MPCA approves cleanup plan for Cottage Grove site

The state has approved a final cleanup plan for contaminated land on the site of a 3M plant in Cottage Grove on the Mississippi River.

3M disposed of perfluourinated chemicals, or PFCs, at the site for many years. The chemicals leached into the Mississippi River from the disposal site, leading to fish consumption warnings.

3M spokesman Bill Nelson said the cleanup will be similar to work already underway at other disposal sites in the east Metro.

"Soil excavation and enhancing the groundwater collection system that's in place, but we're going to be adding more groundwater collection wells," Nelson said. "And then we'll be treating that groundwater through an activated carbon system before it's discharged into the Mississippi River."

About 51,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil at the site and sediment downstream in the Mississippi River will be removed.

3M manufactured the chemicals for use in Scotchgard and stain- and fire- resistant products until 2002.

The Cottage Grove site is the last of four places in the east metro where 3M disposed of PFCs, or perfluorocarbons. The company manufactured the chemicals for use in Scotchgard and other stain- and fire-resistant materials until 2002.

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