Marine Corps Base Quantico

The Navy, in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) is holding a comment period September 12 – October 12, 2024, on the preferred alternative to address potential explosive risk at Munitions Response Site UXO 021 on the Mainside of Marine Corps Installations National Capital Region - Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCBQ). The site was a field firing range used from approximately 1935 to 1943. It currently consists of rolling, forested terrain, crossed by equestrian and walking/jogging trails. The Child Development Center and the new Quantico Middle School-High School (currently under construction) are located in the northern part of UXO 021.

Although a series of investigations and removal actions have been conducted, the Navy has developed remedial alternatives to reduce potential explosive hazards to people who might encounter munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) on the site’s surface or in the subsurface.

The Navy’s Feasibility Study identified six alternatives to address site risks. The Navy is now proposing to implement Alternative 5, which consists of additional surface and focused subsurface MEC removal with land use controls. These controls include activities such as installing warning signs at trail entry points, conducting munitions safety awareness training, and requiring a permit for excavation within the site area.

A brief overview of the site and the proposed plan can be found in the public notice HERE.

The Navy invites the public to view the following pre-recorded presentation, which describes the site, the alternatives that were considered to address the site, the evaluation criteria, and the preferred alternative. The presentation can be found below.

The proposed plan, which is described in the presentation, can be found HERE. The technical reports describing the investigation, results, and potential alternatives, are also available for review:

• Final Remedial Investigation

• Final Feasibility Study

Public participation is an important part of the remedy selection process and the Navy’s preferred alternative may be modified based on new information and/or public comments. The Navy will finalize its plan, with EPA and VDEQ concurrence, after considering all comments received during the public comment period (September 12 – October 12, 2024) on this proposed action. Comments can be submitted by email or mail to one of the following:

A virtual public meeting using an online platform will be held on September 19 at 7:00 p.m. Click here to join the meeting on your computer (preferred) or call 469-214-8538 and use meeting ID# 584 382 898 to join. This virtual meeting will consist of the pre-recorded presentation found below and an opportunity to ask questions or submit comments directly to project managers.