CURRENT ACTIVITIES

In October 2021, Nicor Gas will return to the former Bloomington MGP site to conduct the next phase of cleanup, which will last approximately three years. MGP residuals and soils that exceed applicable Illinois Environmental In October 2021, Nicor Gas returned to the former Bloomington MGP site to conduct the next phase of cleanup, which will last approximately three years. MGP residuals and soils that exceed applicable Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) cleanup levels are being excavated. The remnants of below-ground structures and foundations are also being removed as part of this effort. Confirmation samples are collected to demonstrate that the cleanup objectives have been met. After the objectives have been met, the excavation area is backfilled with clean material and the property will be restored.

What You Can Expect to See and Hear

Activities associated with the cleanup project are typical of large construction projects. Soils exceeding Illinois EPA Activities associated with the cleanup project are typical of large construction projects. Soils exceeding Illinois EPA standards and remnants of below-ground structures are being safely removed and disposed at a licensed facility. The excavation is then filled with clean materials.

• Trucks will be entering and leaving the project site taking excavated soil and remnant structures to a licensed disposal facility and bringing clean backfill to the site. Trucks are covered and cleaned before leaving the site via Washington Street. A street sweeper is used on nearby streets, if needed. The truck routes have been developed with input from the City of Bloomington.
• Work typically will be conducted on weekdays during daytime hours. Occasionally, work may occur on a Saturday. People who are nearby during active work at the site can expect to hear large excavating equipment.
• While the cleanup is in progress, you may also notice occasional odors similar to moth balls or road paving materials. These odors become noticeable at levels well below those that would present a health risk.
• An air monitoring program is used to demonstrate that there are no adverse impacts to air quality in the surrounding area. Dust and air emissions are monitored with portable devices in the immediate work area and by stationary air monitoring equipment located near the site’s perimeter. The monitors provide information to the site workers so that abatement actions can be taken as work progresses, if needed.
• In keeping with standard federal health and safety procedures, workers performing activities on-site will wear personal protective equipment, which may include Tyvek coveralls to keep themselves clean.

After the cleanup work is completed and the property is restored, a report will be prepared to document the work, which will be submitted to Illinois EPA for its review and approval.