Lead Contamination from Old Shooting Range Bullets in Ohio Township Results in $50,000 Claims For Resident

A homeowner in Ohio Township claims $50,000 after lead contamination was brought on by bullets from a nearby defunct shooting range.

Lead-Contaminated Soil in Ohio

Granville Township has settled a lawsuit by agreeing to pay a resident, Mary Flynn, and her businesses $50,000. The settlement, effective on September 27, mandates the removal of lead-contaminated soil from Flynn's property at 3351 Raccoon Valley Road. The cleanup will follow an EPA-approved plan and must be completed by December 31, with preparation work underway.

Trustee Rob Schaadt confirmed that they are closely following EPA guidance. Once the cleanup is certified by the EPA, Granville Township will disburse the $50,000 settlement. The contaminated soil will be replaced with clean topsoil. This resolution aims to rectify environmental concerns and protect the health of the community near McPeek Lodge.

Bullets from an Old Shooting Range

Mary Flynn filed a lawsuit on April 21 in Licking County Common Pleas Court, alleging fraud, negligence, private and public nuisance, and other claims due to underground lead contamination at 3351 Raccoon Valley Road, caused by a shooting range that operated next to McPeek Lodge from the 1940s until 2015. In 2005, Granville Township purchased the property, and since 2018, they have been monitoring lead levels in the soil.

Approximately 4 acres of McPeek Lodge's contaminated soil have been fenced off, except along the eastern property line that borders Flynn's property, as they awaited a cleanup plan for Flynn's land, making the township responsible for remediation.

Clearing Contaminated Soil

The EPA-approved plan involves relocating contaminated soil from Flynn's property to McPeek Lodge's, covering it with topsoil, and fully enclosing it with fencing. This approach is considerably cost-effective compared to off-site disposal. The township intends to secure grants for the eventual removal of contaminated soil at the lodge, but the timeline remains uncertain.

Contaminated with Lead

Lead is a naturally occurring element in soils at low levels, but high concentrations result from contamination. It holds no known biological purpose, and exposure to elevated lead can harm human health. Gardening or playing on lead-contaminated soil can lead to toxicity when inhaled as dust or ingested. Young children, particularly toddlers, are at the highest risk due to hand-to-mouth activity.

The CDC notes lead poisoning as a common yet preventable childhood environmental health concern. New Jersey mandates physicians to screen all children for elevated blood lead levels, emphasizing the urgency of addressing lead contamination to safeguard public health.

Avoiding Exposure to Lead

The CDC recommends removing shoes before entering the house to prevent lead-contaminated soil from being tracked indoors. They advise against allowing children to play in bare soil, suggesting the use of sandboxes that should be covered when not in use. Planting grass or covering bare soil with grass seed, mulch, or wood chips is encouraged. Until soil is covered, relocate play areas away from bare soil and house sides.

The CDC also cautions against growing fruits or vegetables in lead-contaminated soil, suggesting the use of container gardens as a safer alternative.