WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Preliminary results show elevated levels of dioxins in the soil in some areas of Riverside Park in Wausau, according to the Alder that represents the area.
District 3 Alderman Tom Kilian has submitted a letter to the DNR saying the latest round of tests, conducted early this spring, showed multiple exceedances were discovered in the area by a drainage culvert in the park.
A copy of the letter was obtained by WSAU News on Monday of this week.
Kilian has long been an advocate for soil testing in the area and was considered by many to be the voice of the group Citizens for a Clean Wausau before he was elected to the City Council in April of this year. In a brief phone conversation with WSAU News on Monday, Kilian wouldn’t comment on where the issue goes from here but did say he would like to see adequate remediation in the area of the culvert.
In the letter, Kilian adds he would like to see a full delineation of the areas of the park that have high levels of dioxins. Once that has been drawn up, he would like to see the area remediated either through cleanup or capping of the soil.
“If these two actions are done thoroughly and effectively, it will likely satisfy the longstanding concerns over contamination in this area of the park. If not, I anticipate the community advocacy will continue to demand these actions are done and that concerns are legitimately satisfied,” said Kilian.
On Wednesday, Kilian followed up with WSAU news saying he had received a response from the DNR to his letter that was “quite positive and encouraging.”
Kilian adds that the dioxin levels in other areas of the park, including those that would most often be used for gatherings or play, showed no elevated levels.
It should be noted that the results of the tests have not yet been analyzed by the DNR. Previous test results and DNR analysis has confirmed the presence of dioxins in the soil but stopped short of calling the levels dangerous or high enough to close the park or declare it unsafe for play.
Despite that, the city has never declared the park as 100% safe.
Kilian’s letter was also submitted to Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg and the City’s Director of Public Works Eric Lindman.
