Rocky Mountain Arsenal
With the Rocky Mountains in the back ground and Plaque with info under the flag then the middle for the wild life.
RMA contained a deep injection well that was constructed in 1961.[1] It was drilled to a depth of 12,045 feet (3671 m). The well was cased and sealed to a depth of 11,975 feet (3650 m), with the remaining 70 feet (21 m) left as an open hole for the injection of Basin F liquids. For testing purposes, the well was injected with approximately 568,000 US gallons (2150 m³) of city water prior to injecting any waste. The injected fluids had very little potential for reaching the surface or usable groundwater supply since the injection point had 11,900 feet (3630 m) of rock above it and was sealed at the opening. The Army discontinued use of the well in February 1966 because the fluid injection may have triggered a series of earthquakes in the area.[1][2] The well remained unused until 1985 when the Army permanently sealed the disposal well
In 1984, the Army began a systematic investigation of site contamination in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), commonly referred to as Superfund. In 1987, the RMA was placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) of Superfund sites. As provided by CERCLA, a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) was conducted to determine the extent of contamination. Since 1985, the mission at RMA has been the remediation of the site.
[edit] Contaminants
The primary contaminants include organochloride pesticides, organophosphate pesticides, carbamate insecticides, organic solvents and feedstock chemicals used as raw products or intermediates in the manufacturing process (e.g., chlorinated benzenes), heavy metals, and chemical warfare material and their related breakdown products. Additionally, ordnance (including incendiary munitions) was manufactured and tested, and asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were used at RMA. Today, it is considered a hazardous waste site according to the Colorado Department of Public and Environmental Health.
Developments Since 2004
Although comprising 17,056 acres (69.02 km²) at the beginning of remediation in 1997, 5,976 acres (24.18 km²) of the RMA have been determined to meet cleanup requirements and are no longer part of the National Priorities List. Of that, approximately 4,927 acres (19.94 km²) were transferred by the Department of Army to the USFWS in April 2004 and another 917 acres (3.71 km²), located in the southwest corner of the site, were sold to Commerce City in June 2004. Also, in 2004, approximately 129 acres (0.52 km²), located at the boundaries, were transferred to local jurisdictions and to the U.S. Army Reserve Center for road improvement projects. An additional 7,200 acres (29 km2) was transferred to the USFWS in October 2006, making the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge one of the largest urban refuges in the United States. At that time the refuge comprised 12,500 acres (51 km2) and is home to more than 330 species of animals. Implementation of the remedy for the estimated 11,080 acres (44.84 km²) remaining is ongoing and is scheduled for completion in 2011. As of September 2010 clean-up was considered as complete and the remaining portions of land were transferred over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bring the total to 15,000 acres. The two remaining sites on the property that are retained by the Army are the South Plants location due to historical use and the North Plant location which is now a landfill containing the remains of various buildings used in the North and South Plant locations. As of May 21, 2011 the official Visitor Center was opened with an excellent exhibit about the site's history ranging from the homesteading era to its current use as a National Wildlife Refuge (www.fws.gov/rockymountainarsenal/).
Rocky Mountain Arsenal
With the Rocky Mountains in the back ground and Plaque with info under the flag then the middle for the wild life.
RMA contained a deep injection well that was constructed in 1961.[1] It was drilled to a depth of 12,045 feet (3671 m). The well was cased and sealed to a depth of 11,975 feet (3650 m), with the remaining 70 feet (21 m) left as an open hole for the injection of Basin F liquids. For testing purposes, the well was injected with approximately 568,000 US gallons (2150 m³) of city water prior to injecting any waste. The injected fluids had very little potential for reaching the surface or usable groundwater supply since the injection point had 11,900 feet (3630 m) of rock above it and was sealed at the opening. The Army discontinued use of the well in February 1966 because the fluid injection may have triggered a series of earthquakes in the area.[1][2] The well remained unused until 1985 when the Army permanently sealed the disposal well
In 1984, the Army began a systematic investigation of site contamination in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), commonly referred to as Superfund. In 1987, the RMA was placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) of Superfund sites. As provided by CERCLA, a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) was conducted to determine the extent of contamination. Since 1985, the mission at RMA has been the remediation of the site.
[edit] Contaminants
The primary contaminants include organochloride pesticides, organophosphate pesticides, carbamate insecticides, organic solvents and feedstock chemicals used as raw products or intermediates in the manufacturing process (e.g., chlorinated benzenes), heavy metals, and chemical warfare material and their related breakdown products. Additionally, ordnance (including incendiary munitions) was manufactured and tested, and asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were used at RMA. Today, it is considered a hazardous waste site according to the Colorado Department of Public and Environmental Health.
Developments Since 2004
Although comprising 17,056 acres (69.02 km²) at the beginning of remediation in 1997, 5,976 acres (24.18 km²) of the RMA have been determined to meet cleanup requirements and are no longer part of the National Priorities List. Of that, approximately 4,927 acres (19.94 km²) were transferred by the Department of Army to the USFWS in April 2004 and another 917 acres (3.71 km²), located in the southwest corner of the site, were sold to Commerce City in June 2004. Also, in 2004, approximately 129 acres (0.52 km²), located at the boundaries, were transferred to local jurisdictions and to the U.S. Army Reserve Center for road improvement projects. An additional 7,200 acres (29 km2) was transferred to the USFWS in October 2006, making the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge one of the largest urban refuges in the United States. At that time the refuge comprised 12,500 acres (51 km2) and is home to more than 330 species of animals. Implementation of the remedy for the estimated 11,080 acres (44.84 km²) remaining is ongoing and is scheduled for completion in 2011. As of September 2010 clean-up was considered as complete and the remaining portions of land were transferred over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bring the total to 15,000 acres. The two remaining sites on the property that are retained by the Army are the South Plants location due to historical use and the North Plant location which is now a landfill containing the remains of various buildings used in the North and South Plant locations. As of May 21, 2011 the official Visitor Center was opened with an excellent exhibit about the site's history ranging from the homesteading era to its current use as a National Wildlife Refuge (www.fws.gov/rockymountainarsenal/).