Location and Description: The
former Pole Mountain Target and
Maneuver Area is located midway
between Cheyenne and Laramie in
Albany County, Wyoming. The area has
been used for military training for many
years. The property is now owned by the
U.S. Forest Service and is part of
the Medicine Bow National Forest. The
FUDS program is investigating the potential for environmental damage that occurred from
the Department of Defense’s use of the property.
Problem and Response: The property was extensively used for artillery and small
arms training. A military munitions project has been approved to investigate the potential
for risks from ordnance or munitions. An assessment includes the review of historical
records, visual surveys, and substantial geo-physical investigations. A considerable area
has been found to be contaminated with military munitions. All stakeholders are involved in
determining the overall requirements to identify the best path forward to achieve these
objectives.
Activities for 2015: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will complete the
military munitions remedial investigation and feasibility study for the following munitions
response sites: Bisbee Hill Maneuver Area,
Twin Mountain Impact Area, South Firing Area,
Northwest Firing Area, and Eagle Rock Impact
Area. USACE will continue to coordinate with
stakeholders to identify any additional actions
to meet the remedial investigation/feasibility study requirements.
Proposed Activities for 2016: USACE will continue to complete military munitions
remedial investigation and feasibility study activities. USACE will continue to coordinate
with stakeholders to ensure additional remedial investigation/feasibility study activities meet
the cleanup requirements.
Issues and Other Information: WDEQ considers Pole Mountain to be its highest
priority military munitions project. USACE will work with WDEQ to align short-term goals
and optimize planned activities to effectively utilize the limited funds available. Coordination
and communications with the USFS, WDEQ, WSHPO, and EPA continues.