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Lake DePue - New Jersey Zinc/Mobil Chemical NPL site
The New Jersey Zinc/Mobil Chemical National Priorities List (NPL) Site (the Site) includes a former primary and secondary zinc-smelting facility, sulfuric acid plant, lithopone paint pigment plant, and diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer plant. The facility was located in the Village of DePue and operated from 1903 to 1989. Operations included zinc smelting, phosphoric and sulfuric acid production, manufacture of zinc dust, and recovery and refinement of other metals. Waste disposal and other activities at the Site released hazardous substances to the environment, including to Lake DePue, and to the Village of DePue, including residential properties. By 1992, most of the buildings associated with the industrial operations had been demolished.
As a result of the contamination on the plant property and surrounding areas, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) listed the Site on the NPL in 1999. USEPA noted that the Site had several contaminant sources, including a residue pile, a waste pile, lagoons, cooling ponds, and gypsum stack ponds, which contained elevated levels of metals, including zinc, lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and copper. USEPA also noted that there was contamination in residential soils, adjacent wetlands, and in the Lake. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) lead the cleanup of the Site up until 2020 (click here for information on the IEPA-lead remedial investigation).
The State Trustees are assessing natural resource damages resulting from the hazardous substance releases at the Site. Natural Resources and related services that have been affected of potentially affected by releases of hazardous substances from the Site include, but are not limited to:
surface water resources
sediment resources
groundwater and aquifer resources at and down-gradient of contaminant sources
soil resources, including floodplain soils adjacent to the Lake, Adams Creek, and the Illinois River
aquatic resources, including several species of fish and benthic invertebrates
terrestrial resources, including several species of mammals and birds
habitat for fish and wildlife, including food, shelter, breeding and rearing areas, and other factors essential for long-term survival
consumptive and non-consumptive outdoor recreation, including fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and photography
primary and secondary contact recreation, including swimming, boating, and other activities
use, option, and bequest values related to all of the above services
other nonuse values, including existence values, related to all of the above services
Following the review of the information as described in the Site Preassessment Screen Determination, the Trustees have made the determination that the criteria specified in the NRDA regulations, 43 CFR Part 11, have been met. The Trustees have further determined that there is a reasonable probability of making a successful claim for damages with respect to natural resources over which the Trustees have trusteeship. Therefore, the Trustees have determined that an assessment of natural resource damages is warranted.