CASA GRANDE, Ariz. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District hosted a public meeting Feb. 25 to present remedial options for the former Williams Field Bomb Target Ranges #4, #9, #10 and #12 located near here.
The Corps began surveying the Formerly Used Defense Sites in 1994 with remedial investigations in 2007 and 2009 leading to the 2012 remediation effort that removed nearly 27,000 pounds of scrap metal. The debris, remnants of the practice bombs used in the 1940s, was collected with no evidence of high explosives or subsurface debris.
"Remember, these practice munitions were made of very thin sheet metal," explained Jim Hug, LA District ordnance and explosive safety specialist. "The weight came from the added sand; with only a small charge in the tail section, they accordion on impact."
A recently completed feasibility study offers four options: (1) No action; (2) Institutional controls to protect current and future site users; (3) Munitions and explosives of concern surface removal; and (4) Munitions and explosives of concern removal with institutional controls.
District FUDS Program Manager Jeff Armentrout credits all parties for making this a text book project.
"Community members and State officials have been so supportive of the process," said Armentrout. "We are excited to see what the public thinks about our plan."
The proposed plan is available for review at the Florence Community Library located at 1000 S. Willow St., Florence, AZ 85132. The public review and comment period is open through March 24.
A Decision Document recording the chosen remedy and response to public comments will be completed after the public comment period.