John Deere Waterloo Works - Drivetrain Operations Facility, Waterloo, Iowa - Fact Sheet, July 2017

Public Comment Period for RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Permit Renewal

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 invites the public to comment on the draft permit renewal for the John Deere Waterloo Works - Drivetrain Operations Facility (EPA ID # IAD005289806), located at 400 Westfield Ave., Waterloo, Iowa. The public comment period runs from July 17, 2017, through Aug. 31, 2017.

Written comments should be mailed or emailed no later than Aug. 31, 2017, and should be sent to:

Lisa Messinger
EPA Region 7 (AWMD/WRAP)
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
Email: messinger.lisa@epa.gov

BACKGROUND

The 290-acre facility is bordered by River Road and the Cedar River on the north, and by Westfield Avenue on the south. The facility was originally established as the Waterloo Gasoline and Traction Engine Company in 1893. Deere and Company of Moline, Ill., acquired the facility in 1918 and has operated it since that time.

In June 1991, EPA issued a federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Hazardous Waste Management permit to John Deere Waterloo Works, which allowed for the operation of a hazardous waste storage facility at the site.

Since issuance of the permit, all previous permitted units have either been reclassified as Clean Water Act facilities, or cleaned and closed under RCRA. The permit was renewed in 2006 for the remaining corrective action activities for the identified Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs) and areas of contamination (AOCs), and contained specific conditions pertaining to the cleanup plan to address SWMU 19A and Southeast AOC-1.

In accordance with conditions I.B.3 and I.E.2 of the 2006 permit, and 40 CFR § 270.30(b), the facility submitted an application for permit renewal on Aug. 29, 2016. Based on information provided in the application, EPA has made the tentative decision to reissue the permit. This draft permit renewal will retain the specific conditions to address SWMU 19A and Southeast AOC-1, and will address corrective action activities for the remaining SWMUs and AOCs. This permit renewal will not allow for the operation of a hazardous waste storage facility at the site.

The draft permit renewal will be issued under the authority of RCRA.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

EPA encourages the public to review the Administrative Record and provide comments. Comments or requests should be submitted by Aug. 31, 2017.

• Explain your views.
• Tell us if you support or disagree with the recommendation. Please be specific.
• Can you provide alternatives?

The Administrative Record is available at:

Waterloo Public Library
415 Commercial Street
Waterloo, IA 50701
Phone: 319-291-4480

EPA Region 7 Records Center
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
Phone: 913-551-7166

Iowa Department of Natural Resources
502 E. 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: 515-725-8200

Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Field Office #1
909 W. Main, Ste. 4
Manchester, IA 52057
Phone: 563-927-2640

A public hearing has not been scheduled, but will be held if there is sufficient public interest. Requests for a public hearing must be sent in writing to the EPA contact listed above, and must state the nature of issues to be raised at the hearing. EPA will evaluate any request and hold a formal hearing if EPA determines that a hearing will contribute to the decision-making process by clarifying significant issues affecting permit issuance.

Individuals may write to the EPA contact listed above to join the mailing list. Joining the mailing list will allow an individual to directly receive any updated information throughout the permitting process.

If you have questions or want to receive further information, please contact: