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County tires of toxic waste suspicion Watchdog group believes leaking barrels are buried in old ammo area; staff finds no contamination By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Jackson County officials say they've spent enough time and money on a wild goose chase proving that their waste sites in White City are not contaminated. Curt Chancellor, of the conservative government watchdog organization Jackson County Citizens Group, suspects that barrels filled with unknown materials are buried out there and possibly leaking into the river. Chancellor said he has doubts about the numerous environmental tests ordered by the county, adding that he won't stop until his case is proven or refuted unequivocally. "I don't trust them. We're talking about public safety, for crying out loud," Chancellor said. Joe Strahl, director of roads, parks and planning, said the county has spent more than $10,000 - not including manpower - to prove that the old Military Stockpile site off Antioch Road and the Denman Wildlife Area on Agate Road is safe. A search for the alleged barrels turned up one old tire, he said. "The site's clean. There's nothing there," Strahl said. "I think this has been half motivated by individuals against the county and against others, probably including myself." The debate between the watch-dog group and the county has been off and on for some time. It was sparked again this summer when the county hauled roadside ditch soil to the Denman Wildlife Area and temporarily stored old bridge timbers at the Military Stockpile. After concerns from the citizens group, both sites were tested by Atlas Environmental, and the results showed that the soil was not contaminated. On Wednesday, Chancellor and his organization paid a Gresham company, GO Potential, to take ground X-rays of part of the old Military Stockpile in the spot where they suspect the barrels are buried. Chancellor said the results showed metal buried in several areas. "It lit up and showed metal ... there were shapes like cylinders," Chancellor said. Strahl said he's not surprised by the group's findings. The Military Stockpile site was used by Camp White in the 1940s and later was mined by the county. Strahl said old metal culverts, no longer usable, and used ammunition are just a few of the many items buried out there, he added. Strahl said the situation has been compounded by sensationalized and false television coverage. "We've got an outstanding environmental record," Strahl said. "For them to be reporting otherwise is dishonest and unethical." Chancellor said he doesn't want to take chances and wishes the county would allow his organization to conduct their own excavation with shovels or backhoes. He also wants to organize a meeting between county employees, environmental agencies and his organization to discuss the issue. "We don't know what's out there. We're taking a gamble," Chancellor said. Strahl said the county eventually will consider selling the Military Stockpile site or developing a park there. "You reach a point where you say how many more tax dollars are you going to spend on allegations," Strahl said. "It's a drain on staff resources to do this dance with these guys." Prior to storing bridge timbers at the Military Stockpile, the site was last used in 1998. The county no longer favored dumping items there once nearby Modoc Orchard's trees were removed and the site became more visible. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.