KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT BILL GRAVES, GOVERNOR Gary R. Mitchell, Secretary

September 2, 1997

Contact: Gary Watkins

(785) 296-8063

Public Comments Sought on Panhandle Eastern Elkhart Site Remediation

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is requesting public comment on remedial action for Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line's compressor station site, located approximately one and a half miles northwest of Elkhart in Grant County.

Comments on the public document outlining the department's preferred plan for remediating the site, called a Draft Corrective Action Decision (CAD), may be submitted to KDHE during a public comment period from September 4 - 19, 1997. The Draft CAD and administrative record for the site are available for public review during normal business hours at the Morton County Library in Elkhart.

KDHE has not made a final determination on which corrective action alternative to implement at the site. The Draft CAD provides background information on the site, summarizes various corrective action alternatives evaluated, and outlines the community's role prior to making a final decision for corrective action.

After consideration of public comments, KDHE will select the remedial alternative to be implemented. KDHE's decision will be outlined within a new document called the Final Corrective Action Decision. The Final CAD will address comments received during the public comment period with a response summary.

KDHE encourages community members to review the Draft Corrective Action Decision and associated documents, and submit comments postmarked no later than September 19, 1997, to: Rob Elder, KDHE Bureau of Environmental Remediation, Forbes Field Building 740, Topeka, Kansas 66620-7500.