DELMAR, Md. - Wicomico County officials are looking into a 235-acre land donation they passed up on last year.
The Wicomico County Council rejected the free property, estimated to be worth over $1 million, because of metals found in the soils. But new testing, done by the property owner and Maryland Department of Environment show that the land had only trace amounts of metals.
"It came back that the higher levels that we brought forward were poor sampling. And overall with over 50 soil tests around the site and additional groundwater tests that there isn't a threat to human health," Young said.
After going before the council last month, Young was assigned to perform a cost-benefit analysis on the property. The analysis showed that the soils from the 16 and 21 acre ponds on site could be used for the county's landfill. The estimated $5 million operation over the course of eight years would be significantly cheaper than buying the necessary soil to maintain the landfill.
"The latest estimates say 22 years remain of the current landfill and basically even with the soil that we're talking about here, we don't have enough to close it in its current shape," Young said.
And by creating deeper trenches in those ponds, activities for the community to enjoy could form.
"We would be creating water features for however the park manifests itself, we would have open water. Whether it's kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding. These easily could be stocked for fish," Young said.
Young is going before the council on Tuesday night with the new findings. If the council approves the land donation, the next steps would include a master plan for the property, which would require community input.
