Residential Soil Sampling to Begin in DePue

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois EPA has announced plans to sample residential properties, parks and schoolyards in the Village of DePue. Soil sampling will begin throughout the Village, in preparation for cleanup of contamination in residential yards, Village parks, alleys and other properties. Soil sampling is available to all residential property owners within the Village at no cost to the owner. Residents are encouraged to participate by signing access agreements for both soil testing and the replacement of any contaminated soil found.

Soil samples will be tested for arsenic, lead, cadmium and manganese, and the results will be used to identify properties that need soil removed and replaced with clean fill. Before Illinois EPA can begin, the Agency must obtain written permission to access properties.

In mid-August, Illinois EPA held two informational meetings in DePue to explain the sampling and cleanup process and to answer questions. Additional informational sessions may be held later in the year.

Individuals wanting to voluntarily participate in the sampling and cleanup program must sign an access agreement and return it to the Illinois EPA. The access agreement will allow authorized representatives of the Illinois EPA, CBS Operations and their contractors to enter the property and take samples, and, if necessary, remove contaminated soil and replace it with clean soil.

Access agreements are available at the Village Hall or by contacting Jay Timm, Community Relations Coordinator with the Illinois EPA at 217-557-4972 or jay.timm@illinois.gov. In addition, representatives from Illinois EPA, CBS and its contractors will conduct door-to-door outreach as needed to request access to private properties and explain the process of sampling and cleanup.

Fieldwork for the soil sampling is expected to begin in September 2018. While soil sampling is ongoing, Illinois must complete negotiations for a new consent decree with the DePue Group before excavation of contaminated soil can begin. Once the new consent decree is filed, the cleanup of contaminated properties throughout the Village will occur. Full-scale cleanup activities are expected to begin in 2019 to benefit lawn and landscape restoration.

To learn more about cleanup activities, the Remedial Design is available at the Selby Township Library. The Record of Decision is also available at the Library and explains the cleanup in detail and addresses public comments about the cleanup. Portions of the Record are also available in Spanish.