FUDS Program Links

Safety is a Priority

3Rs logo

Follow the 3Rs of Explosives Safety
if you suspect you may have come
across a military munition.
 
Recognize – when you may have
encountered a munition and that
munitions are dangerous.
 
Retreat – do not approach, touch,
move or disturb it, but carefully leave
the area.
 
Report – call 911 and advise the police
of what you saw and where you saw it.

Point Vicente Interpretive Center

The Point Vicente Interpretive Center project site consists of 26-acres located in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, in Los Angeles County. The site is bounded on the south by the historic Point Vicente Lighthouse and the Coast Guard Reservation; on the west by the Pacific Ocean and sea cliffs; on the north by a storm drain and the Oceanfront Estates community; and on the east by Palos Verdes Drive West. 

A 26-acre, triangular-shaped area in the lower section of what was identified as Tract No. 8, bordering the Pacific Ocean, was used by the U. S. Army as a rifle range. The rifle range was developed as an Army Known Distance Rifle Range with firing lines at 27.7-, 100-, 200-, and 300-yards. The Army KD Rifle Range was used for small arms target practice and qualifying by active and reserve Army units stationed at Fort MacArthur and by units of the California National Guard. 

The Army KD Rifle Range was deactivated in 1974, and the site was leased to Los Angeles County, which made no improvements. Before the term of the lease expired in 1979, the U.S. Army transferred the site to Los Angeles County by quitclaim deed. Los Angeles County subsequently leased the site to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes. Los Angeles County conveyed the property to the City of Rancho Palos Verdes by quitclaim deed on 16 December 2003.

After opening in 1984, the PVIC became a well-known educational and recreational resource in Southern California. By 1998, city officials decided to undertake a comprehensive expansion program that would add 7,000-square feet to the exhibit building. Excavation for the expansion led to the discovery of lead-contaminated soil in late July 1999. Due to concerns for public health, the PVIC was closed to the public in August 1999.
 
The PVIC remained closed throughout 2002, during which time the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District, managed the planning and remediation of the lead-contaminated soil. Hot spots of lead-contaminated soil were removed and replaced with clean soil. Outside the area of the hot spots the upper 1-foot of soil was replaced with clean soil. 

The PVIC was reopened on a limited basis in December 2002, when the removal of lead contaminated soil was completed. The expansion of the PVIC exhibit building resumed following the cleanup. The expansion was completed in July 2006, and the PVIC was fully reopened to the public.
 
The Corps is performing a Five-Year Review of the PVIC FUDS to evaluate whether the previously implemented remedy remains protective of human health and safety and the environment. If you would like to participate in a brief survey to provide input for the Five-Year Review, please visit www.surveymonkey.com.

Contact Information

For more information about the former Point Vicente Interpretive Center FUDS, please call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Public Affairs Office at 213-452-3921.

To learn more about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers FUDS Program, please click here.