Update
New Jersey Zinc/Mobil Chemical Superfund Site
Fact Sheet #10
December 2004
DePue, Illinois
This is a New Jersey Zinc/Mobil Chemical Superfund project update on work
accomplished since the last update issued in late July. The update information
is in the unboxed area immediately following the heading. In response to comments
from citizen surveys and interviews, more detailed information--including information
about the Interim Consent Order (ICO) requirements for each unit--is located
in the boxed area. Future updates will be shorter—also in response to
the surveys. The ICO is an agreement filed in the circuit court of the 13th
Judicial Circuit, Bureau County, between the State of Illinois and the potentially
responsible parties (PRPs)1 .
South Ditch
85 percent complete
Since late July: In November, the (PRPs) submitted a revised draft remedial
design/remedial action work plan for the South Ditch sediments in response
to IEPA October comments on a previous draft. The work plan includes a proposed
method for excavation and removal of sediment, health and safety plans, dust
control measures and specifications for the on-site interim storage cell for
the sediment. The Illinois EPA conditionally approved this November work plan
on November 30, pending minor revisions. Construction of the on-site containment
cell should begin in the near future and will continue if sustained temperatures
remain above freezing. If lake and river levels remain low or at normal levels,
and weather does not deteriorate, work could progress through the winter. If
weather stops construction this winter, everything should be in place for work
to begin in the spring.
South Ditch
Background
The Problem: Over many years, runoff from the New Jersey Zinc/Mobil Chemical
plant property has contaminated the South Ditch sediments with metals. These
contaminated sediments have been an ongoing source of contamination of Lake
DePue.
Interim Consent Order (ICO) Requirement: The ICO requires the PRPs to investigate
the South Ditch sediments and to implement the chosen remedy for the sediments.
Past Actions: After considering public comment, the Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency (IEPA) decided that the contaminated sediments should be
removed from the ditch and placed on-site in an interim storage cell. This
action will remove one source of ongoing contamination of the lake and meet
the ICO requirement.
Lake DePue
5 percent complete
Since late July: On September 16, IEPA Director Renee Cipriano and IEPA senior
managers met with village officials, state legislators and a representative
from Congressman Weller’s office to discuss the project. In this meeting,
the IEPA Director and senior managers committed to reassess all lake reports
and plans, consult with Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and
others on options, and pursue the best course of action to remediate Lake DePue
in a timely manner. The IEPA and the PRPs met with IDNR in November to review
previous lake studies. Following that meeting, the PRPs agreed to submit a
work plan for a comprehensive study of the lake early in 2005. The agreed goal
of the parties is to initiate the lake study in late summer 2005.
Lake DePue
Background
The Problem: Contaminated water has discharged from the plant property to
the lake for many years. Limited tests by IDNR show elevated concentrations
of metals in the lake sediment. Unfortunately, the methods used to collect
these samples did not meet Interim Consent Order or Superfund requirements.
Decisions about the lake sediment cannot be made until the sediments have been
thoroughly investigated.
Interim Consent Order (ICO) Requirement: The ICO requires the PRPs to investigate
the lake and to conduct a feasibility study (FS) of possible remedies. The
IEPA will present the FS and a proposed plan to the public for comment. After
carefully considering public comment, the IEPA will document its decision on
the remedy in a record of decision. The ICO requires the PRPs to design the
remedy designated in the record of decision. Implementation of the remedy will
be subject to additional negotiations between the State of Illinois and the
PRPs.
Past actions: The PRPs have greatly reduced the sources of ongoing contamination
of the lake by constructing and operating the water treatment plant on the
former plant site. When the sediments from the South Ditch are removed, another
major source of ongoing contamination of the lake will have been removed.
The PRPs have entered initial discussions with the IEPA, IDNR and federal
agencies, proposing a unified and comprehensive study of the lake. The
goal of this unified investigation would be to gather information on the
condition
of the lake, support selection of a remedy(ies) for the lake and provide
data for a Natural Resource Damages Assessment (NRDA)1 . The IEPA and IDNR,
as the
State of Illinois’ Natural Resource Trustees, will also seek an investigation
of the remainder of the New Jersey Zinc/Mobil Chemical Superfund site to
identify other natural resource injuries.
Off-Site Soil Sampling
5 percent complete
Since late July: In the September 16 meeting, IEPA Director Renee Cipriano,
IEPA senior managers, village officials, state legislators and a representative
from Congressman Weller’s office discussed off-site soil sampling. By
the end of the meeting, all parties agreed that both off-site (including residential)
soil sampling and the investigation of Lake DePue are important to the future
of DePue and must be pursued simultaneously.
The IEPA has returned comments to the PRPs on the off-site soil sampling work
plan that the PRPs submitted to the agency in May. In these comments, the agency
conveyed the importance of reevaluating areas of residential soil where previous
studies indicate a possible short-term concern. The PRPs have agreed to initiate
off-site soil investigations in spring 2005. If soils are identified that require
immediate removal, the IEPA and the PRPs have agreed to work toward an immediate
remedy for affected properties.
Off-site Soil Sampling Background
The Problem: In 1992, the IEPA collected 20 soil samples throughout the town
and found elevated levels of metals in the soil. The Illinois Department of
Public Health (IDPH) evaluation of the sample results stated that concentrations
in these 20 samples did not pose a risk from short-term exposure, but they
needed more information to determine long-term risk. State guidance assumes
that a long-term exposure for ingestion of noncarcinogens (non-cancer causing
substances) is six years for children. IDPH collected additional samples in
1992 using different methods. The IDPH samples overall showed higher concentrations
of metals in residential soil than IEPA samples.
Interim Consent Order (ICO) Requirement: The ICO requires the PRPs to complete
a remedial investigation, risk assessment and feasibility study. It also requires
the PRPs to design the chosen remedy for the off-site soils if a remedy is
required. Implementation of the remedy will be the subject of future negotiations
between the PRPs and the State of Illinois.
Past actions: In 2000, the IEPA conducted a series of tests using X-ray fluorescence
equipment to further evaluate off-site soil contamination on public properties.
This work was done in response to a request by the Citizens’ Advisory
Group. The 2000 barium and lead results were in the general range of the 1992
IEPA samples. The detection levels of the XRF equipment were not sufficient
to determine trends for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, manganese and silver. In
February of 2004, the IEPA requested that the PRPs submit a draft work plan
for off-site soil sampling. In May 2004, the PRPs submitted the requested plan
and the agency completed its review returning comments to the DePue Group in
early October.
Overall Remedial Investigation of the Plant Property
30 percent complete
Since late July: In the second week of November, the IEPA returned comments
to the PRPs on a draft report of Phase I remedial investigation results. The
agency expects a PRP response within 75 days. When the PRPs submit a report
that the IEPA approves, the agency will distribute a fact sheet summarizing
the report and place the report in the public repository located in the Selby
Township Library. The PRPs also are continuing to develop a work plan for the
Phase II investigations.
Overall Remedial Investigation of the Plant Property
Background
The Problem: Years of industrial activity have left contaminants on the former
plant property. Before a remedy can be proposed, a thorough investigation needs
to be completed that identifies which chemicals are of concern, where they
are located (depth of contamination as well as location on the plant property)
and in which media (soil, waste, groundwater or surface water) the contaminants
are found.
Interim Consent Order (ICO) Requirement: The ICO requires the PRPs to complete
a remedial investigation of the plant property and conduct a feasibility study
(FS) of possible remedies. The ICO also allows the PRPs to propose presumptive
(final) remedies for certain areas within the site. The IEPA will present the
FS and a proposed plan to the public for comment. After carefully considering
public comment, the IEPA will document its decision on the remedy in a record
of decision. The ICO requires the PRPs to design the remedy designated in the
record of decision. Implementation of the remedy will be subject to additional
negotiations between the State of Illinois and the PRPs.
Past actions: In 2000,
the PRPs completed the fieldwork for Phase I of the remedial investigation.
Gypsum Stack
85 percent completeSince late July 2004: The PRPs are procuring new bids from contractors for
the next phases of construction at the gypsum stack. Earlier this year, water
discharging from the gypsum stack slightly exceeded state limits set for fluoride,
unionized ammonia, sulfate and total dissolved solids. The PRPs have constructed
a remedy to prevent further exceedances. Testing is underway to confirm the
effectiveness of these corrective actions.
Gypsum Stack
Background
The Problem: The on-site manufacture of fertilizer created gypsum as a byproduct.
This gypsum was disposed
of in a 150-acre pile north of Route 29. Federal and state regulations require
that such piles need to be “closed”,
which means that they need to be covered so that gypsum does not blow off the
pile and so water falling on the pile does not seep through the waste and carry
contaminants into the groundwater beneath the stack.
Interim Consent Order (ICO) Requirement: The ICO requires the PRPs to complete
closure of the gypsum stack consistent with requirements of federal and state
regulations.
Past Actions: The PRPs have drained and vegetated three of four ponds on top
of the stack and have started draining the fourth pond. During 2003, the PRPs
finished major aspects of rebuilding and lining the Clearwater Pond that is
at the bottom of the stack and visible from Route 29. The PRPs have also regraded
additional areas of the stack and seeded them with grass. When grass is fully
established it should provide the required final cover.
Water Treatment Plant
100 percent complete with ongoing operation and maintenanceSince
July: Occasionally, during exceptionally heavy rainfall, the water treatment
plant has not been able to treat all the collected water. During these events,
less contaminated water has been diverted from the water treatment plant and
discharged into Lake DePue without treatment. In response, the PRPs have built
several structures to enable them to measure the volume of water from various
parts of the site and to collect this water for analysis. The PRPs have completed
these structures and are prepared to assess any flows during and after significant
rains. If the surface water studies identify water that does not need treatment,
the water can be diverted from the water treatment system--thus reducing the
number of bypasses. No bypasses of the collection and treatment system have
occurred since July of 2003. The PRPs and the IEPA continue to look of opportunities
to further decrease their frequency.
Water Treatment Plant
Background
The Problem: Both groundwater and surface water carried contaminants from
the plant property into Lake DePue.
Interim Consent Order (ICO) Requirement: The ICO required the PRPs to eliminate
the discharge of all contaminated surface water from the site and to eliminate
or reduce the discharge of contaminated groundwater to the “surface waters
of the State” (Lake DePue). The ICO required that the water leaving the
water treatment plant meet all federal and state laws and requirements by June
11, 2000.
Past Actions: The PRPs constructed the water treatment plant and it met all
requirements of the ICO.
Lake Festival
On Saturday, September 18, a lake festival was held on the banks of Lake DePue.
Around 40 attended and heard several presentations including one by Ken Clodfelter
(IDNR) on invasive species of fish and plants that threatened native fish and
plants and a presentation from Dr. Rich Cahill (Illinois State Geological Survey)
on the preliminary results of sediment sampling that IDNR conducted in Lake
DePue. Clodfelter and Dan Salle (IDNR) conducted a fish shocking so that residents
could see some of the fish species that are present in the lake. Dick Westfall
(IDNR) had information on the Grand Illinois Trail planned to connect the path
along the Illinois and Michigan canal with the path along the Hennepin Canal.
Bureau County is a missing link. A number of children enjoyed looking through
a microscope at organisms in Lake DePue water and learned to bait a hook and
cast a line. Several actually caught fish. A big thanks to Beverly Harrison,
the local organizer, and to the Booster Club which sold great food.
Superfund Redevelopment
The Village of DePue was awarded a grant of services in July of 2002 by the
U. S. EPA. The purpose of the grant was to assist the community in developing
a set of future land use recommendations for the New Jersey Zinc/Mobil Chemical
Superfund site. These recommendations are intended to provide guidance to the
village of DePue, IEPA and the U.S. EPA on viable reuse goals for the site.
The consultant team guiding this process was E2 Inc.
After meeting twice with Village officials and residents, E2 released a project
report in August 2004.
In the report, they made the following five recommendations.
- Adapt the former New Jersey Zinc plant facility as a new museum of history
and industry that showcases DePue’s natural and industrial heritage.
- Promote DePue as a tourist destination and emphasize ecotourism as a
unique local economic development opportunity.
- Create recreational opportunities at the site and link the site to regional
recreational amenities.
- Provide opportunities for ecological restoration, wildlife habitat enhancements
and general environmental education.
- Create new economic opportunities in DePue.
The report also outlines challenges to site reuse and resources that can help
DePue reach its redevelopment goals. The report has been placed in the project
repository in the Selby Township Library in DePue. Questions should be directed
to Mike Hancox of E2 at (434) 975-6700.
|
