Formerly Used Defense Sites

Formerly Used Defense Sites
Name	Formerly Used Defense Sites
Country	United States
Agency	Department of Defense
Program	Defense Environmental Restoration Program
Related	Superfund, Base Realignment and Closure

Formerly Used Defense Sites. These are properties across the United States that were once owned, leased, possessed, or operated by the Department of Defense or its predecessor agencies, such as the War Department, but are no longer under active military control. The program to address these sites falls under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program and is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Its primary mission is to identify, investigate, and remediate environmental contamination stemming from past U.S. military activities to protect human health and the environment.

Definition and Scope

The official designation encompasses a vast array of properties that supported the U.S. military from the early 20th century through the Cold War. This includes former Army installations, Air Force airfields, Navy facilities, and sites used by the War Department. The scope extends to locations used for weapons testing, munitions manufacturing, storage depots, and training grounds. The program is distinct from, but related to, the Base Realignment and Closure process, which deals with more recent installations. Properties transferred to other federal agencies, like the Department of Energy, or to private entities before specific legislation are included in this inventory.

History and Background

The origins of the program trace back to growing environmental awareness and legislation in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly the passage of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. This law, commonly known as Superfund, established liability for cleaning up hazardous waste sites. In response, the Department of Defense established the Defense Environmental Restoration Program to address contamination on its active and former properties. The specific management of Formerly Used Defense Sites was formally assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through subsequent amendments to the Superfund law and the National Defense Authorization Act. This historical context links the effort directly to broader federal environmental policy and the legacy of World War II and Cold War-era industrial operations.

Environmental and Health Concerns

Contamination at these sites often involves hazardous materials commonly used in mid-20th century military operations. Primary concerns include unexploded ordnance and munitions constituents like RDX and TNT, which can leach into soil and groundwater. Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and chromium from industrial processes are also prevalent, along with solvents like trichloroethylene and fuels including jet fuel. These pollutants pose significant risks to human health, including potential carcinogenic effects and damage to the nervous system, and can cause long-term ecological damage to local wetlands, aquifers, and wildlife habitats. Communities near sites like the former Jefferson Proving Ground or the Massachusetts Military Reservation have expressed ongoing concerns about exposure.

Cleanup and Restoration Programs

Remediation is conducted under the authority of the Defense Environmental Restoration Program and follows a structured process aligned with the Superfund framework. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leads the effort, which includes preliminary assessments, site inspections, and remedial investigations. Cleanup actions range from simple removal of debris to complex groundwater treatment systems and large-scale munitions clearance. The program coordinates with state environmental agencies, the Environmental Protection Agency, and tribal nations. Funding is appropriated annually by Congress, and projects often proceed in phases, with priority given to sites posing the greatest risk, such as those near the Camp Lejeune water supply or in densely populated areas like the San Francisco Bay.

Notable Examples

Several high-profile sites illustrate the scale and challenges of the program. The Jefferson Proving Ground in Indiana is one of the largest, containing extensive unexploded ordnance. The Massachusetts Military Reservation on Cape Cod has been the focus of major groundwater remediation efforts due to plumes of contamination. In California, the former Fort Ord has undergone a significant transformation into a national monument and university campus following cleanup. The Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant in Kansas dealt with pervasive contamination from explosives manufacturing. Internationally, similar legacy issues exist, such as those addressed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in former training areas across Europe.

Regulatory Framework and Oversight

The program operates under a complex web of federal statutes and executive orders. Key laws include the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act. Oversight is shared among the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Government Accountability Office frequently audits the program's progress and expenditures. State agencies, such as the California Environmental Protection Agency, also play a critical regulatory role, and the process often involves public comment periods and collaboration with local governments, as seen in projects near Great Lakes communities or on lands of the Navajo Nation.

Category:Environmental cleanup in the United States Category:United States Department of Defense Category:Military installations of the United States