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Fact Sheet
April 2009
Public Meeting Regarding EPA Investigation at North 1st Street and Franklin Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 invites the public to participate in a meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2009, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Juniper Gardens Community Center, 1980 North 2nd Street, Kansas City, Kansas EPA will provide information and respond to questions and concerns about the recent EPA investigation at North 1st Street and Franklin Avenue in Kansas City, Kan.
BACKGROUND
During the week of March 23, 2009, EPA On-Scene Coordinators collected several environmental samples as part of an investigation into a potential hazardous materials site at North 1st Street and Franklin Avenue in Kansas City, Kan. The five-acre property, owned by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan., was placed under security watch by the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department to guard against trespassers and to ensure public safety while the EPA investigation is ongoing. The site is adjacent to the Juniper Gardens Public Housing Project and a community gardens project.
Acting on a tip from a confidential source, EPA inspectors visited the site and found what appeared to be a number of environmental hazards, including abandoned drums and containers of various unknown substances, suspected pesticide wastes, broken fluorescent light bulbs, used tires and oil, an electrical transformer, abandoned vehicles and industrial equipment, and other suspicious material.
PUBLIC MEETING
EPA will host a public meeting to provide information and answer questions about the investigation at North 1st Street and Franklin Avenue, Kansas City, Kan.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Juniper Gardens Community Center
1980 North 2nd Street
Kansas City, Kan.
For more information, please contact the following EPA representatives:
Local Residents and Community Members
Belinda Young
Community Involvement Coordinator
913-551-7463
young.belinda@epa.gov
Media Organizations
Chris Whitley
Public Affairs Specialist
913-551-7394
whitley.christopher@epa.gov
ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED TO DATE
- EPA On-Scene Coordinators collected samples of material from the site for testing in order to more clearly determine and define any potential environmental hazards that may be posed by material contained at the site.
- The Unified Government constructed a security fence around the property to keep trespassers out.
SAMPLING RESULTS
Results of the sampling effort verified the presence of a number of hazardous substances, including pesticides, herbicides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and lead. The quantities of these substances appear to be relatively small, and appear to be confined within the property boundaries.
NEXT STEPS
EPA will be working in the next few weeks to determine if the environmental hazards extend beyond the property boundaries.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
EPA Region 7 is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the public meeting, please notify the EPA Reasonable Accommodations Coordinator, Sharon Nible, at 1-800-223-0425 or by e-mail at nible.sharon@epa.gov at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. Speech or hearing impaired individuals should e-mail or call using the local relay service.
Parking is available on North 3rd Street and North 2nd Street. Direct access to the community center is available from North 3rd Street. To access parking from North 2nd Street, enter the Juniper Gardens Campus. Parking is available near the office.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Community members' questions or concerns should be directed to:
Belinda Young
Community Involvement Coordinator
913-551-7463
young.belinda@epa.gov.
Media questions should be directed to:
Chris Whitley
Public Affairs Specialist
913-551-7394
whitley.christopher@epa.gov