“Low-level residual contamination” in soil not considered a problem at Badger fire

A few more answers have come to light from the DNR after an out-of-control burn ignited an “unknown substance” at the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant on August 26. There was a volunteer evacuation order for residents on Keller Road. Photos emerged of thick orange smoke and there were reports of loud bangs.

In a follow up to the Star News, Steven L. Martin, P.G., South Central Region Team Supervisor, Remediation and Redevelopment Program, from the WDNR, said “we are uncertain of the exact nature of the material that burned and caused the orange smoke.” He continued, “Out of an abundance of caution, Dane County Hazmat recommended evacuation for a ½ mile radius from the source [of the smoke]. DNR wardens and the Sauk County Sheriff Department alerted residences on Keller Road at 12:45 a.m. on Thursday August 27, 2020 of a voluntary evacuation.”

As for the “unknown substance, “The DNR will be asking the Army to investigate that area and determine the nature (including chemical composition) and extent of those materials. Depending on the results of that investigation, DNR may direct the Army to investigate other former treatment pond areas.”

Martin said, “Dane County Hazmat recommended that the unknown substance be allowed to burn itself out.”

In a July 29, 2010 internal communication DNR staff wrote: ‘I’m sure that some shallow contaminated soil will remain in the Settling Ponds, Final Creek, and the Spoils Disposal Areas…Although the number of days of use assumed for recreational use in contaminant exposure calculations is around 75 and the Army is proposing to use 77 days, there will still be land uses that would be good to avoid. It is hard to imagine the Settling Ponds and Final Creek being used extensively for any designated activity as part of the Sauk Prairie Recreational Area, although I’m guessing that a hiking trail might be acceptable, for example, but more intensive uses such as a campground or an ATV trail where the vegetation would be removed should be avoided.’

Martin said in response:

“Remediation (soil excavation) was conducted in the area prior to case closure. The purpose of the burn was to improve the quality of the vegetative cover in those areas.”

He said “only low-level residual contamination remained and that those low levels would not be affected by the burn.”

“Depending on the results of the additional investigations, vegetative management restrictions may be placed on these areas,” like changes or elimination of controlled burns.

Army gets involved, expects delays

According to Cathy Kropp, Environmental PA Specialist, US Army Environmental Command:

“The Army has a very good relationship with the WDNR. The fire started Wednesday evening, [the Army] learned about it Thursday morning and we sent our local contractor out to the site immediately to talk to the incident commander and share what we knew could have been in the settling ponds.”

She continued, “The Army did provide information to assist the decisions made, but we are not the decision maker on land we do not own. The follow-on actions are still being discussed with WDNR. As you can imagine, any work that needs to be accomplished related to the fire, would not have been planned, and we would need to modify contracts for any additional actions the Army is responsible for.”

“We are at the end of the fiscal year for the government, so this would most likely need to wait until after October 1.  Right now it is too early in the process to know exactly what will be needed or done or when. The Army will work closely with WDNR to determine follow-on sampling and assessment, and mitigation efforts. And we will keep the community informed through RAB meetings and Dear Neighbor emails, once we know more.”

The next meeting of the Badger Restoration Advisory Board is September 24.