Soil Testing

We are relieved and thrilled to know that our children and our Park are safe. We will continue to work with all involved to ensure Friendship Park remains a healthy neighborhood haven."
- Greg Beumel, Treasurer of Friends of Friendship Park.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Reports:

Soil sampling results indicate no arsenic concerns at Friendship (Turtle) Park in the Spring Valley area

BALTIMORE, Feb. 6 - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials announced today that the preliminary results of soil testing at Friendship (Turtle) Park in the AU Park neighborhood indicate that arsenic levels are within acceptable levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and that no additional testing in the park will be needed. According to officials, all the samples taken were below 12.6 parts-per-million.

Background: During the World War I era, the Spring Valley area in Northwest Washington, DC - then known as the American University Experiment Station - was used by the U.S. Government for research and testing of chemicals, equipment, and munitions. Today, the Spring Valley neighborhood encompasses approximately 1,200 private homes, including several embassies and foreign properties, parks, as well as the American University.

Since 1993, the Army Corps of Engineers has been working to ensure the American University area is free of ordinance materials and residue. In February 2001, the surrounding community urged testing of the entire Spring Valley neighborhood. The Corps, in consultation with EPA and the D.C. Health Department, responded with a comprehensive soil sampling plan that proposed the sampling for arsenic on every residential and non-residential property in Spring Valley, with more intensive sampling in select areas.

Since beginning the area-wide soil sampling effort May 31, 2001, the Corps has completed sampling at 84 percent of the 1,481 total properties and lots within the Spring Valley project boundary. Of these, 144 properties were recommended for follow-on grid sampling. Soil sampling was performed the first week of January 2002 at Friendship (Turtle) Park in the AU Park neighborhood. The Corps received the preliminary results for all the samples and they are all below 12.6 parts-per-million - within normal limits, which indicates that no further testing or action will be needed.

Historical records indicate that while portions of the Spring Valley neighborhood were used by military personnel assigned to the former American University Experiment Station from 1917-1919, at the same period, portions of AU Park were used as a soldier training area known as Camp Leach. Records indicate that Camp Leach was independent of the American University Experiment Station, and that it was not used for research or testing. Therefore, investigators did not anticipate elevated arsenic levels at the AU Park properties. Arsenic, which occurs naturally in many soil types, may be the result of soil movement during the residential development of this area.