Cleanup Activities in Operable Unit 2-5

While the final cleanup plan for Operable Units (OUs) 2-5 (from the Appleton Dam to Green Bay) is still being developed, the Records of Decision covering these parts of the river specify how much PCB-contamined sediment will be removed in each section. In OU 3 (from Little Rapids to De Pere), 2,444 pounds of PCBs will be removed through the dredging of 586,800 cubic yards of sediment. As part of the OU 3 remedy, the ROD also calls for the removal of sediment in Deposit DD in OU 2 (from the Appleton Dam to Little Rapids). Deposit DD will add approximately 9,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment and 68 pounds of PCBs to the OU 3 project. Over 58,000 pounds of PCBs will be removed from OU 4 (from De Pere to Green Bay) through the dredging of 5,879,500 cubic yards of sediment. DNR and EPA have estimated that the cost for the cleanup in OUs 3 and 4 (including the deposit in OU 2) will be $284 million.

For OU 5 (the bay of Green Bay), the selected remedy is monitored natural recovery. Monitored natural recovery involves allowing natural processes to break down, bury and dilute the PCBs until they are no longer a threat to the environment or human health. This method includes a long-term monitoring program for measuring PCB levels in the Bay so that progress toward the cleanup goals can be assessed.

The final cleanup plan for OUs 2-5 is currently being designed by Georgia-Pacific and NCR Corporation, the two paper companies who signed an agreement with DNR and EPA to clean up this portion of the river (see the Administrative Order on Consent here). Extensive sampling and testing of sediment in OUs 2-5 was conducted in 2004 and will form the base of the final cleanup plan, which is due at the end of 2005. Cleanup work will probably begin the following year and is expected to last about 15 years.

Please click the links below to view a graphical representation of each of the OUs.

Last Revised: Tuesday November 21 2006