John Deere Des Moines Works Facility, Ankeny, Polk County, Iowa - Fact Sheet, June 2022
Public Comment Period for Statement of Basis and Proposed Remedy
Introduction
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 invites the public to comment on the Proposed Remedy (Proposed Corrective Measures) for the John Deere Des Moines Works facility, 825 SW Irvinedale Drive, Ankeny, Iowa (EPA ID No. IAD069624500).
Proposed Remedy
EPA is proposing corrective measures to address contamination at the facility that consists of excavation and off-site disposal; phytoremediation; monitored natural attenuation; groundwater monitoring; engineered barrier covers to mitigate for direct contact; and institutional controls in the form of property activity and use limitations and a soil management plan.
These limitations include the following conditions:
- No residential land use.
- No use of on-site groundwater as a source of potable water.
- No installation of groundwater drinking water wells.
- Implementation of a soil management plan.
- Maintenance and inspection requirements of controls while soil and groundwater contamination remains above media cleanup standards.
EPA encourages the public to review this Proposed Remedy and the Administrative Record, which contains documents supporting the Proposed Remedy.
The public comment period will run from June 13 through July 13, 2022. Comments on the Proposed Remedy or public availability session requests must be mailed or emailed in writing no later than July 13, 2022, to:
Lisa Messinger
EPA Region 7 (LCRD/ROAG)
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Email: messinger.lisa@epa.gov
Guidelines for Commenting:
- Explain your views.
- Tell us if you support or disagree with the recommendation. Please be specific.
- Can you provide alternatives?
Background
The facility was initially developed and operated by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) as an ammunition production facility during World War II. John Deere Des Moines Works (JDDMW) purchased the property from the DOD in 1947, and has operated since then as a diversified farm equipment manufacturing company producing farm implements and equipment. Historically, several parts were chrome-plated during the manufacturing process. To date, JDDMW has managed waste materials both on-site and by off-site disposal at licensed facilities. Prior to 1980, JDDMW used a caustic sludge pit and wastewater sludge pit for on-site storage and disposal of wastes.
In 1994, a RCRA Facility Assessment was conducted, identifying a number of Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs) and Areas of Contamination (AOCs) across the facility. On Sept. 11, 1998, JDDMW and EPA entered into an Administrative Order on Consent, Docket No. VII-98-H-0002, to conduct a RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) and a Corrective Measures Study. Based on the RFI, a limited number of these SWMUs and AOCs were identified as having releases of hazardous waste and/or hazardous constituents, requiring additional evaluation of corrective action measures, including:
- SWMU 10 (Tube Cell - Metal Shavings Hopper)
- SWMU 25 (Stormwater Runoff Ditch and Catch Basin)
- SWMU 37 (Ram Exhaust Oil Demister)
- AOC A65 (Tank 65)
- AOC B24 (Tank 24)
- AOC B25 (Tank 25)
- AOC C (Chromium Release Investigation Near Building 2G)
- AOC E (Former Underground Storage Tanks 14, 15 and 16)
- Other Unit 2 (Chrome Plating System Building 2G)
- Other Unit 3 (Zinc Plating System Building 2G)
- Other DOD Area PH (Former DOD Powerhouse [former Building 15])
Contaminants
Corrective Measures Study results indicate that contaminants of concern exist in soil and groundwater at levels exceeding human health risk-based levels that must be addressed, including metals, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic carbons.
Following removal of the source of impacts (chrome plating unit) at AOC C, interim measures were implemented, consisting of removal of soils impacted with hexavalent chromium for off-site disposal and groundwater extraction and treatment under the regulatory authority of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). IDNR also issued an environmental covenant subjecting AOC C to activity and use limitations. IDNR agreed to closure of this area of the facility in 2006 when the extraction system operation was discontinued. Groundwater monitoring and soil sampling work completed during the RFI demonstrated that contamination in groundwater remains, but has not migrated downgradient.
In 2013, an interim remedy decision for SWMU 25 was issued after public review, which is currently being implemented. Approximately 147 tons of PAH-impacted soil were removed for off-site disposal and the former catch basin location was covered to manage contaminated soil remaining in place. Soils and sediments within the northern portion of the drainage ditch remain at concentrations that exceed site-specific cleanup goals, while soils within the central portion of the drainage ditch remain at concentrations that pose a risk to ecological receptors.
Limited interim measures, consisting of source removal, were previously completed in 2017 at the Former DOD Powerhouse during a facility improvement project, where approximately 1,200 tons of soil impacted with PAHs and metals were removed and disposed off-site. Investigations conducted during the RFI delineated the footprint of the former powerhouse and identified PAH and metals concentrations remaining in subsurface debris and soil. Human health risks were assessed for potential routine worker exposure to the subsurface PAH and metals contamination with an existing concrete surface barrier, which confirmed that the facility-related, soil cumulative cancer risk estimate does not exceed EPA's Reasonable Maximum Exposure risk limits, which demonstrates that no additional removal of soil is necessary.
In summary, this Proposed Remedy decision for the entire facility incorporates ongoing interim remedial measures that have proven to be effective; new remedial measures to address newly identified risk; or previous EPA remedy decisions over portions of the facility that have already undergone public notice and review.
For More Information
A copy of the Statement of Basis and other information is available for public review during normal business hours at the following locations:
EPA Region 7 Records Center
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library
1250 SW District Drive
Ankeny, IA 50023
Phone: 515-965-6460
If the Statement of Basis and other information is not physically available (e.g., due to COVID-19), an index and/or electronic copy can be provided upon request by contacting Amelia Holcomb (see below). See Site Location Map at right.
An EPA public availability session has not been scheduled, but will be held if there is sufficient public interest. Requests for a public availability session must be made in writing to Lisa Messinger at the address listed above and must state the nature of issues proposed to be raised at the session. EPA will evaluate any request and hold a formal public availability session if it is determined that a session will contribute to the decision-making process by clarifying significant issues affecting the remedy.
After consideration of all comments received, EPA will make a Final Remedy decision. If the decision is made to select a Final Remedy that is substantially unchanged from the Proposed Remedy, EPA will notify all persons submitting comments or requesting a notice of the final decision. If the Proposed Remedy is substantially changed, EPA will issue another public notice indicating the changes.
If you have questions or want to receive further information, please contact:
Amelia Holcomb
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA Region 7 (ORA/OPA)
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: holcomb.amelia@epa.gov