WIN000509952, Superfund Alternative Approach Agreements Sites | Region 5 Superfund

U.S. EPA REGION 5
MARINETTE COUNTY
MARINETTE

Congressional District # 08

WPSC MARINETTE MGP

EPA ID# WIN000509952
Last Updated: May, 2008

Site Description

The WPSC Marinette MGP site is located in Marinette, Wisconsin. Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC), an operating utility company, is responsible for several former manufactured gas plants (MGPs) throughout Wisconsin. The Marinette site is about 4 acres in size, with approximately 1.3 additional acres of contaminated sediment in the nearby Menominee River. The Marinette site is located in an historically industrial area which had lumber operations and asphalt manufacturing, as well as the MGP. The gas plant operated from 1910 to 1960. The Marinette site is approximately 750 feet south of the Menominee River and about 1.5 miles upstream from the river mouth at Green Bay. Between the river and the site is Boom Landing Park, with a public boat launch. Formerly there was a slough that was filled in which ran from the site to the river across what is now the park. The site is currently owned by the City of Marinette and the property is occupied by the city's Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

MGPs were industrial facilities that produced gas from coal, oil, and other feedstocks. MGPs started operating in the U.S. in the early 1800s, typically in urban areas where gas was needed for lighting, cooking, and heating. Two gas production methods were used at the WPSC MGP facilities: coal carbonization and carbureted water gas. Both processes produced waste and by-products such as tars, purifier waste, oils, sludges, and acidic waste. Disposal of waste and spills and leaks often resulted in contaminated soil and groundwater. MGPs were often located near waterbodies and sediment contamination is also common.

Site Responsibility

This site is being addressed through federal and potentially responsible party actions. This is one of six former MGPs to be addressed by WPSC under the Superfund Alternative Sites approach.

Threats and Contaminants

Soil, groundwater and sediment at former MGPs are often contaminated. At the Marinette site, limited soil removal occured in 2004 when the city modified the sewer system. Soil at the site still contains polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and a group of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) called benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX). Groundwater at the site flows generally north on the WWTP property toward the Menominee River and easterly in Boom Landing Park. Groundwater contamination includes PAHs; cyanide; napthalene; and BTEX. Discharge from the site to the Menominee River is believed to have been via the former slough. Adjacent sediment shows evidence of odor, sheen or tar associated with MGP waste.

Cleanup Progress

WPSC and EPA entered a settlement agreement in May 2006. Under this unique agreement, WPSC has agreed to conduct remedial investigations and feasibility studies at six former MGP sites located throughout Wisconsin. Because the six sites have similar conditions and contaminants, and WPSC is responsible for each, the agreement allows a streamlined approach to site investigation and remedy development. Some benefits of the agreement include the use of multi-site documents, a mechanism to review the adequacy of past work, and scheduling flexibility to allow progress on the worst problems first.

Under the state program various investigations of the Marinette site were conducted from 1994 through 2002. In 2004, some limited contaminated soil removal occurred to accomodate the City of Marinette's modifications to the sewer. Routine groundwater monitoring occurs annually. Additional investigation of remaining contamination will occur under the enforcement agreement with EPA.

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