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FUDS Property Name: Henry Barracks Military Reservation (Property Number I02PR0979)
County: Cayey City: Cayey Region: Puerto Rico
Property Description: The 388.94-acre site is in Cayey, Puerto Rico.
Property History: The approximately 389 acres required to create an Army post were acquired in 1903. The Army constructed a complete military facility consisting of approximately 190 structures including ammunition storage, waste water treatment, vehicle maintenance, sanitary landfill, various other miscellaneous support facilities, housing and improvements such as roads and utility systems. The reservation was primarily used for infantry training. By 1968, all the acreage had been deemed excess and was turned over to the General Services Administration for disposal.
Current Owner: Several public and private sector entities now own portions of the former military reservation. The Puerto Rican National Guard Armory and the San Juan Geophysical Observatory are located on the site along with residential, commercial and educational facilities.
Project Summary: The Corps determined that there were two potential types of contamination at this site that needed to be addressed. One potential source of contamination is a former landfill the military used. The Corps began monitoring environmental conditions at this location in 2000, and it has been determined that no further action is necessary.
The second type of potential contamination is from military munitions. At Henry Barracks there is a former rifle range covering approximately 261 acres where military munitions may be buried. To determine if any dangerous munitions are still present at the site, the Corps began a Site Inspection in 2009.
Current Status: The Corps is waiting for the results of the Site Inspection and will take appropriate action based on the study’s recommendations.
Contact Information: For more information, call 800.291.9413 or email FUDS.Florida@usace.army.mil.
Date Updated: March 3, 2010
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FUDS Property Name: Henry Barracks Military Reservation (Property Number I02PR0979)
County: Cayey City: Cayey Region: Puerto Rico
Property Description: The 388.94-acre site is in Cayey, Puerto Rico.
Property History: The approximately 389 acres required to create an Army post were acquired in 1903. The Army constructed a complete military facility consisting of approximately 190 structures including ammunition storage, waste water treatment, vehicle maintenance, sanitary landfill, various other miscellaneous support facilities, housing and improvements such as roads and utility systems. The reservation was primarily used for infantry training. By 1968, all the acreage had been deemed excess and was turned over to the General Services Administration for disposal.
Current Owner: Several public and private sector entities now own portions of the former military reservation. The Puerto Rican National Guard Armory and the San Juan Geophysical Observatory are located on the site along with residential, commercial and educational facilities.
Project Summary: The Corps determined that there were two potential types of contamination at this site that needed to be addressed. One potential source of contamination is a former landfill the military used. The Corps began monitoring environmental conditions at this location in 2000, and it has been determined that no further action is necessary.
The second type of potential contamination is from military munitions. At Henry Barracks there is a former rifle range covering approximately 261 acres where military munitions may be buried. To determine if any dangerous munitions are still present at the site, the Corps began a Site Inspection in 2009.
Current Status: The Corps is waiting for the results of the Site Inspection and will take appropriate action based on the study’s recommendations.
Contact Information: For more information, call 800.291.9413 or email FUDS.Florida@usace.army.mil.
Date Updated: March 3, 2010
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BACKGROUND
Between 1901 and 1975, the U.S. military used Culebra and adjacent islands and cays. Initially, it was used as a coaling station and a radio transmitter facility. Eventually the U.S. Navy established areas for naval gun firing and serial bombing. The U.S. Marines held advanced defense exercises on the island that included land manuevers, artillery and small arms firing, and amphibious training. The military stopped firing on Culebra in 1975, but munitions are still on the land and in the water.
On behalf on the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the Defense Environmental Restoration Program for Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS). All of the island of Culebra, Culebrita, Cayo Luis Peña, Cayo Norte, other nearby cays and surrounding water are within the Formerly Used Defense Site. The Corps divided the site into 14 project areas. One of those is an area where metallic debris may have been dumped. In the other 13 areas, known as Munitions Response Sites (MRS), the Corps is concerned there may be military munitions present.
The entire Northwest Peninsula of Culebra was used for naval shore and aerial bombardment. The deed that transferred the land, including Flamenco Beach, to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico makes the Commonwealth responsible for restoration, including removing munitions. That means, Congress has to tell the Corps to work in this area. In response to a congressional request, the Corps studied the part of the Northwest Peninsula the Commonwealth owns to determine the type and amount of munitions remaining.
In 2014, under Section 317 of Public Law 113-291, the Corps received authorization from Congress to decontaminate certain public use areas within the Northwest Peninsula. These areas include portions of Carlos Rosario Beach, Flamenco Beach, Tamarindo Beach, the campground, and Carlos Rosario Trail. The remaining acreage not covered by these areas remains the responsibility of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to restrict access and/or provide remediation.
PROCESS
The Corps follows the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) process to address Formerly Used Defense Sites such as Culebra. The process begins with an inventory phase, which has been completed on all of the Culebra projects. The next step is a Site Inspection to determine if any military-related materials are present. Site Inspections have been completed for all areas of Culebra. If military materials are present, a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) is initiated. All 14 projects on Culebra are in the RI/FS phase. The RI/FS will characterize the nature and extent of the materials, or in other words, to determine what is present, in what amounts, and where it is located. The Corps will use the data to develop a plan to address what is found.
CURRENT STATUS
The Corps is investigating in the Lower Camp area (Project 00) where the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Authority for the Conservation and Development of Culebra have their offices. It appears that building materials, car parts and other debris may have been buried or pushed into mangroves. The team is evaluating the best way to address the debris without damaging the mangroves.
The Corps’ contractors have completed the initial fieldwork on the land-based Munitions Response Sites. The contractors drafted the reports, and the regulators, including the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board, reviewed them. The regulators have requested that the Corps collect additional samples of soil and groundwater. This additional sampling was completed in 2014.
The work for the underwater Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Studies is being done in phases. Phase I is an Environmental Baseline Survey to map the ocean floor and to document species and habitats so the team can determine where to place the transects (paths) to investigate in Phase II. The Phase II work includes using underwater metal detectors to locate metallic objects along the designated transects. The teams will evaluate the date and select metallic objects to find out if they are munitions (phase III). Environmental samples will also be collected during Phase III. Ultimately, the Corps will dvelop a plan for how to remediate the underwater areas.
The fieldwork for the Environmental Baseline Survey is complete for Munitions Response Sites 02, 03 (Flamenco Bay), 07 (Culebra), 09 (Soldado Point), 12 (Luis Pena Channel near the Culebra shore) and 13 (the water around Luis Peña). Once the reports are finalized and the regulators have approved the work plans, the contractors (Parsons, TetraTech and USA Environmental) will begin Phase II by early 2014.
FUTURE ACTION
After the Remedial Investigation/Feasibnility Study reports are completed, the Corps will develop and publish a Proposed Plan to identify the preferred alternatives to address each project area. Preferred alternatives can range from land use controls (such as fencing) and public awareness campaigns to remedial action. The Corps will present a plan at a public meeting and the public will have a minimum of 30 days to review and submit comments.
SAFETY FIRST: Remember the 3Rs
Because of how the military used the site, munitions may potentially be present. These could be dangerous and may not easily recognizable. Never touch, move or disturb something you think may be a munition. Remeber the 3Rs of explosive safety. Recognize: The object you found could be dangerous. Retreat: Leave the area without touching or moving the object. Report: Call 787-742-3501 immediately.
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FUDS Property Name: Fort Buchanan (Property Number I02PR0984)
County: Guaynabo City: San Juan Region: Puerto Rico
Property Description: The 1,037.44-acre site is four miles south of San Juan in the central north portion of the island of Puerto Rico. (Latitude: 18° 25' 21" N, Longitude: 66° 6' 30" W)
Property History: The Army first acquired property to construct Fort Buchanan in 1925. It was initially used for target ranges, but as war efforts expanded (including World War II and the Korean Conflict), additional land was obtained to accommodate additional activities. Fort Buchanan reached 1,818.54 acres and housed a general depot, an induction center, and a training center. Following World War II (WWII), the Fort provided administrative support for all technical service within the Antilles Command, the Army Terminal for Water Transportation, the US Army Personnel Center and the US Army Training Center, Caribbean. When the 65th Infantry Regiment returned from Europe, the first battalion was moved to Fort Buchanan. By 1949, Fort Buchanan’s military port and general depot received and shipped commodities for all of the Army and Air Command Stations in the Caribbean.
In 1945 WWII, the Army began terminating leases and disposing of excess land through the General Services Administration, eventually shedding 1,037.44 acres. The remaining land houses the still active Fort Buchanan.
Current Owner: The FUDS property is owned by a number of public and private entities and is being utilized for residential and commercial purposes.
Project Summary: Historical records indicate that there were five small arms ranges at Fort Buchanan, but teams conducting site visits did not locate any munitions or munitions debris nor did they find any remains from the ranges except for the Ammunition Storage Area Pistol Range. All of the areas where ranges were indicated on historical records are now covered by roads, parking lots and/or buildings. The Ammunition Storage Area Pistol Range is in the Julio Enrique Monagas Park and is covered by a parking lot, but the berm was visible behind the parking lot. There is no indication of chemical or conventional warfare use at the site other than for small arms training.
The field work for the SI should begin by the summer of 2010. Following the completion of the SI report, USACE will evaluate the recommendations to determine the appropriate course of action.
Current Status: A Site Inspection is underway; once the report is complete, the Corps will evaluate the appropriate course of action.
Contact Information: For more information, call 800.291.9413 or email FUDS.Florida@usace.army.mil.
Date Updated: May 7, 2010
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FUDS Property Name: Puerto Rico Bomb Range (Property Number I02PR0027)
County: Rincón City: Monito Island Region: Puerto Rico
Property Description: The 84.5 acre site comprises all of Monito Island located to the west of the island of Puerto Rico in the Mona Passage.
Property History: The site was acquired for the Army Air Corps on May 27, 1940 to establish the Puerto Rico Bomb Range, also known as Ramey Air Force Range Number One. The entire island was used as a high-level radar bombing target and gunnery range by the Air Corps/Air Force. No targets or improvements were constructed due to the difficulty of accessing the site. Many different munitions were used at the site including practice bombs, high explosive bombs, fire bombs, practice medium caliber ammunition, live rockets, and practice rockets. The site was declared surplus in July 1961 and was returned to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in September 1965.
Current Owner: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico owns the site and utilizes it for a wildlife refuge. Access to the site must be coordinated through the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
Project Summary: The Findings and Determination of Eligibility and the Inventory Project Report were completed in November 1993. In 2001, the site was re-evaluated, and a munitions project was approved. The Archives Search Report was completed in 2003 and supplemented in 2004. A Site Inspection to evaluate if munitions or munitions debris was present was initiated in 2008 and should be finalized in 2010. A team observed numerous fragments and debris from high explosive bombs, practice bombs and rockets. Therefore, a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study to determine the type, amount and location of buried munitions will be recommended.
Current Status: The Site Inspection will be finalized in 2010, and a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study will be recommended.
Contact Information: For more information, call 800.291.9413 or email FUDS.Florida@usace.army.mil.
Date Updated: May 7, 2010 FUDS Property Name: Desecheo Island (Property Number I02PR0069)
County: Rincón City: Desecheo Island Region: Puerto Rico
Property Description: The 360 acres site is located in the Mona Passage between Puerto Rico and Hispaniola, 14 miles off the coast of Rincón. (Latitude: 18.40° N Longitude: 67.55° W)
Property History: The Department of the Navy acquired the site, also known as Ramey Bombing Range Number One, in 1940 to use for high-level radar bombing and gunnery exercises. In 1965 the island was transferred to the National Institute of Health who then transferred it to the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 1976.
Current Owner: The US Fish and Wildlife Service owns the site and utilizes it as a National Wildlife Refuge. It is closed to public access.
Project Summary: Live ordnance (a 100-pound and a 500-pound bomb) and munitions debris were discovered on the island in 2002 during an inspection as part of the Archives Search Report. In the spring of 2007, crews conducting a Site Inspection encountered munitions debris including a napalm container, rocket debris, cans of detonator cord, expended 11.75-inch rocket motors, practice rocket warheads, a sub-caliber rocket warhead, expended 2.25-inch rocket motors and bomb debris. Soil samples were collected during the Site Inspection, and explosives and zinc were detected in some of the samples.
The confirmed presence of munitions and munitions debris along with the elevated explosives and zinc require a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study.
Current Status: A Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study to determine the nature and extent of the contamination is pending.
Contact Information: For more information, call 800.291.9413 or email FUDS.Florida@usace.army.mil.
Date Updated: May 10, 2010
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FUDS Property Name: Fort Brooke Military Reservation (Property Number I02PR0983)
County: San Juan City: San Juan Region: Puerto Rico
Property Description: The 115.62-acre site is located in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Property History: Most of the property was acquired for military use in 1903, and smaller portions were added over the years until it reached 115.62 acres. El Morro and San Cristobal Fortresses were on the property when the US obtained it from the Spanish in 1898. The War Department and the Army constructed buildings, warehouses, houses, recreation facilities, sanitary sewer, water distribution and storm sewer systems, together with other miscellaneous improvements. Historical records indicate a bombing and gunnery training range was built and used by the Army from 1903 to 1975. By 1978, the land was deemed surplus, and it was turned over federal and commonwealth agencies.
Current Owner: The National Parks Service, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Coast Guard own the site.
Project Summary: The Corps determined that there were two potential types of contamination at this site that needed to be addressed. The Corps was concerned about the potential for contamination to the soil and water from one above and two underground storage tanks at the site. The tanks were removed and environmental sampling was conducted in 1997. In 1998, Environmental Quality Board of the Government of Puerto Rico notified the Corps that no further action is required related to the storage tanks.
The second type of contamination is from military munitions. At Fort Brooke, the Corps is concerned about buried unexploded ordnance, particularly in the area of the former pump house at San Antonio Battery. Munitions have been discovered, probably dating to the Spanish-American War. To determine if any dangerous munitions are still present at the site, the Corps began a Site Inspection in 2008. A Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study to determine the type, amount and location of buried munitions is planned for the future.
Current Status: Some of the required remediation has been completed, but the Corps may need to remove munitions.
Contact Information: For more information, call 800.291.9413 or email FUDS.Florida@usace.army.mil.
Date Updated: March 4, 2010
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FUDS Property Name: Benedict Field (Property Number I02VI0564)
County: City: St. Croix Region: Virgin Islands
: : St. Croix : Virgin Islands
Property Description: The site 2,581-site is on the southeasterly shore of St. Croix, about six miles from Frederiksted (17° 46’ North, 64° 44’ West).
: The site 2,581-site is on the southeasterly shore of St. Croix, about six miles from Frederiksted (17° 46’ North, 64° 44’ West).
Property History: Between 1940 and 1942, the War Department acquired approximately 2,581 acres to create Benedict Field. The Army Air Corp utilized Benedict Field as an auxiliary field for Borinquen Field in Puerto Rico. A fighter squadron was stationed at the site; it was also used as an aircraft reconnaissance outpost and training base for missions required in the Caribbean Frontier. A garrison of approximately 1,000 men were stationed at Benedict Field, and the Field included housing, a landing field with two runways, roads, utilities, storage facilities and an air warning station on a nearby hill. The site also included a bombing area for practice bombs, a small arms range and a magazine storage area.
: Between 1940 and 1942, the War Department acquired approximately 2,581 acres to create Benedict Field. The Army Air Corp utilized Benedict Field as an auxiliary field for Borinquen Field in Puerto Rico. A fighter squadron was stationed at the site; it was also used as an aircraft reconnaissance outpost and training base for missions required in the Caribbean Frontier. A garrison of approximately 1,000 men were stationed at Benedict Field, and the Field included housing, a landing field with two runways, roads, utilities, storage facilities and an air warning station on a nearby hill. The site also included a bombing area for practice bombs, a small arms range and a magazine storage area.
The government transferred the property to the Municipality of St. Croix in 1948.
Current Owner: The Municipality of St. Croix owns the majority of the site and uses it for a municipal airport. St. Croix Alumina (a private company), US Virgin Island Air National Guard, highways, horse racetrack and a drag racetrack also are on the site.
: The Municipality of St. Croix owns the majority of the site and uses it for a municipal airport. St. Croix Alumina (a private company), US Virgin Island Air National Guard, highways, horse racetrack and a drag racetrack also are on the site.
Project Summary: Because of the proximity to working runways, troops only used practice bombs at Benedict Field. A certificate of clearance was issued for the Bombing Area in 1947, and a 1971 aerial photograph shows no evidence of military use. A team visiting the site did not find any target area, debris, scarring or other remains on the former Bombing Area, nor was there any evidence of the former Small Arms Range, now the Manning Bay Racetrack. There have not been any local reports or incidents involving munitions being found at the former Benedict Field, but because there could be black powder in practice bombs, a Site Inspection was recommended to confirm the presence or absence of munitions. There are also three dilapidated buildings and an underwater pipe that could warrant removal.
: Because of the proximity to working runways, troops only used practice bombs at Benedict Field. A certificate of clearance was issued for the Bombing Area in 1947, and a 1971 aerial photograph shows no evidence of military use. A team visiting the site did not find any target area, debris, scarring or other remains on the former Bombing Area, nor was there any evidence of the former Small Arms Range, now the Manning Bay Racetrack. There have not been any local reports or incidents involving munitions being found at the former Benedict Field, but because there could be black powder in practice bombs, a Site Inspection was recommended to confirm the presence or absence of munitions. There are also three dilapidated buildings and an underwater pipe that could warrant removal.
Current Status: A Site Inspection is underway and should be completed by the end of 2010. The Corps will evaluate its recommendation and will take appropriate action.
: A Site Inspection is underway and should be completed by the end of 2010. The Corps will evaluate its recommendation and will take appropriate action.
Contact Information: For more information, call 800.291.9413 or email FUDS.Florida@usace.army.mil.
: For more information, call 800.291.9413 or email FUDS.Florida@usace.army.mil.
Date Updated: May 4, 2010
: May 4, 2010
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FUDS Property Name: Camp Tortuguero Firing Range (Property Number I02PR0002)
County: Vega Baja City: Vega Baja Region: Puerto Rico
: Vega Baja : Vega Baja : Puerto Rico
Property Description: The 107-acre site is 5 miles northwest of Vega Baja.
: The 107-acre site is 5 miles northwest of Vega Baja.
Property History: The US government acquired the site, located northeast of Lake Tortuguero and contiguous to the Atlantic Ocean, in 1941 for use as a small arms firing range. When the Army no longer needed the site, the use of the range was licensed to the Puerto Rican National Guard between 1947 and 1976, and it was used as a small arms firing range. The lease was terminated in 1980, and the property was transferred to the Puerto Rico Land Authority, in lieu of restoration.
: The US government acquired the site, located northeast of Lake Tortuguero and contiguous to the Atlantic Ocean, in 1941 for use as a small arms firing range. When the Army no longer needed the site, the use of the range was licensed to the Puerto Rican National Guard between 1947 and 1976, and it was used as a small arms firing range. The lease was terminated in 1980, and the property was transferred to the Puerto Rico Land Authority, in lieu of restoration.
Current Owner: The property is privately-owned and has been fully developed.
: The property is privately-owned and has been fully developed.
Project Summary: The Inventory Project Report was completed in 1993, and a Risk Assessment Code of 5 was assigned. No further action was deemed necessary.
: The Inventory Project Report was completed in 1993, and a Risk Assessment Code of 5 was assigned. No further action was deemed necessary.
Current Status: There is no indication of hazards at this site, and the firing range is covered with asphalt, therefore, no remediation is necessary.
: There is no indication of hazards at this site, and the firing range is covered with asphalt, therefore, no remediation is necessary.
Contact Information: For more information, call 800.291.9413 or email FUDS.Florida@usace.army.mil.
: For more information, call 800.291.9413 or email FUDS.Florida@usace.army.mil.
Date Updated: February 24, 2010
: February 24, 2010
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