Applegate Safety
UPDATE: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the Louisville Metro Emergency Services (LMES) and the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (KYDEP), will host a public meeting on Thursday, October 5, 2023, to introduce the plan to clean up hazardous materials found at a home on Applegate Lane in Louisville and answer questions.
Protecting the health and safety of workers and surrounding residents during this process is the top priority for the agencies involved. EPA, in coordination with LMES and KYDEP, plans to demolish the property using a controlled, mechanical approach that will remove and destroy the hazardous materials. EPA will discuss the plan and will also address safety measures being taken to ensure the community is protected.
WHO: EPA, LMES and KYDEP
WHAT: Public meeting
WHEN: Thursday, October 5, 2023, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET
WHERE: Highview Baptist Church
7711 Fegenbush Lane
Louisville, KY 40228
“EPA is working closing with Louisville Metro Government and the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection to explore options to mitigate hazards in and around the home at 6213 Applegate Lane, specifically focusing on options that will utilize mechanical means to clear the hazards in the home. We will provide more information shortly on the path forward.” - Jeanneane Gettle, Acting Region 4 Administrator.
Louisville Metro Emergency Services will be populating this page continually with the latest information as it becomes available regarding the hazardous materials investigation going on Applegate Lane.
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BACKGROUND:
In July, Louisville Metro Police Department executed a search warrant at 6211 and 6213 Applegate Lane and found explosive substances, along with other substances that pose a potential risk to first responders.
In early August, with limited knowledge and resources, experts in explosives and hazardous chemicals, including federal partners and other agencies, determined that a planned, monitored and controlled burn of the home and detached garage was the only safe way to dispose of the contents. Every step of the way, safety has been the top priority and the city has been working closely with state, federal, and local agencies who have expertise in hazardous situations.
The city requested the assistance of the EPA and they accepted and have been fully integrated into the Unified Command structure.
A community meeting was held on Aug. 7th where information and shared and local leaders listened to the concerns of the neighbors. That night, Mayor Craig Greenberg said the city would not move forward with any plan until he was satisfied that it could be done in the absolute, safest, possible way.
The following week, EPA was on-site at both properties to further assess the conditions. At that time, they discovered mercury immediately inside and outside the house at 6211 Applegate. EPA returned to Louisville the last week of August and successfully remediated the mercury.
EPA, along with the Louisville Metro Emergency Services (LMES) and the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (KYDEP), will host a public meeting on Thursday, October 5, 2023, to introduce the plan to clean up hazardous materials found at a home on Applegate Lane in Louisville and answer questions.
