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Comment Period for Proposed Remedy Selection Plan for the Small Arms Ranges located at Joint Base Cape Cod (formerly MMR)

Release Date: 02/05/2014
Contact Information: Kate Melanson, (617) 918-1491

(Boston, Mass. – Feb. 5, 2014) – EPA is seeking public input on proposed cleanup decisions for multiple Small Arms Ranges located on the Camp Edwards portion of the Joint Base Cape Cod (formerly the Massachusetts Military Reservation).

A 30-day public comment period will begin on Feb. 5, 2014 and end on March 5, 2014 for the “Remedy Selection Plan” which outlines the proposed clean up plans for addressing contamination at multiple Small Arms Ranges.

Soil investigations have identified elevated levels of Small Arms-related metals exist in soils at certain Small Arms Ranges. Additional actions, including soil removal and sampling is required at the B, C, G, KD, N, Former B, Former D, Former N and Former M-2 Ranges to protect human health and the environment.

Groundwater investigations have identified Small Arms-related metals in groundwater. Given the soil and groundwater detections of contaminants, long–term groundwater monitoring programs are required at the J, K, SE/SW, T, I, B, C and G Ranges.

The Army National Guard’s Impact Area Groundwater Study Program investigation at the Small Arms Ranges have been conducted with EPA’s oversight under the authority of EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act Administrative Orders, and in consideration of the substantive cleanup standards of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Massachusetts Contingency Plan.

Information on the Proposed Remedy Selection Plan will be presented at the JBCC/MMR Cleanup Team public meeting on Feb. 12, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting location is at the Welcome Center - Building 1805. EPA, MassDEP and Army representatives will attend this meeting and respond to questions raised. After the comment period ends, on March 5, 2014, EPA will consider public comments received, consult with MassDEP, and issue a Decision Document that contains response actions required for each range. With the issuance of the Decision Document, EPA will include a Responsiveness Summary to provide responses to comments received during the public comment period. MassDEP will issue its official position in a comment letter after consideration of the public comments received.

More information:
A Remedy Selection Plan Fact Sheet has been developed and the details of the investigations and findings at the Small Arms Ranges are presented in an Investigation Report. Both documents can be found on EPA’s Joint Base Cape Cod Website (https://www.epa.gov/region1/mmr) along with instructions for providing public comment on the Remedy Selection Plan.

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