The Project

General Project Overview

A comprehensive site investigation is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2007. Nicor Gas and Commonwealth Edison (the Utilities) and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), in cooperation and coordination with the Village of Skokie and the Skokie Park District, will schedule a public meeting prior to the start of any activities.

The site investigation will evaluate the extent of impacts to the soil and groundwater by conducting soil borings/probes and test pits and collecting soil and groundwater samples. The site investigation tasks are outlined below:

• Identify the locations of below-ground structures to define the subsurface conditions of the soil both inside and outside structures.
• Define and evaluate source areas.
• Evaluate areas of known historic activities.
• Define the subsurface geology around the site.
• Evaluate groundwater at the site.
• Evaluate all exposure pathways following Illinois EPA guidelines.

In 2006, a human health risk assessment of the potential risk associated with the proposed environmental site investigation was conducted. The risk assessment found that the site investigation activities are not expected to pose a health risk to people living, working or otherwise conducting activities outside the site. The MWRD accepted the risk assessment's findings, and the Village of Skokie and the Skokie Park District were provided the results of the risk assessment.