Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Area Closure Plan, Beale Air Force Base (AFB)
Summary
SCH Number
2006058073
Public Agency
Department of Toxic Substances Control
Document Title
Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Area Closure Plan, Beale Air Force Base (AFB)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/4/2006
Document Description
Beale AFB is an active U.S. Air Force (USAF) Air Combat Command base located in Yuba County, CA. The EOD Area is approximately 46 acres and is located in the northeast portion of Beale AFB. Open burn/open detonation (OB/OD) treatment activities on unusable munitions were conducted at the EOD Area since before the 1980s. Unusable munitions are considered hazardous waste. This treatment activity ceased in 1994 and since that time, the EOD Area has been used for explosive ordinance training and emergency detonations. Beale AFB intends to "close" the EOD as a hazardous waste treatment unit.
The EOD Area is regulated as an Interim Status unit under California's Hazardous Waste Control Law and its implementing regulations. The scope of the Closure Plan addresses the investigation of chemical contaminants in soils (to a depth of 15 feet), sediments, and surface water within the EOD Area. The evaluation of potential groundwater contamination and the investigation of munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) will be conducted under other Beale AFB programs and the oversight of the Department of Toxic Substances Control's Site Mitigation and Brownfields Reuse Program, Office of Military Facilities. MEC includes unexploded ordinance and discarded military munitions.
Contact Information
Name
Janice Yonekura
Agency Name
Department of Toxic Substances Control
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Yuba
Regions
Unincorporated
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Section 15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
A field investigation was conducted to determine the level of remaining chemical contamination at the EOD Area. Several soil, sediment and surface water samples were collected from the site. These samples were analyzed for metals, semivolatile organic compounds and explosive compounds. The analytical data were used in a human health and ecological risk assessment to examine potential risks and adverse effects. Factors considered in identifying what chemicals could be of potential concern and therefore, carried through the risk assessment were: frequency of detection, comparison to background levels, and evaluation of essential nutrients. Based on these factors, chemicals evaluated in the risk assessment included metals such as cadmium, chromium and lead; semivolatiles such as benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene and chrysene; and explosives such as RDX and HMX.
Under a hypothetical future residential exposure scenario, the risk assessment results showed that remediation was not necessary to protect human health and the environment. Therefore, in accordance with the Closure Plan for the EOD Area, there will be no further investigation of the chemicals in soils. However, the characterization of potential groundwater contamination is being deferred to the Environmental Restoration Program and the investigation and clearance of MEC will be performed under the Military Munitions Response Program. Both these programs are under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
There is no possible environmental effect from project activities because there will be no disturbance to any environmental media or biological resource. Also, through the conduct of a human health and ecological risk assessment, the remaining chemicals in soils do not pose a threat to public health or the environment.
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613.