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Calumet and Hecla Tamarack City Operations Area key investigations Compilation

Calumet and Hecla Tamarack City Operations Area key investigations Compilation

Below is a compilation of key prior study documents for the former Calumet and Hecla Tamarack City Operations Area, known as CHTC. They are very large and highly technical and give a comprehensive approach for assessing potential environmental impacts. Expect long periods of time to view or download.

Calumet and Hecla Tamarack City Operations

Compilation and Interpretation of Key Historic Studies Abandoned Mining Wastes - Includes the compilation of prior studies for the Calumet and Hecla Tamarack City Operations Area.
Baseline Environmental Assessment of Tamarack Stamp Mill in Osceola Township - November 2001. Prepared by U.P. Engineers and Architects, Inc. The purpose of the Baseline Environmental Assessment was to investigate environmental conditions at the property. Sampling activities indicated the presence of contaminated soils at all sample locations.

Brownfield Redevelopment Assessment Report for Tamarack City Stamp Mill, M-26 Highway, Hubbell, Michigan – December 2002 (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5). Prepared by the DEQ-RRD (now EGLE Remediation and Redevelopment division), Superfund Section, Pre-remedial Group, Site Evaluation Unit (Pre-remedial Group). The Brownfield Redevelopment Assessment included file and information searches, a reconnaissance inspection of the property, the collection of surficial soil, soil boring, and groundwater samples, and obtaining x-ray fluorescence readings of surface materials. Study findings indicated the presence of contaminants and need for several mitigation measures.
Draft Technical Memorandum for Tamarack City Stamp Mill Site Analytical Data Review and Evaluation – March 2005. Prepared by Weston.

The review was used to assess the nature of chemical hazards in surficial soil to potentially be addressed during an interim response and to evaluate additional site investigation needs. After reviewing the analytical data, it was concluded that surface soils and standing structures were the main media of concern based on contaminant concentrations.
Final Report, PCB Study Using Semipermeable Membrane Devices in Torch Lake, Houghton County – March 2006. Prepared by the Great Lakes Environmental Center. Semipermeable Membrane Devices (SPMD) are passive samplers that mimic the uptake and bioconcentration of PCBs in fish. This study entailed the collection of data from within Torch Lake and surrounding waters and demonstrated that the surface water in the main basin of Torch Lake contains elevated levels of PCBs.
Summary Report for the Torch Lake Area Assessment, Torch Lake NPL Site and Surrounding Areas, Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan – December 2007(Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11). Prepared by Weston. At the request of the DEQ (now EGLE) the US EPA evaluated direct-contact hazards associated with exposed stamp sand and the potential presence of other mining-era related waste in industrial buildings, ruins, and land areas proximal to the western shoreline of Torch Lake. At the time of the investigation, the evaluated area included recently exposed shoreline between the edge of the US EPA-installed vegetative cover and the water’s edge as a result of the significantly lower surface-water levels in Lake Superior and its contiguous water bodies. The report provided recommendations for further investigation, maintenance, and or no further action.
A Sediment Chemistry Survey of Torch Lake, Houghton County, Michigan, MDEQ Water Bureau – February 2008. Prepared by the DEQ Water Bureau (now EGLE Water Resources division). This Torch Lake sediment investigation was conducted to evaluate a range of contaminants within Torch Lake including previously identified in lake drum disposal areas. The study confirmed the presence of metals contamination throughout Torch Lake, two areas of PCB contaminated sediments, and one potential upland source of PCB contamination.
PCB Concentrations in Walleye Collected from Torch Lake (Houghton County) and Lake Superior - June 2008. Prepared by the DEQ Water Bureau (now EGLE Water Resources division). The goal of this study was to compare concentrations of PCBs in walleye collected from Torch Lake with concentrations in walleye collected from Portage Lake and Huron Bay, Lake Superior to determine if Torch Lake is the source of PCBs in Torch Lake walleye. The study findings indicated that there is a source of PCBs in the Torch Lake watershed contributing to the elevated PCB levels in Torch Lake walleye.
Aroclor Sediment Investigation, Torch Lake Area of Concern, Houghton County, Michigan – June 2009. Prepared by the US EPA Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO). The objective of this study was to evaluate surficial sediments throughout Torch Lake to determine if there are areas of PCB concentrations that might indicate a terrestrial and/or aquatic source of PCBs. The report indicated the presence of a PCB concentrations ranging from 26 to 1,100 micrograms/kilogram.
Tamarack Area Facilities, Task 3 – Phase 2 Report, Historical Archive Research and Mapping from Hubbell Beach through Tamarack City, C&H Historic Properties of Torch Lake – October 2014 (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6). Prepared by Michigan Technological University. This document provided information associated with Calumet and Hecla’s Tamarack City Operations historical structures and operations. The information was used by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (now Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) to target specific operations and potential sources of contamination for investigation.
Removal Action Letter Report, Tamarack Stamp Mill, Osceola Township, Houghton County, Michigan – October 2014. Prepared by Oneida Total Integrated Enterprises, Inc. This document was prepared to document removal action activities completed at the Tamarack Stamp Mill by the US EPA. Activities completed included abatement of asbestos containing materials, waste debris consolidation and disposal, and backfilling.

Site Inspection Report for C&H Tamarack Operations, Hubbell, Michigan 49934 – March 2015 (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6). Prepared by the DEQ-RRD (now EGLE Remediation and Redevelopment division), Superfund Section, Pre-remedial Group. The investigation was prompted by historical findings documenting that source areas exist and releases to the environment have occurred at the properties within the Calumet and Hecla Tamarack City Operations Area. The DEQ (now EGLE) concluded that the results from historical investigations demonstrated that soil and groundwater contamination pose risks to the surface waters of Torch Lake.