Invited Luncheon Speaker - February 6, 2007 - Barb Gnabasik

Reserve Mining Scrapyard Cleanup - Silver Bay, Minnesota

Abstract
The Reserve Mining Scrapyard (Site) consists of old industrial dump and a drum burial pit on Northshore Mining property. The Site is located southwest of the city of Silver Bay and is about 2200 feet from Lake Superior. The dump and pit were used by the Reserve Mining Company from 1955 to 1980 for the disposal of products and wastes associated with mining. In 1986, the Reserve Mining Company went bankrupt. In 1989, an agreement was reached through the bankruptcy court that Reserve Mining would establish a $2,000,000 escrow fund for environmental issues. The State assumed liability for the Reserve Mining environmental issues.

In late 1999, Northshore Mining conducted a remedial investigation/feasibility study for the drum burial pit and the dump and found leaded open gear lube, leaded and lithium grease, paint waste, and solvents in drums. The drum burial pit drums were more intact and fuller. The dump’s drums were decayed, crushed, and leaking. In 2002 through 2004, a ground water and surface water study was conducted. The hydrogeology consists of fractured bedrock with significant ground water and surface water interaction. Ground water and surface water impacts were detected to about 1000 feet upgradient of Lake Superior. These impacts were mostly metals and volatile organic hydrocarbons near the Site and diesel range organics near and downgradient of the Site.

In 2005, the MPCA excavated 60 drums and contaminated soil from the drum burial pit. Once excavation of the drum burial pit was completed, excavation started on the dump. By January 17, 2007, 9,550 drums of leaded and lithium grease mixed with solvents and paint, 24 lead-acid batteries, four isocyanide canisters, adhesives, polymers, refractory cement, oils, purple waste, six yards of medical waste, red bags of contaminated bentonite clay, and 9,179 tons of contaminated soil were removed from the dump for treatment and/or disposal. Over 150,000 tons of soil was evaluated to determine if contamination is present.

Biography
Barb's background is BS and MS from University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in Geological Sciences specializing in hydrogeology. Barb worked for Waste Management, Inc. for six months and then went to work for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. At the MPCA, Barb worked in Landfills, Superfund and RCRA.

Barb Gnabasik, PG
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Assessment & Response Division: Remediation Section: Superfund & Emergency Response
525 Lake Avenue South
Suite 400
Duluth, MN 55802

Phone: (218) 529-6266
Fax: (218) 723-4727

E-mail - barb.gnabasik@state.mn.us