By Trish Svoboda/Image courtesy

The Salina Public Entities, working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), are making steady progress on cleaning up environmental contamination at the former Schilling Air Force Base, according to a release from the Salina Airport Authority. The long-term project addresses historical soil and groundwater pollution through multiple phases of cleanup.

A major milestone was reached with the completion of work in the Plume B Soil Source Area. Contaminated soil was removed, tested to ensure it was fully cleaned, and then safely disposed of at the Salina Landfill. The area was refilled with clean soil, graded, and reseeded.

Monitoring of groundwater and indoor air quality continues to protect residents and workers near the site. These efforts ensure public health remains a priority while guiding future cleanup steps.

The Salina Public Entities and KDHE are also planning additional remediation actions to address remaining soil and groundwater impacts. Work will continue in phases using methods suited to each area. The ongoing project aims to safely manage legacy contamination while supporting continued use and development of the site for the Salina community.