WASHINGTON — Debris from the demolition of the White House East Wing that was dumped at a nearby public golf course has tested positive for lead, chromium and other toxic metals, according to a report issued this month by Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. The engineering firm said the toxic metals, along with PCBs, pesticides, petroleum byproducts and other chemicals, were detected at levels above laboratory reporting limits in soil at the East Potomac Golf Links.

The report was requested by the National Park Service, which began dumping debris from the East Wing onto the course in October. More than 30,000 cubic yards (810,000 cubic feet) of excavated soil had been transported to the East Potomac Golf Links as of last month.

"The soil removed from the White House was tested multiple times, by multiple parties, and this project passed all standards set by law," said Katie Martin, spokeswoman for the Interior Department. "This thorough process was followed to ensure the transfer was safe for the public."

The DC Preservation League has sued the Trump administration, arguing that the dumping was unlawful and possibly hazardous. The group is also challenging the administration's takeover of the East Potomac Golf Links, about 2 miles southeast of the White House, and other golf courses in Washington.

Rebecca Miller, executive director of the DC Preservation League, said experts were still analyzing the engineering report. She said the group is concerned about whether the administration is complying with the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. She said plans to renovate the 105-year-old course to make it a professional-level facility would permanently alter its historic character and layout.

Miller said debris from the demolition is so prevalent that golfers detour around piles of it. "If you Google you'll see lots of photos of golfers walking past it," she said.

U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes told the government not to cut down more than 10 trees without first providing notice. Reyes said she would not issue a temporary restraining order at this time and that she would view any major alterations made without prior notice negatively.

At the end of last year, a separate group of preservationists filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the administration from demolishing the East Wing to build a ballroom, a project slated to cost $400 million. Martin also said: "We are committed to continuing the relationships we have built with the local golf communities to ensure these courses are safe, beautiful, open, affordable, enjoyable, accessible, and world-class for people living in and visiting the greatest capital city in the world."