Arkansas City Dump Case Study

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

Source: Kansas DHE
Before: Cleanup at the Arkansas City site

Source: EPA
After: A small “mom and pop” restaurant now operates in a former gas station at the site. Another portion of the site is now in use as an industrial park.

PROBLEM

Human health hazards caused by heavy metals in mine wastes.
Soil, surface water and groundwater polluted with lead, zinc, and cadmium.

SOLUTION

Excavated and removed acidic mine tailings and waste rock
Treated the sludge and the material in the on-site pit
Placed deed restrictions on the property to control future land use
Treated the sludge and the material in the on-site pit
Placed deed restrictions on the property to control future land use

PARTNERS

U.S. EPA
Kansas Department of Health and the Environment
Arkansas City

POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACTS

75 short-term cleanup jobs over 15 months
94 permanent jobs in the industrial park retained
$2.8 million in annual income generated by retained jobs
$250,000+ in state income and sales tax revenue
Roughly $94,000 potential increase in residential property values within two miles of the site

ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL BENEFITS

Protected human health and the environment
Prevented contamination of the Arkansas River
Preserved in operation the industrial parks, appealing to potential renters
Increased recreational appeal of the area surrounding the Arkansas River
Improved aesthetic quality of local landscape

Last Updated January 1999

Arkansas City Dump
Arkansas City, Kansas

BEFORE
Acidic sludge wastes from oil refinery operations

AFTER
A revitalized industrial park and a new restaurant

IMPACT
Local jobs, income, spending, and tax revenues retained

It was business as usual for an industrial park in the small town of Arkansas City, Kansas, until someone discovered that operators of an old oil refinery had left tons of hazardous waste buried on the property. The waste had gone undiscovered for some time, posing a threat to all who worked at or visited the manufacturing and warehouse businesses housed in the park. As soon as the problem was discovered, EPA and the State of Kansas worked together to clean up the waste with minimal disruption to the businesses. As a result, owners were able to remain open for business, keeping more than 90 employees on the job. What follows is the story of how EPA worked with others to bring about this successful cleanup, and of the positive economic impacts and the environmental and social benefits that resulted.

Site Snapshot

The Arkansas City Dump spreads over 200 acres in southwestern Arkansas City, Kansas. From 1916 to the mid-1920s, an oil refinery operated at the site, disposing of large quantities of toxic sludge in a 2.5-acre pit. The refinery was destroyed by an explosion and fire in 1927, and the property was used as an illegal dumping ground for domestic and municipal solid waste.

Located approximately 60 miles southeast of Wichita, Kansas, the Arkansas City Dump lies within 100 yards of the Arkansas River, and is separated from the river by a levee. The land surrounding the site is primarily commercial and residential. An industrial park housing several manufacturing and warehouse businesses is located on the site. Approximately 1,100 households are within two miles of the site and a city park is located just west.

From Acidic Sludge...

During an inspection of the property, state employees discovered thousands of tons of acidic sludge waste and notified EPA. EPA investigated the site to determine the threats posed by the contamination and, in 1983, added the Arkansas City Dump to the Agency’s list of hazardous waste sites needing cleanup. After hearing the views of the community and consulting Kansas officials, EPA cleaned up the site. The Agency removed and treated the sludge wastes, covered the site with clean soil, and planted grass to prevent erosion. In 1997, EPA revisited the site and confirmed that the cleanup is still protecting human health and the environment. Now, the industrial park provides a safe location for current and future tenants.

...To Saved Jobs

Keeping the industrial park open for business during cleanup was important to EPA and the State of Kansas. More than 90 people work at businesses that provide key services to the surrounding area. With this in mind, EPA took extra steps, such as using water sprays to control dust and stopping work when dust levels were high, to ensure that the cleanup did not interfere with business or endanger anyone working at or visiting the park. Today, two parts manufacturers, a trailer component facility, several warehouses, and a construction company occupy the site. In addition, a small restaurant opened in a former gas station and other new businesses have leased space recently. EPA’s cleanup created a clean and safe business environment with minimal disruption to the economic well-being of the area.

Community Benefits

The cleanup of the Arkansas City Dump has provided the community with a number of positive economic impacts, as well as environmental and social benefits. By remaining in operation throughout the cleanup process, businesses at the industrial park continued to generate revenue and provide services that retained jobs, income, and spending in the local area. In addition, the new businesses attracted to the site following the cleanup will enhance the local economy and provide the State with revenue from income and sales taxes. The cleanup also protected ecological resources near the site, primarily the Arkansas River. The river is a habitat for several endangered and threatened birds, such as the least tern, bald eagle, piping plover, white-faced ibis, and the peregrine falcon. It is becoming an invaluable recreational asset to the community as anglers, hunters, trappers, canoeists, and other outdoor enthusiasts enjoy and benefit from the thriving fish and wildlife populations. Protection of the river is also likely to increase the value of riverfront property and result in the development of new neighborhoods, parks, and other amenities.

Keys to Success

EPA’s partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment was a key factor in the successful cleanup and continued use of the Arkansas City Dump. The agencies collaborated on a cleanup plan for the site. EPA did cleanup work and the state followed up with maintenance to ensure that the soil cover remains protective. Because of this partnership, the industrial park continues to support many local businesses and appeals to new business that may move into the area.

For more information about the cleanup and redevelopment of the Arkansas City Dump site, contact:

Leo Henning, Section Chief
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Bureau of Environmental Remediation
Forbes Field, Building 740
Topeka, KS 66620
(913) 296-1914