The former Camp Elliott is located approximately 12 miles northeast of downtown San Diego, California. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is investigating and monitoring the former camp through the Formerly Used Defense Sites Program for munitions and explosive hazards that may remain from previous military activity. USACE has divided the former Camp Elliott property into four project areas. The information on this page relates to the East Elliott project.
The East Elliott project is located in the southeastern portion of the former Camp Elliott. The majority of the project area is located in the city of San Diego; however, the southeast corner is located in the city of Santee. The San Diego portion is mostly undeveloped except for a landfill. The city of Santee portion contains undeveloped areas and residential properties. World War II-era historical references provide limited information about East Elliott and there is no evidence indicating that weapons firing maneuvers took place within the project boundaries. Composite maps of firing ranges and munitions discoveries indicate that firing points were located in the Tierrasanta project area or the current Marine Corps Air Station Miramar property and extended into the East Elliott project area.
During a 1996 Site Ordnance and Explosives Investigation of East Elliott, USACE identified high-explosive projectiles predominantly located in the southeast corner. A Time-Critical Removal Action involving surface and subsurface removal of munitions items (to a depth of 3 feet) was performed between 1998 and 1999 on 70 acres of the project area. During the Time-Critical Removal Action, USACE removed ordnance, unexploded ordnance, munitions debris and scrap from the area. Additional sub-surface removal activities were recommended for the remaining East Elliott project area because of the amount of ordnance found.
USACE continues to investigate the East Elliott project through the FUDS Program to determine if additional clearance activities are required. In June 2018, USACE presented a Proposed Plan to the community with recommended remedial actions for seven sub-areas within East Elliott. Based on the findings of environmental investigations and comments received on the Proposed Plan, USACE developed four Decision Documents for the property that record the selected remedial actions for each sub-area. After the remedial actions are implemented, Five-Year Reviews will be implemented to assess if the remedial alternatives remain protective of human health and the environment.
An Administrative Record containing project documents and reports for East Elliott is available at the Santee Branch Library, and at the USACE, Los Angeles District office.