PRECA 07-29-1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Warren W. SChaber July 1. 1985 Page 2 1. PETROLEUM SLUDGE PITS Perhaps th® foremost environmental issue involving Ramsey County is the petroleum sludge pits on the park site. They are located on a portion of the park property which was originally awned by the Minnesotia Transfer Railway (MTR). During the late 1940'x, they leased the property to Northwest Refineey Company which used it for petroleum product storage until 1962 when they moved to another location. During this time, crude petroleum sludge, which accumulated at the bottom of storage tanks and railroad cars, was disposed of by digging a shallow pit and dumping the sludge into the pit. The disposal pit is confined to one area of the park and consCitutes a surface area of approximately 2400 square feet; the depth varies from six inches to five feet. The sludge has remained at the, site until the current removal efforts were undertaken in conjunction with development of the park. As previously stated, the area containing the sludge pits was originally owned by the Minnesota Transfer Railway. It was acquired in 1972 by the City of New Brighton by means of condemnation. The existence of the sludge pits was eventually discovered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency {MPCA) and New Brighton was ordered to dispose o~ the petroleum sludge. The property in question was acquired by Ramsey County from New Brighton in December, 1982. The underlying legal documents supporting this conveyance have been examined ar.d there is no mention of the petroleum sludge or the obligations of either party Ear its removal. However, it appears that there was initially an informal commitment from New Brighton to remove this material. After discussions between the City, Metro Council, and County Parks and Recreation staff, Ramsey County, through an oral commitment by Parks and Recreation staff, assumed responsibility for removal of the material. It was the opinion of Parks and Recreation at that time that disposal of the petroleum residue could be handled most efficiently at the time of park development and that it would be done without any cost to Ramsey County because the funding would be provided by the Metropolitan Council grant for park development. As you are aware, the County has recently entered into a contract with Environmental Services Group, Inc. to remove the sludge deposits from the park site and tranport them to a licensed disposal facility in the State of Illinois. This is being done with full knowledge and monitoring by the MPCA. As additional protection for the County, the contractor has posted a performance bond for the full amount of the contract. .,