Location and Description: Located just west of Grand Island, Nebraska, approximately
2,270 acres of the original 12,000 acres of the Cornhusker Ammunition Plant land are in need of restoration prior to final
public disposal. Military munitions, bombs, boosters, and charges were produced at CHAAP
during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam until 1974.
It was designated as a National Priorities List site
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency due to the release of explosives in waste
water to cesspools and leach pits that contaminated the groundwater both on the installation
and off-site. A Federal Facilities Agreement was signed with EPA Region 7 and the Nebraska
Department of Environmental Quality in September 1990. Restoration activities
included cleanup of explosives/asbestos-contaminated soils.
Problem and Response: Accelerate disposal of all tracts pending confirmation that
removal of Munitions and Explosives of Concern and environmental contaminants has
rendered disposed military munitions safe for public transfer.
Activities for 2015: Contract operations for long-term operation
of the explosives-contaminated groundwater
plume treatment system; continue the injections
of amendments into the groundwater plume to
accelerate cleanup on the site; finish munitions removal actions under the existing engineering
and environmental cost analysis.
Proposed Activities for 2016: Initiate a contract for the start of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response Compensation and Liabilities Act.
Continue to operate the pump and treat system.