EPA wants to take part of Gary’s Lake Sandy Jo Superfund off toxic list

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants public feedback on its plan to remove parts of the Lake Sandy Jo (former M&M Landfill) Superfund site off the list of the nation’s most polluted places.

Public comments will be open through Dec. 21.

“The agency has determined that the required soil cleanup has been completed at the landfill portion of the site and no further action other than operation and maintenance, monitoring and five-year reviews, is necessary,” according to a release.

Located in Gary’s Black Oak section, the 50-acre site, 3615 W. 25th Ave. is a former 40-foot-deep water-filled borrow pit. The lake was dug to support construction of Interstate 94. It was later illegally filled with demolition debris and garage and industrial waste from 1971 to 1980. EPA made it a Superfund cleanup site in 1982.

The EPA said its cleanup remedy has included a clean soil cover, fencing and extending drinking water lines for nearby houses. IDEM, with EPA oversight, has overseen it since the 1990s, including making sure toxic land is notre purposed, monitoring groundwater and maintaining the soil cover.

The soil within the landfill and most of the nearby property is slated for removal off the National Priorities List, i.e. the U.S.’ most polluted places.

Groundwater and a few adjacent properties would stay on the Superfund list.

The site’s next 5-year review is scheduled in 2021. So far, it includes an evaluation of cleanup requirements, effectiveness, maintenance and monitoring efforts.

Last month, The EPA said cleanup was done at MIDCO II near the Gary airport, a Superfund cleanup site since 1986.

For Lake Sandy Jo, public comments can be sent online. For more information, contact Karen Cibulskis, U.S. EPA Region 5, cibulskis.karen@epa.gov or 312-886-1843.