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Significant Developments and Activities Report
LAND AND CHEMICALS DIVISION
Weekly Significant Developments and Activities Report
November 14, 2008
EPA Region 5 and WDNR Perform Final Site Assessment Evaluation of Milwaukee Die Casting Co. Inc.
On November 6, 2008, EPA Region 5 Toxics Section Staff and WDNR Southeast Wisconsin office staff performed a joint final site assessment evaluation of the Milwaukee Die Casting Co. Inc. (MDC) facility. EPA and WDNR met with MDC staff to oversee and evaluate the cataloging, transport, storage and disposal of RCRA solid and hazardous wastes, TSCA-PCB remediation waste, as well as to determine the completeness of a Phase II assessment of the MDC interior. To date, approximately 7,000 gallons of PCB remediation waste and 19 cubic yards of Asbestos have been removed from the site and disposed of. Additionally, 2,130 gallons of liquid waste and 54 cubic yards of solid wastes have been characterized and staged for disposal, and 95,000 gallons of liquid waste awaiting sampling results. All liquid wastes are set to be removed from MDC by November 30, 2008.
This final site assessment is part of an on-going project with EPA Region 5, WDNR, MMSD, the City of Milwaukee and MDC staff to coordinate a clean-up of the MDC parcel and eliminate current and potential RCRA and TSCA-PCB contamination to the City of Milwaukee and MMSD stormwater and sewerage systems. Work is projected to partially cease for the winter season in late December, to begin fully again tentatively in early March 2009, after the City of Milwaukee and MMSD have made determinations on next steps for managing building demolition.
Contact: Bradley Grams, 312-886-7747
Lead Poisoning Prevention Week – Home Depot Hardware Store Partnership,
Chicago, IL
As part of Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, EPA partnered with the Chicago Department of Public Health for National Lead Week to disseminate lead safe work practices and information at eight local Home Depot stores throughout the Chicagoland area. The Home Depot Store managers were educated on the new Renovation Repair and Painting Rule. Furthermore, store mangers were encouraged to display posters at paint mixing counters. EPA provided items from the Regional Lead Safe Work Practice Initiative tool kit, which included the “Work Lead Safe” tear off sheet, the “Renovate Right” pamphlet, and the “Don’t Spread Lead” CD.
Contact: Tammy Moore, 312-886-6181
Pre-SFIREG Meeting
On November 18 and 19, 2008, the State Agricultural (Ag) agency representatives from Region 5 States will meet with LCD staff and managers to discuss pesticide-related issues important to our States. The meeting is a biannual meeting of the R5 State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (pre-SFIREG). One of the R5 State Ag agencies will represent the State group during a full SFIREG meeting with the Office of Pesticide Programs in December. The Region 5 pre-SFIREG meeting will cover a full range of pesticide-related program and enforcement issues. Pre-SFIREG will be held in the Lake Superior Conference Room and begin at 10:00a.m. on November 18.
Contact: Dan Hopkins, 312-886-5994
Teleconference with EPA OIG Concerning EPA’s Role in Pesticide Exports
David Star and Terry Bonace participated in a telephone conference with EPA's Office of the Inspector General on November 3, 2008. OIG was interested in EPA policy, regulation, and practices in regulating pesticide exports. OIG chose to contact Region 5 because of the active role CMB has taken in enforcement against illegal pesticide export and in training of a state department of agriculture inspector in conduct of an export inspection. Gabrielle Fekete led the call for OIG.
Contact: Terence Bonace, 312-886-3387