Tons of contaminated soil removed

COLUMBUS, Miss. - The Multistate Environmental Response Trust, in charge of cleaning a federal superfund site in Columbus say they have removed 50,000 tons of contaminated soil from the former Kerr-McGee Chemical site. The trustees own the 90-acre former wood-treating facility in Columbus. It’s on the fed Superfund cleanup list because it's contaminated with creosote that was used to treat wood. Lauri Gorton, director of environmental programs, says the soil was hauled to the Golden Triangle landfill. Cleanup work will continue through at least May. Hundreds of samples from surrounding neighborhoods generally show no contamination, she told the Associated Press. Gorton says the trust was given $1B for cleanup of sites nationwide. It is now planning for redevelopment and wants suggestions from nearby residents. (Source: The AP 04/24/19)