The DEQ and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been conducting soil and groundwater investigations and response activities at the Property from 2003 to the present.  In 2002/2003, at the request of the DEQ, the EPA removed all the containers of chemicals and waste that were left behind and fenced a portion of the site.

In 2003, the DEQ performed an electromagnetic survey and test pitting to find buried metal objects (e.g. drums, underground storage tanks), 100 soil borings up to 95 feet in depth to determine the extent of soil and groundwater contamination, dust and concrete floor sampling to determine the extent of contamination in the building materials, the onsite injection well abandoned and installed 15 monitoring wells to monitor groundwater contamination.

In 2004, the DEQ performed aquifer testing to determine aquifer conditions at the site, Perry Creek surface water flow and groundwater plume discharge evaluation to determine whether the groundwater contamination is discharging completely to Perry Creek, pore water sampling in Perry Creek to determine the extent of the discharge area of the groundwater contamination and biannual sampling of the existing monitoring well network and Perry Creek to monitor the contamination.

In 2005, the DEQ conducted 190 soil borings and collected 1,700 soil samples to determine the extent of soil contamination, additional soil borings to 150’ below grade to determine the vertical extent of the groundwater contamination, additional pore water sampling to refine the extent of the plume discharge area in Perry Creek and determine if the floodplain east of Perry Creek has been impacted, installed 11 additional monitoring wells to monitor groundwater contamination and biannual sampling of the well network and Perry Creek to monitor the contamination.

In 2006, the DEQ performed a geophysical investigation to identify potential conductive contaminants in the groundwater and clay surfaces with estimated thicknesses, additional borings up to 430 feet in depth to determine if underlying groundwater aquifers have been contaminated, additional pore water sampling in Perry Creek and the surrounding floodplain to determine the extent of the groundwater contamination on the East side of the creek, installed 6 additional monitor wells to monitor groundwater contamination and biannual sampling of the monitoring well network and Perry Creek to monitor the contamination

In March 2006, the USEPA installed a security fence around the entire building and access drive to the site to prevent unauthorized access.  In May 2006, the EPA removed approximately 9,500 tons of contaminated soil and buried sludge from the site.  In July 2006, the EPA cleaned the interior of the on-site buildings to facilitate demolition.  The equipment and scrap metal were cleaned and placed outside the building for disposal, the free dust was vacuumed, interior surfaces pressure washed, and all remaining hazardous debris, sludge and wastewater were disposed of from the building.

In 2007, the DEQ conducted the demolition of the former Hoskins Manufacturing buildings, excavation and disposal of 1,400 tons of additional contaminated soil from pickling line area after demolition, macroinvertebrate study at Perry Creek to determine whether the aquatic community has been impacted by the discharge of the contaminated groundwater to the creek, sampling of sediment in Perry Creek to determine the extent of contamination and conduct toxicity testing and performed biannual groundwater and surface water sampling in the network of monitoring wells to monitor the groundwater contamination.

In the spring of 2008, the DEQ, with the assistance of STS, assessed the metals, chlorides, and chlorinated volatile organic compounds in the soil, groundwater, and surface water using a variety of investigative techniques.  STS has been contracted by the State of Michigan to perform Remedial Investigation (RI) activities and evaluate alternatives for potential remediation.  The majority of on-site activities were conducted during the remedial investigation in the spring of 2008.  The following is a brief description of tasks to be completed during the RI:

• Shallow source investigation and delineation using direct push sampling techniques to 25 feet bgs.
• Deep aquifer investigation, up to 450 feet below ground surface (bgs), using rotosonic drilling and vertical aquifer sampling.
• Deep soil borings, up to 65 feet bgs, using rotosonic drilling to delineate deep soil contamination and shallow groundwater quality.
• Installation of nested monitoring wells to assess and monitor groundwater characteristics and quality within multiple aquifers.
• Groundwater elevation measurements and monitoring well sampling to assess seasonal fluctuations in water levels and groundwater flows and to monitor contaminant migration.
• Surface water sampling and flow evaluation of Perry Creek to assess the seasonal hydraulic characteristics and monitor surface water quality.

In May 2008, 21 permanent sampling points were installed in the floodplain surrounding Perry Creek in the area where the groundwater is discharging to the creek.  In October 2008, six more permanent sampling points were installed in and around Perry Creek.  The Perry Creek sampling points will be sampled biannually with the monitoring wells.

From the fall of 2003 through 2009, groundwater sampling in the onsite monitoring wells has been and will be performed biannually to monitor the status of the groundwater contamination.

Based upon the results of these and past investigative activities, the DEQ will complete a feasibility study to identify, evaluate, and propose a remediation alternative which will address the risk to human health and the environment.