Illinois EPA begins work at contaminated Lake Calumet Cluster Site

SPRINGFIELD—The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has begun clearing the contaminated, 87-acre Lake Calumet Cluster Site, located on the far southeast side of Chicago.  Large stands of non-native marsh grasses, some shrubs and small trees growing on site will be removed in anticipation of construction activities. 

 

The site preparation work is being conducted on this group of properties where unauthorized disposal of industrial slag and other wastes occurred for decades, heavily contaminating soils and groundwater.  Recontouring the site will follow, using soils obtained from the Illinois Department of Transportation Dan Ryan Expressway expansion work. 

 

Illinois EPA hopes to complete site preparation before the spring rains raise the water table and new plant growth make the work more difficult. Clearing and recontouring the site is the first step toward an environmental remedy for the Lake Calumet Cluster Site. 

 

"This is the culmination of ongoing efforts by the Illinois EPA, U.S. EPA and the city of Chicago," said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott.  "We hope to complete a substantial amount of work on this preliminary phase of the project by early fall."

 

Over 250,000 cubic yards of soil have already been stockpiled on the adjacent Paxton I Landfill in anticipation of remedy construction at the Cluster Site.  Illinois EPA and IDOT have agreed to an additional 750,000 cubic yards of soil for use at the site. 

 

"This is a mutually beneficial effort," said IDOT Secretary Tim Martin.  "IDOT has a convenient place to put large quantities of soil and the Illinois EPA is able to reuse it in an environmentally constructive way."

 

Hauling soil to the Cluster Site will result in unusually heavy traffic along truck routes to the Site on 122^nd Street, between Stony Island and Torrence avenues, throughout the spring and summer.  During the height of the soil-hauling period, Illinois EPA and IDOT anticipate 600 truckloads of soil per 20-hour day will arrive at the site.  (The traffic notice flyer provided to area businesses is attached.)

If the necessary porous materials can be acquired, the Agency may also begin to lay a gas permeable layer as the foundation of a methane gas collection system over portions of the site in preparation for remedy construction. 

 

During the site preparation work, a Focused Feasibility Study is being prepared to develop and examine alternatives for remediating the site. The Illinois EPA, in consultation with U.S. EPA, will then propose a preferred alternative to present to the public for comment.  The presumed remedy for an uncontrolled landfill is to cap it.  The ultimate design and configuration of the cap will depend on the results of the Focused Feasibility Study, the preferred alternative and the public's comments.  The Illinois EPA anticipates having the Focused Feasibility Study and preferred alternative, along with the supporting documents, to present to the public at a meeting later this spring. 

 

To ensure that all who want to participate in the upcoming remedy comment process are notified of the meeting and comment period, interested persons should provide their contact information to Mara McGinnis at the Illinois EPA, 1021 North Grand Ave. East, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276.  Ms. McGinnis can also be reached by e-mail at: Mara.McGinnis@epa.state.il.us or by phone at: 217-524-3288.

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The Cluster Site is located north of 122^nd Street, south of 119^th Street, east of Land &Lakes Landfill off of Stony Island Avenue, and west of Torrence Avenue and the Indian Ridge Marsh.  It is surrounded on three sides by waste management sites.

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed the Lake Calumet Cluster Sites to the National Priorities List, on September 14, 2005.  Once sites are listed, they are eligible for cleanup funding through the federal Superfund program.  Contamination from uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites can affect both local ecosystems and the public.

 

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