The governing boards for the City of Salina, the Salina Airport Authority, USD 305, and Kansas State University (the Salina Public Entities) have received U.S. District Court approval of a consent decree negotiated with the United States of America for the cleanup of environmental contamination at the former Schilling Air Force Base.
On Monday, the Honorable John W. Lungstrum, senior judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, approved the Oct. 20, 2020, consent decree between the Salina Public Entities and the United States A news release issued by the Salina Airport Authority noted. The Court subsequently entered an entry of final judgement in accordance with the terms of the consent decree.
Under terms of the Consent Decree the Salina Public Entities will assume the responsibility for the cleanup of environmental contamination at the former Schilling AFB site. In exchange, the United States agreed to pay the Salina Public Entities a sum of $67.7 million toward the cost of funding the multi-year cleanup.
“The Salina community has waited more than a decade to reach an agreement that will finally allow for the cleanup of Schilling Air Force Base,” said Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). “I want to congratulate the Salina Public Entities on this agreement and look forward to seeing these funds be put into action to help remove harmful substances at Schilling Air Force base and keep the community safe for future generations.”
The cleanup work will be completed with regulatory oversight provide by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) as detailed in a Consent Agreement and Final Order.
The Salina Public Entities executive group will immediately start work on final design of the cleanup. Following KDHE approvals, contractor bids will be solicited and received. Cleanup work will start early 2021.