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Howard health officials want to test land not covered under new rules
BALTIMORE -
Howard health officials want to expand environmental testing to land not covered under the new county law requiring testing of former golf courses. Dr. Peter Beilenson, Howard’s health officer, is working on a policy that would require less-intensive testing in other areas that may have chemical contamination “to reassure the public whether or not it’s safe,” he said. “I really want to have a policy that has this other tier, so we don’t have to address these on a case-by-case basis,” Beilenson said, adding the policy wouldn’t be limited to golf courses. Beilenson said he is awaiting an opinion from the state attorney general’s office on whether he has the authority to require such testing. The need for more testing arose from concerns over a large mound of dirt displaced for the construction of a storm water management system at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, according to opponents of the development who described the pile as a 50-foot high mound. The county law, passed in October 2007, was aimed at Turf Valley, where high levels of arsenic were found near the golf course maintenance shed. The law requires fairways, greens and maintenance shed areas be tested before development. Developers have applied to put a few parcels in the state’s Voluntary Cleanup Program, as required under county law. But some residents are concerned the mound of dirt contains chemicals that could be washing downhill. The developers “could have tested before they started excavation, but they chose not to, because they didn’t want anyone to know what was there and they didn’t want to stop their construction,” said Marc Norman, a Turf Valley resident. Mangione Family Enterprises is not opposed to requirements, “as long as it’s done in a reasonable way,” said spokeswoman Gina Ellrich. “We’re making sure it goes through the proper channels and then we will do what we need to do.” Beilenson defended the initial legislation, saying that without it, some areas would have been developed without any testing. “We did what we did, because that was what everyone could agree on pretty easily.” smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com |