U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir

Environmental Restoration

Program

Public Notice for Proposed Plan

The U.S. Army, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, announces a 30-day public comment period from October 15, 2024, to November 15, 2024, for the Fort Belvoir North Area (FBNA) Munitions Response Area (MRA) at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County, Virginia. The public comment period meets Section 300.430(f)(2) of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan and Section 117(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The Proposed Plan is available for public review at the following locations:

Kingstowne Library Directorate of Public Works

6500 Landsdowne Centre Environmental Divis

Alexandria, VA 22315-5011 9430 Jackson Loop

703-339-4610 Building 1142, Room 203

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

The Proposed Plan is also available at

https://home.army.mil/belvoir/about/Garrison/directorate- publicworks/environmental-division and https://www.facebook.com/fortbelvoir/.

Background: The U.S. Army acquired the 804-acre FBNA, formerly known as Engineering Proving Ground (EPG), in the early 1940s. EPG was used to develop and test an array of military engineering equipment and supplies. Activities consisted of military research and development for an array of military engineering applications in addition to training with munitions within designated range areas. Since 1989, munitions items have been recovered from FBNA during multiple investigations and clearances, reducing explosive hazards attributed to MEC. No munitions items have been found outside the FBNA boundary. There are no unacceptable risks to people or the environment in soil at FBNA MRA from chemical contaminants associated with munitions. Approximately 265 acres of undeveloped property remain on the FBNA excluding road surfaces.

The recommended alternative documented in the Proposed Plan for FBNA MRA is Alternative 2: Land Use Controls (LUCs) with Munitions Clearance and Construction Support. While large quantities of munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) and non-hazardous munitions debris have been removed from FBNA MRA, there is still the possibility for encountering MEC. As a result, land use restrictions on the types of development (for example, no schools or daycares); no construction activities without munitions clearance and construction support; and no use of groundwater for potable water, would be implemented under this recommended alternative. LUCs would include installation of warning signs to inform the public and site workers of munitions hazards and long-term monitoring to ensure LUCs are implemented and remain protective to people and the environment. The public is encouraged to review and comment on this recommended alternative. If sufficient public interest is identified to hold a public meeting, one will be held to explain the site conditions, the proposed action, answer questions, and accept written comments.

Please provide written comments to the address below by November 15, 2024.

Christopher Manikas

Restoration Program Manager, Environmental Division

Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division,

Building #1442

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir

9430 Jackson Loop

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5116

Telephone: 703-806-0030

Email: christopher.s.manikas.civ@army.mil

Run Date: October 10th, 2024

AD#87738