ENVIRONMENTAL WORK AREAS
Of the 11 areas originally identified (under the GFPR contract) for environmental investigation and cleanup, work has been completed at ten areas. Work Areas include:
Work Areas include:
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Areas Capped
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Contaminated Soils Removed
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Currently Under Investigation
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Landfill 1 was used in the early 1940s for the disposal of general refuse. Lead, arsenic, and benzo(a)pyrene (BAP) were found in the landfill waste. Landfill material extends off-site through the Army Reserve Property. Material was disposed in a ravine tributary that leads to Janes Ravine.
The Final Proposed Plan was completed in July 2004. The public comment period was held in August 2004. Public comments were received and were addressed in the responsiveness summary to the Draft Decision Document, which is currently pending Army resolution sometime in 2008.
During the spring of 2007, KEMRON constructed an emergency interim repair at Landfill 1. Erosion had exposed some waste near the adjacent ravine creek bed. KEMRON mobilized heavy equipment, reshape the effected slope and placed two feet of protective clay over the waste. The area was covered with topsoil and new grass was established. KEMRON also improved the stormwater drainage system by installing new piping and servicing the old catch basinsLandfill 5
Landfill 5 was used for disposal of general refuse including fill and construction debris from about 1900 through the 1960’s. The site is currently used for vehicle and equipment storage and shop activities; a majority of this site is paved with asphalt or concrete and enclosed with fences.
The Landfill 5 design documents were approved by the Illinois EPA during the summer months of 2004. The Final Decision Document was completed in 2004 and signed by the Army and IEPA in 2005.
- The construction of Landfill 5 cap was completed in spring of 2005. The key features of the 2.2- acre landfill cap included:
- The placement of two feet of compacted clay overlying an impervious geosynthetic clay liner (GCL).
- Six inches of topsoil supports a turf grass field and asphalt will serve the roadways and parking areas.
- improvements to the existing storm water control system beneath the landfill
- installation of a new perimeter drainage pipe
- ravine slope stabilization and elimination/realignment of the overhead utilities (power, phones, communication cables)
- seeding, fencing and asphalt work.
Currently, KEMRON performs Operations and Maintenance and Long Term Monitoring, which includes visual inspections, mowing and cap repairs as well as ground water monitoring from six wells. The reports have been submitted to the Illinois EPA.
Landfills 6 & 7 were used for disposal of industrial and domestic wastes along with debris from demolition of several World War II barracks in the 1960’s; Landfill 6 was operated in the 1960 and Landfill 7 was operated between the late 1940’s and 1979. All fieldwork has been completed. Completed work includes the following:
- Installation of all RCRA compliant landfill cap liner protection systems and drainage fabrics
- all environmental controls for leachate and gas collection systems are installed and are fully functional. They are being operated and controlled by KEMRON personnel.
- Trees, bushes, and ground cover have been planted or seeded over the entire landfill areas. Healthy grass has been established and KEMRON mows the grass routinely.
- Construction of the concrete chutes which are connected to the rip rap swale on the south side of the East slope on Landfill 7
- Topsoil was placed and graded around Building 100.
KEMRON has collected numerous readings of the landfill gas probes and wells since 2004. The data has been used to determine that it is working as intended and to optimize its use. The gas probes will continue to be monitored quarterly through 2008.
KEMRON has also collected numerous groundwater and leachate samples in accordance with the IEPA-approved Groundwater and Leachate Monitoring Plan. During 2007 KEMRON sucessfully performed a leachate pilot study to determine the long term benefits and costs for applying the leachate to a 2 acre grassy area located near Landfill 7. The results of the pilot study are being approved by the IEPA so that the Army can apply the leachate for the long term rather than truck it offsite.
Coal Storage Area (CSA) 3
Coal used by the Army for industrial heating purposes was stored in an uncovered pile at this location, above a debris-filled branch of Bartlett Ravine. The CSA 3 design documents were approved by the Illinois EPA during the summer months of 2004. The Final Decision Document was completed and signed by the Army and IEPA in 2005.
The construction of CSA 3 was initiated during the fall of 2004 and was completed in the spring of 2005. The work consisted of excavation of anthracenes and pyrenes within the contaminated soils from remnants of the former coal storage area, backfill with clean fill, grass lined drainage berms/swales, storm water piping, ravine slope thinning and forbs seeding. Confirmation samples were obtained during construction. The Design Document also included land use restrictions, and long-term monitoring.
Coal Storage Area (CSA) 4
Coal used by the Army for industrial heating purposes was stored in an uncovered pile at this location until approximately 1962.
The site work is 100% complete. Contaminated soil was excavated and disposed of at an approved landfill and backfilled with clean clay fill. The topsoil cover has a healthy stand of grass. The closure report was completed and was approved by the IEPA.
Water Tower
The steel water storage tank was 121 feet high and 41 feet in diameter; the surface of tower was coated with lead-based paint. Previous sand-blasting activities to remove the lead-based paint resulted in lead based paint contamination in the soils below the tower. This former steel water tower was completely dismantled and removed for scrap. The site work is 100% complete. The lead contaminated soil and concrete footings were removed and disposed of at a licensed landfill. The topsoil cover has a healthy stand of grass. The closure report was completed and was approved by the IEPA.
Building 70
Building 70 was used as a warehouse for various materials including pesticides and herbicides.
The site work is 100% complete. The topsoil cover has a healthy stand of grass. The closure report was completed and was approved by the IEPA.
Vehicle Equipment Storage Area 8
Vehicle Equipment Storage Area 8 is an open area south of Landfill # 6 that was used to store equipment and various materials including construction debris.
The site work is 100% complete. Contaminated soils were removed and clean clay backfill was put in its place. The topsoil cover has a healthy stand of grass. The closure report was completed and was approved by the IEPA.
Building 208
Building 208 was the motor pool building.
After the successful confirmation sampling of the Building 208 area that was reported in the August newsletter, KEMRON submitted a closure report to Illinois EPA in December 2003. KEMRON received an Illinois EPA concurrence letter in 2004 that no further action is needed.
Landfill 2 was used to dispose of general refuse including fill and construction debris and was the location of small-arms firing ranges. Prior work included surface exploration (to 1 foot) and removal of unexploded ordnance (UXO). The property containing Landfill 2 was transferred to The Lake County Forest Preserve District. A second round of UXO surveys were conducted in 2004 and several pieces of UXO devices were removed.
