The city of Gillett will begin the environmental cleanup of contaminated soil at Nicolet Trail Campground, prompted by a surprise discovery of pollution-causing underground storage tanks this summer.
Mayor Irene Drake told the City Council on Thursday the city will receive state funds for the project but will be responsible for a deductible, which she estimated at $7,500 to $10,000, and possibly other costs.
“Until they determine the extent of the damage, we don’t know what they’ll make us do,” she said.
The 20-site Nicolet Trail Campground was developed earlier this year to cater to ATV users. It opened in August to sparse use.
Representatives from three engineering firms were interviewed by city officials to oversee the work required by the Department of Natural Resources. METCO, of La Crosse, was selected for the job. Work is scheduled to begin within a few weeks.
After the extent of soil contamination is determined, the cleanup plan will be finalized and cost established, Drake said.
The campground is scheduled to reopen in the spring, but the opening date is dependent on the extent of the cleanup.
The campground’s Washington Street property provides easy access to the Nicolet State Trail for ATV users. The city purchased the property in the spring of 2012 from Westerfield Oil and initially planned to use the lot as a storm water catch basin.
The lot and an adjoining lot owned by the city was repurposed for the campground at the beginning of 2013 on the recommendation of the Community Development Authority.
The salt shed formerly located on the campground property was torn down, and a new $43,000 storage facility is under construction near the fire department.
Several residents attending the City Council meeting questioned why the city became involved in developing a campground, saying it has not attracted the number of campers projected and now places a burden on the city due to the polluted soil and the costs of the new salt shed.
Drake responded by saying she was not a member of the city government when the decision was made to purchase the land and could not comment whether any environmental reports were reviewed at the time of the sale.
Alderperson Rick Raatz said the DNR informed the city the site was closed in January 1988 and it was clean environmentally, a statement challenged by former alderperson Craig Kasten.
“It was never given a clean slate at that time, that I recall,” Kasten said.
“Well, they found tanks. We are responsible for them because we own the property—the CDA does—and it will be taken care of,” Drake said, ending the discussion.
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