Re: Off-Base Sampling

["Ted Henry" <icfke@toad.net> (by way of "cpeo@cpeo.org" <cpeo@cpeo.org>)]

Original Message-----
From: Ted Henry <icfke@toad.net>
To: lsiegel@cpeo.org <lsiegel@cpeo.org>
Date: Monday, August 02, 1999 10:23 AM
Subject: Re: Off-Base Sampling


Aberdeen Proving Ground has conducted off-post sampling.  However, it
should be understood that this effort has taken significant pressure from
the community and its TAG consultants.

The example that immediately comes to mind in groundwater flow near the
Edgewood boundary.  In a description at the RAB regarding a TCE plume in
the area, contour data were provided with arrows showing water only flowing
from off-post to on-post.  Yet, the data actually suggested that
groundwater may have been flowing off-post in a localized area. After 6
months of pressing the EPA and getting hydrogeological assessments
conducted by the EPA and USGS, there was finally agreement that there was
an area of flow moving off-post.  6 months.

As you might have guessed, TCE was found at the boundary and then found in
off-post sampling near the adjacent neighborhood.

Most troublesome was the fact that minutes from an internal APG meeting
dated before the 6 month battle began indicated that agencies at APG knew
of the data suggesting groundwater flow off-post.

There are other examples where APG did sample off-post, including surface
water (although part of the Chesapeake Bay and the tributaries are
considered APG property).  So, APG has made some effort and work by the
community has improved the quality of this sampling.  For instance, APG did
not sample for RAD contamination regularly until the citizens coalition and
its consultants pressed for it.

In short, the community efforts is a critical part of the process and
military agencies will do the right thing, it just often takes pressure to
ensure the "corners are not cut".

Peace

Ted Henry
Community Outreach Specialist
The IT Group
2113 Emmorton Park Road
Edgewood, MD 21040
(410) 679-9939 - phone
(410) 679-9940 - fax

>-----Original Message-----
>From: Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>
>To: cpeo-military@igc.org <cpeo-military@igc.org>
>Date: Sunday, August 01, 1999 8:17 PM
>Subject: Off-Base Sampling
>
>
>>A question came up today at our meeting of community members from Army
>>Ammunition Plants. It actually applies to all military installation.
>>
>>Where there are indications of possible contamination migration, does
>>the installation in your area conduct off-site sampling,  of
>>groundwater, surface water, and/or other media?
>>--
>>
>>
>>Lenny Siegel
>>Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
>>c/o PSC, 222B View St., Mountain View, CA 94041
>>Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
>>Fax: 650/968-1126
>>lsiegel@cpeo.org
>>http://www.cpeo.org
>>
>
>