Cutler Bay moves to excavate arsenic‑impacted soil at Blue Heron Park after county approval

Town environmental counsel Michael Goldstein told the Town of Cutler Bay council on May 21 that Miami‑Dade County regulators have approved the town’s source‑removal and soil‑management plan for arsenic‑impacted soil at Blue Heron Park, clearing the way for bids and a constrained cleanup schedule.

Goldstein summarized the plan: excavate impacted soils across the five‑acre park “down to groundwater and all the way to the property boundaries,” ship excavated material to an approved landfill under manifest protocol, preserve large trees through tree‑protection zones designed by an arborist, and install engineered controls where small amounts of impacted soil remain around root balls.

Timeline and costs

Goldstein said the county provided a written approval the morning of the meeting. Staff planned to solicit bids from at least three contractors the next week, receive proposals by June 4, and return a contractor recommendation to council for award on June 18. Subject to the council award, Goldstein said work would start no later than August 1 and conclude by October 1, with the town hopeful of finishing as soon as November. He said the town’s objective is to reopen the park by Dec. 31, 2025, assuming schedules and permitting remain on track.

Groundwater and long‑term controls

Goldstein noted the town will conduct a groundwater investigation and, likely, a year of groundwater monitoring to confirm the contamination is contained and not migrating off‑site. The town intends to record a restrictive covenant addressing groundwater use and perpetual maintenance of engineering controls around trees.

Brownfield tax‑credit option

Ralph Casal, the town manager, told the council the town plans to seek a “green reuse” (brownfield‑style) designation to help recapture costs. Goldstein said sale of tax credits under that program could offset 45% to 68% of out‑of‑pocket remediation costs for excavation, disposal, backfill, and eligible consultancy fees.

Questions from council

Mayor Tim Mirabaugh and council members asked about the soil cleanup target levels and whether those limits are science‑based. Goldstein explained that Florida’s cleanup target levels are codified by state rules and reflect risk‑based calculations (for residential use the residential soil cleanup target was cited; a statewide recreational alternative of about 5.5 parts‑per‑million was noted, with Miami‑Dade applying a more stringent local standard). He said naturally occurring arsenic differs from anthropogenic sources but that exposure risk is governed by the same toxicology and statutory targets once soil is disturbed.

Speakers

- Michael Goldstein, Environmental Counsel (private counsel to Town of Cutler Bay) - Ralph Casal, Town Manager, Town of Cutler Bay (government) - Tim Mirabaugh, Mayor (government)

Authorities

- state residential soil cleanup target level (state cleanup targets and risk assessment framework referenced) - Miami‑Dade County regulatory approval (county review and approval of the source removal plan)

Clarifying details

- Work scope: excavation across five‑acre park to groundwater and property boundaries; tree protection zones; engineered controls around root balls; transport to permitted landfill under manifest protocol. - Procurement/timetable: bids issued to no fewer than three contractors; proposals due ~June 4; council contract award targeted for June 18; construction start by August 1; substantial completion targeted by October 1 (possible November finish); park reopening target Dec. 31, 2025. - Monitoring: groundwater investigation and likely one year of monitoring; recording of restrictive covenant for groundwater use and control maintenance. - Potential funding offset: brownfield/green‑reuse tax credit sale could recapture an estimated 45%–68% of eligible remediation costs (town estimate presented by counsel).

Meeting context

- Engagement level: technical briefing with detailed schedule; council sought clarifications on science and cost recovery options. - Implementation risk: medium‑high (excavation schedule dependent on procurement, landfill availability, weather, and continued regulatory approvals).

Provenance

- topicintro: {"block_id":"6237.70","local_start":0,"local_end":60,"evidence_excerpt":"Mister manager, happy to be here... present a brief update on Blue Heron Park."} - topfinish: {"block_id":"7044.59","local_start":0,"local_end":40,"evidence_excerpt":"So thank you for the the summary on that."}

sections:{"lede":"Miami‑Dade County approved Cutler Bay’s source‑removal and soil‑management plan for arsenic‑impacted soil at Blue Heron Park, the town’s environmental counsel said May 21, allowing staff to solicit bids and propose a contractor for council award this month.","nut_graf":"The town plans excavation to groundwater across the five‑acre site, protective measures for existing trees, groundwater monitoring, and a restrictive covenant for long‑term controls; staff estimates work could begin in August and finish by late fall with the park reopening aimed for year‑end.","ending":"Town staff will return to council with a contractor recommendation after the June bid round; the council asked staff to pursue tax‑credit options to offset remediation costs."},