White House Demolition Debris at Public Golf Course Contains Toxic Metals
Debris from the White House East Wing demolition, deposited at East Potomac Golf Links, has tested positive for hazardous substances, raising environmental and public health concerns.
Debris from the demolition of the White House East Wing, deposited at East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., has tested positive for lead, chromium, and other toxic metals, according to an interim report by Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. commissioned by the National Park Service. The report also detected PCBs, pesticides, petroleum byproducts, and other chemicals at levels exceeding laboratory reporting limits.
Since October, over 30,000 cubic yards of excavated soil have been transported to the historic public golf course, which President Donald Trump plans to renovate. The National Park Service maintains that all testing adhered to legal standards. However, the DC Preservation League has filed lawsuits alleging that the dumping is hazardous and unlawful.
A federal judge has restricted tree removal at the golf course while litigation is ongoing. Democracy Forward, co-representing the Preservation League, criticized the administration for continuing to dump debris despite toxic findings.