Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
RAMSEY COUNTY
ST. PAUL

Congressional District # 04

KOPPERS COKE

EPA ID# MND000819359
Last Updated: August, 2009

Site Description

The Koppers Coke (Koppers) site is approximately 38 acres and is located in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Koppers Company operated a coking facility at the site from 1917 to 1979, producing foundry coke and various byproducts such as coal tars and coal tar distillates. The company demolished all standing structures and removed storage tanks in 1981. The site was acquired in 1981 by the Port Authority for the St. Paul Energy Park. Office and light industrial buildings now occupy the site. Approximately 15,400 residents live within one mile of the site. The nearest residence is 100 feet away, and Como Park, a recreational facility, is three-quarters mile from the site. 

Site Responsibility

This site was selected by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the State of Minnesota as a Deferral Pilot site and therefore is being addressed through state and potentially responsible parties' actions. 

Threats and Contaminants

Storage and disposal practices along with the dumping of wastes on the land surface, and various leaks and spills resulted in contamination of both soil and groundwater with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-VOCs, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNAs), metals, and cyanide compounds. 

Cleanup Progress

Koppers removed contaminated soils in the 1980s and early 1990s. In fall 1982, before the site was listed on the National Priorities List (NPL), Koppers disposed of about 240,000 gallons of residue in 20 tanks in a federally-approved facility, and approximately 21,600 cubic yards of contaminated soils were excavated and disposed. On March 25, 1986, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Citizen's Board issued a request for response action to Koppers to conduct a remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) and implement a cleanup plan. On April 21, 1994, the record of decision (ROD) was issued, requiring confirmation of soil removal and implementation of in-situ bioremediation of groundwater. This remedy is currently being implemented. An in-situ pilot system began operation in February 1996. The evaluation of the in-situ pilot system was completed in 1997, and the data was used to limit the scope of the remedial action (RA) to the current operation location onsite. The monitoring well network is being enhanced as part of the RA for the site. The enhancements were completed in 1998; the long-term monitoring activities began in 1998. The data will be used to monitor the effectiveness at which natural attenuation will degrade the relatively stable contaminant plume which exists in the glacial aquifer in the vicinity of the site.  A Preliminary Close-out Report was signed in July of 1998 documenting the completion of the remedial action at the site.  A Five-Year Review was conducted on September 19, 2003. The Five-Year Review stated the remedy remains protective of human health and the environment.

A second Five-Year Review is scheduled to be completed by the State of Minnesota in 2008.  There are no additional updates at this time.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
linda martin (martin.lindab@epa.gov)
(312) 886-3854

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
cheryl allen
(312) 353-6196

Aliases

MINNESOTA COKE PLT
KOPPERS CO INC

 

Site Profile Information

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