The best way to contain the spread of coal fly ash in the Gambrills area is the same thing that many local residents despise ? development, water officials said.
In its options to clean up the contamination caused by its fly ash, Constellation Energy says building over top of the former mines filled with the ash is one of the best methods available.
“The levels of [contaminants] found in the water next to the ash will be greatly reduced [in 25 years], but it?s not going to completely disappear,” said Pamela Marks, a Baltimore lawyer hired by Constellation Energy to develop the remediation plan.
But Gambrills and Crofton residents have long opposed big developments along Route 3, and plans are under way to build a large retail center with a movie theater and a Wegmans grocery store.
Residents are focused on how it may disturb an already environmentally sensitive area, which may need new liners before any construction can begin on the site.
“That development is coming. Folks are concerned about builders following strict guidelines to minimize the disruption of the fly ash,” said Art Huseonica, president of the Greater Crofton Council.
Capping the ash-filled mines with parking lots and retail stores will prevent rainwater from seeping into the ash and continuing the spread into the underground water table, Marks said. But the runoff from the new acres of impervious surface will be directed to ponds, which then could become outlets for water seeping below ground, which could be pricey, officials said.
Residents also were skeptical of some of the data, demanding independent lab testing of wells to ensure results aren?t skewed.
Constellation Energy dumped tons of fly ash, the byproduct of coal combustion, for years at the Gambrills mines. The company stopped last year when it was discovered that the ash contaminated dozens of wells with heavy metals, which may cause diseases and cancers.
As part of its agreement with the Maryland Department of the Environment, Constellation Energy laid out its plans publicly during a meeting at Kaufman?s Tavern.
Other favored options including installing more wells to suck up contaminated water, treating it and dumping it back into local water sources.
“What kind of guarantee do we have that the plan will work?” asked Del. James King, R-Anne Arundel, who co-hosted the meeting with County Councilman Jamie Benoit, D-Crownsville.
“I think MDE needs to take a hard look with their experts and see what?s actually going to work.”
MDE will meet with Constellation on Monday to discuss the option and will determine the best methods. It is unknown when the remediation plan will be activated.
“MDE?s priority is to get the remediation done, but we want to make sure the remediation is done right,” said Kim Lamphier, the agency?s spokeswoman.
