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Fact Sheet

June 2013

Public Comment for Draft Hazardous Waste Permit, AET Destruction Facility at Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, Middletown, Des Moines County, Iowa

INTRODUCTION

EPA Region 7 invites the public to comment on the draft Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste permit for the AET Destruction Facility (AET). The public comment period will run from June 26, through August 10, 2013.

Guidelines for Commenting:

Written comments on the proposed permit renewal should be mailed or emailed no later than August 10, 2013, and should be sent to:

Ken Herstowski
EPA Region 7 (AWMD/WRAP)
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
Email: herstowski.ken@epa.gov

BACKGROUND

AET operates a hazardous waste treatment facility in leased facilities at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAAP), 17571 State Highway 79 in Middletown, Iowa. The treatment operations take place in Building 600-84 and storage of hazardous waste before it is treated takes place in Igloos H-5 and H-14.

In October 2001, EPA issued a RCRA permit for storage and treatment of hazardous waste. The permit has been continued since its expiration in 2011. EPA has prepared a draft permit to renew authorization of the storage and treatment operations.

HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT AT THE FACILITY

AET is a commercial treatment facility for hazardous wastes that exhibit the hazardous waste characteristic of reactivity. The reactive wastes to be treated are limited to those that have the potential to detonate or to have an explosive reaction or decomposition.

The hazardous waste management activities will take place at several areas of IAAAP. AET stores hazardous waste in Igloos H-5 and H-14 in IAAAP Yard H. Storage is limited to a total combined capacity of 50,000 pounds of hazardous waste, and further limited by a maximum net explosive weight of explosive material which is distributed between the two igloos. Storage operations may be expanded up to the total combined capacity of 75,000 pounds of hazardous waste and 25,000 pounds maximum net explosive weight of explosive material.

AET treats hazardous waste in Building 600-84. The treatment unit thermally treats the reactive waste and has a capacity of 240 pounds per hour net explosive weight of DOD/DOT Class 1.1 Explosive. Containers of hazardous waste are unloaded in the designated areas of Building 600-84 and repackaged for treatment. No storage is allowed beyond that which is necessary to operate the treatment unit at Building 600-84 or that necessary to repackage hazardous waste for treatment during a normal shift.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

EPA encourages the public to review the Administrative Record and comment on the proposed permit renewal. The Administrative Record is available at the following locations during normal business hours:

Burlington Public Library
210 Court St.
Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-1647

U.S. EPA Records Center
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
(913) 551-7166

The Administrative Record is also available via the Internet on the EPA Region 7 website at: www.epa.gov/region7/public_notices.

A 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 the EPA contact at the address listed above 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 proposed draft permit renewal. Comments or requests should be submitted by August 10, 2013.

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

Individuals can write to the EPA contact on Page 1 to join the mailing list. Joining the mailing list will allow an individual to receive any updated information directly throughout the renewal process.

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

Beckie Himes
Community Involvement Coordinator
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
Phone: 913-551-7253
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: himes.beckie@epa.gov

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