Background
Many portions of the Massachusetts
Military Reservation (MMR) have been used for military purposes since 1911. Since 1935,
the base has been used for training and maneuvers, military aircraft operations,
maintenance, and support. Some activities required the use of petroleum products,
solvents, and other hazardous materials. It was common practice for many years at the MMR,
as it was at other military bases and industrial facilities throughout the country, to
dispose of wastes in unlined landfills and drywells, to dump and burn them at firefighter
training areas, or to just dispose of them wherever convenient. In addition, pipeline
breaks and accidental spills occurred at the MMR. Today, the use and disposal of hazardous
materials is strictly managed and regulated at the MMR and in Massachusetts to protect the
environment.
| In 1978, the US Geological Survey (USGS)
detected detergents in a Falmouth drinking water supply well. This discovery led to the
investigation and cleanup efforts on MMR. During the 1980s, the National Guard Bureau was
the lead agent and MassDEP was the environmental agency involved at MMR. The MMR was added to the US Environmental Protection
Agency’s (EPA’s) National Priorities List in 1989 as a result of contamination
at the base. Commonly known as "Superfund," the National Priorities List is a
published list of hazardous waste sites areas in the country. Nationally, the Installation
Restoration Program (IRP) is responsible for investigating and cleaning up contamination
from past practices at Department of Defense sites. |
Barracks construction at MMR
in 1940
|
The Superfund program addresses hazardous waste releases
resulting from practices that were discontinued before 1976. Current activities that may
affect the environment are not evaluated under Superfund. This is why the environmental
investigations at the MMR are not all managed by AFCEE. For example, the Massachusetts
Army National Guard is responsible for the investigations on the groundwater, soils, and
sediments in and around the Impact Area portion of the MMR, where various military
training activities took place.
| MMR Facts |
| The Massachusetts
Military Reservation is located on upper Cape Cod. |
MMR covers 22,000
acres and includes portions of the towns of Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, and Sandwich. |
The MMR sits over
a portion of the recharge area for the sole source groundwater aquifer, on which the towns
and the MMR rely for their drinking water supply. |
The aquifer is
made up of several lenses (areas of groundwater). The Sagamore Lens is a 300-foot thick
layer of groundwater located on the Upper Cape. |
The
Superfund Cleanup Process
The Superfund process consists of
several phases that lead to the ultimate goal of cleaning up a site and providing a safe
environment for the citizens living nearby. The phases identify and define an area
of contamination, determine risks, analyze treatment options, and clean up the site.
First, a study known as a Site Investigation (SI) is conducted to
identify and define an area of contamination. Next, a Remedial Investigation (RI) is
completed to identify the contamination at the site and possible threats to the public and
the environment. If further action is necessary, a Feasibility Study (FS) is prepared to
develop the options for cleaning up the site.
After the RI and FS have been completed, the FS is used to
develop a Proposed Plan (PP), which is presented as a fact sheet that describes the
various cleanup options under consideration. The PP is distributed to the public and it
identifies the option preferred by AFCEE.
Public meetings are held to solicit
input and a public comment period is held. Following the public comment period, AFCEE
submits a Record of Decision (ROD) to the EPA for concurrence, while MassDEP is given an
opportunity to review the ROD for adherence to state regulations and concurrence. The ROD
describes how AFCEE plans to clean up the site or if no further action is warranted.
Next the cleanup system blueprints and associated plans are
developed; this is referred to as the Remedial Design (RD). Information about the design
is distributed to the community through meetings and written updates. Construction of the
final remedy begins as outlined in Remedial Action (RA) documents. Once the system is up
and running, the project moves into the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) phase. During
this phase, ongoing performance evaluations takes place. A comprehensive evaluation of all
systems takes place every five years until the site is cleaned up.
Source Area
Sites
To date, 79 potential source areas
have been identified at the MMR through record searches and field investigations. Using a
combination of thermal treatment or asphalt batching technologies, over 63,000 tons of
soil have been removed and treated, preventing the soils from contributing to additional
groundwater contamination. Almost 45,000 pounds of fuel products have been removed from
the FS-12 source area using technology called air sparging and soil vapor extraction. In
cooperation with EPA and DEP, AFCEE has worked to determine which sites warranted cleanup
based on the levels of contamination present and the potential threat to human health and
the environment.
Of the 79 potential source areas
identified:
- 43 sites have been closed with no further action necessary (based
on the finding that the sites do not pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the
environment).
- Of the 28 sites where remedial action is ongoing, 20 have
completed excavation or no further action is required and final closure documentation is
being prepared.
- 5 sites are under investigation.
- 3 sites are currently undergoing long-term monitoring.
|
 |
Groundwater
Plumes
Some contaminants can filter down
through the sandy Cape Cod soil, with the potential to contaminate the groundwater
aquifer, resulting in a groundwater plume. A groundwater plume can be defined as the
perimeter of groundwater within which contains contaminants exceeding maximum contaminant
levels, (MCL) or safe drinking water standards.
To date, the IRP has defined 13 groundwater plumes that flow from
the MMR. Many plumes have moved beyond the base boundary while some remain in their source
area. These groundwater plumes are currently in various stages of study and cleanup.
Since the start of groundwater cleanup, treatment systems have
removed over 3,000 pounds of contaminants of concern (COCs) and 240 pounds of fuels have
been removed from the groundwater. About 13 billion gallons of groundwater have been
treated to date and nearly 12 million gallons of groundwater are treated per day. Figure 2
provides a summary of the groundwater cleanup at the MMR.
Of the 13 groundwater plumes
identified:
- 8 plumes are undergoing remedial action and cleanup with 12
treatment systems already in place (CS-4, SD-5, FS-12, FS-28, FS-1 leading edge, CS-10,
LF-1, and Ashumet Valley).
- 5 plumes have treatment systems in design (CS-4 modified system,
CS-20, CS-21, FS-1, and FS-29). Further groundwater data collection is ongoing to design
an effective treatment system for each of the plumes. AFCEE plans to have these treatment
systems in place by 2004.
- 3 areas are in the long-term monitoring program (Eastern
Briarwood, Western Aquafarm and FS-13).
- 3 plumes are under investigation (CS-10, CS-19, and CS-23
|
It is important to note that
three plumes (FS-1, CS-4 and CS-10) are included twice in Figure 2. The existing treatment
systems for the FS-1 and CS-4 are being redesigned, based on updated information. There
are currently three treatment systems in operation for the CS-10 plume and these are all
being reevaluated for possible upgrades and improvements, again because new information is
available from the analysis of many years of operating and monitoring data.
| Site Codes: |
|
| CS - Chemical Spill |
FS - Fuel Spill |
| LF - Landfill |
SD - Storm Drain |
Groundwater
Treatment Systems
To date, 12 groundwater
treatment systems have been placed in operation. These systems have
treated over 13 billions gallons of contaminated groundwater from the aquifer. Every day
the AFCEE systems in operation are together treating 12 million gallons of groundwater.
There are three main parts of a typical MMR
groundwater treatment system. First, groundwater is pumped from the aquifer by an
extraction well. Groundwater is pumped from several extraction well locations as part of
an overall treatment system.
| Once the groundwater has been pumped
to an above-ground treatment plant, it passes through large tanks, each filled with 20,000
pounds of granular activated carbon. The carbon filters out the contaminants to non
detectable levels before the water is returned to the aquifer. Treated water is returned
to the deep aquifer using re-injection wells or it is allowed to infiltrate naturally into
the shallow aquifer through infiltration galleries. It also can be returned to the surface
water using bubblers. The treatment system table below summarizes
how well those groundwater treatment systems are performing. The map
shows treatment system locations and groundwater plumes. |
Sandwich Road treatment plant and
granular activated carbon vessels
|
Data through June 2002
| A=Estimated based on startup date |
C=(Natural attentuation) Active Treatment |
| B=Modifications to CS-4 to be made as part of SWOU |
D=Modifications to FS-1 to be completed in 2002 |
|
|
Overview Map of Treatment Systems and
Groundwater Plumes
|
Construction Activities in the Community
An element critical to
the success of the cleanup of groundwater plumes is access to the land located above the
areas of contamination. Plumes that have migrated beyond the base boundaries may exist
below public or private property, rights-of-way, near recreation areas, and base property.
The property may be required for installing monitoring, extraction, or reinjection wells;
laying piping; or installing recirculation wells.
Prior to any construction activities, a real estate
specialist for the Department of Defense contacts the appropriate property owners. The
specialist outlines the exact needs for that property, how long the property will be
needed, and answers other questions the property owner might have. AFCEE makes every
attempt to work with landowners to address their concerns, make adjustments if possible,
and mitigate any impacts. All safety precautions are taken during construction to protect
human health and the environment. AFCEE makes every attempt to locate wells or treatment
systems in semi-remote locations where equipment used in construction and maintenance is
not readily accessible to the public.
 |
The public is notified before construction
begins. Neighborhood notices are issued in advance to make residents aware of construction
plans. AFCEE works with the appropriate boards of selectmen, boards of health, departments
of public works, conservation commission, and police and fire departments to address any
concerns prior to construction. Every effort is made to avoid commuting hours, school bus
stops, seasonal activities such as nesting and hunting seasons, and to keep construction
to regular daytime working hours. |
AFCEE has had exceptional cooperation
to date from commercial, private, and public property owners. Without their participation,
the cleanup program would not be at the point it is now. AFCEE continues to look forward
to working with the residents of Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, and Sandwich, property owners,
and those who enjoy the Upper Cape in making progress with the cleanup.
Frequently
Asked Questions
When will the
groundwater and soil be cleaned up?
A: There are currently 12 groundwater
cleanup systems operating on eight plumes, extracting and cleaning over 12 million gallons
a day of contaminated water from both on and off the MMR. Five more groundwater cleanup
systems are to be built during the next four years. Some systems are expected to operate
for less than ten years, but several will need to be operated for 25-30 years in order to
restore the groundwater aquifer. Most of the soil cleanup has been finished with the last
of the soil projects started in 2001 and scheduled for completion in 2004. The Impact Area
Groundwater Study Program is conducting additional groundwater and soil cleanup work for
the northern part of the base.
Q: How much does the cleanup program cost?
A: Over $400 million has been spent to date
on investigation and cleanup of Installation Restoration Program sites. The estimated
total cost to complete the cleanup project is $850 million. These costs include operation
of all groundwater cleanup systems for 10 to 30 years.
More information on soil and groundwater
contamination conditions and issues related to the Massachusetts Military Reservation
Installation Restoration Program can be found online at www.mmr.org.
The MMR web site (www.mmr.org)
includes a variety of information, including technical documents, meetings agendas and
summaries, maps, fact sheets, and news releases. A glossary of commonly used terms is
available online at www.mmr.org/irp/genprog/glossary_fs.htm.
In addition, five local libraries house information repositories for the cleanup program.
Jonathan Bourne Library
19 Sandwich Rd.
Bourne, MA 02532
(508) 759–0644 |
Falmouth Public Library
123 Katharine Lee Bates Rd.
Falmouth, MA 02540
(508) 457–2555 |
Sandwich Public Library
142 Main St.
Sandwich, MA 02563
(508) 888–0625 |
Mashpee Public Library
100 Nathan Ellis Highway
Mashpee, MA 02649
(508) 539–1435 |
U.S. Coast Guard Library
Building 5205, Ent St.
Otis ANGB, MA 02542
(508) 968–6456
(Base access pass required.) |
|
Preliminary Assessment reports
Site Investigation reports
Decision Documents
Technical studies
Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS)
work plans
Risk assessments, health studies and assessments
Data, correspondence, or comments submitted by the
public and the regulators
Transcripts of formal public hearings
Responses to public comments regarding the
selection of a remedy (responsiveness summary)
Proposed Plans
Signed copies of Records of Decision (RODs)
AFCEE/MMR |
US EPA |
For
more information about
the Installation Restoration
Program, contact: |
For
more information about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, contact: |
Doug Karson
Community Involvement Specialist
HQ AFCEE/MMR
322 East Inner Road
Otis ANG Base, MA 02542
Phone: (508) 968–4678 x. 2
Toll Free: (866) GO–AFCEE
E–mail: doug.karson@mmr.brooks.af.mil |
Jim Murphy
Community Involvement
Coordinator
USEPA New England Region, Suite 1100
One Congress Street (RAA)
Boston, MA 02203
Phone: (617) 918–1028
Fax: (617) 918–1029
Toll free: (888) 372–7341
E–mail: murphy.jim@epa.gov |
MassDEP |
MA DPH |
For more information about the Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection Agency, contact: |
For
more information about the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, contact: |
Ellie Grillo
Community Involvement
Coordinator
Massachusetts MassDEP
20 Riverside Drive
Lakeville, MA 02346
Phone: (508) 946–2866
Fax: (508) 947–6557
E–mail: ellie.grillo@state.ma.us |
Dave
Williams
Senior Environmental Analyst
Massachusetts DPH
3137 Richardson Road
Otis ANGB, MA 02542
Phone: (508) 968-4366
Fax: (508) 968-4365
E–mail: dave.williams@state.ma.us |
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