Morton County is allowing diesel fuel remediation efforts to take place outside the county courthouse and law enforcement center, but commissioners aren't sure they'll allow work inside.

Representatives of Leggette, Brashears & Graham, the company in charge of remediation, and the Mandan Remediation Trust met with the county commission on Tuesday. LBG engineer Ken Kytta brought the commission up to date on what has taken place over the 18 months in Mandan while the MRT's Dave Glatt and Francis Schwindt dealt with responsibility and liability issues.

Pipes and equipment are in place south of Main Street and in operation since April of this year, Kytta said. To date, more than 1,900 gallons of free phase diesel has been collected. This is the diesel on top of the ground water. More than 5,000 gallons of diesel, gas and solvents; 4,500 pounds of methane; and 14,000 gallons of bioattenuation have been pumped out.

This year, construction efforts have included the area north of Main Street and south of First Street. Phase two will include the area north of First Street that includes properties belonging to the county, namely the courthouse and law enforcement center.

"We need to start the final phase north of First in 2007, and that's why we're before you," Kytta said. "Much of the construction will take place on county property, which includes trenching around the courthouse and law enforcement center. Earthmovers will again be the contractor."

Kytta then followed up with a request to allow drilling and pumps to be placed inside the courthouse and LEC. He said that a well has a limited radius of influence, about 35 feet in diameter. The width of the buildings left a gap down their center, which the remediation needs to get at. It's expected two wells will have to be put in the basement of the courthouse and four to six in the basement of the LEC.

The LEC has had problems with diesel fumes for many years, but the courthouse has shown no such problems. One explanation is that the base of the courthhouse is much thicker than the LEC's.

Commissioner Mark Bitz said there is some concern by county employees in the courthouse that, should holes be drilled in the basement, it will bring diesel smell into the building. A number of those employees attending the meeting concurred and said they are worried health problems would arise, such as have been seen at the LEC.

Kytta said 30 wells have been put in buildings along Main Street and no problems have arisen regarding fumes or product.

"But right now, we have no problems; the employees are happy and content," commission Chairman Matt Erhardt said. "What if all of a sudden we would have fumes that we never had before? What would we do?"

Schwindt said there is contract language that, should any issue associated with the remediation system arise, LBG would be responsible for correcting it. He added that the system will improve the situation, particularly over at the LEC since diesel fuel is being removed. Schwindt also noted that this doesn't apply to the ground water problems experienced by the LEC.

"The remediation system is not designed to handle high water," Schwindt said.

Schwindt added that should the county not allow access inside the buildings the MRT will need an acknowledgement on behalf of the county that it will be responsible for possible future contamination.

Glatt, who works for the state's health department, pointed out that there should be a level of comfort for the county in knowing that the other wells within buildings have had no problems.

"If the commission prefers to look into it further, we can allow some time," Glatt said. "One last point: We feel this is a remedy that is going to protect the environment. It is going to work; it may not be pristine, but it will be a lot better than today."

When asked how much time, Kytta said it would have to be soon, possibly by the special meeting scheduled for Dec. 29.

Commissioners also questioned whether horizontal borings could be used to keep from having to bore in the basements of the buildings. But Kytta said it would be very expensive and does not work well with the existing system being built.

Commissioners asked that LBG and the MRT meet with courthouse and LEC employees to explain the situation and provide information. The representatives agreed to this and hoped to set up the meetings in the next week or two.