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A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SITE REMEDIATION OF CONTAMINATION LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE OF DEPUE AND SURROUNDING AREAS.
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WHEREAS, from 1903 until 1987, certain persons or entities engaged in zinc ore processing and the production of sulfuric acid, diammonium phosphate fertilizer, and/or lithopone pain pigment at a manufacturing facility in or around the municipal boundaries of the Village of DePue; and
WHEREAS, during the eighty-four (84) years of manufacture of zinc products and sulfuric acid, diammonium phosphate and fertilizers at the facility, large quantities of toxic metals including zinc, lead, arsenic, cadmium chromium and copper were generated, stored and stockpiled in such a manner as to be at levels toxic to human, animal and plant life throughout the land comprising the Village of DePue and Lake DePue; and
WHEREAS, byproducts from the manufacturing operations carried out for eighty-four (84) years at the facility site were stored in such a manner as to allow for the migration of toxic metals and exposure to other areas in and around the storage sites; and
WHEREAS, Lake DePue, a once pristine 600+ acre, spring-fed lake, is now contaminated with levels of zinc, lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and copper substantially beyond trace amounts occurring naturally; and
WHEREAS, the Village of DePue is home to one of the twenty (20 worst toxic sites on the National Priority List for the Superfund Program maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency; and
WHEREAS, fifteen (15) years have passed since entry of the Interim Consent Order in Bureau County Cause No. 95-CH-18; a cause filed by the Illinois Attorney General against those certain persons or entities with respect to the operation and/or ownership of the Site on which Hazardous Substances have come to be located and released; however, the Site remains contaminated at the present time and there appears to be no immediate plan for a timely and comprehensive remediation of the Site; and
WHEREAS, the environmental risks and impacts posed by the contamination rise to the level of a regional concern, extending beyond the physical boundaries of the Village of DePue; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Orland Park is desirous of voicing its continued support for environmental site remediation of the contamination located within the Village of DePue and surrounding areas.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Orland Park, Cook and Will Counties, Illinois as follows:
That a request for a timely and comprehensive environmental site remediation of the contamination located within the Village of DePue and surrounding areas, be and the same is hereby made of the responsible persons and entities and/or applicable government actors or agencies.
That the Village Clerk transmits a copy of this Resolution to such responsible persons and/or applicable government actors or agencies designated by the Village President.
That the Village Clerk transmits a copy of this Resolution to the Village of DePue, in care of the Village Clerk, P.O. Box #500, DePue, IL 61322.