EPA to Host April 5 Session in Byrnes Mill, Mo., to Discuss Residential Lead Sampling in Big River Floodplain of Southwest Jefferson County

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7

901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations

EPA to Host April 5 Session in Byrnes Mill, Mo., to Discuss Residential Lead Sampling in Big River Floodplain of Southwest Jefferson County

Contact Information: Ben Washburn, 913-551-7364, washburn.ben@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., March 27, 2012) - EPA Region 7 will host a public availability session from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, at the Byrnes Mill, Mo., City Hall, to share information about lead sampling of residential property soils in the Big River Floodplain, as part of EPA’s ongoing activities at the Southwest Jefferson County Mining Superfund Site.

Residential properties located in portions of the 100-year floodplain of Big River inside the Superfund site boundaries will be screened for possible lead contamination. Multiple studies and samplings have indicated widespread lead contamination in the floodplain, extending from Leadwood to the Meramec River Confluence.

Qualifying properties will be screened and prioritized for future sampling. The remedial program has funding to sample 256 properties this fiscal year. Additional funds are being sought to sample an undetermined number of remaining properties in fiscal year 2013. To date, EPA has conducted soil sampling at 2,004 residential properties, as well as water samplings at 654 private wells.

EPA will be sending letters to property owners of the 256 residences seeking access to do necessary sampling.

EPA representatives will attend the April 5 public availability session to discuss past and future site sampling activities.

EPA’s current sampling effort is focused on screening properties along the Big River Floodplain throughout Jefferson County. However, residents outside the floodplain who believe their property may have contaminated soils should contact Debbie Kring, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, 913-551-7725 or 1-800-223-0425, to discuss having EPA screen the property.

EPA Region 7 is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities who may want to attend this event. To request reasonable accommodations, please contact Jonathan Cooper at 1-800-223-0425 or cooper.jonathan@epa.gov at least a week in advance of the meeting. Speech or hearing-impaired individuals should email or call using the local relay service.

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