ST. LOUIS, MO – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), St. Louis District, is pleased to announce the successful completion of a complex remediation project at a Coldwater Creek (CWC) bank adjacent to Jana Drive (involves CWC-386 and the CWC corridor). This achievement marks another step forward in the USACE mission to provide a safer environment for the community and future generations.
The remediation was performed by the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Because the soil requiring excavation was subsurface and down a steep bank, 19,500 cy of uncontaminated soil was excavated to reach the contaminated soil (including soil from CWC-387 and CWC-388); the uncontaminated soil was then used as backfill during restoration.
In eliminating the contaminated soil from the site, USACE excavated 7,416 cubic yards (cy) of contaminated soil from depths down to 14 feet in some locations. The excavated soil is equivalent to over eight Olympic-sized swimming pools. This important operation underscores FUSRAP’s commitment to addressing environmental challenges left by the nation’s early atomic program.
The successful completion of the remediation project is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the FUSRAP team and contractors. By working extended 10-hour days, the team was able to complete the remediation efficiently and safely. Their commitment and ability to overcome physical and logistical challenges have been crucial to the project’s success.
The FUSRAP team incorporated quality measures into the work to protect the creek and surrounding area during this work. Daily monitoring of the creek water downstream of the work area during operations identified no instances of increased radioactivity in the water. Similarly, monitoring of the air around the work area also identified no increases in airborne radioactivity.
“We are immensely proud of the hard work and dedication exhibited by everyone involved in this project,” said Col. Andy Pannier, commander of the St. Louis District. “Their commitment reflects our mission to protect and restore the environment and enhances the quality of life for our community.”
The USACE and FUSRAP are dedicated to continuing their efforts in environmental restoration, ensuring that communities can thrive in healthy, safe, and sustainable environments. This project is a testament to the power of collective commitment to environmental stewardship and community health. In parallel with this completed project, the FUSRAP team is nearing completion of phase III remediation at the IA-9 property, which is north of James S. McDonnell Blvd across from SLAPS. The FUSRAP team is now focused on remediating soil in the banks of CWC under the county-removed McDonnell bridge. The team will also be remediating contaminated soil under the road itself in parallel with the county re-building the bridge. This work is scheduled to minimize the time of road closure and achieve the mission of removing contaminated soil.
An Open House is being hosted by FUSRAP on Wednesday, June 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Florissant Municipal Courts Building, at 4575 Washington St, Florissant, MO 63033. The Open House will also be live-streamed on the USACE St. Louis District Facebook page here, https://www.facebook.com/teamsaintlouis.
