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Formerly Used Defense Sites
A Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) is property that was formerly owned/leased/ possessed by, or operated by, or under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense within the 50 states, territories, commonwealths, and possessions over which the U. S. has jurisdiction.  Projects at FUDS are subject to policy and eligibility rules.

In Arkansas, 82 sites have been investigated to detemine whether environmental or safety hazards remain from Department of Defense occupancy. No hazards were found at the majority of the sites; however, underground storage tanks, unexploded ordnance, or Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste (HTRW) remained at some of the sites.

Underground storage tanks were removed at El Dorado, Hope, Hot Springs, Jacksonville, Stuttgart and Texarkana.  Munitions and Explosives of Concern or Munitions Constituents have been discovered at some of the sites described below. Potentially Responsible Party and HTRW projects at the former Arkansas Ordnance Plant in Jacksonville (Vertac Superfund site) and the former Walnut Ridge Air Force Base (Fritt Industries Superfund site) were handled by Omaha District.

Current Projects  Updated January 25, 2006
Ordnance has been removed from the vicinity of residential areas at Southwestern Proving Ground. Subsurface clearance for approved construction activities is available through a contract with Shaw Environmental, Inc. A water supply reservoir and water distribution lines are planned.

Investigations have determined that there are no explosive hazards, and only non-explosive ordnance and scrap metal remaining at the former Shumaker Naval Ammunition Depot. The Corps has also completed investigations of residual explosive and/or chemical contamination resulting from Navy-era activities at the former Shumaker Naval Ammunition Depot.

The removal action is underway at the Camp Robinson Formerly Used Defense Site. Munitions and explosives of concern are being removed from approximately 70 acres (of the more than 12,000-acre site) that were identified in the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis. The 70 acres comprises portions of Sectors 6, 10, and 11 of Section 2.  Section 2 is north of Highway 89.

Activity on the Remedial Action/Feasibility Study at the former Camp Chaffee Formerly Used Defense Site under contract to USA Environmental, Inc. is pending approval of the Work Plan.


Restoration Advisory Boards
A Restoration Advisory Board helps improve public participation by involving the community in the restoration decision-making process. A RAB is made up of community volunteer members who reflect the diverse interests of the local community. Members of the RAB will be expected to attend regular meetings that will be open to the public. They will serve a one- to two-year term.
RAB members will receive training, and they will review and comment on technical documents and plans relating to the on-going environmental studies and restoration activities at the cleanup site. RAB members will be expected to serve as community liaisons and be available to meet with community members and groups.
RABS have been established at Southwestern Proving Ground, the former Shumaker Naval Ammunition Depot, and the former Camp Robinson. The level of community interest in a RAB for the Camp Chaffee property is being assessed.
For more information on RAB, visit the Department of Defense RAB web site.
https://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/Library/Cleanup/CleanupOfc/index.html

Helpful Links
Corps Headquarters Environmental Community of Practice - Fuds
http://hq.environmental.usace.army.mil/programs/fuds/fuds.html

Public Coordination Guidance
http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/usace-docs/eng-pamphlets/ep1110-3-8/toc.htm  

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville District
http://www.hnd.usace.army.mil
http://www.hnd.usace.army.mil/oew/  ordnance http://hq.environmental.usace.army.mil/programs/fuds/fudsinv/fudsinv.html  map


Environmental Cleanup