Tainted dirt from ballpark site dumped in Minnesota River floodplain

Thousands of tons of contaminated soil excavated from the site of the new Twins ballpark in Minneapolis were improperly placed in a floodplain last summer, contrary to an order from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

The Star Tribune reported in late April that the 30,000 cubic yards of dirty soil was taken by Waste Management Inc. to a site along the Minnesota River. Contaminated with petrochemicals from downtown industrial sites and parking areas, the dirt was supposed to be deposited in a licensed landfill in Burnsville with a liner to prevent water contamination. The company was using it to build a levee as part of the expansion of its 220-acre landfill on the river.

The Minnesota Ballpark Authority is concerned about the dirt diversion, which could cost more than $1 million to remedy. Dakota County has threatened fines and prosecution of the company if the soil isnt moved.

Tainted ballpark dirt ends up near river — Herón Márquez Estrada, Star Tribune, 28 April 2008.