JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District will hold a public meeting Wednesday, June 26 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Bushnell Community Center, 407 E. Belt Avenue. Corps representatives will explain the Proposed Plan for the former gas yard located at the Bushnell Army Airfield Formerly Used Defense Site. The community is invited to review and comment on the plan during the public comment period, June 27 through July 29, 2013.
The former Bushnell Army Airfield is on approximately 1,500 acres located about a mile northeast of Bushnell in Sumter County between U.S. 301 on the west, 471 to the east, Belt Avenue to the south and County Road 532 to the north. The U.S. Army used the site to train bomber pilots and aircrews, and the Chemical Warfare Service used a portion of the site in support of research being conducted at Withlacoochee State Forest during World War II. When the war ended, the site was no longer needed and all leases were terminated.
Over the years, the Corps has evaluated the site and has found no evidence of munitions or chemical warfare materiel remaining from the military’s activities. However, because the site was used for storing and transferring chemicals for tests elsewhere, the Corps conducted a Remedial Investigation to determine if any potential hazards remain. The Corps collected soil samples and monitored the air on a 1.29-acre site off of Old Airport Road, known as the former gas yard. No evidence of any remaining hazards was found.
The results of the investigation are summarized in a Proposed Plan, which will be presented at the June 26 meeting. Because no hazards were found, the preferred alternative for this site is no further action.
Further information and project documents are available at the Bushnell Public Library, 402 North Florida Street, Bushnell, Fla. 33513. Questions may be referred toll-free to 866-279-4880 or by e-mail to FUDS.Florida@usace.army.mil.
Comments on the Proposed Plan will be accepted at the public meeting or by mail, through July 29, 2013 to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
ATTN: Frank Araico (CESAJ-PM-M)
701 San Marco Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL 32207-8175
In the unlikely event that munitions are encountered, follow the 3Rs of explosives safety: Recognize what you have encountered may be munitions, and munitions are dangerous. Retreat from the area without touching or moving the object. Report what you saw and where you saw it to local law enforcement immediately by dialing
9-1-1.
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