Some parts of the refuge have been deemed safe but visitors must watch a safety video and sign a waiver promising not to sue if theyre injured by an exploding shell. The U.S. Army selected 17,000 acres of farm land just 10 miles northeast of Denver in Commerce City, Colorado, as the site of the new Arsenal. Thousands of ducks died after coming in contact with its wastewater ponds in the 1950s. In some cases, they could have conceivably made the site into something that was economically valuable, but that would have cost more, Rome said. (1 of 9) SITE HISTORY - Rocky Mountain Arsenal was listed on the NPL in 1987. (4 of 9), CREATION OF WILDLIFE REFUGE In the 1980s a roost of bald eagles, which were then on the Endangered Species List, was discovered. Photos source: US Fish and Wildlife Service During removal of contaminated soil and construction of the remedy containment structures, air monitoring was conducted at multiple sites in the Arsenals interior and fence line, and several sites in the surrounding communities. Not for the "stupid price" of $150 an acre foot. After a $2.1 billion cleanup, the site was reborn as Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, with 24 square miles of idyllic prairie where visitors can take scenic drives or hikes. Groundwater treatment will continue until all water leaving the site meets state and federal standards. Opinion: Colorado farms going fallow? The well was cased and sealed to a depth of 11,975 feet, with the remaining 70 feet left as an open hole for the injection of Basin F liquids. In 1942, during World War II, the U.S. Army bought 17,000 acres of farmland outside of Denver to develop chemical weapons to be used as a war deterrent. Finally, the Act provides for the transfer of some Arsenal land for road expansion around the perimeter of the Arsenal and 915 acres (3.70km2) to be sold for development and annexation by Commerce City. The military, the U.S. Department of Energy and private companies have spent more than $57 billion to clean up the six heavily polluted sites, according to figures gathered by The Associated Press from military and civil agencies. In April 2007 Dick's Sporting Goods Park, a soccer-specific stadium, was opened on part of the former Rocky Mountain Arsenal land that was transferred to Commerce City. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has sued the U.S. Army claiming that dangerous chemicals including pesticides continue to leach into groundwater at Rocky Mountain Arsenal . In response, the Army constructed an asphalt-lined impoundment for the disposal of wastes in 1956. Its location was selected because it is far from the coast and it has sufficient labor force. The purpose of this Natural Resource Damage Assessment Plan is to document the State Trustees' basis for conducting the damage assessment that provided the basis of the lawsuit and to set forth the proposed approaches for quantifying harm to natural resources and calculating the damages associated with those injuries. [3] One of the goals of the MMP was to enhance community assurance that the clean-up was effective, and it included air quality monitoring, cancer surveillance, and birth defects surveillance. The U.S. Army constructed the Arsenal in 1942 to develop chemical weapons as a deterrent against the Axis Powers. The Act also provides that to the extent possible, parts of the Arsenal are to be managed as a Refuge in the interim. During the development of the remedy for the Arsenals contamination, there was a lot of public concern that the cleanup itself might pose a risk to the surrounding residents. The magnitude 5.2 event caused widespread minor damage in the suburban areas of northeast Denver. The U.S. Army has begun removing Building 130, which is located northeast of the Refuge Visitors Center. selected for the Rocky Mountain Arsenal includes the removal of contaminated soil down to 10 over much of the contaminated area, and that contaminated overburden is contained in two hazardous waste landfills that remain on the site. Fish and Wildlife Service, bringing the total to 15,000 acres (61km2). Starting in 1942, the U.S. Army used the 27-mile site for the manufacture, assembly, and disposal . The JARDF is located at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, 7270 Kingston Parkway, Building 129, Commerce City, CO 80022-1749. In the early 1960s, the U.S. Army began to lease out its facilities to private companies to manufacture pesticides. That said, it would be better if they were cleaned up more thoroughly.. That rankles Tim Maloney, a senior policy director for the Hoosier Environmental Council. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge (credit: CBS) Nick Kaczor and his team were also out -- trying to find the black footed ferrets. By year end, the United States has out-produced the Axis . Parts of a C-shaped buffer zone around the perimeter are open to visitors asHanford Reach National Monument. Mallard carcasses found to have higher levels of Dieldrin. [8] It was drilled to a depth of 12,045 feet (3671 m). For testing purposes, the well was injected with approximately 568,000 gallons of city water prior to injecting any waste. 1941Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, and the United States enters World War II. MORE: Federal prosecutors say they cant find files on investigation into Rocky Flats nuclear arms plant. As provided by CERCLA, a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) was conducted to determine the extent of contamination. The contaminated groundwater that still exists in and around RMA continues to be actively monitored. 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. Current Basin F liquid consists of very salty water that includes some metals, chlorides, wastewater and toxic organics. I think theres a case to be made that just leaving it in place really maintains an unacceptable risk of contamination spreading from the site, he said. The Colorado School of Mines rated this shock magnitude 5.0. Residents were generally shaken, but no damage was sustained. [1], The environmental movement began in the United States in the 1960-1970s. A similar shock, magnitude 4.1, centered in the Denver area November 15. Many residents reported it was the strongest earthquake they had ever experienced. The Army discontinued use of the well in Feb. 1966 because of the possibility that the fluid injection was triggering earthquakes in the area. Safety concerns for neighboring residents, Economic impact of contamination and clean up, Last edited on 17 February 2023, at 15:23, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, "The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge: On a Rocky Road to Creating a Community Asset", "Remediation Management of Complex Sites, Case Study 6.4 Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Colorado", "A Brief History of Rocky Mountain Arsenal", "Remediation of Groundwater Contamination at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal: Numerical and Geostatistical Analysis", "Colorado Sues Government Over Rocky Mountain Arsenal Site", "Rocky Mountain Arsenal Oversight Program FAQs", Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City, Adams County, CO, Rocky Mountain Arsenal Archive: A collection of primary, historical documents, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rocky_Mountain_Arsenal&oldid=1139926896, North boundary groundwater treatment system (197982) $4.3 million, Irondale groundwater treatment system by Shell (1981) $1.1 million, Basin F liquid evaporation and contaminated sewer removal (1982) $1.5 million, Northwest boundary groundwater treatment system (1984) $5.5 million, Removal of 76,000 drums of waste salts (1986) $10.5 million, Treatment in the public water supply and The Klein Water Treatment Facility supplies safe drinking water to 30,000 south Adams County residents (1989) $23.1 million, Removal and containment of 10.5M gallons of Basin F liquids and 564,000 cubic yards of sludges (1989) $42 million, Improvements and modifications to North boundary system (19901) $2.75 million, Basin F groundwater intercept system (1990) $0.7 million, Basin A neck groundwater treatment system (1990) $3.1 million, Northwest Boundary System Improvement (1991) $1.4 million, Rail classification yard and motor pool ground water (1991) $3.0 million, South tank farm plume (1991) $0.5 million, Reapplication of windblown dust control (1991) $0.25 million, Groundwater treatment system to the north (19923) $8.7 million, Building 1727 sump cleanup (1993) $0.18 million, This page was last edited on 17 February 2023, at 15:23. Most of the land areas now belong to the U.S. But parts of the refuge remain off-limits, including specially designed landfills where the Army disposed of contaminated soil. Throughout the decades of cleanup, the air monitors revealed there was no safety hazard to public health as no arsenal chemicals had been released into the air. The 17,000-acre site is 10 miles northeast of Denver. The U.S government acquired the Arsenal land in 1942 to manufacture chemical warfare agents, including mustard gas and incendiary munitions, for use in World War II. Tensions arose between the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the State of Colorado, United States Army, and the chemical industries as they partnered to clean up the site and create the RMANWR. Hanford where the cleanup has already cost at least $48 billion and hundreds of billions more are projected may be the most troubled refuge of all. Feds sue water company for rupture damaging Rocky Mountain National Park -- again, Family gets unexpected bill after Kaiser Permanente Colorado software error that resulted in refunds to thousands, Skygazers will have a great view Wednesday of two planets that look like they are almost touching. It was felt at Laramie, Wyoming, to the northwest, east to Goodland, Kansas, and south to Pueblo, Colorado. The contamination of the underlying alluvial aquifer occurred due to the discharge of waste into unlined basins. Kirk Mitchell is a general assignment reporter at The Denver Post who focuses on criminal justice stories. Much of the site is now protected as the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Roughly 10 miles (16 kilometers) from downtown Denver, the arsenal was once an environmental nightmare where chemical weapons and commercial pesticides were made. The Army and Shell took remedial actions to prevent the contamination that includes the installation of the groundwater barrier system which treated approximately 1 billion gallons of water every year. This was further exacerbated when the U.S. Army discovered an endangered species, the bald eagle. [8][9] The well remained unused until 1985 when the Army permanently sealed the disposal well. Rocky Mountain Arsenal, which was once a U.S. Army chemical weapons manufacturing facility, became a wildlife refuge in 1992. When the Cold War ended in the 1980s, more surplus military lands were earmarked for refuges. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. (5 of 9), Mayor Pro Tem Ren Bullock, who also sits on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Front Range Wildlife Refuges, stated "As a decades-long participant in transitioning this site from munitions manufacturing to wildlife sanctuary, I can honestly say the Refuge is an shining example of promises made, promises kept and should serve as the gold standard for how to make former Superfund sites benefit the communities in which they are located." the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Disposal Well By D. B. Hoover and J. 1992Congress passes the 1992 Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Act, which designates the site as a future national wildlife refuge. Rocket fuel to support Air Force operations was also manufactured and stored at RMA. Its radiation isnt strong enough to be dangerous outside the body, but its dust is a serious health risk if inhaled or swallowed, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says. [20] In the case of Rocky Mountain Arsenal, total indirect cost was not estimated at all. Become a member to support the independent voice of Denver Weapons manufactured at RMA included both conventional and chemical munitions, including white phosphorus (M34 grenade), napalm, mustard gas, lewisite, and chlorine gas. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. There is no appropriate standard by the EPA, but the state of Colorado has a standard treatment protocol for this chemical. The site was placed on the National Priorities List (NPL), a list of the most contaminated areas in the United States. The Army replied by indicating federal authorities should regulate the arsenal superfund site through the CERCLA, and not state environmental authorities. The Army was dumping dangerous chemicals into a deep injection well out at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. The Denver series was forgotten, however temporarily, in October 1966, when a southeast Colorado tremor rocked a 15,000 square-mile area of that State and bordering New Mexico. Contaminated ground water was first discovered to have migrated off of the Arsenal in the mid-1950s when crop damage and affected livestock was noted on farms north of the Arsenal. The Army told the Nuclear Regulatory Commission it could cost $3.2 billion to clean the area for unrestricted use. In September 2010, the cleanup was considered complete, and the remaining portions of land were transferred to the U.S. (1 of 9), SITE HISTORY - Rocky Mountain Arsenal was listed on the NPL in 1987. A. Dietrich f. h,_ During the 1968 pumping tests at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal disposal well, the U.S. Geological Survey was responsible for moni wring earthquakes occurring in the area of the arsenal ami making chemical analysis of the fluids removed. American bison are reintroduced to the site that same year as part of a nationwide conservation effort. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is 15,000 acres and features three lakes that are home to over 300 species of wildlife. 1996The U.S. Army, Shell and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service enter into a unique public-private teaming arrangement called the Remediation Venture Office (RVO) to facilitate the safe, timely and cost-effective cleanup and transition of the site. A lateral was built off the High Line Canal to supply water to the Arsenal. One monitoring project has demonstrated incremental improvements over time, and specifically measured 640 parts per billion (ppb) in 1987 and 55 ppb in 1989, while a different off-post monitoring well measured 138 ppb in 1985, 105 ppb in 1987, 14 ppb in 1988, and 6.7 ppb in 1989. But cleanup costs for an area where contaminated waste is stored are soaring, and Department of Energy investigators say the project has been plagued by fraud and mismanagement. The perfect trail for those who like to enjoy nature from the comfort of their air-conditioned vehicle with a latte in hand. Manufacturing and waste disposal practices used during these years resulted in extensive soil, surface water, sediment, groundwater and structures contamination, damage to trees and vegetation, and death to wildlife. It cited seven violations. The manufacturing of these weapons continued until 1969. The shock shuffled furniture around in homes, and left electrical wall outlets hanging by their wires at Irondale. Official websites use .gov Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, a former nuclear weapons plant northwest of Denver, opened to hikers and cyclists last September, but some activists question whether its safe. This program was designed to address potential Arsenal-related health concerns of those living in communities surrounding the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, including the southernmost portion of Brighton, Commerce City, Green Valley Ranch, Henderson and Montbello. Additionally, ordnance (including incendiary munitions) was manufactured and tested, and asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were used at RMA. The refuge is currently open from sunrise to sunset. During November 1967, the Denver region was shaken by five moderate earthquakes. The injected fluids had very little potential for reaching the surface or useable groundwater supply since the injection point had 11,900 feet of rock above it and was sealed at the opening. It was estimated by the U.S. Coinciding with these activities, from 1946 to 1982, the Army leased RMA facilities to private industries for the production of pesticides. State health officials are asking the federal courts to intervene to stop the contamination on the north and northwest boundaries of the trenches. The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet based in Denver that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state our community can better understand itself. Most badgers at Rocky Mountain Arsenal appear to be unaffected by dieldrin, one of the main chemical contaminants remaining in the soil at the military base. Marshall fire victims protested green building codes as too expensive. The cleanup was completed in 2010 and five large parcels of land have been deleted from the NPL, creating opportunities for reuse development and expansion of the Refuge. Solid and liquid chemical hazardous wastes were disposed of in trenches, burn pits and pooled in open basins covering wide areas. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge has been transformed from a 17,000+ acre facility used for weapons and chemical manufacturing into a beautiful nature sanctuary. Only one, on July 15, caused minor damage at Commerce City. In 2004, 5000 acres along the perimeter of the site were deleted from the National Priorities List of Superfund sites to establish the National Wildlife Refuge. Brighton is 6 miles north, and Barr Lake State Park is about 5 miles northeast. 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