Jump to main content.

Fact Sheet

July 2014

Proposed Site-Specific Risk-Based Cleanup Goals for Interim Measure Released for Public Comment, John Deere Des Moines Works, Ankeny, Polk County, Iowa


INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 invites the public to review and comment on the proposed site-specific risk-based cleanup goals for the interim measure at the John Deere Des Moines Works Site located at 825 S.W. Irvinedale Dr., Ankeny, IA 50023 (EPA ID # IAD069624500).

The public is encouraged to review the proposed cleanup goals for the interim measures work at Solid Waste Management Unit 25 (SWMU 25), the Interim Measure work plan and memorandums, and other historic information regarding the John Deere Des Moines Site. This information is available at the following locations during normal business hours:

Kirkendall Public Library
1210 NW Prairie Ridge Dr.
Ankeny, Iowa 50023
(515) 965‑6460

EPA Region 7 Records Center
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, Kansas 66219
(913) 551-7166

The public comment period runs from July 1 to July 31, 2014, to enable the public to comment on the proposed cleanup goals for the interim measure, as outlined in the March 19, 2014 Technical Memorandum for the Development of Site-Specific Risk-Based Cleanup Goals, Solid Waste Management Unit 25. Written comments should be mailed or emailed to:

Patricia Murrow
U.S. EPA, Region 7 (AWMD/WRAP)
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
Email: murrow.patricia@epa.gov

Comments should be received no later than July 31, 2014.

Comments received will be summarized in a Response to Comments, and responses will be provided to those individuals providing the comments. The Response to Comments will be drafted at the conclusion of the public comment period and incorporated into the Administrative Record. EPA may modify the cleanup goals based upon new information and comments from the public.

A public hearing is not scheduled at this time. If one is requested in writing with a statement of issues to be raised, EPA will conduct a hearing and receive both oral and written comments.

BACKGROUND

In 1998, EPA negotiated an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) requiring John Deere Des Moines Works to perform a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Facility Investigation and a Corrective Measure Study.

The site, as defined in the AOC, is located on approximately 454 acres of land. The site is surrounded by residential, light commercial, light industrial and agricultural properties. John Deere Des Moines Works is a diversified farm equipment and machinery manufacturing company that produces primary and secondary tillage, planting, cotton-picking, and cotton-stripping equipment.

In 1993, EPA performed a RCRA Facility Assessment (RFA) that included a visual site inspection. The purpose of the RFA is to identify solid waste management units and areas of concern and identify known and potential releases. Based on the findings of the RFA, several units and areas require further investigation, in accordance with the 1998 AOC. One such unit is SWMU 25, which consists of the stormwater runoff ditch and catch basin.

The stormwater runoff ditch is located on the east side of the site. A catch basin, which was constructed in the 1940s, is located near the southeast corner of the site. Previous investigations identified areas with low-level polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) impacts in soil and sediment within SWMIU 25.

In accordance with the 1998 AOC, John Deere Des Moines Works may implement an interim measure at the site to attempt to reduce contamination in source areas.

In 2013, an Interim Measures work plan to address PAH impacts was submitted by John Deere for SWMU 25, in accordance with the 1998 AOC, and after being placed on public notice, was approved by EPA on May 1, 2013. In the work plan, U.S. EPA Regional Screening Levels for industrial land use were identified as screening levels to delineate the vertical and horizontal extents of PAHs in the sediment and soil to be excavated.

THE CONTAMINATION

The following contaminants have been detected:

In Soil: In Sediment:

PROPOSED SITE-SPECIFIC RISK-BASED CLEANUP GOALS

The Interim Measure cleanup objective is to prevent exposure through ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation to sediment and soil containing PAHs at levels presenting unacceptable risks to human health. The proposed cleanup goals for PAHs are based on site-specific risk-based exposure levels to meet the Interim Measure cleanup objective. The proposed site-specific risk-based cleanup goals being placed on public notice for review and comment are presented in Table 7 of John Deere’s March 19, 2014 letter.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you have questions, or want to join the mailing list, please contact:

Emily Albano
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA, Region 7
Office of Public Affairs
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
Toll-free at (800) 223-0425, ext. 7860
Email: albano.emily@epa.gov

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.