Southern Wayne Neighborhood Organization

Arsenic-Contaminated soil

Dirt to stay in Marion County

Dirt to stay in Marion County
By Greg Mitchell | gmitchel@md-times.com
Saturday October 22, 2005

MORGAN COUNTY
Red flags went up from citizens and environmentalists when it was learned
that about 250,000 tons of arsenic-contaminated dirt was slated to be
transported from Indianapolis to the Wallace Construction site on Old Ind.
37 near the Morgan and Johnson County lines.

But that concern turned out to be for naught.
The Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority decided on Wednesday
to move landfill to a different location.
The change was made because it was found to be considerably cheaper and,
perhaps due to pressure from residents who feared that the contaminated
landfill being dumped in close proximity to the White River would endanger
public health.

The soil and debris from the future convention center and Colts stadium,
where several commercial buildings and industrial sites were raised and dug
up, is now slated to go to a landfill on the south side of Indianapolis.

The owner of Wallace Construction, Richard Wallace, wanted to use the dirt
to repair eroding bluffs bordering the White River, the Daily Journal of
Johnson County reported on Sunday.

Although Indiana Department of Environmental Management approved the
transfer of the soil and debris to the Wallace site, opponents claimed that
the concentration of contaminants presented a health risk to residents of
the area and to the river.

Instead of hauling the landfill matter from a three-block area in downtown
Indianapolis 16 miles to the Wallace site, it will be moved about five
miles.

While the cost to dump was said to have been comparable at the two
locations, the shorter distance makes it more economical to use the
Southside Landfill site, the Daily Journal reported.

According to Phil Scaletta, an attorney with Ice Miller, which represents
the State Building Authority, the decision had nothing to do with
environmental or safety concerns.

The process of moving the soil has begun, but officials at the 100-acre
landfill site on Kentucky Ave. did not know how long it will take to
complete.

Scott Fitzgerald, an administrator for the landfill said that it would
charge a higher fee to dump that amount of dirt than Southside Landfill
Inc., 2561 Kentucky Ave., Indianapolis, is charging the state, but reduced
the cost because it is useful for planned construction projects at the
landfill.

Public Meeting

Southside Landfill Transfer & Recycling
Station
2577 Kentucky Ave
247-6808

Location: Buffer Park Golf Course Clubhouse
Address: 3725 Foltz St Indianapolis
Phone: 241-5046
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Day: Thursday November 10,2005

Subject:
The deposit of arsenic-contaminated soil from the Colts Stadium project