The Site consists of a 25-acre industrial parcel bordered by 15 Mile Road and agricultural and residential properties to the west, vacant land to the north and east, and agricultural to the south.  The Site is the former location of Midwest Metallurgical Laboratory, a foundry for the Detroit Stoker Company. The Site includes one main building, an office area and two smaller out buildings.

The Site is located at 15290 15 Mile Road in Marshall, Calhoun County, Michigan 49068 in a mixed residential/industrial/agricultural area.  Coordinates for the Site are 42.294437 degrees north and -85.0037194 degrees west.

The Midwest Metallurgical Laboratory (MML) was founded in 1942. The casting/foundry building was constructed in 1960. The Site is a former ductile iron casting facility that provided complete foundry services, including Ni-Hard and Grey Iron castings from 1 to 900 pounds. In March 2002, the announcement was made that the MML facility was to be phased down and closed later that year as part of a plan to outsource production to lower cost producers. At the time of its closing, the MML facility employed approximately 65 workers.  Since the closing of the MML facility, Charleston Auctions has held several public auctions in an attempt to sell Site equipment and property.

U.S. EPA conducted an assessment at the Site on October 5 and 6, 2009.  Most buildings at the Site were found to contain uncontrolled hazardous wastes (containers labeled flammable, corrosive, and oxidizer).  Numerous drums, totes, and small containers of various sizes were found opened and unlabeled both inside the buildings and around the grounds.  U.S. EPA quantified more than 2,500 gallons of uncontrolled and unidentified liquid wastes on the property.  Five waste liquid samples were collected yielding pH results that are characteristically hazardous or TCLP levels that are characteristically toxic.

U.S. EPA documented unrestricted Site access in many areas and visual evidence of trespassing throughout the buildings and grounds.  Numerous locks have been cut and fencing has been taken down by trespassers, vandals, and thieves in efforts to gain access to the buildings and property.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

MML filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana on July 12, 2006, Case No. 16857-02.  The case was converted to Chapter 7 on June 2, 2008.

Taxes for the 2004-2009 remain unpaid, and there are tax liens on the real property for tax years 2004-2008 totaling over $164,000.  IN addition on 2/2/2005, creditor Detroit Stoker Company recorded a judgment lien on the property in the amount of $354,000.  the Trustee put the property up for sale but offers were insufficient to satisfy the pending liens.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics
No waste has been disposed to date.

• Staging drums and containers in the south staging area;
• Logging containers and contents;
• Beginning Hazardous Characterization of the container contents.

• Excavation of contaminated soil east of the building;
• Removal of contaminated foundry sand piles within the building;
• Disposal of hazardous waste containers.