The Mole Lake School Site was the former location of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community School until the mid-1980s and was later used as tribal offices until 2005. In October, 2010, the entire building was consumed by a large fire, believed to have been the result of arson.  The building debris contained peeling lead paint and friable asbestos.  The Site consisted of the building remnants, an adjacent ball field, and an adjacent playground area.  The contaminants from the building debris were documented as being present on adjacent children play areas.

1.1.2.1 Location

The Site is located at 10960 County Road M, Crandon, Forest County, Wisconsin, 54520.  The geographical coordinates for the Site are: Latitude 45.4798 North and Longitude -88.9851 West. The Site is located at the north side of County Road M between Sokaogon Drive and Wisconsin Route 55. The Site consisted of the building remnants, an adjacent ball field, and an adjacent playground area. The Site is approximately three acres.  The footprint of the building is approximately 11,000 ft².  The Site is accessible to foot traffic on all sides.  Land surrounding the Site is comprised of public, residential and commercial properties.  There are at least 25 neighboring residences within 1000 feet of the site. 

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

The Site presented an ongoing release of hazardous substances.  The Site contained the burned remains of a building.   Rubble from the building contained interspersed quantities of lead and ACM inside the building footprint.  Lead and asbestos are hazardous substances as defined by 40 C.F.R. § 302.4 of the NCP.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Site assessment activities were conducted on October 31, 2011 and December 1, 2011.  The site assessment demonstrated the need for a removal action. Additional information regarding the site assessment activities can be found in the Initial PolRep and the document section of www.epaosc.org/molelake.

A summary of the site activities that took place during the first and second weeks of the removal action can be found in the previous PolReps. 

During the reporting period May 14, 2012 - May 21, 2012, the following activities occurred:

• completed crushing of building debris; 
• completed backfilling excavated areas;
• maintained dust control at all times;
• conducted perimeter and worker safety air monitoring; 
• transported debris to disposal facility;
• completed Site restoration activities; and
• demobilized crew and heavy equipment (e.g., excavators, crusher, skid steer, water truck).

EPA and contractors demobilized from the Site on May 18, 2012.  The heavy equipment demobilized on May 21, 2012.  24 hour security was on-site until all equipment was demobilized from the Site.