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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Aging Happens: Better to prepare too soon, then wait until it's too late ... Chris Honoré: Seeking out the way of peace ... Wildfires destroy homes across Northwest, threaten more ... Aging Happens: Better to prepare too soon, then wait until it's too late ... Chris Honoré: Seeking out the way of peace ... Wildfires destroy homes across Northwest, threaten more ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Not just some oily dirt Comment By Steven Belsky DailyTidings.com By Steven Belsky Posted Aug. 15, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Steven Belsky Posted Aug. 15, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News I read with interest and more than a little skepticism the Aug. 13 Tidings editorial view regarding the proposed cleanup of the Union Pacific property in the railroad district ("Just some oily dirt"). In my view, this is a vast understatement of the real problem with this property. Why the skepticism? We’re not just talking about a few truckloads of dirt with a little motor oil in it. According to a Tidings article written by John Darling and posted on July 23, Ann Seltzer is quoted as saying “It’s not toxic. It’s soil that got contaminated with metals, petroleum and its byproducts over many decades.” I’m not a scientist, but it seems to me that metals, petroleum and its byproducts are indeed toxic materials. Let’s put this into perspective. Southern Pacific launched a remedial investigation and feasibility study in 1999 which was subsequently submitted to DEQ along with a draft cleanup work plan. Summary information on the DEQ website indicated the following, “In July 2006, DEQ decided to not approve UP's draft cleanup workplan because: 1) the previously approved cleanup level for arsenic was too high and needed re-evaluation; 2) the discovery of additional site contamination in 2002 significantly increased the volume of site excavation beyond what the 2001 ROD (Record of Decision) contemplated; and 3) the feasibility of using trucks to mobilize the estimated 58,000 tons of contaminated soil through the Ashland community was not addressed in the ROD.” Using any rational criteria, 58,000 tons is more than “just some oily dirt.” If the average dump truck carries 10 cubic yards of material, that’s roughly 4,461 truckloads of soil to be removed. In January of 2013, the consulting firm of CH2M Hill prepared a Remedial Action Workplan for the Union Pacific Railroad intended to address risks to human health posed by shallow soil contaminated with arsenic, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS) and residual petroleum nonaqueous-phase liquid (NAPL). The Tidings editors seem to make light of the fact that the soil is not considered toxic waste because it’s not radioactive or laced with hexavalent chromium, claiming “it’s just dirt contaminated with petroleum.” Okay, I get it. We’re not talking about an EPA superfund site designation, but let’s not trivialize the situation either. Just because it’s not radioactive does not mean it isn’t toxic. According to the World Health Organization, arsenic is “highly toxic in its inorganic form” and capable of producing skin, bladder and lung cancers. According to the US Centers for Disease Control, PAHS are known animal carcinogens and probably carcinogenic to humans. According to a 2014 Michigan Department of Environmental Quality study, “The presence of NAPL in the subsurface can lead to unacceptable risks to human health and the environment.” While I understand certain residents' objections to having the dirt hauled away through their neighborhoods, it has to be done one way or the other. After all, UP has taken its sweet time in even expressing a desire to clean up its mess, so I am not suggesting throwing up any additional roadblocks to its efforts. The situation is not good, but it can be remediated through proper excavation and removal of contaminated soils along with appropriate site management practices. But instead of loading the dirt into dump trucks and running them through residential neighborhoods, why doesn’t UP just load up their own rail cars and haul it away by train? I’m waiting for someone to please explain why this does not make more sense. Don’t get me wrong; I do agree this is a very positive development and one that is long overdue. As the editors suggest, the net result of cleaning up the site will contribute to the economy of the city. But let’s not sugar coat it too much. In reality, the city has been licking its chops for years at the thought of collecting millions in SDCs and property taxes when this land is finally developed. And, not for nothing, but land developers, building contractors and Realtors have been circling the property like hungry vultures. These are the individuals who will likely end up profiting the most, but that just seems to be business as usual in the Magic Kingdom of Ashland. Steven Belsky lives in Ashland. By Steven Belsky DailyTidings.com By Steven Belsky Posted Aug. 15, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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