Agate Lake Scrapyard sits on 8 acres in Fairview Township, Cass County, Minnesota. It operated as a metal recycling facility from 1952 to 1982. Operations left soil and groundwater contaminated with hazardous chemicals, including materials from transformers stored on site. EPA identified tetrachloroethene, found in groundwater, as the key contaminant of concern. EPA added the site to the Superfund National Priorities List in June 1986, though cleanup work had already started before that listing.
Responsible parties began removing transformers, drums of waste solvents, and scrap materials in 1983. The state of Minnesota and those responsible parties then removed lead-contaminated ash, slag, and soil, along with asbestos-containing pipe insulation. About 300 cubic yards of contaminated soil were dug out from the transformer storage area, and two furnaces were dismantled. Cleared areas were backfilled with clean topsoil and seeded. A remedial investigation and feasibility study ran from February 1986 through a final remedy selection in January 1994. The selected cleanup approach combined groundwater monitoring, institutional controls such as deed restrictions preventing new drinking water well installation, and monitored natural attenuation. Construction of the final remedy finished in March 1995.
Groundwater monitoring continued until 1997, when contamination levels dropped below health-based goals. EPA deleted the site from the National Priorities List in August 1997. A five-year review completed in August 2001 confirmed the remedy remained protective of human health and the environment, and no further reviews were required. The site achieved sitewide ready for anticipated reuse status in December 2007. A Prospective Purchasers Agreement has been completed to support reuse of the property.
Human exposure is currently under control at the site. Contaminated groundwater migration is stabilized, with no unacceptable discharge to surface water, and EPA continues monitoring to confirm the contamination stays within its original area. All cleanup goals for current and reasonably anticipated future land uses have been met, and required land-use restrictions are in place.
Community members who want to review site records can visit the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency office at 520 Lafayette Road N in St. Paul, Minnesota. For direct questions, contact the EPA's Remedial Project Manager.
