Waste site's transition to park nearly complete

After years of work, a hazardous materials site in Swift Falls is nearly cleaned up, and officials are turning the three-acre site into a park along the Chippewa River.

Residents have been trying to get Midwest Cylinder to clean up its property since 1999. The property stored thousands of old liquid propane tanks. The cleanup became more urgent after a fire in 2002.

Swift County eventually bought the land and now has to contain just about seven yards of lead-contaminated soil before the site can receive an all clear from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Residents say the land is looking much better, and new grass is growing.

The county says the project took so long because it stayed on budget and used grants to get the job done.

---

Information from: West Central Tribune, http://www.wctrib.com

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.