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March 9, 2001 For more information, contact Kristen Thornton, Site Investigation and Restoration Branch, 302-395-2600; or Steve Schilly, at the Division of Parks and Recreation, 302-739-4405. DNREC to Continue Investigation of Potentially Contaminated Sites Near Governor Bacon Health Center Next Month Access Limited in Some Areas of Fort DuPont State ParkThe Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's Site Investigation and Restoration Branch (SIRB) is continuing its investigation and possible remediation of two landfill areas at Fort DuPont State Park and adjacent Fish and Wildlife area in Delaware City near the Governor Bacon Health Center. The U.S. Department of Defense formerly used the potentially contaminated landfills and as a result, DNREC's preliminary investigation indicates that the sites may contain subsurface unexploded ordnance. Fort DuPont was used as a military installation as far back as the Civil War. Soil sampling at the site was completed in December 2000. In order to ensure the safety of the public and in preparation for the environmental assessment project, SIRB has taken action to close the areas of potential concern as well as adjacent areas that might provide access to the public. The River View Trail and a portion of the Park's beach area on the Delaware River will be closed until the ordnance survey has been completed. The partial closing of the trail will allow SIRB full access to the areas of possible contamination and ensure public safety for the duration of the project. All other areas of the Fort DuPont State Park that are currently open for recreation such as picnics, tennis, boat access and bird watching present no threat to public safety and will remain open. Further investigation activities will include sediment sampling of the Delaware River, monitoring well installation, ground water sampling and ordnance surveying of the walking trails. This project is being initiated as a result of a portion of a $125,500 Environmental Protection Agency grant awarded to DNREC. The grant money is awarded from the EPA in cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers under their Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection Program for Formerly Used Defense Sites. -30- |
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