The site is located in Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin on the Indian Reservation of the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians (Tribe). It is located next to Tower Creek and near Haskell Lake. This site most recently operated as a fireworks stand until a fire in October 2006 damaged the building. The local volunteer fire department responded and used significant amounts of water to extinguish the fire. The water-soaked, partially burned fireworks debris remained in the building until July 2007 when the Tribe received a Brownfields grant for debris removal. The Tribe then performed a Phase II environmental site assessment using another Brownfields grant to sample soil, groundwater, and nearby drinking water wells. The samples showed the presence of perchlorate and metals in the soil perchlorate in the groundwater.
In December 2007, the Tribe contacted the USEPA with concerns over the contaminated groundwater. USEPA and START (Superfund Technical Assistance and Response Team) conducted a site visit in January 2008 and determined a full site assessment was needed. The site assessment was conducted by USEPA and START from May 12 to May 14, 2008. During the assessment samples collected included wipe, sediment, surface water, soil, and groundwater. Sample results found perchlorate in soil at concentrations ranging from 120 to 990 milligrams per kilogram and in ground water at concentrations ranging from 9.8 to 120 micrograms per liter. Both mediums exceed the Region 9 Preliminary Remediation Goals for residential soil and tap water. Based on the fact that some Tribal members still live off the fish they catch and the food they grow, results from the site assessment, and recommendations from the USEPA Water Division and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the determination was made to perform a Removal Action.
On October 27, 2008, USEPA, START, and ERRS (Emergency Response and Removal Services) mobilized to the site to initiate the removal. Please see the POLREPS section for more information.
