Walworth County hears Terracon assessment for sheriff's outdoor shooting range; cleanup could exceed budget

The Walworth County Public Works Committee on July 20 heard findings from an environmental assessment of the sheriff’s outdoor shooting range and was told the county faces a choice between an expensive excavation and a slower, cheaper chemical‑stabilization approach.

Joe, the consultant who presented the Terracon report, said the firm drilled at multiple depths and installed two monitoring wells. "The good news is the lead seems to be stagnant right on the top. We didn't find any contamination in the water," he said, and outlined two options: excavate and haul soil off as hazardous waste, or apply a stabilizer (Blastox) that binds lead so the material can be disposed of as contaminated soil after confirmatory testing.

The committee was shown cost estimates in the packet. Terracon’s figures indicate disposing material as hazardous waste could be roughly eight to ten times more expensive than treating it and disposing of the treated soil as contaminated soil. "There's cost savings if we use this Blastox material, but it will lengthen the process," Joe said, noting additional testing will be needed to determine effectiveness. He also said Terracon will perform a test of the Blastox application at no extra charge to the county to inform the decision.

Staff said current remediation funds presented in the packet are about $725,000, while a quoted figure for range reconstruction alone was roughly $400,000. Committee staff warned that, if the county pursues some remediation options and reconstruction, total expenses could exceed the current budget and could prompt a request for a budget amendment.

Committee members also discussed use of the range. The outdoor range has been out of service for about a year, and firearms training moved indoors. Presenters noted that increased indoor rifle use can elevate lead and gas management needs at indoor facilities. When reconstruction is completed, staff said the new range would include lead collection traps and stormwater controls to reduce future contamination risks.

Committee members asked staff to return with more detailed cost components before any amendment request and requested that the sheriff’s office prepare a memo describing operational need and options when the item returns for further action.

Next steps: Terracon will perform the additional Blastox effectiveness test, staff will refine the line‑item cost estimate for remediation versus reconstruction, and the committee may consider a budget amendment or other funding requests once those figures are available.