4.2.12 Contaminates

In May 1994, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) completed a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) facility assessment (RFA) of Fort Carson.  This effort basically consisted of an extensive reconnaissance into the various activities that were currently and historically being conducted at the installation.  As a result, in October 1995 the CDPHE issued Fort Carson a RCRA Hazardous Waste Part B Permit, which includes provisions for investigation and potential remediation of all sites identified during the RFA process.  In this permit, these sites are described as Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs) and mainly consist of former used/waste oil sites, landfills, former burn areas, and spill sites.  The CDPHE has lead regulatory authority over this portion of the Fort Carson DECAM Restoration Program.

In addition to the SWMUs, the DECAM Restoration Program Office is responsible for investigating underground storage tank (UST) sites at various motor pools throughout the installation.  The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Oil and Public Safety, has lead authority over this portion of the program.  Both the SWMU and UST sites are shown on the map, as well as the Installation Master Plan.

If a proposed project footprint lies within the vicinity of a SWMU or UST site, notification to the Fort Carson DECAM Restoration Program office will be required.  These sites are governed under strict regulations through the State of Colorado.  Failure to comply with these regulations could result in adverse impacts to human health and the environment, as well as significant fines. 

Regional Setting