Frisco Promises a Stringent Clean-up Standard, Implements Cut-Rate One Instead
(Frisco)— The local citizens group monitoring the clean-up of the former Exide lead smelter site in Frisco released a letter it’s sent to the Frisco City Council citing what they say is a contradiction between the City’s stated goal of meeting strict “residential” standards for toxic contamination removal, and the use of less-stringent “industrial-site” testing being used to identify that contamination.
Instead of testing for toxins eight times per acre, as required under the more thorough residential clean-up protocol, Exide is only sampling twice per acre, a methodology only used for industrial purposes.
“This is a classic bait and switch maneuver,” said Frisco Unleaded Chair Colette McCadden. “While publicly promising one “residential” standard for lead-in-soil clean-up of the “J parcel” that’s more protective of human health, Exide is actually using a much less rigorous testing methodology designed for sites that will see continued industrial activity. This is not an accurate description of future land use in the “J Parcel,” and is at odds with a commitment to a full residential standard clean-up.”
Frisco has committed to buying the outer ring of Exide property, referred to as the “J Parcel,” after a “residential or better” clean-up is achieved. The 2006 Comprehensive Plan for the city, as well as announcements last year from city officials, identified future land uses on the property that included office and commercial development, as well as a greenbelt along Stewart Creek. The site is directly across the North Dallas Tollway from the proposed location of the City’s huge new Grand Park that will host “water features” along Stewart Creek – directly downstream from the smelter site.
Frisco Unleaded states that the less protective industrial protocol is also at odds with the findings of a recent city-sponsored environmental assessment of the J Parcel, which reported new suspected contamination sites. The group linked the change in methodology to Exide’s deteriorating economic condition. Some analysts have predicted the company will file for bankruptcy for a second time in just over a decade. Last Friday, the company’s stock hit a nine year low of under 50 cents a share.
“We fear this downgrade in sampling protocol is an indication of the inadequate clean up citizens have predicted Exide would undertake because of its on-going financial difficulties. We need the City of Frisco to live up to its promise to provide expertise and oversight to prevent Exide from taking shortcuts that will come back to haunt redevelopment efforts.”
Frisco Unleaded is asking the City of Frisco to resolve the contradiction in favor of the residential standard for sampling and clean up by telling Exide it must abide by the agreements it signed. Frisco must approve the J Parcel clean-up before Exide gets nearly $40 million in cash for the land. McCadden says that gives the city a lot of leverage.
“Frisco city leaders should demand that Exide honor the agreement and work toward a real ‘residential or better’ clean-up of this property. We’re asking that they use that influence on behalf of Frisco residents.”