After recently expanded testing continued to show elevated lead levels at Southwestern Community College’s firing range, college officials are going forward with the latest recommendations from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources to determine the precise project scope.

ECS Carolinas, LLP, an Asheville-based engineering firm contracted by SCC, is obtaining soil and sediment samples from an area near the Tuckaseigee River and downhill from the range to determine how far the lead has spread over the years. The college and ECS, acting in concert with NC-DENR’s counsel, will have the new samples tested while mapping out strategies for permanently remediating runoff and excavating the lead currently in the ground.

SCC has operated the range since the early 1980s on North River Road in Jackson County.

“We have relied on the recommendations of NC-DENR from the start to ensure that we handle this the right way,” said Dr. Don Tomas, president of SCC. “We met with NC-DENR officials last week (Oct. 2) to get their guidance on what we need to do next, and our response is to do exactly what they advise. Our goal is to resolve this situation as thoroughly and responsibly as possible.