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Background
The St. Regis Paper Company Superfund Site is located in Cass Lake, Minnesota, on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation adjacent to Chippewa National Forest. The property was used as a wood treating operation from approximately 1958 until 1985. On September 21, 1984, the Site was placed on the Superfund National Priorities List due to contamination of the soil and groundwater with dioxin, pentachlorophenol, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Champion International Corporation acquired the St. Regis Paper Co. in 1985. Pursuant to 1986 enforcement documents issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Champion performed remediation of the Site which included excavation of soil and sludge and its placement in an on-site vault, installation of a groundwater extraction and treatment system, and extension of the public water supply to residents in the Site area.
In 1995, USEPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order to Champion for continued operation and maintenance of the response actions at the Site. During subsequent reviews, it was determined that additional information was needed to determine whether the remediation performed during the 1980's was fully protective. In 2000, International Paper Company acquired Champion International Corporation and its responsibility for the Site.
A field investigation of the Site was conducted in October 2001. This investigation indicated preliminary levels of dioxin in soil on site at levels sufficient that response actions may be necessary.
USEPA issued a Unilateral Adminstrative Order on July 24, 2003, requiring International Paper Company to carry out soil sampling to further evaluate potential contamination in and around the Site. Based on the results of that sampling USEPA issued a Unilateral Order to International Paper on December 17, 2003. Soil removal actions were performed by International Paper in 2004 to fulfill the requirements of the Order.
On August 11, 2004, USEPA issued another Unilateral Administrative Order to International Paper to conduct a human health and ecological risk assessment for the Site. Sampling in support of the risk assessment was completed in November 2004. A draft report of the results are expected during the summer of 2005.
On June 7, 2005, USEPA issued a Proposed Plan to address house dust contamination in residences near the St. Regis Site. A public comment period on the proposed plan will extend until July 8, 2005. USEPA will then develop a responsiveness summary to any comments and a Record of Decision to address the house dust contamination.