County sets aside $250,000 for wetland delineation and remediation after MS4 inspection at Randall Avenue site

The county approved an estimated $250,000 appropriation to address a potential wetland and debris accumulation at a county-owned site on Randall Avenue after an MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) inspection flagged the property as noncompliant. County highway staff and commissioners described the site as a valley where materials accumulated from highway operations and other waste over years, creating what may be a wetland or sedimentation basin that now triggers state MS4 compliance. County staff said IDEM inspector Stacy Goodwin identified the issue during the annual inspection. The county will first contract a wetland delineation consultant to determine whether the area qualifies as a regulated wetland and, if so, quantify how much of that wetland has been disturbed by county activity. A consultant's wetlands delineation proposal was already signed according to staff. Commissioners said the $250,000 estimate is a worst-case scenario that covers delineation, consultant plans, and at least initial remediation work such as removal of tires, scrap and certain debris; staff said unused funds will revert to the county. County highway crews have begun on-site removal of scrap and timber where possible; contracted services (e.g., shredding and hauling to approved landfills) will be necessary for larger volumes. The appropriation was approved by the commissioners. Why this matters: MS4 compliance is enforced by IDEM and failure to address noncompliant facilities can prompt fines or other enforcement actions. The county's action is intended to demonstrate remediation steps and reduce regulatory risk while planning a longer remediation and potential wetland mitigation program if IDEM classifies the area as a jurisdictional wetland.