June 6, 2013 -- State and local agencies are announcing that soil sampling results in Rhylander Park indicate that only one small portion of the park, outside the main recreational areas, was found to have elevated levels of lead. Elevated lead levels were not found in the ball fields, soccer fields, picnic or playground areas.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, in conjunction with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the City of Plattsmouth, have determined that a half-acre area on the east side of the park contains lead at levels that will require additional investigation. The affected area, which is referred to as Decision Unit 9 (DU-9), is located east of the softball fields and has a dirt path that leads to a residential area (see attached map).

For the short term, the City of Plattsmouth will fence off this area. NDEQ intends to have its contractor take additional samples in this half acre area, to determine the extent that soil needs to be removed and replaced. In addition, the NDEQ will assess a small area to the east of the softball fields near DU-9.

The good news for people using the park is that none of the other areas of the park were found to have elevated levels of lead.


For more information, contact:

Brian McManus, NDEQ at (402) 471-4223
Marla Augustine, DHHS at (402) 471-4047
Erv Portis, City of Plattsmouth (402) 296-2522, Ext. 7

June 6, 2013 -- State and local agencies are announcing that soil sampling results in Rhylander Park indicate that only one small portion of the park, outside the main recreational areas, was found to have elevated levels of lead. Elevated lead levels were not found in the ball fields, soccer fields, picnic or playground areas.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, in conjunction with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the City of Plattsmouth, have determined that a half-acre area on the east side of the park contains lead at levels that will require additional investigation. The affected area, which is referred to as Decision Unit 9 (DU-9), is located east of the softball fields and has a dirt path that leads to a residential area (see attached map).

For the short term, the City of Plattsmouth will fence off this area. NDEQ intends to have its contractor take additional samples in this half acre area, to determine the extent that soil needs to be removed and replaced. In addition, the NDEQ will assess a small area to the east of the softball fields near DU-9.

The good news for people using the park is that none of the other areas of the park were found to have elevated levels of lead.


For more information, contact:

Brian McManus, NDEQ at (402) 471-4223
Marla Augustine, DHHS at (402) 471-4047
Erv Portis, City of Plattsmouth (402) 296-2522, Ext. 7