The Northern Virginia Daily

Article date: June 25, 2007

 Trespassers suspected at Superfund site

 By: Jessica Coleman

Following a series of trespassing incidents at the Avtex Superfund site, FMC Corp., the company that owns the property, is warning residents that there is a potentially serious danger in entering the private property.

Trespassers are fishing and possibly swimming in a pond, formerly known as sulfate basin No. 5.

“It has been cleaned up,” said John Torrence site manager and representative of FMC.  “It’s not hazardous from a chemical standpoint.”

The approximately 20-acre pond is about 6 feet deep, however, and those parties connected with the property are concerned about the potential for drowning.

FMC has personnel patrolling the property 24 hours a day, but there is no lifeguard on duty.  So far, security officers have only seen people fishing, about 11 in the past two weeks.  However, one officer overheard some teenagers boasting about swimming in the pond and cautioned them against it, Torrence said.

When the patrolling officers approach the fishing trespassers, they run toward the Luray Street landing and into the woods, Torrence said.  He added that it is easy to see the officers approaching, so all of the trespassers have gotten away.  FMC believes that the trespassers live nearby.

“They run away, so they know what they’re doing is wrong,” Torrence said.  “It’s very difficult to catch these guys, and it’s hard to give a good description of them to the police when they see us coming from half a mile away.”

There are signs all along the perimeter of the property warning people not to trespass.  Signs around the pond at 200 foot intervals also warn people of the danger of swimming, fishing or engaging in any other kind of activity in or around the pond.  These trespassers, however, do not heed these warnings.

“If we do catch any trespassers on the property, we will prosecute,” Torrence said.

The town attorney is going to inquire about what action will be in the best interest of the general public, Torrence said.  There has been some talk about constructing a fence around the pond.

“The safety of the public is what we’re concerned about,” Torrence said.  “We don’t want an accident to happen.”