Nuese Riverkeeper response to questions on PCB contamination in Lake Crabtree

[Jeffonc]

Preface: This is an offshoot from a discussion started by the posting of a news release about contamination warnings being extended - read here for more context:
http://www.ncangler.com/forums/f83/c...unty-2718.html (Contaminated Fish in Wake County)

I have been trying to find a good resource for information about the PCB contamination and cleanup efforts at the Ward Transformer Site in RTP (Wake County). Particularly somebody with an outdoors perspective - searches led me to Dean Naujoks, Upper Neuse Riverkeeper. I had emailed him asking this list of questions and for recommendations on how we can get/stay involved:

Specific Questions:
- how far through the crabtree creek basin has contamination been found?
- is there possibility of it reaching the neuse?
- how long after the cleanup will the contamination and warnings remain in Lake Crabtree?
- how can the public become more involved?

Below is Dean's response, which makes me pretty optimistic about leveraging him as a primary information source.

Jeff,
There is a lot to discuss regarding this matter as it is 30 years in the
making. I was aoppointed by Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker to serve on the
PCB task force, which was instrumental in getting and agreement to clean
up the 11 acre site. Now that the task force is over, NRF will be taking
the lead on this issue. We will be hiring a PCB expert and having
community meetings probably starting this fall. We would love for you to
particpate. I would be happy to come give a presentation to your group
and discuss this in further detail. Yes there are concerns about
contamination down to the Neuse River and the state will begin testing.
The signs will likely be up for many years, possibly decades unless the
communtiy demands something be done to fix this problem. In the mean
time, this is a letter that I sent to Wake County Representative
Jennifer Weiss and several other Wake Representatives. This should give
you a little more information. Look forward to meeting with you.

Dean Naujoks, Upper Neuse Riverkeeper

His letter to Representative Weiss gives a great summary of the situation, but I'm not comfortable sharing it here on the forum. I've asked him to post a copy at the Neuse River Foundation Website - Neuse RIVERKEEPER©. He says he'll work on it but in the meantime, PM or email me and I'll forward a copy offline.