|
|
Published June 30, 2007 05:07 pm - In the late 1990s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spent nearly $30 million removing lead-contaminated soil from 2,500 residential yards in the Joplin area.
EPA to get tough on yard cleanups
By Wally Kennedy
wkennedy@joplinglobe.com
In the late 1990s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spent nearly $30 million removing lead-contaminated soil from 2,500 residential yards in the Joplin area. Most yards were in northwest Joplin, where a lead smelter, operated decades ago by EaglePicher Industries, spewed airborne lead into the environment.
But about 50 property owners refused to let the EPA do cleanup work, though their yards had levels of contamination high enough to cause lead poisoning in children who might live in those houses in the future.
Now an agreement has been reached between the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the EPA that will permit the state agency to tackle those remaining yards.
If the DNR encounters a problem with a reluctant property owner, the EPA could seek an administrative order that will permit the work to be done without the property owner’s permission, but the DNR wants to avoid a conflict by working with property owners to convince them that it is in their interest and that of future generations to complete the cleanup.
Dennis Stinson, head of DNR’s Superfund section, said, “We will work with them (the property owners) and hope that they see the benefits of it. They may not like it, but hopefully they will allow us to do it without resorting to an administrative order.’’
High lead levels
Letters were recently mailed to the property owners seeking permission to resample the yards to determine the extent of contamination and whether whole yards or only parts of a yard need to be cleaned up.
Samples taken from the yards in the late 1990s showed that some of them had contamination levels exceeding 3,000 parts per million of lead in the soil. The level at which remedial action is deemed necessary is 800 parts per million.
Mark Doolan, the EPA’s project manager for the cleanup, said the DNR will remove the soil from every yard with contamination levels above 1,200 parts per million.
“They will not be given a choice,” he said. “Whether they like it or not, we will obtain a unilateral order from the EPA. We’ll get a warrant, and we’ll show up with the sheriff if we have to.”
If the contamination is between 800 and 1,200 parts per million, a deed notice will be placed on the property’s title that will show that the yard’s soil is contaminated with lead.
Doolan said, “When the property is transferred, the future owners will know there is a problem. If we put a notice on the deed, we won’t be coming back to clean up that property. The property owner will have to clean it up if he can’t sell it.”
Stinson said the DNR has received replies from at least half of the property owners, some of whom are granting access. In other cases, the DNR is finding that houses on those properties have been torn down.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:
|
 |
|
TEAMS NEEDED
SIGN-ON BONUS $3000 Benefits and West Coast $$ Scheduled Raises $$ HIGH MILES WEEKLY 72hrs...>MORE
LIFEGUARDS
all shifts available, Apply in person at either Joplin Family Y location. www.joplinfamilyy.org....>MORE
OPINIONS WANTED
For legal research project. Participants will listen to presentations and express their opinions. Project scheduled for ...>MORE
LOCAL DRILLING COMPANY
needs a rock driller. Must have experience in hydraulics. Company vehicle provided. (417)662-7267...>MORE
TRUCK MECHANIC
needed for Waste Corporation of Joplin. Competitive pay and benefits package. Requires candidate to own hand tools...>MORE
GROWING DENTAL PRACTICE
looking for experienced Dental Assistant. Computer knowledge a must. Resumes: 2710 Picher, Joplin, MO 64804. Deadline by...>MORE
GROWING DENTAL PRACTICE
looking for experienced Dental Assistant. Computer knowledge a must. Resumes: 2710 Picher, Joplin, MO 64804. Deadline by...>MORE
LIFEGUARDS
All shifts available, Apply in person at either Joplin Family Y location. www.joplinfamilyy.org....>MORE
ACCOUNTANT.
Expanding CPA firm: full time, degree/ computer skills required. Audit/tax experience preferred. Send resume to P...>MORE
DRIVERS WANTED
DRIVERS WANTED Drivers needed for Waste Corporation of Joplin, a growing company in the Joplin and surrounding areas. ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
MAZDA, 2000
B3000, 4x2, V6, automatic, high miles, $2150. (417)843-2613....>MORE
1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
350 automatic, $5000 or trade consider. (620)230-0459...>MORE
YAMAHA 1999 ROAD STAR
Yamaha, 1999 Road Star 1600 excellent condition, less than 10,000 miles, saddle bags and highway lamps. $3500. Cell phon...>MORE
FORD 2001 ESCORT
FORD, 2001 Escort, 4 cylinder, automatic, good condition. $1800. (417)437-5682....>MORE
GMC, 2006
2500 4x4, regular cab/bed, 133,000 miles, $9850. (417)214-0022....>MORE
LEXUS 2002 ES
LEXUS, 2002 ES 300, silver/gray leather, navigation, heated seats, second owner, 94,000 miles, $10,900. 620-856-2804, 41...>MORE
CHEVROLET 1997 TAHOE
CHEVROLET, 1997 TAHOE LT, 4X4, Maroon, air, excellent condition, leather seats, power everything, $2500 or best offer Pl...>MORE
LEHMAN TRIKE
LEHMAN TRIKE, 2007, excellent condition, rider has health problems. $20,500. Serious inquires only. (417)529-9554....>MORE
NEED 2 DRIVERS
with 3 years plus $ miles with turn arounds back to Joplin, MO. Home often. 417-325-7320....>MORE
1990 GMC HIGH SIERRA
short wide bed, 2 wheel drive, V-8, power windows/locks, air, CD, tinted windows, chrome wheels. $2,000 or best offer. (...>MORE
See all ads |
|
HANDYMAN SPECIAL
Handyman Special, only $500 down, owner financing, 11% interest, $345/ month, priced at $23,900. 1120 W. 12th Street (41...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE
OPEN HOUSE 7/5/09 1:00-4:00 2281 sq. ft. Updated kitchen 4 br + bonus room 2 living areas Metal roof. Stapleton school ...>MORE
LAKE FRONT MOBILE
Lake Front Mobile Grove, OK 1972 14 X 46 1 Bedroom, 1 bath lake front mobile home weekend getaway. Complete with furn...>MORE
OWNER FINANCE
OWNER FINANCE. $650 down, $435 monthly. 201 N. Washington, Joplin, 3 BR, garage, Full price $32,500. 417-359-4113. ...>MORE
2-3 BR
Basement, newly remodeled, oak cabinets, nice wood floors, privacy fence. $79,200. 2525 N. Ozark. (417)483-0900....>MORE
OPEN HOUSE
405 Keeney Street, Carl Junction. Sunday July 12 • 2 p.m.-4 p.m. This home is owned by Carl Junction R-1 School Di...>MORE
INVESTORS OR START-UP
INVESTORS OR START-UP 1217 Central. $67500 2 bedroom, 1 bath, very nice,room to build more. See more at homesbyowner.co...>MORE
See all ads |
|
ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE
realitives of late father, Aziel Murphy, who married Maxine Steele, of Oklahoma, on June 10, 1929. Contact Tresa Collins...>MORE
LOST: 10 YEAR OLD YELLOW LAB
Goldie has on a flea collar, lost 6/28 between Oak Grove and Tipton Ford. PLEASE call 417-438-2828....>MORE
YORKIE-CHORKIE
Yorkie-Chorkie, 6 weeks, weight 12 oz. and up. 417-358-4202....>MORE
AMPLIFIER
1953 Gibson BHR, $250. (417)437-9942....>MORE
ANTIQUE RADIO
ANTIQUE Radio; hanging lamps; china cabinet; carnival glass; Singer featherweight machine; 2 ladies and men diamond ring...>MORE
INDEPENDENCE DAY BLOW OUT SALE
20% off all grocery items 20% off all cleaning supply items 20% off all refrigerators, dishwashers, deep...>MORE
NASCAR
Indy Brick Yard 400, 7/26/09, 2 at $90. 417-483-1460....>MORE
SHIH-TZU PUPPIES
$125 each; Shih-tzu adults free to a good home, (417)439-5568....>MORE
LAB PUPPIES
lab puppies, AKC 1 chocolate male 1 chocolate female 1 black male 1 black female Master, senior, and junior hunters on ...>MORE
2002 LOWE TAHITI
2002 Lowe Tahiti 22 Deck Boat with 2002 Johnson 150 hp motor, fully loaded and lake ready, $12,500. (620)856-5165 or (41...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|