EPA begins environmental cleanup project in Pittsburg
City Press Releases
September 16, 2021
PITTSBURG, KS – The US Environmental Protection Agency began a cleanup project this week on the East 4th Street field across from the Mission Clay Products property in Pittsburg.
Pittsburg Deputy City Manager Jay Byers says the EPA is working in conjunction with the city and the church that owns the property to remove lead and other contaminants found in the soil.
“Given the history of the area and its proximity to old smelter sites, the city felt it was necessary to test for possible contamination,” says Byers. The site is also immediately adjacent to a city park and several businesses.
“We conducted environmental testing using an EPA-certified lab and the results revealed high levels of lead and other contaminants,” Byers added. “Once the EPA learned of our findings, they undertook their own analysis and committed to a cleanup as a brownfields project.”
This cleanup effort coincides with the city’s Mid-City Renaissance Project a community visioning plan conducted by the city in 2016 to redevelop the area.
“Our goal is to reimagine this entire area and make the location attractive for future development, but most importantly, make it safe for future generations,” said Byers.
The project is anticipated to take approximately one to two weeks to complete the excavation, backfill, and sodding. An EPA contractor will periodically water and maintain the fresh sod for a few weeks to ensure it is established.
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