Environmental cleanup work remaining at the U.S. Air Force Academy is the long-term monitoring of two landfills.
Numerous investigations found groundwater was impacted, with the primary concern being metals contamination (arsenic, iron and manganese) in seep areas:
- Old Landfill No. 1 (Site 6).
- Old Landfill No. 2 (Site 7).
- Asbestos in building demolition:
- Pine Valley family housing.
- Douglas Valley housing area.
Historic activities
- A records search in 1984 identified 10 specific areas for further investigation, and three additional sites were added to the list as new information emerged.
- Field investigations began at the academy in October 1987.
- Results of the sampling and monitoring through 1996 led to closeout of the following sites:
- JP-4 Fuel Release (Site 1).
- Farish Dredge Material Disposal (Site 2).
- Farish Landfill (Site 3).
- Fire Training Area (Site 4).
- Dredge Material Disposal (Site 5).
- Sewage Sludge Disposal Area (Site 8).
- Firing Range (Site 9).
- Old Visitors Center (Site 10).
- Civil Engineering Maintenance Yard Runoff Area (Site 11).
- Drum Disposal Site (Site 12).
- Golf Course Maintenance (Site 13).
Community involvement
- The academy published the Community Relations Plan in May 1996, outlining public participation activities.
- The plan included formation of the Environmental Cooperation Council, the main forum for involvement in academy environmental programs.
- The council hasn’t met since August 2006.
- Call Chief Civil Engineering/Environmental Flight at 719-472-4493 or the Office of Public Affairs at 719-472-2569 for more information about community involvement.
Administrative record and information repositories
Documents related to the environmental cleanup at the academy can be accessed at the following locations:
U.S. Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, CO
USAF Academy Library
2354 Fairchild Drive, Suite 3A10
USAF Academy, CO 80840
719-333-2590
Civil Engineering Building
8120 Edgerton Drive, Suite 40
USAF Academy, CO 80840
719-472-4493
Public Affairs Office
719-472-2569