Location and Description: The site, which is located
near LaPorte in Larimer County, Colorado, was one of nine Atlas
“E” missile sites operated by the Air Force under the 549th
Strategic Missile Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base,
Wyoming. The site consisted of 267.30 acres acquired in 1961.
Improvements consisted of one underground launch operations
building and one launch and service building, one water well and
pump station, storage buildings, sentry house,
helicopter pad, spray pond, roads, walks, fences, water, sewer,
and electrical systems. The site was excessed in August 1965 and
is currently being operated by a private company for use as a
record storage facility.
Problem and Response: Due to trichloroethene (TCE) groundwater contamination, a
Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste project was initiated for this site under the Defense
Environmental Restoration Program for Formerly Used Defense Sites (DERP-FUDS).
Remedial Action: A remedial action contract was awarded in 2012 to begin a performance-based
contract action. The contract includes a five-year basic award to get to remedy in place, with
a 2017 option award to continue operation and monitoring for another five-year period of
performance until response complete is reached.
Activities for 2015: The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers contractor has completed the
proposed plan and decision document. The
remedial design and implementation of the full scale
remedy are to occur this year followed by performance monitoring to confirm that the remedy
continues to meet expectations for TCE mass reduction.
Proposed Activities for 2016: Under the remedial action contract, the USACE contractor
will continue performance monitoring to track reduction of the contamination of the remedy in place.
Issues and Other Information: The biggest challenge will be to satisfy EPA
concerns regarding the reduction of TCE contamination in the groundwater plume. Adjacent
property impacted by the contaminated groundwater is owned by the Northern Colorado Water
Conservancy District and is being considered for use as a new major water reservoir for
the area. Coordination with NCWCD will be necessary to confirm that the TCE groundwater
contamination does not impact its project.