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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 17, 2019
ADEQ Receives Draft Response Action Plan
for Trafalgar Road Fire
NORTH LITTLE ROCK—The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has received EnSafe’s draft Response Action Plan for the Trafalgar site. EnSafe’s draft plan was the result of on-site inspections, analysis of available data of the site, and consultation with fire suppression experts. The draft plan provides seven alternatives with related costs and risks—ranging from smoke mitigation and fire management to complete excavation and fire extinction. A copy of EnSafe’s draft plan may be found on ADEQ’s Bella Vista Community page: https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/bella-vista/.
Governor Asa Hutchinson:
“I have received the initial report from ADEQ that includes cost estimates for the Trafalgar Road fire cleanup. The $21 to $37 million estimates for excavation are stunning and much higher than the initial estimates of $5 to $10 million. I have directed ADEQ and EnSafe, the engineering firm the state has contracted with, to explore more cost effective alternatives. Additionally, we continue to vigorously pursue assistance from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which will be necessary as we move forward with this project. In the meantime, ADEQ and the Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) will immediately begin work to prepare the site for cleanup. This is a necessary step in the overall process and will not impede the project’s timeline as we study the above mentioned alternatives.”
ADEQ Director Becky W. Keogh:
“ADEQ is researching options to mitigate costs and other potential actions. I have spoken with EPA Regional Administrator for Region 6 Anne Idsal today to request a review of the draft plan and cost proposal that significantly exceeded the initial estimate provided by EPA. The State will continue to seek EPA’s assistance in addressing the Trafalgar Road fire to reduce the overall cost of remediation of the site.”
At the direction of Governor Hutchinson, ADEQ and AFC are on-site today to begin preparing the fire break and to acquire necessary access agreements. Funds from ADEQ’s Remedial Action Trust Fund will be used for the on-site preparation and site controls. The estimated cost for the work is between $1 million and $1.3 million. The work will be performed by EnSafe, ADEQ, and AFC in coordination with local officials. On-site preparation will include: clearing trees and other vegetation for a staging area around the site, a 15-foot fire break, an access road, and an exploratory trench. The estimated timeframe for the work to be completed is six to twelve weeks.
CONTACT: Press@adeq.state.ar.us
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January 17, 2019
ADEQ Receives Draft Response Action Plan
for Trafalgar Road Fire
NORTH LITTLE ROCK—The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has received EnSafe’s draft Response Action Plan for the Trafalgar site. EnSafe’s draft plan was the result of on-site inspections, analysis of available data of the site, and consultation with fire suppression experts. The draft plan provides seven alternatives with related costs and risks—ranging from smoke mitigation and fire management to complete excavation and fire extinction. A copy of EnSafe’s draft plan may be found on ADEQ’s Bella Vista Community page: https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/bella-vista/.
Governor Asa Hutchinson:
“I have received the initial report from ADEQ that includes cost estimates for the Trafalgar Road fire cleanup. The $21 to $37 million estimates for excavation are stunning and much higher than the initial estimates of $5 to $10 million. I have directed ADEQ and EnSafe, the engineering firm the state has contracted with, to explore more cost effective alternatives. Additionally, we continue to vigorously pursue assistance from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which will be necessary as we move forward with this project. In the meantime, ADEQ and the Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) will immediately begin work to prepare the site for cleanup. This is a necessary step in the overall process and will not impede the project’s timeline as we study the above mentioned alternatives.”
ADEQ Director Becky W. Keogh:
“ADEQ is researching options to mitigate costs and other potential actions. I have spoken with EPA Regional Administrator for Region 6 Anne Idsal today to request a review of the draft plan and cost proposal that significantly exceeded the initial estimate provided by EPA. The State will continue to seek EPA’s assistance in addressing the Trafalgar Road fire to reduce the overall cost of remediation of the site.”
At the direction of Governor Hutchinson, ADEQ and AFC are on-site today to begin preparing the fire break and to acquire necessary access agreements. Funds from ADEQ’s Remedial Action Trust Fund will be used for the on-site preparation and site controls. The estimated cost for the work is between $1 million and $1.3 million. The work will be performed by EnSafe, ADEQ, and AFC in coordination with local officials. On-site preparation will include: clearing trees and other vegetation for a staging area around the site, a 15-foot fire break, an access road, and an exploratory trench. The estimated timeframe for the work to be completed is six to twelve weeks.
CONTACT: Press@adeq.state.ar.us
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