SAN LUIS OBISPO, California -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District is hosting a public meeting about a proposed remediation plan for the Camp San Luis Obispo formerly used defense site.
The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. May 22 at the Ludwick Community Center, 864 Santa Rosa St.
The site is located five miles northwest of San Luis Obispo, along Highway 1. The land is managed by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo County, San Luis Obispo County Office of Education, State Department of Corrections, Cuesta College, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other private entities.
The Corps is investigating two munitions response sites – the Multi-Use Range Complex and Grenade Courts 25 and 26 – totaling about 2,700 acres of that land.
The military history of Camp San Luis Obispo dates back to 1928, when the California National Guard established Camp Merriam on 5,800 acres of land in San Luis Obispo County. The land was acquired by the U.S. Army in 1940, renamed Camp San Luis Obispo and grew to about 15,000 acres.
During World War II, the land was used for Army training, which included 27 ranges and 13 other training areas, supporting small arms, artillery, grenade, mortar and rocket training. A portion of the land was returned to landowners in the 1950s; however, when the Korean War broke out, the area was put back into use as a training center. In 1964, the Army conducted a munitions clearance of the range impact areas. Following the war, the camp was maintained in an inactive status until 1965.
The Corps is the agency responsible for environmental remediation of properties that were formerly owned by, leased to or otherwise possessed by the Department of Defense and transferred from DOD control prior to Oct. 17, 1986. This includes the Camp San Luis Obispo site.
The Corps’ proposed plan addresses the preferred alternatives for remediating potential munitions and explosives of concern from the site.
The public is invited to review and comment on the proposed plan during the public meeting, as well as during the public comment period, which is now to June 7.
Comments may be emailed to: FUDS.SPL@usace.army.mil or mailed and postmarked no later than June 7 to: CSLO FUDS Project Manager, Attn: CESPL-PM-M, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, LA District, 915 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 930, Los Angeles, CA 90017-3401.