Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
RAMSEY COUNTY
NEW BRIGHTON

Congressional District # 04

MACGILLIS & GIBBS CO./BELL LUMBER & POLE CO.

EPA ID# MND006192694
Last Updated: February, 2007

Site Description

The MacGillis & Gibbs Co. and the Bell Lumber & Pole Co. are adjoining properties listed as one site on the National Priorities List (NPL) and located in Ramsey County, Minnesota. These companies are the owners/operators and the principal potentially responsible parties (PRPs) for the site. The site covers 68 acres in New Brighton. Both companies are wood treatment plants and have been in operation since the early 1920s. Both plants used creosote and pentachlophenol (PCP) as a preservative. MacGillis & Gibbs Co. has been using chromated copper arsenate since 1970. Dioxin was also found onsite. Spills and drippage of these chemicals have contaminated site process areas, the low-lying disposal area of the site, and the groundwater beneath the site. There are more than 10,000 people living within one mile of the site. The closest residence is within several hundred feet. the city of New Brighton plans to redevelop the site for commercial and light industrial use. 

Site Responsibility

This site is being addressed through federal, state, and potentially responsible parties' actions.

Threats and Contaminants

Groundwater, sediments, and soils are contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), PCP, and heavy metals such as copper, chromium, and arsenic. Although municipal wells are not contaminated, site contaminants have been detected in several private wells. Individuals having direct contact with soil or water may be exposed to chemicals. Wetland areas, surrounding the site within a 2,000-foot radius, may be subject to contamination from site runoff. 

Cleanup Progress

In late 1993, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) removed 683 drums of solids and 28 drums of liquids, containing creosote, PCP, and dioxins from the MacGillis & Gibbs Co. facility. These drums were taken to an offsite incinerator for disposal. In 1985, Bell Lumber & Pole Co. entered into a consent order with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to cleanup contaminated soils and groundwater. This cleanup was completed in 1992, except for the long-term groundwater treatment. 

The following actions have recently been taken at the MacGillis & Gibbs facility.  In December 1997, U.S. EPA completed construction of an onsite bioremediation treatment plant to treat a lighter-than- water groundwater contaminant plume and also cleaned and removed abandoned process tanks and associated sludges and residues.  U.S. EPA also completed solidification of metals-contaminated soils in February 1998 and disposed of the soils in an offsite landfill.  In fall 1999, U.S. EPA also completed the construction of the majority of groundwater collection and treatment facilities to address the dissolved organic and metals contaminant plume which extends into offsite areas. 

A record of decision (ROD) amendment was completed in September 1999 for the organic-contaminated soils and debris at the MacGillis & Gibbs Co. facility. MPCA began construction of the amended remedial action in spring 2000 and completed it in fall 2001.  A five-year review was completed in fall 2001 which assessed overall site protectiveness.  The five-year review report concluded that the remedial actions completed at the site were found to be protective, and the remedial actions not yet completed are expected to be protective and, in the interim, exposure pathways that could result in unacceptable risks are being controlled. 

A preliminary close-out report was issued in fall 2002, documenting that all construction associated with the remedial actions has been completed and the site is considered to be protective. The groundwater collection and treatment facilities are now in the long-term remedial action phase.   The second five-year review report for the site was completed on September 27, 2006

A Extensive redevelopment has occurred on the MacGillis & Gibbs facility. The redevelopment includes two light industrial buildings, two office buildings, and a retail building.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
stacey coburn (coburn.stacey@epa.gov)
(312) 886-2263

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
dave novak
(312) 886-7478

Aliases

BELL LUMBER & POLE CO
MACGILLIS & GIBBS/BELL LUMBER & POLE CO.
SOO LINE RAILROAD
MACGILLIS & GIBBS CO/BELL LUMBER & POLE

 

Site Profile Information

This profile provides you with information on EPA's cleanup progress at this Superfund site.