Location and Description: The site was one of nine Atlas
“E” missile sites operated by the Air Force under the 566th
Strategic Missile Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base,
Wyoming. The site consisted of 251 acres acquired between
July 1960 and January 1964. Improvements consisted of one
underground launch operations building and one launch and
service building, two water wells and pump stations, segregated
storage buildings, sentry house, helicopter pad, spray pond, roads,
walks, fences, water, sewer, and electrical systems. The site was
excessed in 1965 and conveyed to private ownership by the
General Services Administration.
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 for FUDS.
Interim Monitoring: A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contract was awarded in FY10 to
conduct bi-annual interim monitoring under the remedial design phase. The monitoring of the
groundwater was conducted over a four-year timeframe to assess plume migration until funding is
available for a remedial action project.
Activities for 2015: Work will proceed with the fourth year of bi-annual interim monitoring under
the remedial design phase. A supplemental well installation will be performed to determine if volatile
organic compounds contamination has impacted the lower water-bearing zone along with determining
the general groundwater flow direction in the deeper aquifer.
Proposed Activities for 2015: Additional well
development in the lower aquifer could proceed;
however, this effort will be dependent on FUDS funding.
If there are no adverse effects to the environment,
USACE will continue to develop the proposed plan and
decision document.
Issues and Other Information: The state and EPA Region 8 are advocating for remedial action
of the TCE-contaminated groundwater that was delineated in the remedial investigation. The biggest
challenge will be to satisfy WDEQ's concerns regarding the TCE-contaminated groundwater plume. The
remedial investigation has determined that limited surface and subsurface soil contamination exists;
however, the risk calculations indicate it is within the acceptable range identified by EPA guidance.
WDEQ believes the soil contamination should be removed under the FUDS Program, but USACE policy
does not authorize remediation for contamination that is within the acceptable risk range.