HANDOUT #2 06-24-2002Minnesota
Pollution
Control
Agency
R.C. Rolloff Site ActivitY and
Update
Regional and
Environmental
Management
Division
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA) put together this fact sheet to
review the current and past activity at the
R.C. Rolloff facility. This business is a
waste container delivery and disposal
facility located at 13913 Highway 10 in Elk
River, Minnesota.
BACKGROUND
Based upon a complaint received June 3,
2002, MPCA inspectors visited the site June
4 and discovered materials at the site that
can be characterized as hazardous. Samples
taken at the time indicated the presence of
asbestos at the site. In addition, preliminary
ash samples from waste materials that were
burned at the site showed lead and arsenic at
levels considered to be hazardous.
A more thorough examination of the ash and
other materials is scheduled to begin
shortly.
MPCA inspectors believe that some of the
more harmful waste burned at the location
include treated wood, plastic, railroad ties .
and vinyl, some of which produce harmful
air emissions when burned.
POTENTIAL RISKS
The MPCA, with cooperation from the
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH),
will be examining the potential exposure
risks that may exist as a result of activities
at this site.
The MPCA believes that immediate risk to
residents near the facility has been reduced
since all burning and waste accumulation at
the site was stopped. Access to this facility
June 2002
is currently under the immediate control of
the Elk River Police Department. A
polyethylene cover will be placed over the
ash pile to prevent wind migration during
site assessment.
CURRENT STATUS OF SITE
The MPCA has directed the owner of the
site to produce a cleanup plan. MPCA will
oversee the site assessment and cleanup.
At this point, the owner of this property has
agreed to pay for the cost of site assessment,
but the MPCA also has the ability to use its
emergency powers to conduct the site
assessment, if necessary. The assessment
could take between one to two weeks and is
expected to begin Monday, June 24th. Upon
completion of site assessment, cleanup will
begin. Site cleanup could take two to four
weeks.
A large volume of unburned waste material
fills one of the buildings at the facility. This
material will need to be evaluated before it
is removed for disposal or recycling.
WHAT'S NEXT?
MPCA will require soil sampling at the site,
plus additional waste identification as the
site assessment and cleanup move forward.
More sampling will be required as
information is gathered about the open
burning and other activities at the site.
MPCA will continue to assist city and
county officials as both civil and criminal
investigations proceed. In addition, MPCA
will pursue its own enforcement action in
this case.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-4194
(651) 296-6300, toll-free (800) 657-3864, 'I-FY (651) 282-5332 or (800) 657-3864
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