What's New?

Air Force Completes Five-Year Review

In September 2008, the Air Force submitted a Final Five-Year Review to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  A five-year review was conducted at the Lowry sites where chosen remedies leave contaminants in place (OU2) or where cleanup activities are still in progress (OU5). The five-year review found the remedial actions at OU2 and OU5 to be protective or expected to be protective, pending evaluation of future monitoring data.  The Final Five-Year Review can be found, as AR# 1552, in the Administrative Record.

Building 1002e Dayton Street Septic Tank Site Requires No Further Action

Building 1002E, near the intersection of 6th Avenue and Dayton Street,  was formerly used as a general purpose warehouse and most recently used as a reclaimation shop.    According to RCRA Facility Assessment (RFA) database, there were no reported releases of hazardous materials and there is no apparent surface contamination at the site.  Sanitary sewer system drawings show that one septic tank and leach field served all of the buildings in this area including 10001, 1001, and 1002 and associated out buildings.  The septic tank was removed in April 2005 and the contents of the septic tank and surrounding soil were evaluated by the Air Force at that time.  Both the contents of the septic tank and the surrounding soils were determined to be non-hazardous.  In addition, data from groundwater monitored from well CSZ-2, located within the Dayton Street Septic Tank leach field, do not indicate groundwater contamination. 

On April 21, 2008, LAC submitted a NFA request to CDPHE for the Dayton Street Septic Tank.  CDPHE approved the request in a letter dated April 30, 2008. 

 Buildling 898 Requires No Further Action

Building 898 was a former dispensary and dental clinic, located in the northeastern corner of Lowry and shown on the map. Several investigations indicated that levels of mercury vapor measured in breathing zone air precluded unrestricted use.  Based on the results of the investigations, the Air Force determined that Building 898 would be demolished.  After approval by CDPHE and the State Historic Preservation Office, Building 898 was demolished.  Soil samples for mercury were taken, analyzed, and the results indicate that they are below Lowry Soil Action Levels and TCLP standards. 

Following demolition, asbestos was identified in the soil and access to the site was restricted.  CDPHE approved the plan for removal of the asbestos containing soil on January 22, 2008 and the project was completed in March 2008.  The project report and No Further Action request was submitted to CDPHE on May 6, 2008.  CDPHE approved the NFA request on June 18, 2008. 

More information on Building 898 can be found on the NFA page .

Seven Quarters of Post-closure Monitoring have been completed at the OU2 Landfill.

The landfill zone, known as OU2 is an approximately 74.5 acre parcel in the south central portion of Lowry. The landfill was closed with the construction of a soil cap but will be maintained and monitored for 30 years, following a postclosure cover maintenance and gas, surface water, and groundwater monitoring program.

The purpose of the groundwater and surface water sampling is to monitor water quality and to detect potential contamination originating from OU 2.  Groundwater and surface water samples are collected based on a CDPHE-approved schedule and are analyzed for metals, VOCs, and radionuclides (gross alpha and gross beta).  Eight quarters of groundwater sampling will be conducted, during the first two years of post-closure monitoring, to establish baseline conditions for OU2.  Of these eight,  seven quarters of groundwater and surface water have been conducted through June 2008.  Draft versions of the monitoring reports are provided in the reference page under OU2 references.  

Two rounds of groundwater monitoring have included additional radiological analysis, as requested by the CDPHE.  The two rounds with additional radiological analysis were conducted in  February and April 2007.  After evaluation of the data and discussion between CDPHE and LAC, CDPHE approved the additional analysis in July 2008 and closed out the requirement for further investigation of landfill radiological groundwater and surface water sampling.  The radionuclides, gross alpha and gross beta, will continue to be sampled as part of the groundwater an d surface water monitoring program. 

More information on OU2 can be found on the landfill page.

 Remedial Project Assessment for OU5

 In 2008, LAC began a Remedial Project Assessment for OU5.  The objective of the RPA is to develop cleanup criteria to close OU5 and includes the evaluation of the current groundwater treatment and the development of future steps required to reach no further action for OU5.   LAC and CDPHE are currently discussing what these future steps will be. 

The most recent groundwater monitoring reports include the January 2008 sampling event for the Main Plume and the Headquarters and Fire Training Zone Plumes.