The John Deere Dubuque Works site is located approximately 2.5 miles north of the City of Dubuque, Iowa. The site is owned by Deere and Company, which has operated a manufacturing plant at the site since 1946. The plant property includes an area of 1,447 acres located in the flood plain at the confluence of the Little Maquoketa River and the Mississippi River. The waste management history of the plant is complex, but the primary area of concern is an unlined landfill originally placed in a natural depression caused by the Little Maquoketa River. Prior to 1968, wastes were placed in the low areas of the landfill and combustible materials were burned. Another area of concern at the facility is the site of a 1980, 200,000-gallon diesel fuel spill. Investigations conducted by John Deere indicated that human health hazards at the landfill could be considered minimal with the primary hazard being the possibility of dissolved organic chemicals impacting offsite domestic wells located east of the plant along the Mississippi River. The primary contaminants of concern affecting the ground water are volatile organic compounds including benzene, PCE, TCE, and toluene. The selected remedial action for the site is included.

"September 1988." EPA/ROD/R07-88/021. PB89-188718. Additional title: Superfund record of decision (EPA Region 7): John Deere Dubuque Works, Dubuque, Iowa (first remedial action), September 1988 (final report).