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Otsego Township Dam Area

 
Site Contact:
Paul Ruesch
OSC

(ruesch.paul@epa.gov)

Site Location:
557 Lincoln Road (M-89)
Otsego Township, MI 49078
 response.epa.gov/otsegodam

This website contains documents, photos and related documents associated with a time critical removal action in the Otsego Township Dam Area, which is located in Area 3 of Operating Unit 5 (OU5) of the Kalamazoo River Superfund Site.

The project involved removal of PCB contaminated in-stream sediments and riverbank soils between the M-89 bridge (Lincoln Road) and the Otsego Township Dam in Otsego Township, Michigan.


Temporary Water Control Structure in operation Contaminated sediments eroding into river channel Waste Water Treatment Plant Excavation Operations in BRSA 1 Contaminated material is loaded into large dump trucks for transport to an EPA approved landfill for disposal. DNR official providing contractors with assistance in removing stop logs from temporary water control structure to lower water level in work area Large 'root wads' being placed in excavated grids to reinforce and restore riverbanks after cleanup operations are completed. Excavation of contaminated riverbank soils near the confluence of Pine Creek and the Kalamazoo River Drilling crew conducting soil borings in BRSA 7 AMEC-FW geologist Nick Rogers processing geotechnical core samples along a property in BRSA 7 Restored riverbank in BRSA 1 with tree & shrub planting completed Protective sleeves utilized to protect newly planted trees from deer & beaver. Crews working to remove debris from ice boom in front of temporary water control structure Gate and warning signage installed at BRSA 1 parking area to protect recently restored areas along riverbanks. Crews conducting maintenance on plantings in BRSA 1 after high water levels inundated riverbanks Crews conducting riverbank build-out in preparation for removal of contaminated soils on existing riverbank in BRSA 3 Press briefing being conducted by Wildlife Biologist Mark Mills of Michigan DNR with District Representative Lynn Turner of Congressman Fred Upton's Office. Crews removing ice boom in front of temporary water control structure Materials and equipment staged in BRSA 4 in preparation for removal activities Crews working to isolate removal areas on the riverbank in BRSA 3 Excavation of mid-channel to redirect main flow of river channel away from BRSA 3 bank Riverbed material removed from mid-channel during excavation Sheet pile installation to isolate contaminated in-stream sediments prior to excavation in BRSA 4 Installation of 'J-Hook' to reduce erosion on restored banks in BRSA 3 Installed 'J-hook' erosion control measure in BRSA 3 Excavation of contaminated riverbank soils in BRSA 4 Mussel relocation team members John Spaeth, Aaron Prewitt, Derek Krall, Renae Wilson and Adam Bershoff of Environmental Solutions & Innovations, Inc., Cincinnati, OH Mussels removed from work area are measured, inventoried, tagged and relocated to adequate habitat upstream during work activities. EPA START contractor Lauren McCarrell of Tetra Tech, Inc. leads the work crew in stretch exercises following the daily safety meeting. Removal of sheet piling in completed and restored stream tube in BRSA 4. Contaminated sediment stabilization pad under construction in BRSA 6 Construction of staging area in BRSA 6 Contaminated sediments are visible during excavation in BRSA 4 Construction Managers Cam Baron of AMEC-FW and Matt Meyers of Envirocon lead a tour of the BRSA 4 work area for US EPA, MDNR and MDEQ senior managers. Excavation activities in BRSA 4 Sheet pile crew (left to right) Chris Sims, Jerry Meekof & Chris Vaclavik of Milbocker & Sons, Inc. (Allegan, Michigan) Cannon Strzalka of Spicer Group is responsible for all site surveying, staking and bathymetry. Spicer Group has been supporting both planning and construction activities since the inception of the project. A project neighbor hosted a picnic lunch for the entire work crew to show appreciation for a job well done near their property. Cam Baron of AMEC-FW and Jedd Smith of Envirocon oversee excavation of contaminated sediments in BRSA 6. Hydraulic dredging rig positioned in river to construct pilot channel in front of temporary WCS Temporary dam placed in front of Pine Creek dam at confluence with Kalamazoo River to facilitate excavation of contaminated sediments Site tour by Joseph Caryl of AMEC-FW for MDEQ senior management and personnel Karl Schultz of Tetra Tech, Inc. and Charles Hackel of AMEC-FW work together to set a monitoring probe to measure turbidity down stream of the work area in the river. Water levels in Pine Creek were lowered by over 8' the last two weeks of September to allow crews to excavate contaminated sediments from the confluence of Pine Creek and the Kalamazoo River. Water levels returned to normal by September 30. Crews took advantage of lowered water levels in Pine Creek to excavate contaminated sediments at the confluence of Pine Creek and the Kalamazoo River. EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Diane Russell presents an overview of the project to Otsego Seniors Crews complete removal of access road temporarily placed across the confluence of Pine Creek and Kalamazoo River Hydraulic dredging rig operating in BRSAs 7 & 8. The cutting head of the rig is visible, which rotates to agitate bottom sediments so they can be drawn into the 8 Elevated water levels from heavy rainfall have prevented the pilot channel dredging crew from operating safely. Elevated water levels from heavy rainfall have inundated most all work areas, impeding mechanical dredging operations. Elevated water levels have impacted recent restoration plantings which will need to be re-planted. Allegan County Sheriff's Office dive team conducts hands on training with crew on water rescue tactics Erik Dubois of AIS Fleet Solutions (Grand Rapids) conducts routine maintenance on heavy equipment. All construction equipment used on the project is rented and serviced by local vendors. Heating unit and insulation installed at BRSA 6 WWTP to support operation in freezing conditions. Insulation installed along piping into storage tanks at WWTP in BRSA 6 to support operation in freezing conditions. Heating unit and insulation placed at WWTP in BRSA 9 to support operations in freezing conditions Riverbank grid excavation in Grid 9 of BRSA 7. Restoration plantings in BRSA 6. The branches protruding from the riverbank along the river edge are live willow tree stakes cut from live trees in BRSA 4. Extreme cold and heavy snow cover on site has slowed work progress. 'Live stakes' are harvested from nearby willow trees and soaked in the river immediately prior to planting along newly restored banks after excavation. 'Live stakes' and other trees/shrubs newly planted to restore river banks in BRSA 6. Riverbank excavation in BRSA 8 Temporary WCS dismantlement & removal operations are underway at the Otsego Township Dam. Loading out contaminated sediments & soils for transport to landfill for disposal continues Steel sheet piling which supported the temporary WCS being removed one at a time. The temporary WCS is bring removed one half at a time to allow the river to continue to flow through the channel. Steel H piles are pulled out one at a time from the temporary WCS H piles being removed from the temporary WCS. Excavator removing grouted rock from the river channel downstream of the temporary WCS North half of the temporary WCS removed Record high water levels in BRSA 3 Record high water levels in BRSA 4 Record high water levels in BRSA 4 Crews begin working to construct sheet pile containment around south half of temporary WCS in preparation for removal AMEC-FW Project Engineer Joseph Caryl and MDNR Project Manager Mark Mills discuss reconstruction and restoration of the north bank at the temporary WCS Re-grading of north bank of river after removal of the northern half of the temporary WCS Breaking of grouted rip rap along sill of temporary WCS Removing remaining H-piles on south side of temporary WCS Otsego Middle School 7th grade STREAM program students visit BRSA 9 Removal of the temporary WCS is complete Envirocon personnel watering harvested live stakes, which are being stored in a refrigerated trailer so they do not start growing before planting along the river banks. Liner placement at stabilization pad being constructed for BRSA 7 removal operations Demolition of the auxiliary spillway by Milbocker & Sons Inc., a contractor to MDNR. Dan Capone of The Mannik & Smith Group, works with Otsego Middle School STREAM students during a simulated field sampling exercise in BRSA 1 Lauren McCarrell of Tetra Tech Inc. and Dan Capone of The Mannik & Smith Group present to Otsego Middle School STREAM students on personal protective equipment and field sampling techniques AMEC-FW Project Manager Joseph Caryl inspects the new river channel where the former Otsego Township Dam was located. AMEC-FW conducted extensive analysis, design and construction oversight to ensure the appropriate width, depth and channel grading was achieved. Envirocon personnel Joey Jeffrey and Taylor Musser were recognized for reaching a project milestone of 2 million gallons of contact water treated in the on site WWTPs in compliance with state of Michigan requirements. Crews and project engineers meet on the river bank in BRSA 7 to commence excavation of contaminated soils & sediments in the last stretch of river to be cleaned up during the time critical removal action. Since both on site WWTPs have been demobilized, PCB contact water is now being transported to an EPA-approved facility for treatment by a licensed hauler. Spraying for invasive plants in restored areas is performed on a regular basis in all BRSAs Grading and restoration of river banks in BRSA 8. As the river channel is now more narrow due to removal of the dam, new floodplain areas have been added in BRSAs 7 & 8. Excavation of contaminated sediments in BRSA 7. Trees and shrubs for restoration plantings ready for planting. Entrance to BRSA 9 off Jefferson Road has been removed and re-graded. Chris Wafful of Wood Group and Kory McKay of Mannik & Smith Group conduct confirmation sampling in BRSA 7. Riverbank grids are delineated by stakes with pink ribbon. An irrigation system has been installed to encourage restoration planting growth and survival. Specialized excavator operated by Bruce Tatrow of MJ VanDamme Inc. removing contaminated soils from riverbank in BRSA 7. The large tracks enable this excavator to operate in areas that conventional excavators cannot access. Crew performing stretching exercises prior to work start as part of daily safety meeting. The crew is aspiring to 'FINISH PROUD, FINISH STRONG' as the project nears completion. Wood duck enclosure installed in BRSA 8. Six boxes were designed and built by 7th grade students participating in the Otsego Middle School STREAM program with materials donated by site contractors. Dan Capone of Mannik Smith Group installing wood duck enclosure in BRSA 7. Contractors, consultants, agencies and PRPs met for a 'lessons learned' meeting on July 18 to capture important considerations for future projects. Kory McKay of Mannik Smith Group unloading cardboard and plastic at the Otsego City Recycling Center. Over 1600 lbs of cardboard, 1000 lbs of plastic, and 61,000 lbs of metal were recycled during the project. Contractors, consultants, agency and PRP representatives toured the site after the 'Lessons Learned' meeting Grading and restoration activities at the area surrounding the former Otsego Township Dam, which has been removed. US EPA Regional Administrator Cathy Stepp and Emergency Response Branch Chief Sam Borries meet with residents during a tour of the work areas. Emergency Branch Chief Sam Borries provides an explanation of the river restoration near the M-89 bridge during a site tour with the press, site crew, and state/local officials. BRSA 6 restoration with irrigation system operating. Irrigation will continue for the rest of the summer in all restored areas. A resident drove past warning signs and into a restored area on August 7. The vehicle sank deep into soft mud and passengers needed to be rescued. The truck was pulled out by a bulldozer. Signage placed on entry gates to BRSAs River access at BRSA 8 entrance on River Road with fish advisory signage Former location of Otsego Township Dam Final Crew Photo 2019
For additional information, visit the Pollution/Situation Report (Pol/Sitreps) section.