Range Restoration Program

Program Manager Contact Information:
Range Restoration Program Manager  |  252-466-3631

The intent of the Range Restoration Program is to develop and implement restoration activities for contaminated weapons ranges. Various active and inactive weapons ranges and training areas are associated with the Air Station. In many cases, ammunition used at these ranges has caused lead contamination in soil and groundwater. Munitions that remain on-range are subject to the Military Munitions Rule codified under Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 266 Subpart M and may be left in place; however, munitions that have migrated off-range must be addressed in accordance with applicable Department of Defense (DoD) directives and instructions. The DoD Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) implements the Installation Restoration Program (IRP) and the Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP). Under the MMRP, munitions on other than operational ranges (formerly referred to as “closed, transferred, or transferring ranges”) must be managed and evaluated to determine the appropriate response actions in addressing safety, human health, and the environment.

Marine Corps policy requires that all Marine Corps installations and activities comply with all applicable environmental requirements, which may include Federal, state, local, DoD, Department of the Navy (DON), Marine Corps, and MCAS Cherry Point rules, regulations, and requirements. Legal and other environmental requirements related to the Range Restoration Program are maintained on the EM Portal.

A complete description of the responsibilities of the Range Restoration Program is available on the EM Portal. Major components of the Range Restoration Program include:

• Weapons range investigation and remediation

Weapons Range Investigation and Remediation

Weapons range use often produces soil contaminated with metals from spent military munitions. Lead is the primary soil contaminant of concern; however, antimony, copper, and zinc can also contribute significant contamination. The current guiding procedure for the remediation of military weapons ranges is the DoD DERP managed under DoD Manual (DoDM) 4715.20, which implements the IRP and the MMRP. The MMRP addresses all munitions response areas or munitions response sites.

Unexploded ordnance, as a class, may be viewed as a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) pollutant or contaminant on other than operational ranges (formerly referred to as “closed, transferred, or transferring ranges”). In addition, if the unexploded ordnance is actively managed (e.g., excavated) for treatment (e.g., destruction) due to its reactive capability, the unexploded ordnance may then be viewed as a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act characteristic hazardous waste, which is also a CERCLA hazardous substance. CERCLA is the DoD-preferred response mechanism for addressing unexploded ordnance on other than operational ranges.

MCAS Cherry Point is responsible for annually updating the munitions response sites inventory on other than operational ranges. The Range Restoration Program Manager is responsible for initiating the investigation and remediation at these ranges.

There are no additional training requirements associated with this program.

The risk of negative environmental impacts from MCAS Cherry Point operations may be assessed by analyzing the practices that occur at the facility. Aspects are the characteristics of these practices that can cause an impact to the environment or other resource. It is Marine Corps policy that all Marine Corps installations identify and assess the environmental risks of the practices and aspects associated with each environmental program. Significant practices and/or aspects associated with this program include:

• There are no significant practices and/or aspects associated with this program.

When necessary, objectives and targets (O&T) are developed in order to minimize the environmental risks posed by the facility’s practices and to track progress towards achieving environmental goals. Any O&Ts related to the Range Restoration Program and their associated actions to improve performance are maintained on the EM Portal. Currently, there are no O&Ts associated with this program.

The Range Restoration Program Manager must inspect all weapons ranges to oversee contractor activity.