Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
WAYNE COUNTY
WYANDOTTE

Congressional District # 13

LOWER ECORSE CREEK DUMP

EPA ID# MID985574227
Last Updated: March, 2009

Site Description

The Lower Ecorse Creek site, originally called the North Drive site, is located in a residential area in Wyandotte, Michigan, on the south bank of the Ecorse River. In 1989, a resident of the area reported to the Wayne County Health Department that an excavation for a new driveway had exposed blue-stained soils. The Health Department analysis found high concentrations of cyanide in the soils and tentatively identified the blue material as ferric ferrocyanide or Prussian blue cyanide. The blue material also was seeping into the basement of the home and was found in several lots, adjacent to the original site in the 400 block of North Drive. The site area is a former wetland that was filled in with waste material for development purposes.  The site was listed in the NPL on May 31, 1994.

Site Responsibility

The cleanup of the site was addressed through EPA Superfund removal and remedial actions.  Long-term cleanup of the site was completed in September 200. 

Threats and Contaminants

The soil was contaminated with cyanide, arsenic, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Groundwater contamination is not a problem with the site. There is no usable aquifer in the area, and all homes are connected to a municipal water supply. 

Cleanup Progress

In late 1989, United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) covered the stained soil with clean top soil. In August 1993, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) issued a Public Health Advisory on the hazards at the site, after the capping proved to be ineffective. In late 1993, U.S. EPA excavated about 100 cubic yards of the stained soil for disposal offsite and applied a sealant to the basement walls of the house where the contamination was originally found. U.S. EPA also made structural repairs to the walls, due to damage which may have been caused by the acidic nature of the waste. The same excavation and repairs were performed at a residence across the street from the originally identified property. In 1993, U.S. EPA temporarily relocated the residents of one home while the basement was being waterproofed. The residents returned to the home, and the properties were restored to their original conditions. Following the emergency cleanup actions, ATSDR determined that the site no longer poses a health threat. 

In March 1994, U.S. EPA began an Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) for the four-block area, surrounding the lots addressed in the removal. The studies were completed in July 1996 when U.S.EPA selected a long term cleanup action for the site, documented in a Record of Decision (ROD).  The selected cleanup action included excavation and offsite disposal of approximately 300 cubic yards of soil, contaminated with cyanide, arsenic and PAHs. This involved approximately 16 residential lots, including areas of contamination remaining on the lots addressed in the emergency cleanup actions. After two potentially responsible parties refused to comply with a Unilateral Administrative Order (UAO), issued in September 1996, U.S. EPA initiated a fund-financed Remedial Design and Remedial Action. The design was completed in August 1997.

On-site construction for the long term cleanup began in April 1998.  In September 2000, all excavation and site restoration was complete.  A total of approximately 3,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil were excavated and disposed of offsite. On July 13, 2001, U.S. EPA signed a ROD Amendment to address a layer of general refuse found in a park at the site. The ROD Amendment called for implementation of deed restrictions on the park property to prevent exposure of the waste material. The waste is located beneath three feet of clean soil. 

In February 2002, U.S. EPA issued a UAO to the city of Wyandotte, requiring the city to implement the deed restrictions and maintenance of the soil cover in the park. The city has complied with the UAO.

In May 2002, additional cyanide contamination was found beneath the porch of one home where work has previously been performed. In October 2002, U.S. EPA's contractor mobilized to the site, excavated the contamination, and waterproofed the basement wall. Drainage tile repair at the home was completed in February 2003.

The Superfund Final Close Out Report was signed on January 28, 2005 and the site was deleted from the National Priorities List in July, 2005.

On June 1, 2006, U.S. EPA completed the first Five-Year Review for the site. The review addressed only the park area of the site, where hazardous substances remain covered at the site.  The Five-Year Review evaluated the institutional controls, and the monitoring and maintenance of the clean fill cover. Institutional controls are legal or administrative controls which, in this case, protect the integrity of the remedy cover and control the use of the Park area.  U.S. EPA has a legal agreement with the City of Wyandotte, Michigan to implement the institutional controls and to maintain the clean cover.

As part of the Five-Year Review, U.S. EPA met with City of Wyandotte officials and performed an inspection of the site on March 23, 2006.  U.S. EPA also performed a title committment to determine if the institutional controls (restrictive covenants) are in place.  Based on a review of all relevant documents, the results of the title committment and the results of the site inspection, the remedy is functioning as intended by the 2001 Record of Decision Amendment #1.  There are no changes in the physical site conditions, standards or exposure pathways to hazardous substances.  U.S. EPA considers the remedy to be protective.  The cover on the park area remains in place and prevents exposure to underlying contamination.  In June 2008, the EPA project manager, along with MDEQ staff, visited the site and conducted an informal tour to check on current conditions. 

Community Involvement

On January 29, 2006 U.S. EPA announced the beginning of the Five-Year Review for the site. The announcement was made by an advertisement placed in the Sunday News. U.S. EPA did not receive any comments from the public during the public comment period.  The Five-Year Review report was signed on June 1, 2006.  There were no recommendations or follow-up actions currently associated with the park area of the site.

Property Reuse

The majority of the Lower Ecorse Creek site is residential.  Homes were built on the properites as far back as the mid-1900's. The area continues to remain primariy residential, with the park continuing to be used recreationally. The park contains swing sets, a jungle gym, and a picnic shelter.  The city plans to continue to use this area as a city park.   In addition, in the spring of 2006, the Oak Street Site began redevelopment for commercial use.

 

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
Ross Del Rosario (delrosario.rosauro@epa.gov)
(312) 886-6195

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
stuart hill
(312) 886-0689

Aliases

NORTHDRIVE DUMP
NORTH DRIVE SITE

 

Site Profile Information

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