State orders contaminated dirt removed from Augusta ballpark

AUGUSTA - Little Leaguers knew they might get their uniforms dirty, but they never bargained for sliding in on a field based on mortar, lumber, ash, rusted iron. <br> <br> The state Environmental Protection Division has ordered about 60 truckloads of contaminated dirt removed from the West Augusta Little League&#39;s ballpark on city-owned property, where league officials had hoped to use it as fill material. <br> <br> The dirt containing the debris came from a demolition site where old buildings were razed to make way for an office complex. <br> <br> ``We&#39;re concerned because it contains a lot of waste, and what looks like soil is actually a mixture of soil and ash,&#39;&#39; said Al Frazier, district manager of the EPD. <br> <br> Although the material was not deemed a health threat, it is classified as solid waste and must be disposed of in a licensed landfill, Frazier said. <br> <br> Design Contractors Inc., the Evans company that placed the material there, did so at the request of West Augusta Little League, said Robert Mullins, the company&#39;s lawyer. <br> <br> ``It was a situation where they said they&#39;d like to have this material, and please dump it here,&#39;&#39; Mullins said. <br> <br> Design Contractors, he added, is willing to help dispose of the material properly but wants others to share in a cleanup that Frazier said could cost as much as $200,000. <br> <br> Frazier said Augusta officials were unaware the debris was being taken to the park, but because it owns the site the city is ultimately responsible for any inappropriate waste stored or placed there. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s one of those unfortunate situations where there are several parties involved,&#39;&#39; he said. ``It is my hope we can get commitments from both the city and the contracting firm.&#39;&#39;

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