Beale completes soil restoration project

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Allen Pollard
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Beale Military Munitions Response Program completed excavation of more than 17,000 tons of contaminated top soil as part of the Interim Removal Action for seven small arms munitions response sites.

The goal was to remove lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contaminating the soil and to prevent any future fines and environmental expenses for the base.

Kent Hawley, Beale's environmental prevention program manager, said the soil had a lead contamination above 80 parts per million, which exceeded the limits and had to be removed.

"The Environmental Protection Agency and California State law has a limit of contamination allowed in the soil," said Hawley. "With all the soil removed and replaced the base is free from any future environmental issues and fines."

Approximately 16,000 tons of soil was disposed at Recology Ostrom Road Landfill as non-hazardous waste, and approximately 1,500 tons of soil were disposed at Clean Harbors Buttonwillow Landfill as hazardous waste.

After excavation was completed, the areas were backfilled with approximately 10,500 cubic yards of approved soil.

Also, 27,000 linear feet of post-construction fiber rolls were installed in order to protect the water quality from erosion and sediment runoffs.

Finally, 16 acres of hydro seed mulch was applied to the fresh soil to begin vegetation regrowth, and electric fences were installed around six of the seven sites in order to keep cattle out during the restoration process.

"With that land below the hazardous limits, Beale no longer has to worry about annual environmental expenses," said Hawley. "Once all documents are closed, the land becomes free for unlimited use."

Beale completes soil restoration project

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Allen Pollard
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Beale Military Munitions Response Program completed excavation of more than 17,000 tons of contaminated top soil as part of the Interim Removal Action for seven small arms munitions response sites.

The goal was to remove lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contaminating the soil and to prevent any future fines and environmental expenses for the base.

Kent Hawley, Beale's environmental prevention program manager, said the soil had a lead contamination above 80 parts per million, which exceeded the limits and had to be removed.

"The Environmental Protection Agency and California State law has a limit of contamination allowed in the soil," said Hawley. "With all the soil removed and replaced the base is free from any future environmental issues and fines."

Approximately 16,000 tons of soil was disposed at Recology Ostrom Road Landfill as non-hazardous waste, and approximately 1,500 tons of soil were disposed at Clean Harbors Buttonwillow Landfill as hazardous waste.

After excavation was completed, the areas were backfilled with approximately 10,500 cubic yards of approved soil.

Also, 27,000 linear feet of post-construction fiber rolls were installed in order to protect the water quality from erosion and sediment runoffs.

Finally, 16 acres of hydro seed mulch was applied to the fresh soil to begin vegetation regrowth, and electric fences were installed around six of the seven sites in order to keep cattle out during the restoration process.

"With that land below the hazardous limits, Beale no longer has to worry about annual environmental expenses," said Hawley. "Once all documents are closed, the land becomes free for unlimited use."