Letter: Is the soil and water contaminated at the old Teco Gas site?
Have we seriously contaminated soil and water at a proposed affordable housing site known as the old Teco Gas site in North Miami Beach?
On Dec. 8, 2014 there was a planning and zoning board meeting regarding the new comprehensive plan with changes in zoning for the Teco Gas site. Many of us raised questions about cleanup and the answers from the developer and city were to be provided in the following meeting of Jan. 12, 2015.
It is very disheartening for us to see that this particular site has become part of the overall master plan. This site must be treated separately since it has a history of serious contamination. Once the many questions needing answers about its toxicity (ethylene glycol and other harmful chemicals) as the Dade County Environmental Department has called it in the past are answered, then you can put it as part of the master plan.
We protest vehemently your decision to not allow the planning and zoning committee to continue its work properly regarding this site.
We remember some years ago seeing the small lake next to Aquabowl lake with a light green transparent stagnant water where you could see many car radiators and other car parts at the bottom; sadly we find out this 4 acre lake has been filled, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to ask that as this lake was filled in, this earth became contaminated as well. There have been no sufficient answers as to where this very polluted water went. One answer was into the storm water runoff or the overflow of water in all likelihood may have found its way into Aquabowl Lake.
We’re asking you to call in the requisite federal agencies (EPA, et al.) to come and conduct the necessary tests of the aforementioned site. If you are truly “The City Where People Care” about we taxpayers then you will do so. We appreciate your time and effort on this matter.
Brian Rook, Sky Lake
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This story was originally published February 5, 2015 at 2:30 PM with the headline "Letter: Is the soil and water contaminated at the old Teco Gas site?."