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Fact Sheet
October 2012
Removal Action, Columbus Former Manufacturing Gas Plant, Columbus, Platte County, Nebraska
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 will oversee a removal action at the Columbus Former Manufacturing Gas Plant (FMGP) Superfund Site. The site is generally located at 1169 22nd Avenue in Columbus, Platte County, Nebraska.
Removal activities will begin near mid-October 2012, and will be conducted under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) or Superfund program. The removal action will address on-site and off-site contaminated soils and groundwater.
BACKGROUND
The Columbus Gas Company manufactured utility gas at the site from 1908 until 1932 when the plant ceased operations and natural gas distribution began. The site covers 0.5 acres, and is owned by Black Hills/Nebraska Gas Utility Company, LLC. The site is currently not in use. All above-grade former manufacturing plant structures were removed from the site. The majority of the site is covered with asphalt surfacing with limited areas covered by concrete.
Soil and groundwater contamination includes coal-tar contaminated materials as a result of historical manufacturing gas plant operations.
NON-TIME-CRITICAL REMOVAL ACTION
Buildings
There are two buildings on site that were formerly used for storage and operations, and a communications tower. These buildings were constructed after the former manufacturing gas plant operations ceased. Initial removal activities will begin with the demolition of the two existing storage buildings. The remaining steel from the buildings will be recycled.
Soil Removal
On-site contaminated soils will be excavated (dig and haul) down to groundwater, and disposed off-site at a licensed landfill. The excavated areas will be backfilled with clean fill, and institutional controls may be implemented.
Off-site contaminated soils will be excavated down to 10 feet below ground surface and disposed off-site at a licensed landfill. These excavated areas will also be backfilled with clean fill and institutional controls may be implemented. Both on-site and off-site removal of soil is expected to be completed within six months.
Groundwater
Groundwater monitoring will be done as a post-removal site control. The groundwater will be monitored for a minimum of 10 years.
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD
EPA has established an Administrative Record for the Columbus FMGP Site and encourages the community to review the Administrative Record for information about ongoing activities at the site. The Administrative Record is available during normal business hours at the following locations:
Columbus Public Library
2504 14th Street
Columbus, Nebraska 68601
EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, Kansas 66219
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:
Belinda Young
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Phone: 913-551-7463
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: young.belinda@epa.gov