U.S. EPA Heartland Region

Make sure your home is prepped for emergencies this season! To learn how you can protect your indoor environment during wildfires, power outages, floods, extreme temperatures, earthquakes, and other emergencies, visit the link below. #how-emergencies" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">epa.gov/indoor-air-qua…

EPA is currently taking public comments on a proposal to delete Operable Unit (OU) 2 and OU10 of the Hastings Ground Water Contamination Superfund site from the National Priorities List (NPL). The comment period runs through April 3, 2026. You may comment on the proposed partial deletion of OU2 and OU10 on regulations.gov using Deletion Docket # EPA-HQ-OLEM-2026-0166. Both OUs are located in the North Landfill Subsite. Operable Unit 2 includes the groundwater and OU10 includes the Source Control Landfill Cap. Links: regulations.gov epa.gov/superfund/hast…

The EPA Region 7 On-Scene Coordinator has reported that the fuel tank that broke loose from a barge in a section of Tuttle Creek Reservoir was recovered at 9:42 p.m. on Wednesday (March 18) evening. With the source of the diesel leak now secure, EPA responders will do a walk through with its responding partners before transitioning the remaining response efforts to USACE and @KDHE.

EPA has a new funding opportunity open! The Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings grant program is now accepting applications for 2026. The program supports activities that enhance community wildfire smoke preparedness and reduce indoor exposures to pollutants in wildfire smoke. Apply by April 15! More info here: epa.gov/grants/wildfir…

Looking for ways to reduce food waste or compost your scraps? Reducing food waste can strengthen local food systems and create to healthier communities. Last week, we visited two Feed It Onward partners that are leading the way in food waste reduction in Kansas City. KC Can Compost and @KanbesMarkets work under one roof, modeling innovation, problem-solving, and team work that is feeding our community fresh food and increasing the health of our soil.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has compiled the Administrative Record for the emergency response removal action at the Mercury-Forest Avenue Superfund site in Valley Park, St. Louis County, Missouri. EPA’s on-site activities include removal of mercury and mercury-impacted materials, including treating and/or sealing floors of the residence in Valley Park, and ventilating the home. Project information for this site is available online. See all of Region 7’s public notices here ➡️ epa.gov/ks/region-7-pu…. If you have questions about the site, please contact EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Tanya Young at young.tanya@epa.gov or 816-799-3251.

#GroundWaterAwarenessWeek is March 8-14, 2026! Did you know the largest freshwater aquifer in the United States is largely in Region 7? The Ogallala Aquifer spans over 174,000 square miles across eight states and covers much of Kansas and nearly all of Nebraska! The aquifer is vital to our region and people rely on its ground water for drinking, irrigation, industry, and livestock – therefore, the Ogallala needs our help! You can learn more about EPA’s role to protect groundwater here: epa.gov/sourcewaterpro….

The latest edition of Regional Administrator Macy’s newsletter is here! When disaster strikes or there’s a question of potential contamination, EPA can offer sampling, testing, and scientific analysis to communities across our four-state region. Read what the administrator has to say here: epa.gov/ks/epa-your-co….

@KDHE has activated its Kansas smoke modeling tool for the spring prescribed burn season. The website uses fire data and current weather conditions to help predict where and how much smoke and air quality is impacted in certain areas of Kansas. You can access the tool at: ksfire.sonomatechdata.com/view/summary/, and be sure to check the AirNow app for updates related to air quality in your area!

Spring is on its way, but that means fire and smoke are not far behind. In the spring, farmers and ranchers throughout the Heartland control wildfires and invasive species using prescribed burns. Although these burns are done with extreme caution under carefully planned circumstances, they can still produce harmful smoke. The AirNow app can provide real-time updates on the air quality in your area, including where there are active fires and forecasts for the coming days, that way you can safely plan outdoor activities during smoke season. Download the app or visit AirNow.gov for more information.

It was an honor to attend the graduation for the St. Louis Community College Environmental Remediation program! The event featured speakers from program instructors, former graduates, and students who spoke first-hand to how their new certification will help them make a positive impact in their communities. STLCC’s program is funded through EPA Brownfields Job Training Grant funding. The program aims to provide students with the necessary skills to secure full-time, sustainable careers in the environmental field. You can read more about the event here: epa.gov/newsreleases/s…. Learn more about the EPA Brownfields Job Training Grant program: epa.gov/brownfields/br….

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has compiled the Administrative Record (AR) for the emergency response removal action at the Unknown Substance Maple & 31st Street Superfund Site in Garnett, Kansas. Project information for this site is available online. To see the AR and other cleanup documents, visit EPA’s site profile page: epa.gov/superfund/Unkn…. See all of Region 7’s public notices here ➡️ epa.gov/ks/region-7-pu….

EPA is proposing the deletions of Operable Units 2 and 10 of the Hastings Groundwater Contamination Superfund site in Hastings, Nebraska. If approved, the two operable units – where cleanup goals have been achieved – will be removed from the National Priorities List. To read the full press release, visit: epa.gov/newsreleases/e…. To submit a public comment on the proposal, please visit: regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-….

Missouri is one of our nation’s top producers of lead ore, a fact which has had a major impact on our environmental work here in the Heartland. Herculaneum, Missouri, located 30 miles south of St. Louis, was once the site of a lead smelter in an area of southeast Missouri known as the Viburnum Trend (or “New Lead Belt”). On February 26, 2026, EPA Region 7’s staff gathered to hear Herculaneum’s story, via Region 7's acting Deputy Regional Administrator.

On Thursday, EPA Region 7 announced its proposal to approve Missouri’s request to accept primary responsibility for the Risk Management Program at agricultural anhydrous ammonia facilities. Under the Clean Air Act, EPA can delegate implementation and enforcement of the Risk Management Program rule to state partners. If this action is finalized, Missouri will have the responsibility to carry out on-site inspections, recordkeeping reviews, audits, compliance assistance and outreach, and civil and criminal enforcement for agricultural anhydrous ammonia facilities within the state. Under this proposal, Missouri’s program would cover facilities with an anhydrous ammonia storage capacity of 10,000 pounds or more that are intended to be used as fertilizer or in the manufacturing of a fertilizer. EPA will accept written comments for 30 days. Read more here: epa.gov/newsreleases/e….

We've published our latest Five-Year Review public notices. Five Year Reviews ensure ongoing protection of human health and the environment at Superfund sites. 📍 Sites Reviewed: Hastings Groundwater - Hastings, Nebraska 👉 See all of Region 7’s public notices here: epa.gov/ks/region-7-pu…

EPA Region 7 has started the First Five-Year Review for the Minker/Stout/Romaine Creek National Priorities List Superfund Site. This review will check whether the cleanup plan is still protecting people and the environment. At this site, the main contaminant of concern is dioxin. This Five-Year Review is planned for completion by September 30, 2026. Project information for this site is available online. epa.gov/superfund/mink…

February is National Pesticide Safety Education Month, a great opportunity for a reminder to ALWAYS read the label before using pesticides. Be sure you know how to properly use, store, and dispose of pesticides before you use them. For more information, visit epa.gov/pesticides

The latest edition of Regional Administrator Macy’s newsletter is here! As we head into the spring burn season, read the regional administrator’s commentary on prescribed fire, air quality, and ensuring ecosystems thrive while strengthening ranching economies. Read it here: epa.gov/ks/desk-region…