News Release No. 487

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
AND UNIVAR USA INC. - KANSAS CITY
ENTER INTO LETTER OF AGREEMENT

Volume 33-487

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, NOV. 29, 2005 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Univar USA Inc.- Kansas City have entered into a letter of agreement. The agreement is the starting point for carrying out an Expedited Corrective Action Program, or cleanup activities, at Univar's facility located at 2000 Guinotte Ave. in Kansas City.

Univar-KC currently stores and sells commercial and industrial chemicals. Univar-KC originally operated a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) interim status hazardous waste storage unit. In 1980, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required all facilities that treated, stored, or disposed of hazardous waste to either get a hazardous waste permit or stop these activities. Univar-KC submitted Part A of the permit application on Nov. 19, 1980, and Part B on April 26, 1994. On May 1, 1995, Univar-KC decided not to continue the RCRA permitting process.

Univar-KC was required to start closure procedures because it did not obtain a hazardous waste permit. The department approved Univar-KC's revised interim status closure plan on Dec. 22, 1995. The closure plan outlined how Univar-KC would remove and clean their equipment, structures and soil. During the approved cleanup activities, Univar-KC detected several solvents and metals in soil at the former waste container storage unit.

The agreement describes the roles, responsibilities and expectations of the department and Univar-KC regarding the Expedited Corrective Action Program. The first step under the agreement will be Univar-KC's submission of a RCRA Facility Investigation Work Plan. This work plan will outline the framework for a site-wide investigation of solvents and metals released to the environment. Univar-KC will then examine the type and amount of any solvents and metals released. If necessary, Univar-KC will perform proper cleanup activities to protect human health and the environment.

The agreement is available on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/permits/notices.htm.

For more information, or to place your name on Univar's mailing list to receive notice on any major cleanup activities at the facility, contact Daniel Carey, in the department's Hazardous Waste Program, at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3553.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming events, meetings and hearings, visit our online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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