EPA Communication

Updates

Messages and updates related to the EPA findings will be posted here.

Feb. 2022 Updates

EPA has completed all soil remediation at Park Crest Elementary.  Last observation held on 2/16/22.  EPA will keep “Task Order” open for plant replacement in garden.  This is being coordinated with design / construction of garden.

The District has contracted with a landscape architect to design garden modifications with input from campus.  Agreement has been finalized and design meetings are being coordinated. Construction will commence once design is complete.

Chronology of meeting events and site observations since July 2021

Date Type Facility Event

7/30/21

 Meeting Park Crest ES Park Crest Staff Meeting: EPA findings
8/3/21 Meeting (Virtual) Park Crest ES Call with EPA and Terracon to discuss next steps
8/3/21 Site Observation Park Crest ES Site observation
8/4/21 Meeting Park Crest ES Meeting with Communications dept.
8/5/21 Meeting Park Crest ES
Sunnybrook Ln		 Clean Up Garland Community Meeting
8/9/21 Meeting (Virtual) Park Crest ES Community/Parent Meeting
8/26/21 Meeting (Virtual) Park Crest ES Project status
8/30/21 Meeting Park Crest ES Onsite meeting to discuss project schedule
9/3/21 Meeting Park Crest ES Garden design discussion
9/13/21 Site Observation Park Crest ES
Sunnybrook Ln		 Site observation
10/19/21 Meeting Park Crest ES Garden design discussion
10/21/21 Site Observation Park Crest ES
Sunnybrook Ln		 Site observation
11/8/21 Site Observation Park Crest ES (South End Creek) Site Remediation and Irrigation observation
2/15/22 Site Observation Park Crest ES
Sunnybrook Ln		 (North End Creek) Site Remediation and Irrigation observation

8/26 Update

8/24 Update

8/5 Update: Parent Meeting

Park Crest parents are invited to a meeting at Park Crest on Monday, August 9th, at 6:00 PM. to learn more about facts regarding the EPA report. Garland ISD, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Texas Department of Health and Human Services (TDHHS and Terracon representatives will be available to provide updates and answer questions.

Representatives from the same organizations will also attend the GISD Board of Trustees Facilities Committee Meeting on Tuesday, August 10th.

Letter shared with Park Crest families about EPA report.

July 22, 2021

Dear Park Crest Family,

First, let me thank you for your support and understanding as we continue to provide updated information regarding the environmental issues related to the Globe-Union battery manufacturing plant near Park Crest Elementary. Based on the information we currently have, students are not in any danger from contaminants on campus.

In June 2020, Garland ISD was notified by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) of a potential environmental hazard related to the Globe-Union battery manufacturing plant. That initial communication from TCEQ noted, “No chemicals of concern were detected at concentrations above their respective TRRP PCLs and no further action is required.” In an abundance of caution, we contracted with Terracon to conduct an independent assessment. That study identified areas of lead contamination that were near the creek banks, outside the school fence line. We added signage to the fence and reinforced the fence to keep students out of the area.

Subsequently, we received this updated report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and this notification we received on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. This most recent communication identifies areas of elevated arsenic in portions of the campus grounds. Please reference the letter above for a color-coded map of this information.

In light of this new information received, and out of an abundance of caution, further safety measures will be completed this weekend - July 24-25. To ensure basketballs do not bounce into the contaminated area, a 10- foot fence will be installed about100 feet behind the courts. A temporary fence will also be installed for at least 90 days around the campus garden area while we await further instructions from the EPA regarding their next steps in the cleanup process.

The EPA has established a response site that describes the issues and their response actions. This is linked here. There will be a virtual community meeting with the EPA on August 5, 2021 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. that will allow you to ask any questions or share any concerns you may have. Virtual meeting link access information can be found here.

We have also requested an in-person meeting at Park Crest Elementary, with the EPA experts to share information from their most recent testing report. We will notify you as soon as this date and time are confirmed.

Again, we want to reiterate that no contaminants have been found in the school building or student play areas. All areas where contamination has been identified have been secured to ensure that students do not enter those areas. Thank you for your continued partnership as we strive to do what is best for our students and employees during these challenging times. We have established a dedicated email for your questions or concerns: environmental@garlandisd.net.

Regards,

Paul Gonzalez, Executive Director, Facilities & Maintenance

Additional communication