Whitaker Ranch, Laramie County, WY: F. E. Warren Air Force Base Facility Former Atlas "D" Missile Site 1

Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) Program

Published April 16, 2015
Atlas "D" missile site operated by the Air Force as part of the 564th Strategic Missile Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.

Atlas "D" missile site operated by the Air Force as part of the 564th Strategic Missile Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.

Location and Description: The property was an Atlas "D" missile site operated by the Air Force as part of the 564th Strategic Missile Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. The property is located 20 miles northwest of Cheyenne and consisted of 2,734 acres acquired by purchase and condemnation between 1959 and 1962. 

The property was excessed to the General Services Administration in 1965. The 960 fee acres and easements over 95 acres were sold to Edward H. Harbertson, Darrell Nielsen and Harry E. Lewon, Partners. The fee acreage was later sold to Mrs. Mary C. Weppner and Mrs. Elizabeth McNiff. The easements over 95 acres were sold to Sharon Tuck. GSA owns the easements over the remaining 1,679 acres. 

Problem and Response: Due to trichloroethene (TCE) groundwater contamination, a Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste project has been initiated for this site under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) for FUDS. 

Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study: The remedial investigation report to complete delineation of TCE-contaminated groundwater was finalized in December 2008. The feasibility study report to consider the remedial action alternatives was completed February 2010. 

Interim Monitoring: A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contract was awarded in 2010 to conduct bi-annual interim monitoring under the remedial design phase. The monitoring of the groundwater will be conducted over a four-year time frame to assess plume migration until funding is available for a remedial action project. 

Activities for 2015: The fourth year of interim monitoring under the remedial design phase will be completed this year. 

Proposed Activities for 2016: A remedial action could proceed; however, any remedial action will be dependent on the availability of FUDS funding. 

Issues and Other Information: The state and EPA Region 8 are pushing for remedial action of the TCE-contaminated groundwater, but the site is lower on their priority list for FUDS projects in Wyoming. The biggest challenge will be to satisfy WDEQ and EPA concerns regarding the TCE-contaminated groundwater plume. WDEQ has indicated that surface and subsurface soil contamination, along with indoor air quality, are not significant concerns.