Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 15, 1990 TAG: 9005150480
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Long
But there is no aquatic life on Peak Creek, where the metals are at their heaviest, and that is of concern to water board officials. That is also where their jurisdiction lies.
The board is responsible for surface and ground water. If the water is polluted, the board can take action against the source of that pollution, said Neil Obenshain, acting regional director.
In this case, the board is reporting an infraction by Downtown East Inc., the limited partnership that owns the old Allied Chemical property, to the state board for action at its quarterly meeting in June. Heavy metals have been leaching from the Allied site into Peak Creek, turning the water a rusty red. The color has followed the creek's flow into Claytor Lake.
Downtown East had been given until April 30 to stop the runoff.
Actions may include referring the matter to the state attorney general's office or issuing an administrative order. "We have to provide people with due process," Obenshain said. "That means that arguments have to come from both sides of the issue. This board meeting is the next step in due process. Things don't happen overnight."
Obenshain said there may be a hearing at the board meeting if Downtown East wants to explain why the runoff has not been stopped.
The state Department of Waste Management oversees any hazardous waste contamination and works closely with other state agencies, particularly the Water Control Board. Sometimes, their different jurisdictions can be confusing, said Jamie Walters, community relations supervisor for the department's state cleanup program.
The situation is most confusing during the investigations, when several state agencies may be involved, Walters said. "When that's over, things seem to fall into more clear categories" as one agency assumes primary responsbility. The separate agencies still exchange information.
The Department of Waste Management's state cleanup program has authority over the Allied Chemical site. A field team took samples from the site about a month ago and expects results of the analysis soon.
Officials also are planning a removal assessment for the debris at the site. The study will begin in June.
"We're trying to determine what levels of hazardous waste contamination exist at the site," Walters said.
If earlier tests had shown periodic exposure to the site were dangerous, Walters said, the department would have taken immediate action.
"We're looking here at something that could pose a long-term threat," she said.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will help the Department of Waste Management with the sampling in June.
"They were asked by the deparment [of Waste Management] to come in and take a closer look at the site. They have sampling capabilities beyond our resources, so the departments will be working together to do a more in-depth job," Walters said.
Inquiries still will go through Virginia's Department of Waste Management.
The Pulaski County Health Department and regional health officials decide whether the creek and lake waters are harmful to people.
When the results of recent fish tests come back from a state lab, they will be analyzed by local health officials.
"We're all just sitting here on pins and needles waiting for a report," said Vic Marcussen, a sanitarian with the New River Valley Health District.
Margaret Robinson, health district director, said she wants to get the results from the fish tests before making a determination about health risks. The department has been keeping in close touch with the Water Control Board, Robinson said.
Local residents, concerned about whether they should be fishing in the lake or even swimming in it, have asked the health department for answers. When they call, Robinson said she calls the Water Control Board for an update.
But with sampling results still out, no one seems to have a clear answer.
"I'm not a medical doctor," Obenshain said. "That's who you want making the calls on health."
Pulaski County officials are monitoring the pollution and keeping in touch with state officials.
The Board of Supervisors is supporting the New River Valley Planning District Commission's application for a $50,000 federal grant to finance a study of Peak Creek and potential solutions to its pollution problems.
The county attorney also has been asked to see what course of action, if any, the board can take to ensure clean lakes and streams.
Claytor Lake State Park personnel with police authority are able to hand out citations for dumping - but only along their 12-mile shoreline, said Richard Johnson, park superintendent. The lake has more than 100 miles of shore.
Park officials also join with a local fishing club each year to sponsor a lakewide cleanup.
"We haul dumptruck after dumptruck of trash out of the lake," Johnson said.
by CNB