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Board authorizes two more rounds of groundwater monitoring at historic fill site; potential regulatory closure discussed
Summary
The Board of Public Works approved a contract with MSA Professional Services for two additional rounds of groundwater monitoring at the historic fill site at Fifth Street and Vine Avenue to establish a contaminant trend that could allow a Wisconsin DNR regulatory closure request.
The Marshfield Board of Public Works approved a professional-services proposal with MSA Professional Services to perform two additional rounds of groundwater monitoring at the city's historic fill site at Fifth Street and Vine Avenue.
Josh Barwick, director of public works, said the site — formally referred to as the historic fill site at 20 Fifth Street and Vine Avenue and used as the street division's material storage yard — received a responsible-party notice from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in 2023 after testing identified contamination. "In 2023, the city received a responsible party notice from the DNR indicating presence of some contamination," Barwick said. He said MSA oversaw test pits, soil borings, temporary well installations and sampling in 2023 and 2024.
MSA's report recommended two more rounds of groundwater monitoring (one this fall and one in spring) to establish whether contaminant concentrations are stable or decreasing. Barwick said if lab results indicate stable or decreasing concentrations, the city may submit a regulatory closure request to the DNR and potentially stop reporting requirements for the site. "If this is stable or decreasing contaminant concentrations, it would indicate it does not appear that there is a significant contaminant mass that could be remediated at the site," Barwick said, summarizing the consultant's finding.
Board members asked whether a regulatory closure would affect operational uses of the site, such as storing crushed millings and occasional snow storage. Barwick said if the DNR approves closure, the site could be used for snow storage, though operational suitability would remain a separate staff determination.
The board moved, seconded and approved the MSA proposal by voice vote.
Ending: Staff will execute the contract with MSA Professional Services and return monitoring results; if trends indicate stability or decline in contamination, staff may seek regulatory closure from the DNR.
