Brownfields
317-325 Lake Street has been designated a Brownfield by the United States Environmental Protection Agencies (USEPA) and Maryland Department of the Environment. A Brownfield is a property on which the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. In the case of 317–325 Lake Street, contamination from petroleum was discovered in the soil and groundwater. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) are the primary chemical of concern on the property. TPH compounds can be carcinogenic, lead to neurological disorders, or cause respiratory or reproductive issues. The City of Salisbury was given $1,791,543.00 by the USEPA to remediate the properties to USEPA standards.
Brief Site History
The two parcels of land, 317 Lake Street and 325 Lake Street, were formerly utilized as a fuel tank farm facility with 15 aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) of varying sizes and two underground storage tanks (USTs) from the late 1930s until the mid-1980s. The properties were then abandoned until 1990, when 317 Lake Street began operation as a waste oil processing facility. An aboveground storage tank spilled approximately 12,000 gallons of No.6 fuel oil in 1990, with an estimated 4,000 gallons released into the Wicomico River. The facility became inactive again in 1992 until 2008. In 2008, all ASTs were removed from the property by the property owner. The City of Salisbury purchased the two parcels of land in 2020 and demolished all of the standing buildings to their foundations in 2023. After completing an Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives, it was decided to go with the soil cap plus 8” of clean soil option. The City plans to excavate and remove 2’ of contaminated soil, replace the contaminated soil with a 2’ soil cap, and then place 8” of clean soil to allow plantings.
Public Meeting
Please come join the City of Salisbury Department of Infrastructure and Development for a public meeting to share any comments on the progress of 317-325 Lake Street. There will be a Haitian Creole interpreter present at the public meetings to assist with communication.
Meeting details:
Tuesday, July 1st, 2025 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Government Office Building
125 N. Division Street Room #300
Salisbury, MD 21801
