The site was referred to EPA. It was a copper reclamation facility. The site is about twenty acres and is located in a mixed rural/commercial area. In July 2002, the facility ceased operations. In January 2005, the property was purchased by J & J Properties, LLC. The northern boundary borders Bear Creek, eastern boundary borders Upper Bear Creek Water Filter Plant.
During past operations as a copper reclamation facility, the facility chopped coated copper wire into small pieces to separate the insulation from the copper. Clay was added to the process to mitigate static electricity. After use, clay was washed into a series of settling ponds.
In 1996, ADEM required Gerald Metals to excavate soils from a ditch that flowed into Bear Creek. About 450 ton of soil was removed for elevated levels of copper, lead, and other metals.
In 1997, Gerald Metals requested a permit from ADEM to close the settling ponds. The facility then closed the ponds. An inspection later revealed that Gerald Metals may have buried excess wire material in the process of capping the ponds.
