The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has extended the public comment period to submit public comment on EPA’s Proposed Plan to address lead and other heavy metals in private, domestic drinking water wells at residential properties, including child care facilities, at the Southwest Jefferson County Mining NPL Superfund Site, which includes all of Jefferson County. Comments will now be accepted until Friday, Aug. 4, 2023.
Historic lead mining and smelting activities in the Old Lead Belt dispersed lead mining and smelting waste across areas of southeastern Missouri that impacted the Ozark Aquifer, an important source of water for private well owners. Lead is a toxic metal that is harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Lead can pose serious health risks at low concentrations, particularly to children under 7 years old, as well as those who are pregnant or nursing. Children under 7 living in this area should have annual blood tests.
A Public Meeting was held Tuesday, July 11, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Festus R-VI School District Performing Arts Center. At 6 p.m., EPA and its partners were available to talk with community members in an Open House format. At 6:30 p.m., EPA delivered a presentation about the Proposed Plan, followed by an opportunity for oral and written comments. The Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD) provided no-cost blood lead testing for children and adults during the event; talk to the JCHD about no cost blood lead testing (636-797-3737).
COMMENT PERIOD: On June 20, the Proposed Plan and supporting documents were published online for public review at:
www.epa.gov/superfund/southwestjeffersoncountymining
(click on Site Documents & Data and Administrative Records).
Public comments will now be accepted for 45 days from Tuesday, June 20, through Friday, Aug. 4, 2023. EPA provided its preferred approach for addressing contaminated groundwater wells, along with the other alternatives that were evaluated. The action is an interim approach in advance of a final decision. For more information and a Fact Sheet with maps, visit: www.epa.gov/mo/missouri-cleanups.
To comment, send written comments to: Elizabeth Kramer, Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA Region 7, Office of Public Affairs (ORA/OPA), 11201 Renner Blvd., Lenexa, KS 66219 or send via email to: r7-swjcmining@epa.gov. Due to a timely request, the comment period was extended by an additional 15 days. Direct questions and requests for site information to: Elizabeth Kramer (913-551-7186 or 1-800-223-0425); or Steve Sturgess, Remedial Project Manager (913-551-7913 or 1-800-223-0425, or email: r7-swjcmining@epa.gov). If you do not have internet access, you can view site documents online during normal business hours at the following locations: De Soto Public Library, 712 South Main Street, De Soto, MO 63020 (636-586-3858); or EPA Region 7 Records Center, 11201 Renner Blvd., Lenexa, KS 66219 (1-800-223-0425). Copies of the Proposed Plan can be mailed upon request.
FREE Private, Domestic Drinking Water Well Testing! If EPA has not already tested your property, and you would like to have your private, domestic drinking water well and/or residential yard tested for potential lead contamination for free, contact EPA (see info above) or EPA’s Contractor, Tetra Tech, at 636-797-8446, or email: r7-swjcmining@epa.gov.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 | 11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, KS 66219 | Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425