Next Steps in Louisville Superfund Cleanup

Crews continue excavation work in the Park Hill neighborhood of Louisville, Ky. Photo by Cody Munday

In what is known as the largest residential superfund cleanup in Kentucky’s history, state and federal agencies are nearly finished with replacing soil and sod in 68 residential yards in Louisville, Ky. These properties border a superfund site, the former Black Leaf Chemical property.

Since the residential cleanup activities began, access agreements have been received for 68 of 76 properties. At this time, 66 out of the 68 properties have been excavated and backfilled with clean soil with 10 of these still needing sod. Two properties on St. Louis Avenue remain to be addressed.

Work Continues in Neighborhood Superfund Cleanup

Due to recent rainfall, swamp mats must be used by crews to access wet yards with heavy equipment and continue cleanup work. Photo: Virginia Lewis.

Despite freezing temperatures, heavy rainfall, and soaked ground, the crews continue cleanup work in the Park Hill neighborhood in Louisville, Ky.

Since the cleanup began on Aug. 19, 54 residential properties have been excavated and backfilled with clean soil and almost all have new sod or seed. More access agreements have been received, bringing the total number of properties allowing cleanup to 68.

Positive Words on Cleanup Progress

Photo by Cheryl Harris

In the largest residential superfund cleanup in Kentucky’s history, the Park Hill neighborhood in Louisville, Ky., is seeing progress. One reason this monumental cleanup is so unique is because it’s taking place in people’s back yards – literally.

To date, 22 residential properties have been excavated and backfilled with clean soil and almost all have new sod or seed. Five new access agreements were received this week, bringing the total number of properties allowing cleanup to 65.

New Map Shows Cleanup Progress

A new aerial map showing cleanup progress in the Park Hill neighborhood of Louisville, Ky., is now available. To date, nine residential properties have been excavated and backfilled with clean soil and most of those have new sod or seed.

Check out the new cleanup progress map here.

Cleanup Progress in Park Hill

This is one of three yards that have already been
cleaned up in Park Hill.
Photo: Virginia Lewis

Ten days into the state’s largest residential cleanup, the first three yards have been completed in Park Hill.

This yard is clean, new and safe – with the first top 1-foot of soil having been removed and replaced with clean dirt and grass. Like several of its neighbors, it’s being cleaned up by the state and U.S. EPA because it borders the former Black Leaf Chemical property in Louisville, Ky. This is an important step in reducing residents’ exposure to contamination from the site.

More Park Hill Residents Saying “Yes” to Cleanup

Cleanup of Park Hill yards began Monday. The first yard is now completely backfilled and will receive new sod next week. Photo: Cheryl Harris.

More people have signed up in the Park Hill neighborhood for their yards to be cleaned up by the state and U.S. EPA. The yards back up to the former Black Leaf Chemical property in Louisville, Ky.

“Protecting people is the top priority for KDEP and EPA in this cleanup,” said Tim Hubbard, Kentucky Division of Waste Management assistant director. “Replacing soil and grass is an important step forward in doing that. We hope all bordering property owners will agree to allow cleanup.”

Cleanup Begins Aug. 19 Near Former Black Leaf Chemical Site

Source: KGN, USEP, ESRI
For: KDEP
Author: C. Munday & B. Cary
Date 8/13/2013
All items subject to change

The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (KDEP) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will begin cleanup Monday, Aug. 19, at several residential properties next to the former Black Leaf Chemical site in west Louisville. This is the largest urban residential Superfund cleanup in Kentucky history.

The agencies have been working together to provide the most current information
to the public and answer questions. A public meeting was held June 27 in which
a presentation was given and cleanup plans were discussed with the community. In case you missed it, see the details here.

Public Meeting Conducted on Former Black Leaf Chemical Property

The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (DEP), along with the USEPA, is preparing to conduct shallow soil remediation at several residential properties located physically adjacent to the former Black Leaf property located in west Louisville.

Black Leaf Chemical operated a facility from 1920 until 1959 that produced agricultural pesticides. The department’s cleanup plans revolve primarily around the presence of pesticides in residential yards that it believes originated from the Black Leaf property.

Cleanup Planned at Residences Near Former Black Leaf Chemical Site

The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (DEP) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are planning to conduct cleanup at several residential properties located along Wilson Avenue and St. Louis Avenue in Louisville.   These properties are directly adjacent to a industrial property formerly used as a pesticide manufacturing facility known as “Black Leaf Chemical” and later used for the purpose of manufacturing wooden drums for storing distilled beverages.

EPA and DEP conducted soil sampling of these residential properties in February 2012 and November 2012 because of concerns that contamination may have migrated onto these properties from the Black Leaf Chemical property.   The sampling conducted at these residential properties detected