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EPA Region 7 to Host Informational Sessions March 4 and 5 for Big River Mine Tailings, Madison County Mines Superfund Sites

Release Date: 02/25/2013
Contact Information: David Bryan, 913-551-7433, [email protected]

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Lenexa, Kan., Feb. 25, 2013) - EPA Region 7 will host separate Public Availability Meetings next week in Park Hills and Fredericktown, Mo., to update area residents on the progress of sampling and remediating lead-contaminated residential properties and other cleanup work at the Big River Mine Tailings and Madison County Mines Superfund sites.

Residents interested in the latest information about the Big River Mine Tailings Site are encouraged to attend the session from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 4, at the St. Francois County Health Department, 1025 Main Street, in Park Hills.

Residents interested in the Madison County Mines Site are encouraged to attend a separate session from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, at the Madison County Health Department, 806 West College Avenue, in Fredericktown.

To complete its cleanups of lead contamination at these two sites, EPA is attempting to obtain permission from residential property owners to allow access to their properties for free soil sampling. If sampling indicates a problem with elevated lead levels in soil, EPA will remove the contaminated soil and replace it with clean soil, at no cost to property owners.

Currently, approximately 4,000 residential properties remain unsampled in St. Francois County, and about 500 such properties remain unsampled in Madison County. As EPA’s long-term cleanup work at both sites approaches completion, the opportunities for property owners to receive free soil sampling and remediation work will eventually come to an end.

The March 4 and 5 public meetings will also provide the opportunity for residents of all ages to receive free blood lead testing, courtesy of state and county health departments. EPA especially encourages the testing of children 7 years and younger.

Residents seeking more information in advance of the meetings should contact EPA Region 7 Community Involvement Coordinator Debbie Kring toll-free at 1-800-223-0425, or at [email protected].