Murdock Mine / Alpena Vision Resources
Fact Sheet #1
November 2012
Murdock, Illinois
Background
On October 4, 2012, the Illinois Attorney General filed a complaint with the Illinois
Pollution Control Board against Alpena Vision Resources, LLC, alleging water pollution
and air pollution violations associated with reclamation activities at the Murdock Mine
site. Proximately, State Representative Chapin Rose hosted a public meeting in Murdock
on October 11, 2012, to provide an opportunity for area residents and others to receive
information and ask questions about reclamation activities being carried out by Alpena
at the Murdock Mine site. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency participated in
the meeting responding to questions and committing to continuing to monitor the site
and to provide further information in response to the concerns raised by citizens.
What kinds of materials are being delivered to the Murdock Mine site and why are they
being deposited on-site?
Reclamation or closure activities at the former Murdock Mine site require coal processing
areas to be properly graded/filled, covered and protected by vegetation. Alpena assumed
reclamation responsibilities for the Murdock Mine site from Ziegler Coal Company and has
been operating under an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Mine Reclamation Permit.
Beginning in 2006, Illinois EPA permitted the delivery of various materials to be utilized
as an amendment to coal combustion by products for treating potential acidic refuse during
the reclamation process.
Biosolids: The Urbana Champaign Sanitary District delivered dewatered
biosolids (sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants) for use in the construction
of the final cover over the impoundment. At the request of the Illinois EPA, biosolid
delivery ceased in April 2012.
Gypsum and CCB: Archer Daniels Midland in Decatur delivers a gypsum
byproduct (from a lactic acid manufacturing process) and coal combustion by-product
(CCB) or ash (from the burning of coal in fluidized bed boilers) to the site. The former
was to be used to neutralize potentially acidic refuse. The latter is to be used as fill
material in the impoundment area.
Lime Sludge: In 2007, some lime sludge (by-product of the drinking water
treatment process) was accepted for a short time from the Danville water treatment plants
for use as a soil cover amendment.
Are these materials harmful to human health? Shouldn't communities be told about what
material are being trucked onto the site?
The man-made byproducts being used for mine reclamation purposes on the Murdock Mine site
are not considered hazardous materials and would not be subject to Community Right-to-Know
notification requirements. Each of these materials has been widely studied and found to
contain varying low levels of inorganic/organic compounds, nutrients and/or metals due to
the nature of their origin. There are no indications that these materials delivered would be
harmful to the health of residents living near the site.
What is causing the odors/dust coming from the site?
Inspections have confirmed that occasional odors from the site were caused by fermentation
of stockpiled biosolids that had not been incorporated. Airborne dust is generated by trucks
bringing by-products onto the site over dirt haul roads. Minimal dust could also be generated
during impoundment filling activities. Historically, fly ash piles have caused dust issues,
which has led to the issuance of a Violation Notice and Non-Compliance Advisory letter. Alpena
has committed to the Agency in the past that it would implement plans to minimize both odor and
dust emissions The Illinois EPA will continue to monitor the site for nuisance odor and dust,
and ensure that Alpena undertakes the necessary measures to prevent or address the concerns.
Has the groundwater been contaminated? Is there a risk that it could be contaminated?
One shallow groundwater monitoring well, approximately 40 feet deep, is located off of the
southwest corner of the large impoundment and has been monitored since the late 1990s. Based
on surface topography, regional shallow groundwater flow in the vicinity trends from southwest.
This "downgradient" monitoring well is designed to sample shallow groundwater that
flows under the impoundment and to identify any potential impacts from the site. A review of
sample results to date does not indicate violations of any groundwater standards. The Illinois
EPA is currently evaluating the need to install additional monitoring wells.
Has the overall geology of the area been studied?
Yes. The near surface geology of the area is predominantly clay silt with some pockets of sand
and gravel. This layer of material has very limited ability to transmit water because of the
clay nature of this soil. The clay soils also limit water infiltration from the surface.
Are private wells and the public water supplies in the vicinity potentially impacted by
on-site materials?
Based upon on-site monitoring well data and the limited ability for the clay soils to transmit
water, the private wells in the area of the Murdock Mine site are not likely impacted by materials
used for reclamation activities on the site. Should you wish to pursue testing of your well on
your own, information about sampling your private well can be found on Illinois EPA's
Safe Water Well web page. Public water supply systems are
routinely monitored for contamination. A review of sample results indicates no impacts from
constituents of mine-related materials and no evidence of contamination from this site.
What state permits are currently in place to cover the reclamation work and why have they been
renewed since the mine is shut down?
Currently, Alpena Vision Resources LLC is operating under an Illinois EPA National Pollution
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, reissued in 2010. This permit authorizes the
discharge of acid mine drainage from the Murdock mine site into waters of the State, including
the unnamed tributary to Brushy Fork. The permit imposes discharge limitations for various
pollutants as well as monitoring reporting requirements. The Illinois EPA is in the process of
reviewing all current permits to determine if those permit requirements are being met and if
any modifications are needed to protect the environment and the citizens living near the Murdock
mine site.
What action is being taken to ensure that Alpena Vision Resources LLC complies with its permits
and does not cause public health and/or environmental problems?
The Illinois EPA continues to monitor the former Murdock Mine site and evaluate its compliance
status. The Illinois EPA has referred concerns for air pollution to the Illinois Attorney General
(IAG) for inclusion in the pending enforcement action initiated by the IAG. The Illinois EPA is
committed to working with the IAG on the enforcement action in furtherance of resolving all
environmental issues and concerns for operations at the Murdock mine site.
For more information please contact:
Technical Questions
Paul Purseglove, Manager
Field Operations Illinois EPA Bureau of Land
(217) 524-5597
General Questions
Barb Lieberoff
Community Relations Coordinator
Illinois EPA Office of Community Relations
(217) 524-3038
Health Questions
Douglas County Health Dept.
1250 E US Hwy 36
Tuscola
Telephone: (217) 253-4137
Fax: (217) 253-3421
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