Athletic fields cleared for play

In response to concerns about methane emissions from the landfill beneath Goochland County's Hidden Rock Park athletic fields, an engineering firm has declared the site safe for play.

At the request of the county, Resource International Ltd. issued a formal opinion yesterday saying that soccer fields atop the landfill can continue to be used as work proceeds on replacing the methane control system.

The county's youth soccer league had announced it would not play on the fields until a qualified opinion was released.

"This is a good thing," said soccer coach and parent Bob Marcellus. "It's what we were looking for, and long overdue."

Resource International is replacing the capped landfill's remediation system to bring the county into compliance with Department of Environmental Quality standards. The system removes methane from the landfill.

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Readings from 2006 to 2008 showed emissions of the gas at two measuring wells above what is known as the lower explosive limit, or the minimum amount of a gas in the air that can cause an explosion.

The county was fined $11,270 by the DEQ last year and ordered to install the new system.

"The use of the landfill recreational fields does not pose a significant risk to public health or the environment," the opinion from Resource International states.

Softball and baseball fields in the northern portion of the park were never at risk because they are separated by a stream, the opinion notes.

Marcellus said the county still needs to proceed with plans to build new soccer fields. He said the park already is overcrowded and is no longer a desirable place to play.

"I'm glad it's playable, but in general, I'm going to try and avoid playing on landfills in the future," he said. "There's nothing but potential problems."

On Tuesday, county Supervisor James W. Eads suggested that a bond referendum should be held on financing for a new sports complex.

Contact Wesley P. Hester at (804) 649-6976 or .