The Camp Hale site is located on approximately 135,000 acres (200
square miles) of the White River National Forest in west-central Colorado. The site is generally located in
Eagle County, between Minturn and Leadville. The White River National Forest encompasses two and
one-quarter million acres and ranks as one of the top five forests nationwide for recreational use.
In
addition to land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, there are several small in-holdings of private land
within the Camp Hale site. Military use of Camp Hale included the 10th Mountain Division, the 38th
Regimental Combat Team, and soldiers from Fort Carson conducting mountain and winter warfare
training exercises from 1942 to 1949.
Throughout WWII, the Army also tested a variety of weapons and
equipment at Camp Hale. From 1959 through 1965, the Central Intelligence Agency secretly trained
Tibetan soldiers at Camp Hale. In July 1965, Camp Hale was deactivated by Fort Carson and transferred
back to the Forest Service in 1966. Camp Hale was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in
1992. The East Fork Valley is near the center of Camp Hale, on the East Fork of the Eagle River along
U.S. Highway 24.
According to historical records, the valley was a major munitions training area
throughout the life of Camp Hale. The East Fork Valley is part of the popular Camp Hale National Historic
site and is used extensively for year-round recreation. The East Fork Valley area receives heavy public
use by many individuals and groups, including family reunions and scouting activities.
Numerous live military munitions have been found by hikers, hunters, fire
fighters, and the USACE. Two time critical removal actions have
been performed to address military munitions hazards in the East Fork Valley area.
Remedial
investigation field work has been completed for Ruby Gulch Range Complex, Tennessee Pass Range
Complex, East Fork Valley Range Complex, and Eagle Valley South Range Complex. The reports for all
four are currently ongoing. Remedial investigation field work has been completed at all munitions
response sites. Remedial investigation reports and feasibility studies are being completed for all sites.
The current USACE programs include: finalizing the feasibility study for the Ruby Gulch Range Complex and
Tennessee Pass Range Complex. Finalize the remedial investigation report for the East Fork Valley
Range Complex and Eagle Valley South Range Complex. Draft the remedial investigation report for
Homestake Valley Range Complex, Chemical Training Area, Yoder Gulch Range Complex and Eagle
Valley North Range Complex. Draft and complete the proposed plan and decision document for Ruby
Gulch Range Complex and Tennessee Pass Range Complex.
Public involvement activities by
the Camp Hale team to date include public meetings in
both Leadville and Vail in January of 2002, press
releases, TV interviews, and print media coverage. In addition, an administrative record has been
established, project web site developed (www.camphale.org), safety brochures produced, warning signs
installed, and hazard recognition training completed.