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Base Closure Team

In 1988, Congress established a process to realign and close surplus military property and return the property for local economic development. The process required the President to establish the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. The Secretary of Defense proposed a list of bases for closure and realignment. The Commission held public hearings and reported its findings to the President. The President had 15 days to approve or disapprove. After approval, the recommendations were sent to Congress, which had 45 days to disapprove or the recommendations became law. There have been five Base Closure rounds: 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 2005. The latest round of Closures includes three major facilities in Region 6: Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant, Texas, Naval Station Ingleside, Texas and Brooks City Base, Texas. The Lone Star facility has been in an inactive status for several years; Ingleside Naval Station is a relatively new facility; and Brooks AFB was privatized and transferred to the city of San Antonio in 2002 (but the Air Force currently leases space back from the city).

CERCLA Section 120(h) regulates how property is transferred by Federal agencies. Early in the Base Closure process the Administration pledged to give top priority to early reuse of the bases' valuable assets by host communities. The program established environmental cleanup teams with members from EPA, state environmental agencies, and Department of Defense (DoD). The teams work to find common sense environmental solutions, minimize the red tape and involve the communities by the creation of citizen restoration advisory boards (RABs) at each base.

Screening level tables have been developed to aid the process by providing information on levels of contamination in the soil, air and/or water that may be of concern for human health. Files are available on that web page for viewing or download that explain the rationale and equations used to derive the screening values, and that provide the screening values, the toxicity factors, the physical-chemical data, and the pathway-specific values.

EPA Region 6 is comprised of 5 States: Louisiana , Arkansas , Texas , New Mexico , and Oklahoma .

The bases Region 6 is currently involved with include:

• Bergstrom Air Force Base, Austin, TX
• Carswell Air Force Base, Ft. Worth, TX
• Dallas Naval Air Station, Dallas , TX
• Eaker Air Force Base, Blytheville, AR
• England Air Force Base, Alexandria, LA
• Fort Chaffee, Fort Smith, AR
• Fort Wingate Depot Activity, Gallup, NM
• Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX
• Red River Army Depot, Texarkana, TX
• Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, TX

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BERGSTROM AIR FORCE BASE - AUSTIN, TEXAS

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Background: Bergstrom Air Force Base is located approximately seven miles southeast of downtown Austin, Texas. It began operations on September 19, 1942. During it's more than 50 years of use, a variety of hazardous and non-hazardous materials were used that may have impacted the environment.

Contaminants: Volatile organic contaminants (VOCs), pesticides, petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, and low-level radioactive waste.

Media Affected: Groundwater and soil.

Remedial Actions: All remedial actions have been implemented. Contaminated soil has been excavated and landfill caps installed. Landfill maintenance and long-term groundwater monitoring continue.

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CARSWELL AIR FORCE BASE - FORT WORTH, TEXAS
(NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JRB)

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DALLAS Naval Air Station

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EAKER AIR FORCE BASE - BLYTHEVILLE, ARKANSAS

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ENGLAND AIR FORCE BASE - ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA

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FORT CHAFFEE - FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS

Fort Chaffee is a 71,273-acre Army training reservation located east of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Fort Chaffee was selected for closure under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round of 1995. Past operations of environmental significance included equipment maintenance, disposal of municipal type waste, incineration of municipal type waste, usage of lead-based paint, detonation and deactivation of munitions, large and small arms training facilities and storage of munitions. Under the BRAC cleanup process, 49 contaminated sites were addressed. Five FOSTs (Findings of Suitability to Transfer) were completed for the transfer of 7,192 acres to the public. A Ready-for-Reuse (RfR) certificate was issued in February 2004. All BRAC property has been transferred.

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FORT WINGATE DEPOT ACTIVITY - GALLUP, NEW MEXICO

Fort Wingate Depot Activity (FWDA) is located about eight miles east of Gallup, NM, on the south side of Interstate 40. FWDA closed in January of 1993 after nearly a century and a half of military uses, first as a cavalry post, then as a munitions depot. Approximately one third of the facility's original 21,131 acres are under current reuse by the Missile Defense Agency. Another 5,855 acres have been returned to the Bureau of Land Management, which holds those lands for the future beneficial use of the Navajo and Zuni nations. The remaining lands also are planned to go to tribal use following their cleanup.
Environmental investigation and cleanup efforts, including munitions clearance, have been done since 1994. Major environmental concerns at this site include munitions hazards and groundwater contamination by explosives, nitrates and perchlorate. On December 31, 2005, the New Mexico Environment Department's RCRA permit came into effect, establishing a scheduled cleanup of the facility. Remedial investigations are currently very active. A large cleanup effort at the Open Burn/Open Detonation Area is scheduled for 2012-14.  Much more information on the site, and cleanup efforts there, is available on the public website: http://www.ftwingate.org.

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KELLY AIR FORCE BASE - SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Background: Kelly was established in 1917 and closed in 2001. The site consists of 4017 acres; about half was realigned to Lackland Air Force Base (including the runways) and the other half has been transferred to the Port San Antonio for redevelopment as an air, rail, and logistics, aerospace and industrial complex. Port San Antonio was created as a political subdivision of the State of Texas to redevelop the base to support growth for the region’s economy. It is run like a business and is self-sustaining; its income is derived from customers and leased properties. In 2010 the Port San Antonio was named Base Redevelopment Community of the Year in recognition of their efforts to transform Kelly into a center of commerce and innovative development which is serving as a growing economic engine for the region.

Watersheds:
Kelly is located on an alluvial area consisting of sand, gravel, silt, and clay. The shallow aquifer depth varies from about 1 foot to 35 feet below ground. Below that, the Navarro Clay is an aquitard which extends to about 400 feet below ground and blocks shallower groundwater from moving deeper. Contamination from Kelly does not affect the Edwards Aquifer; the Edwards recharge area is located farther to the northwest in the Hill Country. The eastern side of Kelly drains southeastward toward Six Mile Creek and the San Antonio River. The central and western portions of Kelly drain toward Leon Creek. Leon Creek has a mostly urban drainage area of 237 square miles and discharges to the Medina River and then the San Antonio River. Numerous ditches and urban stormwater outflows make up the majority of surface water flow but groundwater seeps also contribute to surface water flow. About two miles of Leon Creek are within the boundaries of former Kelly. Specific uses in this area designated by the State are primary contact recreation, public water supply, and high-quality aquatic life.

The Air Force initiated the Leon Creek Monitoring Program in 1989 to document the physical, chemical, and biological conditions and trends of the creek upstream, adjacent, and downstream of Kelly. The monitoring program includes surface water and sediment sampling, toxicological and biological monitoring, and measurements of water flow and elevation at more than 50 locations. It provides information for risk assessment, data for permitted outfalls, differentiation between on- and off- base sources, and information to refine the groundwater/surface water interface conceptual model.

Contamination and Cleanup:

Kelly operated as an airfield, supply and fuel depot, and aircraft maintenance and repair facility which included parts cleaning, stripping, painting, and metal fabrication and plating. Primary contaminants included degreasers and solvents such as TCE, PCE, benzene, chlorobenzene, petroleum products, chromium, and other industrial waste components.

Numerous cleanup mechanisms are in use based on the individual site situation, such as: 
- building demolition
- soil and building foundation excavation and removal
- groundwater extraction and recovery for treatment and to prevent migration
- permeable reactive barriers to treat groundwater and allow it to flow through
- electric resistance heating to volatize and extract organics
- trenches, slurry walls, and impermeable barriers to divert groundwater and recover contaminants
- injection of biological materials to enhance aerobic and anaerobic degradation
- bioventing to enhance biological degradation
- soil vapor extraction to remove volatized contaminants
- institutional controls
- natural attenuation

The TCEQ Compliance Plan requires long term monitoring to continue. An extensive semi-annual Compliance Plan report is prepared. This document describes ongoing monitoring and remediation and makes recommendations for future activity. Nearly 1000 wells on and off site are regularly sampled. This information is used to evaluate groundwater flow conditions, ongoing cleanup relative to the GWPS, well functions in order to make adjustments such as repairing, redeveloping, replacing, or adding new wells, and altering treatment methods to address any problems and increase effectiveness.

Contaminant sources have been identified and removed or isolated.  Remaining contamination, mainly related to TCE and PCE in groundwater, is declining.  Smaller areas onsite, containing other contaminants such as benzene and chlorobenzene, are also

The GWPS for TCE and PCE is 5 ug/L.  The areas with the highest concentrations above GWPS are confined onsite.  Large groundwater plumes containing TCE and PCE above the GWPS also extend nearly three miles offsite to the east of Kelly.  The extent is becoming smaller and concentrations have substantially declined since the Kelly sources were cut off or removed.  Most areas are less than 20 ug/L (TCE) and 10 ug/L (PCE).  Small areas with higher concentrations are located adjacent to Kelly and are receiving aggressive treatment.

Recent monitoring at Leon Creek surface water stations and sediment stations near locations where groundwater is known to seep into the creeks indicates that the existing Kelly groundwater treatment systems appear to be preventing migration to the creek.

Vapor Intrusion Study:
In May 2008 and February 2009 EPA R6 investigated three residential areas to determine if soil gas from offsite groundwater plumes could be a potential pathway to indoor air.  Samples were collected in both hot and cold seasons to account for different weather conditions.  All of the samples were well below TCEQ action levels and only three samples exceeded the screening level; one of those was probably due to interference from products in the household.  The data and information was personally provided to each individual homeowner, to a local Congressman, and in public meetings.  No additional work is planned.

Summary:
Groundwater contamination above TCEQ’s GWPS exists at Kelly, with the highest concentrations on site.  Sources have been identified and removed or contained.  Remaining offsite plume concentrations and extent, mainly containing TCE and PCE, are declining.  Extensive monitoring is in place.  TCEQ is actively involved with the site and the Air Force has pursued additional remediation when necessary.  The property was transferred to the Port San Antonio which has allowed additional economic development and job creation for the area.

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RED RIVER ARMY DEPOT - TEXARKANA, TEXAS

However, after the final Commission decision, RRAD was not closed but was realigned. Under BRAC 2005, approximately 5,000 acres were transferred to the Local Redevelopment Authority. The Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant (LSAAP) is located adjacent to RRAD and will be closed under BRAC 2005. LSAAP consists of 15,546 acres. The major operational facilities on RRAD include maintenance and reconstruction of light-tracked vehicles; demilitarization of out-of-specification ordnance; ammunition storage; renovation, maintenance, modification, rectification of the Hawk, Chaparral, and Patriot missiles; and track- and road-wheel rebuilding of a wide variety of specialty vehicles. The majority of the acreage is used for ammunition storage and/or timber management.

Major Issues at RRAD
RRAD has known groundwater contamination under the various manufacturing buildings at the Site. In addition, a Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (DNAPL) plume has also been encountered under the storm water conveyance ditches at depths down to 35 feet. This DNAPL will act as a continuing source to contaminate groundwater for the foreseeable future. In order to protect Panther Creek, two permeable reactive barriers (PRBs), specifically, mulch biowalls, were installed. There is also known sediment contamination off-post in Panther Creek.

Site Status
The groundwater contaminant plume has migrated towards Panther Creek and has historically impacted Panther Creek. The mulch biowalls are acting as a barrier to prevent any further contamination of Panther Creek. They cause the contaminated groundwater to be remediated in the PRB prior to reaching Panther Creek.

Environmental Threat
Historically, the EPA and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) have had numerous discussions with RRAD concerning the impacts to Panther Creek and off-post groundwater mitigation. Remedial measures have been taken to mitigate the continued impacts to Panther Creek and the groundwater (particularly off-post groundwater).

RRAD issued a performance based contract (PBC) to KEMRON Environmental Services in 2006. RRAD must complete an Operating Properly and Successfully (OPS) determination before the final Finding of Suitability to Transfer (FOST) can be made.

Congressional Interest
Since RRAD and LSAAP were both on the BRAC 2005 list, historically, there has been a high level of congressional interest. Information Current as of April 24, 2012

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REESE AIR FORCE BASE - LUBBOCK, TEXAS

Reese AFB closed in 1997 as a result of the 1995 round of base closures. It formerly occupied approximately 2987 acres west of Lubbock, Texas. A 520 acre outlying field in Terry County was sold to an individual. The remaining property has been transferred to the Lubbock-Reese Redevelopment Authority. A total of 22 Solid Waste Management Units and numerous areas of concern were investigated and remedies have been put in place. Remedies include: SVE, pump and treat, soil removal and capping of a large landfill. An Operating Properly and Successfully (OPS) demonstrations were approved by EPA for the Southwest Landfill Area Plume and the POL Area in February 2004. The Tower Area Plume extends off base approximately 2.5 miles. The major contaminate is TCE and impacts private wells Northeast of the base. While the cleanup is part of the compliance plan issued by TCEQ, the plume is also subject to a 7003 order issued by EPA in 1993. The 7003 order requires the Air Force to provide an alternative drinking water source to the impacted homeowners. The EPA approved an OPS document for the Tower Area Plume in 2006. An enhanced groundwater remediation system was implemented 2007-2010, greatly reducing the contaminant plume; cleanup continues at a rapid pace for this plume.

More details on the Base Closure Team and cleanup are available at: http://www.epa.gov/wastes/hazard/correctiveaction/success/r6base.htm

STATE CONTACT:

Maureen Hatfield
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Remediation Division - Corrective Action Section, MC-127
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, Texas 78711-3087
(512) 239-2034
E-MAIL Address: Maureen.Hatfield@tceq.texas.gov

FACILITY CONTACT:

Stanley G. Pehl, REM
BRAC Environmental Coordinator
AFCEE/EXC
2261 Hughes Avenue, Suite 155
Lackland AFB, TX 78236-9853
(210) 395-8238
E-Mail Address: stanley.pehl@us.af.mil

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