Officials report diesel-range contamination at community garden; further testing and ADEC coordination planned

Chair read portions of a contractor memo describing initial environmental findings at the municipal community garden: during the fourth of ten test pits the contractor observed a visible sheen and a soil sample contained diesel-range organics (DRO) and residual range organics. The memo said the DRO concentration exceeded the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) Method 2 migration-to-groundwater cleanup level but was below ADEC Method 2 investigation and inhalation cleanup levels. Cox Environmental recommended further investigation across the site and a meeting with ADEC to determine next steps.

Manager said staff planned to complete the budgeted testing across the site to pinpoint the extent of contamination and to consult ADEC about permitted uses (raised beds, greenhouse, digging). "Any sort of contamination that's found, you need to report it to DEC," the manager said, and Jolene Cox (the contractor) was expected in town to meet with staff and ADEC next week.

Public comment and committee concerns: Laura, a longtime gardener, urged continued hands-on maintenance and warned that leaving plots fallow while waiting for testing could make restoration costlier over time; she also said the site underwent remediation in 2001 when 8–12 feet of topsoil were replaced and that testing continued through 2015 (her account is based on local knowledge). Committee members discussed whether to post an on-site notice and favored a general informational sign (for example: "This site is under evaluation for subsurface contamination") rather than a warning that might alarm residents.

Budget and operational next steps: staff noted that fencing and boundary marking would affect cost; the manager said staff could prepare a cost proposal and that a budget amendment might be required. Committee members asked staff to prod Cox Environmental for test updates now that seasonal field work is possible and to prepare a proposal for fencing, signage and an operational plan for the garden. The manager said Tyson and Jolene Cox would coordinate with ADEC; staff will return with the full testing results and recommended next steps.

Direct quotes and context: "At the fourth of 10 test pits on the site, the contractor encountered a visible sheen and took a soil sample," the chair read into the record from the memo; the manager said, "Jolene is going to talk to them about how their cleanup levels and the proposed use come together." Laura cautioned against a long delay in site activity: "The longer the ground stays fallow, the harder it is to get it back into usable soil."

What comes next: staff will finish the planned testing, meet with ADEC, and prepare proposals for signage and, if needed, a fence and budget amendment; the committee scheduled follow-up discussion and asked staff to report back once Cox Environmental completes its work.