&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
On the Web
The following Web site contains
links to important documents
relating to this project:
epa.gov/region5/sites/vim/
Future site concerns
Indiana Department of
Environmental Management is
responsible for future compliance
with environmental regulations at
the site.
Any complaints relating to the VIM
site should be directed to IDEM
from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
weekdays at the following number:
800-451-6027, Ext. 24464
Complaints can also be filed via the
Internet at the following address:
http://idem.in.gov/5274.htm
Special note to residents
Though extensive measures were
taken to reduce smoke, steam and
odors during the project, some
impact on the neighborhood from
the removal process was
unavoidable. EPA acknowledges the
disruption and sincerely appreciates
your patience and understanding
during this necessary project.
Removal of Burning Debris
Pile Completed
VIM Recycling Inc. Site
Elkhart, Indiana
January 2010
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 recently completed
overseeing the removal of a large pile of smoldering wood waste at VIM
Recycling Inc. A large pile of waste wood and soil (known as the C Pile)
located at the north end of the site was releasing excessive smoke and odors
into the neighborhood. In June 2009 EPA negotiated with VIM to clean up the
waste and entered into a legal agreement called an administrative consent
order. The order required the company to remove the smoldering debris by
Dec. 31,2009.
The large pile of wood waste was excavated and screened using heavy
machinery over a six-month period. As the hot debris was excavated, it
sometimes generated significant smoke and steam that was seen or smelled
off-site. These conditions have been eliminated now that the project has been
completed.
The large pieces of wood were loaded onto more than 1,200 trucks and sent to
a nearby landfill. The remaining material, which resembles topsoil, was left
on-site in four long piles called windrows. This material will be composted
and blended into a soil product that will be manufactured at the site by a third
party and sold under a marketing and distribution permit issued by Indiana
Department of Environmental Management.
A long pile, or windrow, of small wood pieces and soil remaining on the
VIM Recycling site resulting from the C Pile removal. This material will be
blended and sold as a soil product.
-------
Contact information
You may contact these VIM site team members with any questions, comments or for more information:
Denise Gawlinski
Special Projects Coordinator
Air & Radiation Division (A-18J)
EPA Region 5
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
Phone: 312-886-9859 or
800-621-8431, Ext. 69859
9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., weekdays
E-mail: gawlinski.denise@epa.gov
Katie England
Complaint Coordinator
Indiana Department of Environmental
Management
100 N. Senate Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2251
Phone: 317-232-4464
800-451-6027, Ext. 24464
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., weekdays
Web: http://idem.in.gov/5274.htm
Paul Ruesch
EPA Environmental Engineer
Land and Chemicals Division (L-8I)
EPA Region 5
77 W. lackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
Phone: 312-886-7898 or
800-621-8431, Ext. 67898
9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., weekdays
E-mail: ruesch.paul@epa.gov
Shannon Downey
EPA Environmental Engineer
Air and Radiation Division (AE-17I)
EPA Region 5
77 W. lackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
Phone: 312-353-2151 or
800-621-8431, Ext. 32151
9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., weekdays
E-mail: downey.shannon@epa.gov
ut> pa
C«
9je|diuoo 9||d suqaa Buwjng jo
:gns 9NnOA03H IAIIA
06SE-W909 II
•pA|g uosopec
(C6T-d) SJIBJJV siiqnd iO
S
LL
Vod o
------- |