The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the commencement of a public comment period for an updated cleanup plan addressing elevated concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the soil and groundwater at the Wisconsin Public Service Corp. Marinette Former Manufactured Gas Plant Superfund site, also known as the WPSC Marinette MGP site in Marinette, Wisconsin.
In 2017, the EPA proposed a plan to excavate waste at the site. However, subsequent surveys revealed that the waste was deeper and closer to the City of Marinette’s wastewater treatment plant than initially anticipated. The EPA determined that the original cleanup plan was unsafe and required modification. The current public comment period will cover this updated cleanup plan.
The public comment period runs from July 17 to August 16. Comments can be submitted online via the EPA's website or emailed to EPA community involvement coordinator Karen Chen at chen.karen01@epa.gov. The EPA will select a final cleanup plan after reviewing all comments.
An open house and public meeting are scheduled for Wednesday, July 24, at the Stephenson Public Library in Marinette. The open house will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m., followed by a public meeting from 5:30-7:30 p.m. During the open house, community members can engage one-on-one with EPA representatives and view information about the proposed plan. The public meeting will include a formal presentation and time for questions and formal comments.
Background
Elevated concentrations of PAHs associated with historical manufactured gas plant processes were found in various areas on the site. In 1989, during an expansion of the treatment plant, over 9,700 tons of contaminated soil were removed. In 2012 and 2013, further non-time critical cleanup activities were conducted by the EPA in portions of the site along the Menominee River, resulting in the removal of nearly 15,000 tons of river sediment. Following this cleanup effort, current sediment conditions are not considered to pose a risk to human health or the environment.
The WPSC Marinette MGP site is being cleaned up using the “Superfund alternative” approach. This method employs identical processes and standards for investigation and cleanup as those used for sites on the National Priorities List (NPL). The Superfund alternative approach is not an alternative to Superfund or its processes but rather an option where potentially responsible parties agree to cooperate with EPA without listing the site on the NPL.
For more information about the Marinette site, visit EPA’s website.
