Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
CLARK COUNTY
MARSHALL

Congressional District # 15

VELSICOL CHEMICAL CORP. (MARSHALL PLANT)

EPA ID# ILD000814673
Last Updated: December, 2008

Site Description

The former Velsicol Chemical Corp. (Illinois) manufacturing facility is located in east central Illinois, approximately one mile north of the city of Marshall, Clark County, Illinois. The population of Clark County in 2007 was approximately 17,000 and that of Marshall in 2006 was approximately 3,700.

The plant had been operating since the mid-1930's for the production of petroleum derivatives from petroleum by-products, including a variety of resins, solvents, and rubber extenders. Production of chlordane began in the mid-1940s. The manufacturing operations at the facility remained essentially unchanged until 1979, at which time Velsicol withdrew from the resin market. Manufacture of technical grade chlordane was the sole product at the facility after 1980. In August 1987 U.S. EPA announced an agreement that Velsicol was to stop selling chlordane until it could devise application techniques that would not contaminate houses. In 1988 Velsicol announced that it would cease manufacturing operations at the Marshall facility in August 1988.

Velsicol's property occupies an area of approximately 420 acres, of which 86 acres were utilized for the production facility and onsite ponds. The former production facility occupied 50 acres of the easterly portion of the plant area. Immediately west of the production facility, 14 acres were devoted to storm water management ponds (2 Pond, 4 Pond and North Storm Water Pond). All process wastewater (since 1965) and all surface water from the facility (since 1974) had been deep-well injected onsite. The 5/6 Pond occupied an area of approximately 22 acres and contained the majority of waste solids and sludges that were generated over the plant's lifetime, until 1980. These wastes were chemically stabilized, temporarily covered with clay, and revegetated by Velsicol in the early 1980s.

The major portion of the remaining 334 acres owned by Velsicol is leased for crop farming. An unnamed tributary to East Mill Creek flows westerly through the southwestern corner of the site. The tributary travels approximately 2.5 miles prior to its confluence with East Mill Creek.

Site Responsibility

The State of Illinois, through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), with enforcement assistance by U.S. EPA, is currently conducting oversight of the remedial work being implemented by the potentially responsible party (PRP).

Threats and Contaminants

Groundwater is contaminated with various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and pesticides. Sediments and onsite soils are contaminated with VOCs, pesticides, and cadmium. Elevated concentrations of pesticides were detected in fish. Adverse health effects may exist for people who accidentally ingest or come into direct contact with contaminated soil, sediments or groundwater, or eat contaminated fish. The immediate threats have been addressed.

Cleanup Progress

Velsicol, the PRP, has completed the construction work for the remedial action required under the consent decree (CD). Velsicol closed two wells between September and November 1989. Deep disposal well No. 2 was not closed until December 1993 after it was decided that it was no longer needed. Six inches of sediment were excavated from the base and side slopes of the 2 Pond and 4 Pond. The ponds were backfilled, using decontaminated, decommissioning debris and clean soil. Velsicol graded the pond area to provide effective surface water drainage, and a vegetated cover has been placed over all regraded areas.

The PRP excavated contaminated soil within the facility, backfilled with clean soil, regraded and established a vegetated cover over all regraded areas. Velsicol excavated sediments in two unnamed tributaries and consolidated and stabilized all excavated material from the facility, the unnamed tributary, the 2 Pond, the 4 Pond, and the construction of the collection drain on the east side of the 5/6 pond in the 5/6 Pond. A composite low-permeability engineered cap was installed on the 5/6 Pond. During cleanup activities, all potentially contaminated surface water was disposed of by injecting into the existing deep disposal well No. 2. Groundwater will be collected by the collection drain for subsequent treatment and discharge to the sanitary sewer in accordance with terms of the CD.

A five-year review was completed for the site on September 22, 2003. The review recommended the continued operation and maintenance of the landfill cap, groundwater collection system, and monitoring well network until cleanup standards are achieved. The review concluded that the remedies that were selected for this site remain protective of human health and the environment.

Property Reuse

The potential reuse of this property will be evaluated during the next five-year review, which is scheduled to be completed by August 2008.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
bernard schorle (schorle.bernard@epa.gov)
(312) 886-4746

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
patricia krause
(312) 886-9506

Aliases

MARSHALL PLT
VELSICOL CHEM CORP
VELSICOL CHEMICAL CORP. (ILLINOIS)
VELSICOL CHEMICAL CORP.(ILLINOIS)

 

Site Profile Information

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