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1. What is the status of the investigation and cleanup of environmental contamination at the Inland Area of CNWS?

A comprehensive program is currently underway to systematically investigate, clean up, and monitor environmental contamination that may have resulted from past operations at the base. This program began in 1983, and is being carried out by the Navy through its Installation Restoration Program (IRP) and Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP).

The Navy issued a report known as the “Environmental Conditions of Property” report. This report summarizes the historical, cultural, and environmental conditions of the property and contains a summary of the current status of the IRP and MMRP programs. The report indicates that known or suspected areas of environmental contamination are present on less than 1,200 acres of the 5,170 acre site. These areas consist of approximately 60 specific locations where past releases of hazardous substances to soil and groundwater are either suspected or are known to have occurred. These locations are currently in various stages of study, cleanup and monitoring.

A local information repository has been established by the Navy to facilitate community access to reports prepared to date on environmental conditions and cleanup activities at the Concord Naval Weapons Station. The information repository is located at the Concord Public Library, located at 2900 Salvio Street in Concord, CA. The entire Administrative Record File for the Concord Naval Weapons Station is maintained at the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, 1220 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92132.

2. Who is responsible for the environmental cleanup?

The Navy is responsible for investigating and cleaning up the site pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA, 1986), the National Contingency Plan (NCP), and other federal and state laws and regulations.

The cleanup process is overseen by several federal and state environmental regulatory agencies. To facilitate this oversight, investigation and cleanup activities are discussed at monthly Remedial Project Managers meetings comprised of representatives from the Navy, the City, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), the Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board), and other federal and state agencies.

The Navy always retains liability for any discovery of additional contamination at an identified site or at an unknown site.

3. How can the community be kept informed and participate in the environmental cleanup process?

A community-based Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) was established in 1995 to review progress, provide input, and participate in the decision-making process concerning the investigation and cleanup work at the Concord Naval Weapons Station. The RAB is primarily made up of volunteer community members, but also includes representatives from the Navy, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders who reflect the diverse interests of those living and working near the base. The group meets quarterly to review technical documents and discuss cleanup activities. The meetings are open to the public.

Materials from RAB meetings can be found online.

4. How was the environmental cleanup and the preparation of the base reuse plan coordinated?

The environmental cleanup being performed by the Navy, and the base reuse plan developed by the City of Concord as the LRA was closely coordinated and integrated into the Concord Community Reuse Plan and the CRP Area Plan. The cleanup levels established for the site considered and reflected the planned future land uses established by the CRP Area Plan.

5. How will the Navy ensure that the land is adequately cleaned up before or after it is transferred?

The Navy is required to ensure that the base is investigated and cleaned up to a level that is protective of public health and the environment. Areas of the base cannot be transferred or sold for reuse until after the investigation and clean-up of these areas is completed, and a Finding of Suitability for Transfer (FOST) is issued by the U.S. EPA.