&EFA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
River Cleanup Continues
Moss-American Superfund Site
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
November 2003
For more information...
Russell Hart
Remedial Project Manager
(312) 886-4844 or
(800) 621-8431 Ext. 64844, weekdays
9 a.m. -4:30 p.m.
hart.russell@epa. gov
Susan Pastor
Community Involvement Coordinator
(312)353-1325
(800) 621-8431 Ext. 31325, weekdays
9 a.m. -4:30 p.m.
pastor. susan@epa. gov
Site-related documents may
be reviewed at:
Mill Road Library
643 IN. 76th St.
Milwaukee
www. epa. gov/region5/sites/mossamerican
Segment 1 update
The cleanup plan for segments 2 and
3 were designed while the segment 1
cleanup was underway. Segment 1,
from Brown Deer to Bradley roads,
was completed earlier this year. It was
rerouted downstream about a mile to the
Wisconsin and Southern Railroad bridge.
Many of the techniques used to reroute
segment 1 will be used on segments 2
and 3. Segment 1 now has new quiet
pools and faster-flowing areas and curves.
Topsoil was removed and stored for
future planting. Contaminated sediment
was removed with much of it taken to the
Moss-American property to be treated
(cleaned) and placed in a covered area.
During all phases of the cleanup, EPA and
Kerr-McGee will continue to work closely
with Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources, Milwaukee County, city of
Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Metropolitan
sewerage district.
Work on segments 2 and 3 of the Little Menomonee River may look like this (segment 1)
while they are being rerouted.
Two segments of the Little Menomonee River will be rerouted to a new river channel
beginning this month as part of the river's overall cleanup plan at the Moss-American
Superfund site on Milwaukee's northwest side. After the rerouting, river mud (which
is called sediment) contaminated with cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydro-
carbons will be removed from its current channel. The entire site includes about six
miles of river divided into five segments and its associated floodplain downstream of
the former Moss-American wood-treating plant on Granville Road.
Segments 2 and 3 cleanup details
Cleanup of these two segments, from Bradley to Good Hope roads and from Good
Hope to Mill roads respectively, will be done over the next two years. While many
of the cleanup components are the same as those of segment 1, there are several new
ones. Some of the more practical new features involve improvements in the habitat
(natural homes) for fish, recreational opportunities, and public safety. Maintenance
requirements, erosion, and environmental disruption to the area will be minimal. In
addition, while new channel sections may differ slightly from existing river locations,
the overall floodplain will be maintained.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will continue to oversee the cleanup. Kerr-
McGee Corp., a former owner of the Moss-American property, has the responsibility
for developing the cleanup design and rerouting the river. EPA and Kerr-McGee will
ensure that important environmental elements, such as trees and shrubs, are preserved
as much as possible.
Other cleanup goals include saving high-quality wetlands, avoiding the habitat of the
Butler's garter snake (which has been placed on Wisconsin's threatened species list),
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preserving as many trees as possible, planting new tree "clusters"
for added shade, planting native grasses and shrubs that will fit
in with the area, and controlling the growth of invasive plants
such as garlic mustard grass and buckthorn. Any trees that are
cut down and selected for reuse within the new river channel to
help create a desirable habitat for fish will be anchored down so
they will not interfere with the river flow or be carried down-
stream forming dams along the way. In exchange for the loss
of wetlands and trees in segment 1, which was a concern to the
community, new wetlands will be created in segment 2 where
2 acres of lower-quality trees and shrubs will be removed.
So a "footprint" of the cleanup work will be less noticeable,
smaller roads will be built using a new technique whenever
possible as new channel sections are dug for sediment and soil
to be hauled away. This will also reduce the number of trees
taken down as compared to segment 1. As work progresses in
segments 2 and 3, damage to nearby hiking/biking trails will
be kept to a minimum. For safety reasons, the footbridge in
segment 3 will be temporarily closed while heavy-duty construc-
tion equipment is in use. EPA and Kerr-McGee are working with
Milwaukee Parks and Recreation to ensure that this is properly
and safely done. In addition, arrangements may be made to have
occasional police patrols in this area for safety reasons.
Projected cleanup schedule
Work on the river reroute is expected to resume by Thanksgiving.
Initially, preparation of new channel sections in segments 2 and
3 will be the focus. This will last through March 2004. Next
summer, herbicides will be sprayed on the most intense, invasive
plant growth with reed canary grass and box elder as the primary
targets. This should help create a better aquatic habitat along the
new channel.
From late summer 2004 through March 2005, the heaviest and
most noticeable work will be done. This will include draining
current sections of the river that are to be replaced by the newly
excavated sections, removing the most contaminated sediment
(mud) from the old channel segments and drilling and grading the
old segments. During this time, the new channel will be stabi-
lized, or balanced, to prevent erosion while water flow from some
of the existing sections will be diverted into the new sections.
As segments 2 and 3 are being rerouted, the cleanup plan for
segments 4 and 5 will be developed. Cleanup of segment 4, from
Mill to Silver Spring roads, and segment 5, from Silver Spring to
Hampton roads, could start in late 2005.
&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 5
Office of Public Affairs (P-19J)
77 W.Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
MOSS-AMERICAN SUPERFUND SITE: River Cleanup Continues
This fact sheet is printed on paper made of recycled fibers.
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