Cedarburg Plant Cleanup

Frequently Asked Questions

What work is Mercury Marine performing at its property in Cedarburg?

We are performing the last phase of cleanup at our Cedarburg property. The first stage was demolition and removal of the facility. We are now removing concrete floors, excavating soil beneath and surrounding the floor, replacing the soil with clean soil, and planting vegetation. The construction project has been developed with, reviewed by, and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with input from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), and the cleanup process is entirely consistent with the way remediation projects such as this are typically handled.

Why are you removing the soil and concrete?

The soil contains polychlorinated biphenyls (or PCBs), which were used many years ago in manufacturing processes performed at the site.

Is there any danger to me and / or my family as you perform this work?

No, our contractor(s) will comply with a rigorous health and safety plan to ensure the public is not impacted by our work activities. In addition, air monitoring will be performed during the work to ensure there are no significant impacts to air quality. Also, dust and residue will be controlled.

Aren’t PCBs dangerous?

PCBs are listed as a probable carcinogen. Our work areas are not accessible to the public, so there should be no human exposure to impacted soil on the property. Also, dust and residue will be controlled, and all trucks carrying materials from the work site will be lined and completely covered. If you’d like more information, please contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Where is Mercury Marine’s Cedarburg property located?

The Mercury property is located in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, between St. John and Madison avenues and between Center and Cleveland streets. The street address is W66 N598 Madison Avenue.

How long will this project take to complete?

We anticipate completing the work by the end of 2012, weather permitting.

What will be done with the soil that you dig up and remove?

All excavated material will be carefully transported to licensed landfills. Material that is regulated under the TSCA regulation (generally material with PCB levels greater than 50 ppm) will be disposed of at a licensed facility in Indiana. Material with lower levels of PCBs (less than 50 ppm) will be disposed of at a permitted solid waste facility in Wisconsin.

How many trucks will be traveling on our streets? Will Mercury Marine be responsible for any damage that occurs as a result of the trucking?

We estimate that approximately 900 truckloads will be transported from the site during the project. This represents an incidental increase in the amount of truck traffic in the area and should not result in any impact to local roads or properties.

How much material will be removed?

We anticipate removing 600 cubic yards of masonry rubble and 6,200 cubic yards of concrete and soil.

What hours of the day or night will the work occur?

We are currently scheduled to work 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and some Saturdays.

What roads and streets in Cedarburg will be affected by this activity?

We have not yet finalized transportation plans. However, we anticipate traveling south on St. John Avenue or Madison Avenue to Western Avenue.

Will PCBs or other hazardous materials remain on the property after the project is completed? If so, to what degree?

An allowable level of residual PCBs (according to EPA requirements) and volatile organic compounds will remain on the property.

If PCBs remain at the site, how can this cleanup not place the public or environment at risk?

We will place an engineered, vegetative cap over the entire site, ensuring no exposure to any impacted soil that remains on the site. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have been involved in the preparation of the cleanup plan and will monitor our progress as we proceed. Monitoring and maintenance of the cap and drainage system will be performed following completion of remedial activities as outlined in a final Operation, Maintenance and Monitoring Plan.

Who is paying for this project? How much will it cost?

Mercury Marine is funding the cleanup. The estimated cost is approximately $3 million, but the total cost could change according to the progress of the project. Mercury is committed to performing all appropriate and required activities.

Is this project mandated by the EPA, the city, the state or any other public entity?

Mercury Marine is performing this work as a result of an agreement between Mercury Marine and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with input from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). The agreement was approved by the Department of Justice.

Are Mercury Marine’s contractors licensed and experienced in such matters?

Our contractor, DeNovo Contractors, is an experienced environmental engineering firm that has completed projects of this nature.

Why didn’t Mercury Marine select a local contractor?

While we are always sensitive to the issue of working with local companies, remedial work of this kind requires a specialized firm that has successfully performed projects of this nature safely and efficiently. Based on our evaluation, DeNovo was the best firm to satisfy our goals.

How do you know PCBs won’t contaminate the city as your trucks travel on local roads?

Our contractor will implement special measures to ensure the safe management of impacted soil in trucks that leave the property. These protocols have been reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), and include lining every truck and covering all loads with appropriately constructed materials.

How did these soils become contaminated?

This property has been home to a number of industries and operations dating back to 1907. We can’t be certain how or when the soil was impacted. Regardless, Mercury Marine is implementing a thorough cleanup.

Have there been any reports of illness or death attributed to this site?

None that we are aware of.

I understand there might be plans to redevelop this property. Does Mercury Marine support that?

Mercury Marine supports the redevelopment of this site, as long as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the city of Cedarburg conclude the proposed future use is appropriate for this site. Any redevelopment concept would have to be reviewed and approved by these agencies.

Does Mercury Marine have any future plans for the property?

We do not have any specific plans. We look forward to discussing potential options with local officials and the community.

Is Mercury required to admit any wrongdoing regarding its property in Cedarburg?

No. Mercury has not admitted, nor is it required to admit, any wrongdoing. There is no dispute regarding the work. Mercury is voluntarily cleaning up the site. Mercury had previously owned this property, but sold it and did not own the property when this situation surfaced. We have since repurchased the property and have begun the cleanup.

Why is the cleanup taking so long?

The EPA process can require quite a bit of time. An extensive study of environmental conditions on the property wasn’t initiated until the building was demolished in 2005. Potential cleanup alternatives were evaluated in 2007 and, based on that study, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA issued a Record of Decision for the property in 2008. We are now implementing that cleanup.

Couldn’t the cleanup process have been accomplished during the summer when school was not in session?

The Consent Decree was not submitted until Oct. 9, 2012, and the work could not start until the Consent Decree was approved by the Department of Justice and submitted.

Where can I go or who can I speak with to find additional information regarding the Mercury Marine remediation project in Cedarburg?

Mercury has a Web site dedicated to the remediation actions taking place at its former facility in Cedarburg at http://mercurymarine.com/cedarcreek/. Also, you can speak with Steve Fleming at Mercury Marine’s Communications Department at 920-929-5340 or email him at steve.fleming@mercmarine.com. Mercury Marine’s main phone number is 920-929-5000.

When will the remainder of the Cedar Creek / Cedarburg cleanup project be completed?

The remediation of the Mercury property in Cedarburg is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012. The remediation of Cedar Creek is projected to begin in 2015, and is subject to approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.