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Fact Sheet

October 2009

Update on Removal Activities at the Des Moines (ex) Ordnance Plant Site, Ankeny, Iowa

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has been overseeing removal activities at the Des Moines (ex) Ordnance Plant Site (DMOP) in Ankeny, Iowa since June 2009. The removal is being conducted by John Deere Des Moines Works and the City of Ankeny. There are three phases of removal activities at the Site. The first removal phase consisted of earthen lagoon dewatering and/or sediment removal, soil pile removal, and soil excavation. The second removal phase consisted of concrete lagoon dewatering, sediment removal, and structure/underground piping removal. The third removal phase consisted of capping the landfill.                   

Phase I, the first removal action, began in June 2009. The Phase II and Phase III removals began in August 2009. The Phase I and Phase II removal activities are nearly complete. The Phase III removal action, consisting of placement of a cap over the landfill area is nearly completed. Contaminated material above site removal levels was removed. The unnamed tributary to Saylor Creek, along the southern portion of the site, was also relocated.

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 will pay past costs for 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 and creek sediment contamination; 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, 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; demolishing a small building; consolidating, loading, transporting and disposing of debris; clearing 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

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