In a long-awaited report, DEC issued its proposed action to address fuel contamination of surface soil, substance soil and groundwater at the 25-acre industrial site, which the city owns but is working to sell for private development.

Based on years of taking soil and water samples, the state plan suggests that the owner of the parcel, or parcels if they are sold, drop a plastic liner and two-foot thick soil cover over all vegetated areas, and one-foot thick soil cover over undeveloped areas. DEC should be contacted whenever work is done at the site, and the use of groundwater as a drinking source would be restricted, the Oct. 22 report says.

The proposed remedies were tough medicine for city officials, who have potential buyers for parts of the park and are trying to market it as a place for spinoff businesses that could serve GlobalFoundries, being built about five miles away.

"I'm a little worried about it," Mayor Anthony Sylvester said. "It's a little worse than I thought."

The former Boston & Maine/Delaware & Hudson railroad yard was contaminated with petroleum products when it served as a stop for train engine maintenance and fueling for much of last century. No responsible parties for the contamination have been identified.

DEC recommends a $1.3 million clean up, plus annual costs of about $1,000 for 30 years. It is taking public comments on the plan through Dec. 6, and at a public meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 18 in the Senior Center.

The city intends to use 17 acres of the site for industrial use. The remaining acreage would be dedicated to residential buildings and ball fields.