Mojave Gunnery Range “C” is located east of Mojave, California, and overlaps the southwestern corner of California City. The Corps of Engineers is investigating and monitoring the former training 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 the APA Area C project area, which is part of the former Mojave Gunnery Range “C” FUDS.
The APA Area C project encompasses 177 acres in the northwestern portion of the Mojave Gunnery Range “C” FUDS. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps are believed to have conducted bombing and other air-to-ground training at the project area between 1944 and 1951. Today the project area is owned by Kern County and private owners. It is largely undeveloped, which allow residents unrestricted access for off-highway vehicle recreation, recreational target practice and seasonal sheep grazing.
The Corps of Engineers began investigating the former Mojave Gunnery Range “C” FUDS in 1999; however, the APA Area C project was not identified until an aerial photo analysis was performed in 2007. Based on the cratering seen in the photo analysis and the munitions used at other ranges, the Corps of Engineers identified that the following munitions items may still be present at the project area: small arms ammunitions, practice projectiles, practice rockets, practice bombs and high explosive bombs. However, the nature and extent of munitions risks at the APA Area C project has not been completely identified due to limited rights of entry granted to the Corps of Engineers.
In 2011 the Corps of Engineers completed the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study Report for Mojave Gunnery Range “C.” Because of the limited rights of entry, the Corps of Engineers recommends a separate Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study be performed on the APA Area C project area to determine if clearance activities are required.
An Administrative Record containing project documents and reports for Mojave Gunnery Range “C” is available at the Kern County Library, California City Branch, and at the Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District office.