Corps to host outreach event at Fort Zachary Taylor

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Jacksonville District will be available at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park near the concession area, Tuesday, July 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to provide information and respond to questions about its Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study of the Fort Taylor Formerly Used Defense Site.  The Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study is expected to be completed in 2020. 

Fort Taylor provided harbor defense in four wars: The Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. In 1947, the Army deactivated the fort, and by 1979, the federal government deeded the property to the State of Florida to use as a state park.     

            The Corps manages the Defense Environmental Restoration Program for Formerly Used Defense Sites, on behalf of the Department of Defense, using a thorough process required by law.  In the interest of public safety, the Corps will evaluate the site by conducting a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study to determine if anything remains from past military training and if so, where it is located and in what amounts.  Once this information is analyzed, it is used to develop a recommended plan for addressing what, if anything, remains on the site. The plan will be shared for public review and comment. 

            Project documents used to determine the appropriate response action, known as the Administrative Record, are available for review at the Monroe County Library, 700 Fleming Street, Key West, FL., and at www.saj.usace.army.mil/FortTaylor. Questions may be referred to 800-710-5184 or FUDS.Florida@usace.army.mil.

            Although it is highly unlikely that the public may encounter military munitions here, munitions may be dangerous and are not always easily recognizable.  In the event potential munitions are encountered, follow the 3Rs of explosives safety: Recognize that the item may be munitions, and munitions are potentially dangerous. Retreat from the area without touching or moving the object.  Report the finding to local law enforcement immediately by dialing 9-1-1.