In the 1980s, several state and federal enforcement actions were taken against USS Lead for permit violations. USS Lead ceased operation in December 1985. Also present were representatives from the US EPA, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, and the Lake County Health Department. Evidence of damage from vandals was present throughout the site. A fence was installed around the facility in late 1991, restricting access to the area.
Several buildings are on-site, and have become unsafe through lack of upkeep and by acts of vandals.
A large portion of the area is wetlands, much of which have been filled with primary and secondary slag. A canal drains stormwater runoff from the area, and flows directly into the Grand Calumet River. Runoff from the southern portion of the site flows through a ditch to a marsh. The marsh drains into the Grand Calumet River. Large oil storage tanks were located near the canal.