Anchor QEA is currently performing the remedial design of the Lower Fox River sediment cleanup project in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  With more than 7 million cubic yards of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated sediments originally targeted for dredging and upland disposal, the Lower Fox River has been identified as the single largest contaminated sediment cleanup site in the United States.  Anchor QEA was selected by a group of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) to lead all technical elements of the design effort, based on the firm’s unparalleled record of successful sediment cleanup projects completed to date throughout the U.S.  

Remedial design is being completed under a cooperative agreement between the Fort James Operating Company, Inc., NCR Corporation (NCR), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5.  The remedial design has included detailed site characterization, and is addressing large-scale dredging and transport of PCB-contaminated sediments to suitable upland disposal facilities in the region, and, where appropriate, is exploring practicable design alternatives including in situ capping.  Based on the initial design documents developed by Anchor QEA, a Record of Decision Amendment to formalize significant cost-saving measures including dredge residual management and in situ capping strategies was issued by the regulatory agencies.  The high-profile project is also addressing the timing and sequencing of the remedial action to account for the multifaceted and multi-year components of the overall cleanup remedy.  The project is collaboratively resolving key technical and implementation issues with the regulatory agencies.  Anchor QEA ssisted the PRPs with the procurement of a contractor to perform the approximately 10-year-long remedial action.

In addition to the ongoing remedial design activities, Anchor QEA designed a remedial action within an area along the west bank of the river (the “Phase 1” project area) to address elevated PCB concentrations, which warrant expedited removal in advance of the remainder of the Fox River remedial action.  Anchor QEA assisted NCR and U.S. Paper Mills Inc. with design documentation, contractor selection, and negotiation.  Anchor QEA also provided construction management and technical support services during implementation of the Phase 1 project.  Anchor QEA’s work on the Lower Fox River is ongoing.