Rice Lake Computer CaseBy: Kit Grayson

MPCA

Computer BackgroundComputer Background

HistoryHistoryU.S. Congress enacted the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in 1976.Improper disposal of Hazardous Waste is a federal offenceImproper disposal of Hazardous Waste is a federal offence

Why computers are HWWhy computers are HWMost circuit boards contain Lead at levels that would fail ToxicMost circuit boards contain Lead at levels that would fail Toxicity Characteristic ity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) testing. (5.0 mg/L) Leaching Procedure (TCLP) testing. (5.0 mg/L) Testing research has found CRTs, CPUs, and mercuryTesting research has found CRTs, CPUs, and mercury--containing flat screens will fail containing flat screens will fail the criteria for Hazardous Waste.the criteria for Hazardous Waste.EE--waste is Hazardous Waste unless determined through testing to bewaste is Hazardous Waste unless determined through testing to be NonNon--HazardousHazardous

Proper disposal optionsProper disposal optionsManage as hazardous waste and follow hazardous waste rules. (MinManage as hazardous waste and follow hazardous waste rules. (Minn. R. 7045) n. R. 7045) Manage as a recyclable material and dispose of with a licensed eManage as a recyclable material and dispose of with a licensed e--waste recycler. waste recycler. Under State Superfund law business are liable for any mismanagemUnder State Superfund law business are liable for any mismanagement of waste even ent of waste even after it leaves their control. after it leaves their control.

Complaint came into the MPCA during the summer of 2006

Inspection was conducted by MPCA and Stearns County

Environmental

HamlineHamline UniversityUniversityInvestigationInvestigation

HamlineHamline hired contractor to start investigationhired contractor to start investigationThe contractor used a marine magnetometer to identify target areThe contractor used a marine magnetometer to identify target areas in the bay (55 acres)as in the bay (55 acres)Then used a underwater video camera was used to try to identify Then used a underwater video camera was used to try to identify a boat or computersa boat or computers

Full reportFull reportMagnetometer showed one area of concernMagnetometer showed one area of concernVideo of area was not sufficient to determine what was at the boVideo of area was not sufficient to determine what was at the bottom of the lake. ttom of the lake.

Needed more informationNeeded more informationMPCA hired a contractor, who intern hired a dive team.MPCA hired a contractor, who intern hired a dive team.

First visit to the Rice lakeFirst visit to the Rice lakeRice Lake: 1,639 Acres

41 feet (max depth)

4.6 feet (water clarity)

Surveying the bay using side Surveying the bay using side scanning sonarscanning sonar

Dive team sent down to find Boat or computers

32-35 feet down - one to two feet visibility at bottom

Drive Team discovered boat and computers – removes two

monitors from lake

MPCA, Contractor, and Dive Team MPCA, Contractor, and Dive Team had to return a different dayhad to return a different day

Second trip to Rice trip to Rice LakeLake

On a much colder day!!!!

Dive Team attempted to recover Dive Team attempted to recover entire boat and computersentire boat and computers

Sent down two divers to secure lift Sent down two divers to secure lift bags to the underwater boatbags to the underwater boat

Bags worked with out a hitch

Other then we had to drag the boat over to shore still

underwater

Once on shore boat could be handled Once on shore boat could be handled with ease with ease

Pumped water and muck out recovered computers

One boat and three One boat and three cubic yard boxed of cubic yard boxed of

computerscomputers

Computers and boat stored off siteComputers and boat stored off site

Paper work and MeetingsPaper work and Meetings

MPCA had a meeting with MPCA had a meeting with HamlineHamlineHamlineHamline reviewed contractor and dive team write reviewed contractor and dive team write upupMPCA required MPCA required HamlineHamline to set up a plan for future to set up a plan for future computer issuescomputer issuesHamilineHamiline paid for clean up and set up planpaid for clean up and set up plan

$34,000 for 64 computers!!!!!$34,000 for 64 computers!!!!!

The Search Continues……

Thank you for caring about the land Thank you for caring about the land and water of Minnesota and water of Minnesota

Pictures provided by MPCA staff and WCECPictures provided by MPCA staff and WCECIf you have any information about abandoned computer please If you have any information about abandoned computer please contact:contact:

Kit GraysonKit Grayson525 Lake Avenue South, Suite 400525 Lake Avenue South, Suite 400Duluth, MN 55802Duluth, MN 55802218218--529529--62596259

Thanks to:Thanks to:Jason Moran Jason Moran –– MPCA, Emergency ResponderMPCA, Emergency ResponderTroy T. Freihammer Troy T. Freihammer –– Stearns County EnvironmentalStearns County EnvironmentalWest Central Environmental Consultants, Inc.West Central Environmental Consultants, Inc.Captain Cliff Schmidt Captain Cliff Schmidt –– SchmidtSchmidt Marine Specialties Inc.Marine Specialties Inc.HamlineHamline University University