STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

More Local News

• Marco Island entrepreneur unveils new tourist, travel information Web site
• Off the beaten track: Marco Island couple rate their latest adventure as most remarkable
• Much of Marco Island under water and without power for six hours

Share and Enjoy [?]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’s guest commentary is provided by City Manager Bill Moss.

It should be obvious to all that many citizens are migrating back to Marco Island – where spectacular sunsets, pristine waterways and beaches and magnificent shore birds all help make Marco Island our Paradise. Our retailers, restaurants, home maintenance, Realtors, hotels and rentals, and others in our service industry are ready to make our lives more enjoyable.

In addition, the city staff is ready to serve you.

There have been so many positive accomplishments recently. Fortunately, most businesses have had a very good off-season and we have been blessed with an absence of “windy” weather. On behalf of the Marco Island City Council, “Welcome back, we missed you!”

Your city government continues to replace and improve the city’s infrastructure that is so important to our lifestyles and property values.

One important lesson that has been learned is to avoid construction of roads during peak season whenever possible. All applaud the results of the South Collier Boulevard construction, but achieving those results was difficult for many, especially during late 2005 when a Category 3 hurricane passed through.

Learning from past lessons, the North Collier Boulevard construction work will cease by the end of December, except for the planting of new landscaping within the medians and rights-of-way.

Like many communities, Marco Island has its share of problems and controversies. One such issue is the recent discovery of additional asbestos concrete (a/c) pipe fragments at an area known as “Site C” at the Veterans Community Park.

Last week the City Manager’s office, news media, and a few citizens provided information regarding the discovery of additional pieces of a/c pipe at the Veterans Community Park, Site C. The purpose of this message is to offer information about the findings, the city’s actions with regard to its removal, and to assure residents that there are no known exposure issues related to the a/c pipe fragments at Site C.

Finding a/c fragments is troublesome, but it is not a crisis. Remedial action has been initiated to remove the a/c fragments, and an investigation is under way to determine how they got there.

For background, the Veterans Community Park, formerly known as the Glon property, was divided into three sections and used as a construction staging area for the North and South Collier Boulevard Construction Projects. Site C is a section of the property between Elkcam Circle and the canal (same side as Winn-Dixie).

On Oct. 23, 2005, the day before the arrival of Hurricane Wilma, there existed on Site C a large pile of woodchips resulting from the removal of Australian Pines along the seawall. A citizen expressed concern that these large wood pieces could become projectiles during Hurricane Wilma and a City employee agreed.

During the severe weather conditions, the employee asked an employee of Quality Enterprises to move sections of concrete that were stored at another location to stabilize the wood chip pile.

In March of 2006, the presence of asbestos concrete pipe fragments were found on Site C.

While the source has never been determined, it is assumed that the employee inadvertently moved some sections of a/c pipe to the woodchip pile.

An environmental consulting firm, AMRC, was immediately retained to develop a mitigation plan to remove a/c pipe fragments found on Site C. Air monitoring for the presence of asbestos was initiated, and dust samples were taken at various locations surrounding the park area.

A mitigation plan was developed and an asbestos-qualified contractor was hired to completely remove six to 12 inches of soil from the area were fragments were observed. That mitigation effort was completed on March 30, 2006.

Substantial evidence exists that there were no observable a/c fragments. Eighteen test sites were identified and all indicated the absence of asbestos. There are several hundred photographs of the site to help substantiate the belief that a/c removal was complete.

On Oct. 24, 2006, city personnel confirmed the presence of pieces of a/c pipe in a relatively small area of Site C. An asbestos removal contractor was immediately hired to pick up pieces of a/c pipe fragments on the surface. As the contractor removed the pipe fragments, they observed that some fragments were beneath the surface. The presence of remaining fragments beneath the surface then dictated a thorough review of the problem and solution.

While it is too soon to tell, the fragments seem to be confined to a relatively small area, compared to the original cleanup site, and do not appear to be large in quantity.

One can only speculate as to why there are pieces on and below the surface.

Following completion of the mitigation in March, 18 test sites were staked to identify locations to test soil for evidence of asbestos. Some of these stakes remain today, and there are photographs of each site. At one location, two fragments of a/c pipe were found last week on the surface next to a test-site stake, while the photograph of that area revealed no pipe fragments.

Information changes daily. There appears to be evidence that dumping of some sort did occur at this location after the site cleanup.

Whether that dumping contained a/c pipe fragments is unknown, but remains suspicious, according to Chief (Roger) Reinke.

The ultimate conclusion cannot be reached at this time. Several theories have been discussed and include: a/c pipe fragments were further below the surface than originally believed; dumping of a/c pipe did occur; pieces were tossed by someone; pipe fragments were on the site long ago and are now being uncovered; photographs and the final inspection of the original cleanup failed to reveal remaining fragments; or any combination of these options.

On Oct. 30, I directed an environmental consultant (AMRC) to develop a strategy to remove remaining pieces of a/c pipe. Concurrently, the Marco Island Police Department continues its investigation.

AMRC, the city’s independent environmental consultant with expertise in asbestos issues, is tasked to develop an independent analysis and recommendation. As in the past, they will develop recommendations and a course of action that they believe are appropriate.

Within six working days, AMRC will explore the area that likely contains remnants of a/c pipe fragments. While it is believed to be a relatively small area and small quantity, this cannot be confirmed until further tests and analysis are conducted.

When quantified, AMRC will provide a recommendation for remediation. This will likely involve the removal of additional soil within the area of concern.

AMRC has conducted air sampling on average of once a month since last March. Additionally, air samples were taken last week. At no time have samples indicated risks for asbestos exposure. AMRC will continue to monitor air samples at least until the mitigation effort is complete.

There are some who are communicating concerns of contamination and a serious health hazard with “island-wide asbestos pollution.” There is no evidence to support these contentions.

Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that may become airborne when a/c material is damaged or disturbed. The existence of a/c pipe, used for water and sewer lines in the early stages of Marco Island’s development, is known by all.

While pipe fragments may be harmful if in a “friable” condition, that is when crushed or pulverized so that asbestos is released into the atmosphere, fragments lying on the surface or beneath the surface are not, in and of themselves, a health risk.

The City of Marco Island is committed to resolving this issue. We need your help. Please share this information with your friends, neighbors, families and associates. Correct information about this can help calm fears or assumptions that are spreading around the island.

Next, when you hear information different from this, please contact us. We will be happy to help obtain the answers you seek.

Your city’s staff is here to serve, so allow us the opportunity. Soon you will see enhancements to the city’s communications abilities, a new Web site, facts vs. myths, questions of the month and e-mail fact sheets, to name a few. All of these are focused on serving our citizens better.

We are a community that is moving forward. We hope that you continue to enjoy your Marco Island Paradise.