The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Announces Presentation of the Proposed Plan Associated with Environmental Studies and Findings of CERCLA for the FUDS Program at the Former Manassas Air Force Communications Facility Independent Hill (Manassas), Virginia
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, invites you to participate in a formal presentation and 30-day public comment period to gather information from community members about the Proposed Plan (PP) recommendation for future cleanup activities at the former Manassas Air Force Communications Facility (MAFCF).
USACE has identified elevated concentrations of contaminants in groundwater in the southern portion of the site, now owned by Prince William County Public Schools in Independent Hill (Manassas), Va. It is important to clarify this groundwater is not used for drinking water and there is no direct pathway between the public and the contaminated groundwater.
USACE, in coordination with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, is proposing to treat the contaminated groundwater to reduce future risks. This is proposed to be done through a combination of in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) and in situ enhanced bioremediation (ISEB) to address the contamination in the groundwater. ISCO would be used to treat the source areas by injecting chemical oxidants into the bulk of the contamination. ISEB would subsequently be used to treat groundwater away from the source area contamination by injecting natural materials to promote environmental conditions necessary for biodegradation of contaminants. The PP summarizes all the remedial alternatives evaluated and discusses the reasons for choosing the preferred alternative described above.
The PP and associated documents are available for public review online and at the Facilities Services Administrative Office, Independent Hill Complex, Building 51 located at 14800 Joplin Rd., Manassas, VA 20108. The reference desk contact phone number is 703-791-7205 (Wayne J. French, Administrative Coordinator, Engineering and Environmental Division for the Prince William County Public Schools, Independent Hill Complex). The goal of gathering information through presentation of the PP and the public comment period is to better understand the community's awareness of the cleanup activity proposed in the PP based upon years of investigation and study, and to determine if the public is in agreement with the PP of site cleanup action presented by the USACE. Public comments will be used in development of a Public Responsiveness Summary that will guide USACE's future cleanup actions onsite and in coordination with the community.
August 18, 2014
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) at Independent Hill Complex Assures No Health Risk.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continues its assessment of groundwater at the one-time Manassas Air Force communication facility, now the site of Prince William County Public Schools' Independent Hill complex, as part of an ongoing effort to assess and clean up former Department of Defense sites. Periodic reviews and studies of the site have occurred since 1986. The complex was connected to the county water system in 1986 to avoid any potential exposure to possible solvent contaminants.
The past and ongoing reviews by USACE indicate there are no health threats to students, occupants, or residents of the Independent Hill complex and none of the scheduled construction at Independent Hill alters safety conditions. The USACE reconfirmed findings from past reviews and shared with local representatives the groundwater at only the southern portion of the site contains chlorinated organic compounds.
As part of its work, the USACE is evaluating and developing treatment options for the site. School division staff have worked closely and coordinated work activities with the USACE, monitored their activities and progress, and will continue to ensure that students and occupants work in a safe and healthy environment. The public is invited to learn more about how the USACE manages and executes environmental cleanup projects and other associated responsibilities on formerly-used defense sites, and in particular the Independent Hill complex, by contacting Andrea Takash, Corporate Communication, US Army Corps of Engineers-Baltimore district, at 410-962-2626 or [email protected].