CHARLESTON, W.Va. — An environmental report on a Kanawha County park was released to the public Thursday by the Kanawha County Commission as the commission looks to redevelop the site into a multi-sports complex.
The report, which was done by consulting firm CH2M HILL Engineers, states chemicals were found in the groundwater beneath Shawnee Park in Institute. In addition, chloroform was detected in soil ground testing.
The firm also said “there are no current, complete exposure pathways” for those chemicals, meaning those who would use the park would not be at any health risk.
Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango said the results were expected.
“Even though there are chemicals there, there is nothing that was surprising to us,” he said.
The commission approved at a May 23 meeting plans to move forward with reconfiguring Shawnee Park into a facility capable of hosting youth sports tournaments. Salango, who joined the commission in February, has been leading the effort, which involves deconstructing the golf course at the 127-acre site.
The test comes after West Virginia State University announced April 27 it was suing Dow Chemical Co. and the former owners of the Dow Chemical plant in Institute for contaminated groundwater under the campus. The university is located next to Shawnee Park.
Test completed at the park revealed multiple chemicals were found underground, including:
— 1,2-dichloroethane, which is used in solvents for extraction purposes;
— 1,4-dioxane, a stabilizer for solvents;
— chloroform, which is primarily produced for air-conditioning purposes; and
— naphthalene, a chemical used in the production of plastics.
Soil sampling was done at depths from 20 to 34 feet, while groundwater sampling ranged between 20 to 60 feet. The study was paid for by Union Carbide Corp., a subsidiary of Dow Chemical.
“It’s not unexpected to have chemicals there,” Salango said. “I don’t think there is going to be a fear as long as the appropriate experts study it and make sure that it’s safe.”
Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper said the CH2M study will be reviewed by another firm, S&S Engineering. He added the report will be discussed in an open meeting.
“We didn’t want to rely on just one analysis,” Salango said. “We want to make sure that it’s safe.”
Salango said he expects the review to be ready in the next few weeks.
Carper also said financing for the project should not be an issue, as the county has a AA bond rating — which is “stable” — from S&P Global Ratings.