Army To Close Much Of Trail Near Old Military Landfill

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) -- The Army says it will close a large portion of a popular Silver Spring running trail near an old military landfill.

Fort Detrick officials in Frederick said Monday they will fence off about 40 percent of the Ireland Trail as early as next January. The affected section runs through the Forest Glen Annex, an Army installation controlled by Fort Detrick. The annex includes a medical research facility.

The fence would block access to an area that officials believe is contaminated with toxins and medical waste from the landfill. More than 30 chemicals have been found in the soil, groundwater and a stream. The Army is working to restore the area.

Some area residents had argued in favor of warning signs instead of a fence.