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Fact Sheet

September 2011

Supplemental Public Comment for Draft Hazardous Waste Permit, Kansas Army Ammunition Plant, Parsons, Labette County, Kansas

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 (EPA) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) are providing a supplemental public comment period to provide the public the opportunity to review and comment on additional information and changes to the draft permit that are important to the transfer of the hazardous waste management permit issued to Great Plains Redevelopment Authority (GPDA) and Day and Zimmermann Kansas, LLC (DZK) for the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant (KSAAP).

The public comment period will run from September 28 through October 27, 2011.

The additional information provided by GPDA and DZK can be found in the administrative record for this action. This information includes:

Written comments on the proposed permit renewal should be mailed or emailed no later than October 27, 2011, and should be sent to either:

U.S. EPA Region 7
AWMD/RCAP
901 N. Fifth Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
Contact: Ken Herstowski

KDHE
Hazardous Waste Permits Section
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 320
Topeka, KS 66612
Contact: Mostafa Kamal

BACKGROUND

EPA and KDHE received a request from the United States Army (Army), GPDA and DZK to transfer the December 7, 1989, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste management permit issued to the KSAAP in Parson, Kansas (EPA RCRA ID# KS0213820467) to new owners and operators. Because each permit contains a part administered by EPA and a part administered by KDHE, the two regulatory agencies are reviewing this request to determine whether it's appropriate for approval. To complete this transfer, KSAAP property and the hazardous waste permit will be transferred and split between GPDA and DZK.

One RCRA permit will be transferred to GPDA as the new facility owner and the Army as facility operator, and one RCRA permit will be transferred to DZK as owner and operator.

As proposed, the GPDA facility will encompass approximately 6,000 acres and will include a hazardous waste open burn area, a hazardous waste incinerator, and hazardous waste storage units. These regulated units are currently undergoing closure activities. Solid waste management units will also be located within this facility.

As proposed, the DZK facility will encompass approximately 4,000 acres and will include hazardous waste open detonation and hazardous waste storage units. DZK will continue production of munitions at the facility after property transfer and will continue to treat and store hazardous waste.

RCRA regulations require that the public be given an opportunity to comment on such a permit modification before a final decision is made by the regulatory agencies. An initial 45-day public comment period was held November 12 through December 26, 2009. This supplemental public comment period will be from September 28 until October 27, 2011.

The public may submit comments or requests for additional information to either of the contacts on Page 1. EPA and KDHE will consider comments submitted regarding this permit action in making the final permit decision.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

EPA encourages the public to review the Administrative Record and comment on the proposed permit modification. Comments or requests should be submitted by October 27, 2011.

Guidelines for Commenting:

The supplemental information is available in the administrative record for public review during the public comment period at the following locations during regular business hours:

U.S. EPA, Region 7
AWMD/RCAP
901 N. Fifth Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
Contact: Ken Herstowski
Tel: (913) 551-7631

Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Hazardous Waste Permits Section
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 320
Topeka, KS 66612
Contact: Mostafa Kamal
Tel: (785) 296-1609

Parsons Public Library
311 S. 17th Street
Parsons KS 67357
Tel: (620) 421-5920

A formal public hearing has not been scheduled, but will be held if there is sufficient public interest. Requests for a public hearing must be made in writing to either of the contacts at the address listed on Page 1 and must state the nature of issues to be raised at the hearing. EPA will evaluate any request and hold a formal hearing if it finds that a hearing will contribute to the decision-making process by clarifying significant issues affecting the cleanup remedy.

EPA and KDHE will make the proposed permit final only after the public comment period ends and all comments are reviewed. EPA and KDHE may modify the proposed permit based on any new information and comments from the public.

Individuals may write to either of the contacts on Page 1 to join the mailing list. Joining the mailing list will allow an individual to receive any updated information directly throughout the cleanup process.

If you have questions or want to receive further information, please contact:

Beckie Himes
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 N. Fifth Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
Tel: (913) 551-7253
Toll-free: (800) 223-0425
Email: himes.beckie@epa.gov

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