Byron Salvage Yard sits in Ogle County, Illinois, and earned its spot on the National Priorities List (NPL) in September 1983. During the 1960s and 1970s, the site accepted electroplating wastes, oil sludges, paint sludges, and other industrial materials that were dumped directly on the ground. Cyanide-containing plating waste was even sprayed on-site to control road dust. Rainfall then carried contaminants off the property and into the surrounding environment.
EPA has identified 43 chemical contaminants across the site. They show up in groundwater, surface water, soil, sediment, and solid waste. Key contaminants include volatile organic compounds like trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, benzene, and vinyl chloride, as well as metals such as arsenic, lead, nickel, beryllium, and copper. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and cyanide are also present. Trichloroethene appears in groundwater, surface water, and sediment at one area called Dirk's Farm, and in groundwater near the Home Carbon Units area. Arsenic was found in soil and groundwater across multiple parts of the site.
Cleanup has been organized into four operable units covering soils and barrels, home carbon treatment units, the main salvage yard area, and Dirk's Farm. Early work starting in 1975 removed contaminated soils and drums. By 1987, EPA had disposed of 11,000 drums and 3,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil. The site was fenced in 1984. Nearby residents received bottled water and household water treatment units until a public water supply was extended to their homes. Cleanup decisions required a range of actions including excavation, offsite incineration, soil solidification and stabilization, engineered caps, and groundwater monitoring. Construction across the entire site was completed in September 2003.
Human exposure pathways are currently under control. Contaminated groundwater is stabilized, and no unacceptable discharge to surface water is expected. Groundwater use restrictions remain in place, and monitoring continues to make sure contamination stays within the original area. The site reached "sitewide ready for anticipated reuse" status in September 2013, meaning all cleanup goals for current and expected future land uses have been met. EPA completed its sixth five-year review in July 2023 and confirmed the cleanup is still protecting people and the environment. The next five-year review is estimated for July through September 2028. The site has not yet been deleted from the NPL.
Community members who want to learn more can review site records at the Byron Public Library, located at 109 North Franklin Street in Byron, Illinois. Key documents including the 2023 and 2018 five-year reviews are also available online.
