PAWHUSKA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Dr. Janet Neufeld, Superintendent
1801 McKenzie, Pawhuska, OK 74056 (918) 287-1265 phone -- (918) 287-4461 fax
www.pawhuskadistrict.org
Press release statement from Pawhuska Schools
The Pawhuska School District is continuing the monitoring of the recent softball field gas seep located on its school campus. In the most recent technical team meeting last Friday, September 22, 2017, of state, federal, and tribal partners, the following information was reported. The Osage Minerals Council reported that the well on the softball field is plugged. Because gas is still being detected at the site, monitoring of the softball field is ongoing, and continues to detect gas readings. Asst. Principal Chris Walker, in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency, will monitor and document gas readings at the High School and softball field for the next 60 days. The softball field will remain closed during this period. The gas seep technical group will reconvene in 60 days to discuss findings and determine the next steps in the process, if needed.
The gas seep issue at the high school has been resolved by the installation of the vapor extraction system. There have been no gas findings at the Pawhuska High School since the system was installed
The Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 has conducted air monitoring of all Pawhuska school district buildings, and shared the data with the State Fire Marshall. The EPA on-site coordinator shared the following statement, "In addition to the EPA air monitoring conducted in and around the high school and at the request and concerns by the community, EPA conducted volatile organic compound air monitoring in the breathing zone in eight additional Pawhuska school facilities including the Indian Camp Elementary, Elementary school, and Junior high school, and measured no hazardous air quality conditions."
The Pawhuska Public Schools would like to give recognition to the tribal, state, and federal agencies that have convened as a technical team on the gas seep event. We express our sincere gratitude to the support, resources, and expertise shared with school district officials in creating and maintaining a safe environment for our students and staff. It is our hope that the monitoring of the resolution of the recently plugged well at the softball field will show that it has been successfully plugged.
Dr. Janet Neufeld Superintendent
Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA
Tiers 8&9
ED 002061 00177931-00001