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EPA to DNR oversight of Coal Tar Site
(Clinton) -- The intention to make the switch was announced some time ago, but it is now officials.
The oversight of the Clinton Coal Gas Superfund Site is moving from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Matt Culp of the DNR will be the project manager. He says the assessment and clean up under the consent decree with the EPA and the Alliant Energy as the property owners had been completed and this made a good time for transition.
The on-site work at the former Allied Steel property has been performed by the Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), now a part of Alliant Energy, under an Administrative Order on Consent. In addition to site investigation work, IPL completed the removal of 120,000 tons of soil contaminated with coal tar, lead, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Culp says the site will be enrolled in the state’s land recycling program which will give the owners some protection once some final steps are completed. He says a risk assessment and final paperwork must be completed before the agency can issue an OK to turn the property over to Alliant Energy with the environmental restrictions.. The public should not see any work at the site, Culp said, adding the steps left are ‘paperwork’ issues.
The future use of the site would be a decision of the owners-Alliant Energy. Culp says there would some environmental restrictions. He also said the DNR may step in again in a case such as the sale of the property or if Alliant tears down buildings on the property that may provide access to some of the contaminants.
Culp says the state agency as has had a “productive and good relationship” with EPA over the years of working on the site. Culp says the public health and protection has been the priority and will remain the priority under the state agency oversight.
Earlier this month a spokesman for Alliant Energy told K-R-O-S NEWS that any decision about a future use for the former Allied Steel site could be a year or more away.
Written 8/16/2012 by Dave Vickers - KROS News
