News Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today applauded the approval of a consent decree that will provide Salina Public Entities a one-time payment of $67.7 million through a settlement agreement reached regarding the former Schilling Air Force Base in Salina.

After years of negotiations and mediation, Judge John Lungstrum approved the agreement reached between the federal government and the Salina Public Entities, which includes the governing boards for the City of Salina, the Salina Airport Authority, USD 305 and Kansas State University, to provide a one-time payment to fund the multi-year cleanup of toxic substances at Schilling Air Force Base.

“The Salina community has waited more than a decade to reach an agreement that will finally allow for the cleanup of Schilling Air Force Base,” said Sen. Moran. “I want to congratulate the Salina Public Entities on this agreement and look forward to seeing these funds be put into action to help remove harmful substances at Schilling Air Force base and keep the community safe for future generations.”

“From the beginning, Senator Moran has supported the Salina Public Entities in our settlement negotiations with the Department of Defense and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” said Timothy Rogers, executive director of the Salina Airport Authority. “The Senator’s active involvement was a key factor in reaching a settlement that benefits Salina residents.”

Over the last 14 years, Sen. Moran worked with the Salina Public Entities to help reach an agreement over who would be responsible for cleaning up Schillings Air Force Base.

  • In 2006, as a U.S. Representative, Sen. Moran toured Schillings Air Force Base to survey the work that needed to be done to clean up the base.
  • Sen. Moran has met with the Army Corps of Engineers multiple times over the years to encourage them to meet their obligation to clean up the base.
  • After Salina decided to request a settlement, Sen. Moran backed the Salina Public Entities and they went into mediation. 

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