ST. HELEN – Fuel tanks at the site of the original Carter’s Artesia Beach Camp store have apparently been removed. It’s unclear at the moment if there has been any testing to determine contamination.
Photos taken Aug. 13 show two fuel tanks that had been dug up along the shore of Lake St. Helen.
The store originally at the site was built in the 1930s. It burned down a few years later and was rebuilt. Old photos show gas pumps were always present. The building was razed in 2020.
Although the pumps were removed years ago, many in the community believed the tanks were left underground.
Richfield Township Supervisor Ray Wlosinski said fuel tank installation and removal is overseen by the Bureau of Fire Service, Underground Tank Division.
Wlosinski said the Burea was not aware of the removal and expected to have someone on site today.
Christiaan Bon, district supervisor from the Gaylord EGLE (Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) office said confirmed or suspected releases from underground storage tanks are reported to LARA (Licensing and Regulatory Affairs), not EGLE.
“We have not been notified by LARA of any release at this time. This suggests either no release occurred or confirmation samples are pending.
“Given the tank’s fair condition, it is possible no release occurred, or any product that did leak has biodegraded over decades and is now undetectable.
“If a confirmed release were reported, it would fall under EGLE’s Part 213 – Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program. We would receive an email once LARA confirmed and reported it. An initial assessment report would be due to EGLE within 180 days of discovery.”
Bon went on to add, “Removing old, unused fuel tanks is always a positive step.”
