Former Farmland Industries Nitrogen Plant

Environmental Cleanup and Property Redevelopment of the Former Farmland Industries Nitrogen Plant in Lawrence

By: Rick Bean, Chief, Remedial Section

The former Farmland Industries Nitrogen Plant located in Lawrence began operations in 1954 and produced a variety of fertilizer products. In 1993 Farmland Industries begin addressing numerous environmental issues at the facility through a Consent Order issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), including the operation of a long-term groundwater recovery system. In 2004 KDHE was notified that the once productive plant would be abandoned as Farmland filed for bankruptcy. A bankruptcy trust was formed with limited funding to address the many environmental issues left behind. However, environmental contamination was not the only issue for the City of Lawrence, which found itself with 467 abandoned, underutilized, and unproductive acres located in a prime area on the east side of Lawrence. It was also considered by residents to be an eye-sore for visitors traveling from the east into the City.

The City of Lawrence recognized the potential redevelopment opportunities the abandoned property presented and began negotiations with the Trustee, KDHE and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since final cleanup of the property is estimated to take 30 years to complete, the city offered a plan to encourage redevelopment of the property while cleanup was occurring. KDHE supported the transaction since the plan would accomplish the required cleanup and was protective of public health and the environment. The City signed a Consent Order with KDHE to provide for uninterrupted cleanup efforts going forward and took possession of the property on September 29, 2010.

The City acquired the abandoned property with an eye toward industrial and business park expansion. KDHE and the City will coordinate required environmental cleanup activities with redevelopment activities to improve efficiencies during the cleanup process. Until now, Lawrence had few locations suitable for large businesses who wished to relocate to or expand in the City. Redevelopment of the former Farmland property will increase employment opportunities and strengthen Lawrence’s tax base.

The property has many advantages for future redevelopment including its location adjacent to Highway K-10 and the existing East Hills Business Park. It also has existing BNSF rail service and is in close proximity to utilities and infrastructure. The large amount of available acreage is ideal for the City’s land use plans to develop an industrial/business park.

The City received $8.5 million from the Farmland Trust to be placed in a segregated account to be used exclusively for environmental remediation efforts. These efforts are focused on removing contaminants from the groundwater and soil through a KDHE approved cleanup program. Groundwater and stormwater containing fertilizer continue to be captured onsite and shipped via pipeline to be used on crop land as fertilizer-enriched water. The City will continue to evaluate alternatives, including green alternatives such as phyto-remediation, to enhance the currently approved remediation plan.

The City of Lawrence will work cooperatively with KDHE to implement a redevelopment plan for the site that encourages business development as the cleanup is ongoing. Environmental Use Control Agreements will be placed over the site to restrict residential development. The City already has contracted to begin demolishing existing structures, except for those which may have future uses. The demolition alone will greatly improve the entrance to Lawrence from the east and pave the way for progress at the former Farmland site.