Site Number: |
B5WF |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
PRP Oversight |
Response Lead: |
PRP |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
Site wide |
Mobilization Date: |
10/24/2011 |
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Start Date: |
10/24/2011 |
Demob Date: |
11/1/2014 |
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Completion Date: |
8/31/2016 |
CERCLIS ID: |
MIN000510600 |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
MDEQ Notified |
FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
CERCLA Incident Category: Inactive Production Facility
1.1.2 Site Description
The Site encompasses approximately 14 acres and contains one dilapidated building; the former C&H Power Plant building (the Power Plant). The Site historically contained several primary buildings including the power plant, a centrally located boiler house, and the “Hecla” Stamp Mill along the water front. Smaller buildings located north of the power plant and boiler house included a “Filter House” and a “Still House.” The Site currently contains foundations and floors from these buildings which no longer exist, although remnants of some of the buildings remain. The Site also contains former rock bins and bermed rubble and debris piles.
The Power Plant was established in 1905 to meet the electrical demands of the evolving industrial complex and mining operations. The Power Plant was one of two electrical generating stations that operated in parallel and supplied electricity throughout the region. By 1931, the Power Plant was connected to the electrical grid through transformers and eight outgoing feeders that exited the west side of the building overhead.
The topography of the Site is relatively flat, with building foundations and debris scattered at various locations. The eastern Site boundary has a steep sloping grade towards Torch Lake, which is approximately twenty feet lower than the ground surface of the center of the Site, and below the elevation of the basement floor of the Plant. Groundwater flow in the Site area is unknown; however, based on the proximity of the Site to Torch Lake, EPA presumes that the groundwater flows east toward Torch Lake.
1.1.2.1 Location
The Site is located on Highway M-26 south of the Village of Lake Linden, in Houghton County, Michigan. The geographical coordinates for the Site are latitude 47.1850924 North and longitude, -88.4133392 West. The Site is bounded to the east by Torch Lake; to the north by the Houghton County Historical Museum, a public park, and a marina; to the south by residential properties; and to the west by Highway M-26.
The Site is composed of a distinct parcel of property which was surveyed in 2002. EPA has adopted the legal description of the Property contained in the 2002 survey to establish the boundaries of the Site.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Widespread bulk Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) contamination has been detected throughout the Site and inside the Power Plant. Asbestos fibers have also been detected in surface soil and air samples. Contaminated soils contain concentrations of arsenic, antimony, copper, iron, and lead that exceed Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Part 201 Residential Direct Contact Cricteria (RDCC). Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) have also been detected in the water in the basement of the Power Plant.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
At the request of the MDEQ, the EPA performed a three-phase site assessment (SA) beginning on April 15, 2010. The SA was composed of the following activities:
· A visual assessment of Site features, and exposed debris and materials;
· An asbestos survey consisting of collecting bulk samples, soil samples, and performing activity-based sampling of air;
· X-ray fluorescence analyzer soil screening for metals;
· A gamma radiation survey to screen for radiological contaminants; and,
· Soil and water sample collections for laboratory analysis for potential contaminants of concern (COC).
The SA indicates the presence of uncontrolled hazardous substances at the Site, including: inorganic COCs in surface soils; lead and ACM on the surface soil, interior building foundations and exterior debris piles; and, possibile PCB contamination in the water and basement of the Power Plant.
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