End in sight for EPA cleanup of contaminated soil in St. Clair Shores – The Macomb Daily
The years-long and expensive cleanup effort for the Ten Mile Drain Superfund site in St. Clair Shores appears to be nearing the finish line.
Federal regulators with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hope to excavate a polluted storm sewer system this summer. The EPA said earlier this week it had completed plans for removing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at the intersection of Bon Brae Street and Harper Avenue, north of 10 Mile Road.
St. Clair Shores Mayor Kip Walby said Thursday he wanted to commend the agency for its commitment to the environmental hazard that began with reports of reports of illegal dumping and resulted in high levels of cancer-causing chemicals in area canals some 20 years ago.
“The EPA has never left the site so I’m hopeful for a thorough cleanup of the properties,” Walby said. “They’ve had continual testing and studies in progress for about 50 residential properties and two commercial studies for quite a while. I believe their goal is to finish most of it this year.”
According to the EPA’s fourth and most recent record of decision, crews will excavate and remove six manhole vaults, 2,000-plus feet of concrete pipe, stone and other backfill material. The work will eliminate the risk that utility workers encounter PCB contamination and will prevent the ongoing release of PCBs through the storm sewer system.
The system is 15 feet below ground and discharges into the Lange and Revere Street canals, which connect to Lake St. Clair. Those waterways provide recreational boating access to the lake for approximately 125 homes and are also used for swimming and fishing.
EPA officials said their plans follow a review of view of public comments during a 2023 informational session with city officials and residents in the area.
The next step is the remedial design phase, when the EPA will develop a detailed cleanup plan to implement the selected remedy that they hope will remove “most” of the PCBs, officials said.
This summer, the EPA will resume cleanup of PCB-contaminated soil at residential and commercial properties. The agency has completed cleanup at 37 residential properties and plans to clean up the remaining 23 residential and one commercial property.
EPA’s cleanup plan involves excavating and removing six manhole vaults and a 2,110-foot segment of concrete pipe along with stone bedding and backfill materials. This will prevent further release of PCBs through the storm sewer system to the sediments in the canals and protect utility workers from the risk of exposure to PCBs, officials said.
A “historical” PCB release from a local parking lot is thought to have contaminated adjacent properties and the underground storm sewer system, the agency’s report states.
No figures were included for the cleanup effort this week, but officials have estimated in the past the cost will be about $25 million.
The residential cleanup is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which authorizes up to $108 billion for public transportation and other projects. It is provided at no cost to homeowners and residents.
What are PCBs?
According to an EPA timeline of the project, PCBs were first identified in the drains in 2001. PCBs are man-made chemicals that were banned in 1979. They cause cancer and can damage reproductive, immune, neurologic and other systems.
PCBs refer to a group of manmade organic chemicals consisting of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine atoms. They have no taste or smell.
PCBs were commercially manufactured from 1929 until production was banned in 1979 by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). PCBs do not readily break down once in the environment. They can remain for long periods cycling between air, water and soil.
Environmental officials said the PCBs “are very thick and stick to things, including concrete.”
PCBs can accumulate in the parts of plants and food crops that are above ground. They can also be taken into the bodies of small organisms and fish.
