Jump to main content.

Fact Sheet

July 2011

Public Comment for Draft Hazardous Waste Permit, Lafarge Midwest Corporation, Fredonia, Wilson County, Kansas

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 invites the public to comment on the draft Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste permit for the Lafarge Midwest Corporation facility. The public comment period will run from
July 28, through September 13, 2011.

EPA will hold a public availability meeting at the Fredonia Public Library, 807 Jefferson Street on August 23, 2011. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information on the proposed permit. EPA will be available to meet one-on-one to answer questions. All members of the public are welcome to attend anytime from 4 to 7 p.m., to ask questions about the proposed permit renewal.

Written comments on the proposed permit renewal should be mailed or emailed no later than September 13, 2011, and should be sent to:

Ken Herstowski
EPA Region 7 AWMD/RCAP
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
Email: herstowski.ken@epa.gov

BACKGROUND

The Lafarge Midwest Corporation owns and operates a cement plant on Cement Plant Road in Fredonia, Kansas. Portland cement is produced at this facility. Hazardous waste is burned in the two cement kilns.  Coal, natural gas, used oils, petroleum coke, carbon black, wood products, and plastics are also used as fuel in the cement kilns.

You Are Invited

Representatives from EPA will be available to provide information and answer questions regarding the proposed Part II permit renewal at a public availability meeting on August 23, 2011. The meeting will be from 4 to 7 p.m. and will be held at:

Fredonia Public Library
807 Jefferson Street
Fredonia, Kansas

The public is welcome to attend and ask questions or comment on the proposed permit renewal. For more information on the meeting, please contact:

Beckie Himes
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-7253
Toll free:  1-800-223-0425
email: himes.beckie@epa.gov

EPA Region 7 is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting, please notify the EPA Reasonable Accommodations Coordinator, Jonathan Cooper, 800-223-0425 or at cooper.jonathan@epa.gov. Speech or hearing impaired individuals should e-mail or call using the local relay service.

CORRECTIVE ACTION CONDITIONS IN THE DRAFT PERMIT

Eleven areas called solid waste management units (SWMU) have been identified at the Lafarge Midwest Fredonia facility. SWMUs were identified from historical and current process activities that included the landfilling, storage, and spillage of process wastes. The SWMUs are being investigated to determine if releases are occurring to the environment and if such a release is a threat to human health or the environment.

In summary, contaminants found at the facility include the following:

In Groundwater: In Soil:

FOR MORE INFORMATION

EPA encourages the public to review the Administrative Record and comment on the proposed cleanup plan. Comments or requests should be submitted by September 13, 2011.

Guidelines for Commenting:

The Administrative Record is available at the following locations during normal business hours:

Fredonia Public Library
807 Jefferson St.
Fredonia, KS 66736
(620) 378-2863

EPA Region 7 Records Center
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7166

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

Individuals may 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 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 St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-7253
Toll free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: himes.beckie@epa.gov

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.