Location and Description: The former Lowry Air Force Base
Titan I Missile Site 2, Complex 2C is located southeast of Elizabeth, Colorado. The complex consisted of
97 acres acquired between 1959 and 1961. Improvements to the
property included: three launch stations located nearby in separate
reinforced-concrete structures, each consisting of an underground
missile silo, a supporting equipment terminal, a propellant terminal
and a propellant system; one underground guidance center;
underground utility and service facilities, including an underground
powerhouse; interconnecting underground tunnels; two sewage
stabilization cells; a chemical waste clarifier; and five concrete sealed
chambers.
The powerhouse contained four diesel generators and
hydraulic machinery for domestic services. The chemical waste
clarifier and five sump pump discharges served as catchments for the chemical waste from the
missile complex. The sump pump discharges were located by each missile silo, by the antenna
terminal, and in the center of the complex. The complexes covered between 30 to 60 acres.
Currently, the site is owned by Elbert County and is used as a solid waste transfer station.
Problem and Response: Chemicals known to have been used at the Titan I missile complex
include ethylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, lubricating oil, diesel fuel, helium, liquid
oxygen, liquid nitrogen, kerosene-based rocket fuel rocket propellant-1, polychlorinated biphenyls,
and chlorinated solvents.
Two environmental investigations have been performed to assess the
potential of hazardous constituents to the environment as a result of past Department of Defense practices at the Titan 2C missile complex. Based upon past and current data, the greatest
potential risk to human health is the exposure pathway associated with drilling or excavating
activities where personnel may come in contact with contaminated shallow soil and/or groundwater.
The extent of tetrachloroethene (PCE) contamination has been assessed. The extent of
trichloroethene (TCE) contamination between wells near landfill
trenches may indicate that the landfill trenches could be a source of TCE contamination. The
potential contaminant sources are limited on the eastern portion of the site. TCE may present a risk
to residential wells east of the site. The PCE contamination was detected in the northwest portion of the site, and the source may indicate that the contamination is related to DoD
activities. The remedial investigation performed in 2014 recommended further investigation.
Activities for 2015: Further investigation to
delineate the shallow PCE plume.
Proposed Activities for 2016: Finalize
feasibility study and proceed with remedial design effort if needed.