INFORMATION #3 07-22-2002Minne$ot Pollution Control Agency
July 12, 2002
Dear concerned resident:
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is writing this letter to provide an update
regarding the R.C. Rolloffsite (Site). This is the second update for this Site.
The MPCA is overseeing Assessment and criminal investigation of this Site. The MPCA has
contracted with Bay West to perform the Site Assessment (Assessment). Additionally, the
MPCA did authorize the removal of some non-hazardous waste material beginning Tuesday,
July 9, 2002. The removal of non-hazardous material from the Site is taking place after
Assessment by the MPCA enforcement staff or the contractor, Bay West. The MPCA
enforcement staff have been on-site Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week
to oversee the activity.
Soil samples taken from a park near the Site have shown background levels for residential soil.
This means that these soil samples show no levels of concern. Also, the open air immediately
around the Site showed no elevated levels of concern based on ambient air quality monitoring
conducted on Tuesday during Assessment and non-hazardous material removal.
Additional sampling of ash, soil, components, and other miscellaneous containers and chemicals
will occur as the investigation continues. The MPCA will provide general information ~bout
sampling results as the investigation progresses, but may be unable to share specific results
because of the criminal aspect of the case. The MPCA does expect more sample results late next
week. The MPCA will provide information as necessary if there is an immediate threat to public
health or the environment.
As stated in the first update letter, the MPCA appreciates your patience in this matter. There is a
substantial amount of coordination and planning that goes into this type of investigation and
cleanup. Your health and safety is the most important part of this clean up and is not going to be
compromised in any way. You are welcome to call me at the MPCA with any questions or
concerns, at (651) 296-7271. If you are unable to reach me, you can contact our public
information officer, Mike Rafferty, at (651) 297-8294. If you know of anyone else who would
like to receive updates about the Site activity, please feel free to forward this letter to them or
have them call me and leave their name and address.
JeffT. Connell
Regional Environmental Management Division
Metro Region
JTC:dac
520 Lafayette Rd. N.; St. Paul, MN 55155-4194; (651) 296-6300 (Voice); (651) 282-5332 (TTY)
St. Paul · Brainerd ° Detroit Lakes · Duluth · Mankato · Marshall · Rochester ° Willmar; www. pca.state.mn.us
Equal Opportunity Employer · Printed on recycled paper containing at least 20% fibers from paper recycled by consumers.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor and Cit~ Council
FROM:
DATE:
Stephen Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator
July 22, 2002 ~'-'~
SUBJECT: RC Rolloffs Site Cleanup
The vast majority of the debris on the RC Rolloffs site has been removed. Staff anticipates
the remainder of the cleanup and testing to go as follows:
Test results from the ash pile and soil samples taken along the property line next to adjacent
residences will be received around the 25~' of July.
The results from the ash pile will determine where and how it is disposed. A negative hit for
contaminates on the soil samples taken along the property line will define the cleanup effort
to just the site itself. A positive hit in these samples will mean more tests to define the plum
of contamination will need to be done and the potential cleanup of adjacent properties.
After the test results are received, tity staff and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA) staff will meet with the owner of the property to see if he is willing to conduct the
remainder of the cleanup or if it will need to be undertaken by MPCA and the city.
MPCA and the city will also be discussing with the property owner, the cleanup of the
original contamination left by the junkyard that was previously on the site. The property is
zoned residential. The buildings on the site have no value for residential use. Building and
Zoning staff have inspected the buildings for potential condemnation. The removal of these
buildings will also be discussed with the property owner at this meeting.
MPCA will discuss with the city how to best provide the neighboring residents with the
results from the testing and any potential associated health risks. This information, in,.
whatever form, will be provided to those on MPCA's mailing list soon after the test results
are known.