Wichita Confronts Contamination Case Study Analysis
Pamela McClain-Willis
PADM -7100 October 8, 2017 Dr. Mary Bruce
Introduction
During the early 1990s’ Wichita Kansas like many small cities faced an economic low. In fact, Stillman states, “The downturn in the regional oil and gas industry exacerbated a nationwide slump in the real estate market affecting the downtown business areas of Wichita the hardest” (p. 137). As home and business owners were looking to sell and relocate to bigger cities meant losing more revenue and tax dollars. On the other hand, a local and notable manufacturing company Coleman Co. remained namely, due to its own self-interest. To illustrate, Coleman Co. had previously discovered and acknowledged lead contributor to liability to another Wichita area named to the potential for contamination liability more than two years prior to the soil results being forwarded onto the Environmental Protection agency (EPA). However, chose to remain quiet as the cost for clean-up and potential loss of human life where …show more content…
However, better options were available. For instance, according to Environmental protection Agency (EPA) “ Generally, at sites where contaminant concentrations fall below SSLs, no further action or study is warranted under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as Superfund. Where contaminant concentrations equal or exceed SSLs, further study or investigation, but not necessarily cleanup, is warranted” (epa.gov). Next, the suggestion of a tax increment finance (TIF) district, which means taxes on the property will be frozen for 20 to 30 years. Largely because it promises something for nothing—an economic stimulus in exchange for tax revenue that otherwise would not materialize, there are hidden costs they don’t want taxpayers to know about” (McGraw, D.,
Pamela McClain-Willis
PADM -7100 October 8, 2017 Dr. Mary Bruce
Introduction
During the early 1990s’ Wichita Kansas like many small cities faced an economic low. In fact, Stillman states, “The downturn in the regional oil and gas industry exacerbated a nationwide slump in the real estate market affecting the downtown business areas of Wichita the hardest” (p. 137). As home and business owners were looking to sell and relocate to bigger cities meant losing more revenue and tax dollars. On the other hand, a local and notable manufacturing company Coleman Co. remained namely, due to its own self-interest. To illustrate, Coleman Co. had previously discovered and acknowledged lead contributor to liability to another Wichita area named to the potential for contamination liability more than two years prior to the soil results being forwarded onto the Environmental Protection agency (EPA). However, chose to remain quiet as the cost for clean-up and potential loss of human life where …show more content…
However, better options were available. For instance, according to Environmental protection Agency (EPA) “ Generally, at sites where contaminant concentrations fall below SSLs, no further action or study is warranted under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as Superfund. Where contaminant concentrations equal or exceed SSLs, further study or investigation, but not necessarily cleanup, is warranted” (epa.gov). Next, the suggestion of a tax increment finance (TIF) district, which means taxes on the property will be frozen for 20 to 30 years. Largely because it promises something for nothing—an economic stimulus in exchange for tax revenue that otherwise would not materialize, there are hidden costs they don’t want taxpayers to know about” (McGraw, D.,