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Community Relations - Fact Sheets

Former Ocoya Landfill

Fact Sheet #1
September 2003

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Ocoya, Illinois

Background

Located at a former limestone quarry, this 57-acre municipal solid waste landfill is in an agricultural area of Livingston County between Pontiac and Chenoa along old Route 66, approximately 1½ miles southwest of Ocoya. The landfill received municipal solid waste from 1968 until 1980, when it ceased accepting waste.

Through Illinois EPA’s investigation and evaluation of abandoned landfills in the state, we discovered that the Ocoya Landfill site has severe erosion problems, exposed waste, low spots that allow water to pond, and leachate seeps (water that becomes contaminated after contact with landfill waste).

The landfill is bordered by Rooks Creek (approximately one-half mile) to the east, which is located within the Vermilion River Illinois Drainage Natural Area. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Natural Area is considered a highly valued aquatic resource that supports the Greater Redhorse (fish), which is listed as endangered in Illinois. The National Wetlands Inventory maps also indicate the presence of wetlands within at least 250 feet of the landfill. Due to the possibility of impacting an endangered species and designated wetland area, Illinois EPA plans to disturb the site as little as possible during any necessary construction work.

What are the state’s plans for this site?	Patrick Engineering, Inc., a contractor for the state of Illinois, will conduct a site investigation at the landfill. The investigation is expected to begin in September 2003 and continue through October 2003. Once Illinois EPA receives the final investigation report, we will make a determination about the level of work needed at the site.
What is the scope of the work to be performed during the investigation at the site?	Survey the property; define the horizontal extent of the waste Determine the soil type and depth of the existing landfill cap Perform a screening level ecological risk assessment Install new groundwater monitoring wells Sample existing surface water and groundwater Evaluate gas generation in and away from the landfill Conduct mapping of leachate seeps and erosion locations Locate suitable cover material for the landfill cap
What is the goal of the current work?	The goal is to define what actions, if any, need to be done to reduce the potential for release of contamination from the landfill so that it no longer poses a threat to human health and the environment. At the end of this investigation (fall 2003), we will know what specific steps are necessary to properly reshape certain areas, prepare for the cap, and establish vegetation to control runoff.
What is the time line for accomplishing the above work?	This fall, the contractor for the state of Illinois will work with the Illinois EPA project manager to assess the slopes, the adequacy of the cap material, the lateral extent of waste and the condition of the surface and groundwater. They will take environmental samples (soil, sediment, leachate and surface water). Results from the investigation will be submitted in a report late this fall. The design work plan for construction of the cap is due in early 2004, and construction work is expected to begin sometime during summer 2004.
How will this project be funded?	This site is part of the Abandoned Landfill Program. The state will identify Potentially Responsible Parties and will ask them to conduct the investigation and to perform any necessary corrective actions. If the PRPs are not willing or able to do the work, state of Illinois funds will be used, and the state reserves the right to pursue cost recovery actions.
My family frequents the ponds and other areas near the old landfill site. Should I be concerned that they may have contacted site contaminants?	Illinois EPA does not currently have information about the chemical composition of the leachate material or knowledge of contamination in surface water or site soils. More will be known at the end of the site investigation. Generally, risks from exposure to contaminants at a landfill site would be greatest for trespassers who go onto the site and may have direct contact with materials such as leachate. Illinois EPA will issue a second fact sheet and will hold a public meeting once we have results from environmental sampling at the site and a design plan for the site work has been developed. This will be sometime next spring.

For more information, you may contact:

Carol Fuller
Community Relations Coord
Illinois EPA
(217) 524-8807

Vanessa Keehner
Project Manager
Illinois EPA
(217) 558-6046

In addition, an Information Repository for the Ocoya Sanitary Landfill will be established at the Pontiac Public Library at 211 E. Madison Street in Pontiac. The repository will contain technical documents for the site as well as public notices, fact sheets and news releases. Library hours are 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

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