Site Photos
- Western Burning Ground
- Rail Yard
- Northern Burning Ground
- Igniter Assembly Area
- Building Debris Disposal Trench
Solid Waste Management Unit 54
Soil and groundwater samples indicated the presence of metals, volatile organic compounds, and explosives (exceeding permit levels) at Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) 54, also known as the Propellant Burning Ash Disposal Area. Lead "hot spots" were removed in 1999.
Building 4343 is located within the Rocket Manufacturing Area, which is situated within the Horseshoe Area.
In 1956, the building was converted from a Fire Water Pump House to support Nike igniter grain cadmium plating operations. Conversion activities included installation of a drying cabinet, cadmium plating baths, and an exterior lead catch tank (which discharged to the ground), and an exhaust system.
Surface soil evaluation was performed in 1996 and found cadmium exceeding regulatory limits. A RCRA Facility Investigation was conducted to evaluate potential contamination releases associated with former plating activities. See the Installation Action Plan for information on future activities at these and other sites.
The New River Unit (NRU) is located approximately 6 miles west of the RFAAP Main Manufacturing Area. Between 1940 and 1945, the NRU was used for the loading of propellants and igniter charges and the manufacture of igniter charge bags. Between 1943 and 1945, operations were expanded to include an additional bag-loading line, rolled powder operations, flash-reducer loading lines, and black powder drying facilities. Production ended after World War II, and the plant was officially designated as part of the RFAAP installation. After 1947, some land in the western section of the plant was sold or transferred for other uses.
There is conductive flooring in several buildings. The material is composed of barium, copper, asbestos, and lead. It is exposed to the elements and is leaching to surrounding soil. A remedial investigation sampling effort included the collection of surface soil, sludge, and water samples. Metals have also been detected. The following links are of five areas within NRU that are being investigated:
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| Geophysical surveying | Collecting soil samples |
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| Western Burning Ground after sampling activities were completed | |
See the Installation Action Plan for information on future activities at this site.
Rail Yard
Collecting soil samples
See the Installation Action Plan for information on future activities at this site.
Northern Burning Ground
Surveying the area
Ash and soot layer (approx. 0.5 ft. below ground surface) discovered in a hole dug during geophysical survey.
See the Installation Action Plan for information on future activities at this site.
Igniter Assembly Area, which includes eight Igniter Assembly buildings
Degradation of the conductive floor and gray protective paint
Excavating a test pit
Collecting soil samples
See the Installation Action Plan for information on future activities at this site.
Building Debris Disposal Trench
Building Debris Disposal Trench before sampling activities
Removing nonhazardous debris from trench
Melted tar, empty corroded drums, and rocks exposed after building debris removal
Management and disposal of nonhazardous soil
Installing rip-rap along the trench to control erosion
Wooden beams and poles in trench
Building Debris Disposal Trench after sampling activities were completed
See the Installation Action Plan for information on future activities at this site.
Environmental Sampling
Collecting a surface water sample from a storm drainage culvert.
Truck mounted Geoprobe (direct push) rig is preparing to collect sample.
Subsurface soil sample (core) collected using direct push techniques.
Vibracore rig on pontoon boat at surface water impoundment.
Vibracore rig collecting a deep sediment sample from surface water impoundment.
Opening the core barrel (from Vibracore rig) to retrieve sediment sample.