Officials push back on Beacon story as county plans private-property assessments after flood

During the flood-response update an attendee said a Beacon article described "toxic waste" being widely exposed; another official called that coverage "BS" and county staff said DEQ and state staff have been engaged in on-site assessments.

Melody and others said some private properties showed trace materials but that monitored creeks such as Rainy Creek showed no detected problems on review routes. Officials urged residents with uprooted trees or exposed roots to request assessments through local channels (the meeting referenced ARP and the U-dig reporting process) rather than assume widespread contamination.

County participants said press coverage had created unnecessary controversy and emphasized the need to rely on sampling and testing before drawing conclusions about contamination.