Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is located in southwestern Arizona between the city of Yuma and the town of Quartzsite in La Paz and Yuma counties. The Corps of Engineers is investigating and monitoring this area through the Formerly Used Defense Sites, or FUDS Program, for munitions and explosive hazards that may remain from previous military activity. This page provides information on Maneuver Area/Vehicular Access, which is part of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge FUDS.
The Maneuver Area/Vehicular Access project comprises 124,140 acres and is spread out throughout multiple sections of Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The exact use of the project is unknown, but U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service personnel have found munitions debris from anti-tank mines in the past. Tank tracks and impact craters have also been observed in this area, as well as possible road construction of improved or unimproved roadways by the military. Munitions suspected to have been used include small arms ammunition, general purpose bombs and artillery.
Today, the property is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website, more than 80 percent of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is designated as wilderness. It offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy wildlife watching, photography, hiking, camping and limited hunting.
The Corps of Engineers continues to investigate the Maneuver Area/Vehicle Access and is planning a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study to determine if additional clearance activities are required.