removal actions; and, an investigation to determine the proper landfill cap design.
Site clearing was done to remove miscellaneous scrap metal, surface debris, and trees from the Site. The Site work and land clearing activities included the repair of an existing fence and placement of signage; demolition of a small building; consolidation, loading, transportation and disposal of debris; clearing of trees in identified areas, and chipping and grinding of trees.
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD
EPA encourages the community to review the Administrative Record for the DMOP, which is available during normal business hours at the following locations:
Kirkendall Public Library
Attention: Myrna Anderson
1210 N.W. Prairie Ridge Drive
Ankeny, IA 50023
EPA Region 7
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:
Belinda Young
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
Toll Free: 1-800-223-0425
young.belinda@epa.gov