News Release 114

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES BEGINS TECHNICAL REVIEW OF GETS GLOBAL SIGNALING'S PERMIT APPLICATION

Volume 35-114

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MARCH 20, 2007 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has started a technical review of a hazardous waste permit application submitted by GETS Global Signaling, L.L.C.

GETS, located at 2712 South Dillingham Road in Grain Valley, manufactures electronic signal instruments for the railroad industry. GETS submitted the application for renewal of its existing hazardous waste permit, which expired July 31, 2006. State regulations allow the existing hazardous waste permit to continue in effect while the department reviews the permit application.

The public is invited to review and offer written comments on the permit application until the department issues a draft permit or denies the application.

In 1987, GETS realized that the way it handled its waste cleaning solvents caused the waste solvents to be periodically poured onto the ground. This practice did not following existing environmental laws. GETS notified the department of the release and changed its handling practices. Since that time, GETS has set up a groundwater monitoring program and soil cleanup program in the area where the waste solvent, containing mostly trichloroethylene, was released. The pollution is currently limited to a small area on the GETS property.

The public can review and copy the permit application and supporting documents at the following locations:

Mid-Continent Public Library
Grain Valley Branch
110 Front St., Grain Valley, MO
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.---Monday and Thursday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.---Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.---Saturday

or by appointment at:

Missouri Department of Natural Resources
1738 East Elm St. (lower level), Jefferson City, MO
Phone: 573-522-3345

Comments on the permit application need to point out legal or technical issues. Please send written comments to Julie Pearson, P.E., Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Hazardous Waste Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176.

Citizens may call or write Pearson at any time to request to have their name placed on GETS's mailing list. By doing this, they will receive notice from the department or GETS on any major permitting and cleanup activities at the facility.

For more information, please contact Pearson by telephone at 573-751-3553 or 800-361-4827 or by e-mail at julie.pearson@dnr.mo.gov. Hearing and speech-impaired people may reach Pearson through Relay Missouri at 800-735-2966.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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