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LUKE AIR FORCE BASE COMPLETES CLEANUP

Release Date: 4/29/2002
Contact Information: Leo Kay, Press Office, 415/760-5420

     Removed from Superfund National Priorities List
                               
     SAN FRANCISCO   At a ceremony today, Luke Air Force Base, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality announced that Luke Air Force Base has been delisted from the national listing of federal Superfund sites.

     The 4,000 acre site, in the city of Glendale, is the first active Air Force installation to be delisted from the Superfund list.  Luke AFB was named a Superfund site in August 1990. Currently, there are 36 Air Force Bases nationally designated Superfund sites and 10 total Superfund sites in Arizona.

     "This achievement by the team at Luke is another shining example of the Air Force's environmental commitment," said Brig. Gen. Steve Sergeant, 56th Fighter Wing Commander.  "When it comes to protecting the environment, there is only one way to do it   and that's the right way."

     "The Air Force took responsibility for its WWII era contamination and cleaned it up," said Wayne Nastri, the EPA Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest office.  "Luke Air Force Base serves as a model on how federal and state agencies can work together toward  successful cleanups."
     
     "Arizona has always taken great pride in its relations with our military bases and the military training that takes place here," said Arizona Governor Jane D. Hull.   "We strongly support their mission and are very pleased with Air Force efforts to make Luke the first active duty installation in the United States to complete the Superfund cleanup process."

     "We are proud of the technical expertise provided by ADEQ remediation experts to support the cleanup at Luke Air Force Base," said Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Jacqueline E. Schafer.  "This milestone represents the commitment of Air Force leaders to be good stewards of the environment and demonstrates the benefits of teamwork between the state and the military here in Arizona."
     
     The base has served as an advanced fighter pilot training station since 1941.  Discharges and waste disposal from aircraft maintenance and light industrial operations resulted in soil and groundwater contamination of petroleum residues, cleaning solvents and volatile organic compounds.

     In September 1990, the EPA, the ADEQ, the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the Air Force signed an agreement establishing the framework required for site investigations and cleanup at Luke AFB.

     Since cleanup activities began in 1990, the Air Force, with EPA and ADEQ oversight, has treated more than 625 cubic yards of contaminated soil, removed 66,584 gallons of jet fuel from soil that had leaked from underground storage tanks, and monitored groundwater for possible contamination.

     There was no cleanup of groundwater required and the Air Force is continuing long-term groundwater monitoring to assure that it is not impacted in the future.
     
     The Air Force completed all necessary remedial actions under the Superfund program in 2001.  Luke AFB will remain an active air force base providing training for F-16 pilots and crew chiefs while providing support for air and space expeditionary forces.    

     A 30-day public comment period for the delisting ended on March 20, however, no comments were received.