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R E M E D I A L I N V E S T I G A T I O N / F E A S I B I L I T Y S T U D Y
FORMERLY USED DEFENSE SITES | Orlando Range and Chemical Yard
SEPTEMBER 2012
BACKGROUNDFrom 1943 to 1946 the U. S. government leased around 2,111 acres of land to serve as the Orlando Range and Chemical Yard
(ORCY). The area is about three miles east of the current Orlando Executive (downtown) Airport. The military used ORCY for rifle and pistol practice, munitions demonstrations and as a chemical storage yard. The chemical yard was used to store smoke and incendiary munitions and other chemicals, such as decontamination agents (similar to chlorine used in pools or laundry bleach) and mustard agent. Most of ORCY was used as a buffer to keep people away from military munitions and supplies.
Demonstration exercises included incendiaries, aerial spray tanks, land mines, smoke pots, grenades, small arms, rockets, aircraft machine guns and cannons and simulated 300-pound bomb detonations. Training exercises also included placing mustard agent on an airplane hull, so soldiers could practice decontaminating it. There is no evidence that munitions or aerial spraying with live mustard agent was ever conducted at ORCY.
When the military did not need the land anymore, it was returned to its owners. In 1950, the military inspected the land and determined it was clear of dangerous materials that could be detected with the instruments of the time. No restrictions were placed on the future development of the land. Since the 1960s, the site has been fully developed with businesses, homes, schools and a park
ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONSThe US Army Corps of Engineers completed a Site Inspection at ORCY in 2009 to confirm the presence or absence of contami-
nation as a result of the military’s use of the site. We investigated four areas totaling about 18 acres that had been actively used for training or storage. We looked for buried munitions and collected soil and water samples. No contamination was found in two locations, but munitions and munitions debris was found in two other locations. No chemical warfare material was detected anywhere on the site.
A Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) is underway at the site. The purpose is to characterize the nature and extent of potential contamination. The RI/FS determines what type of contamination may be present (nature) as a result of the military’s use and where it is located (extent). The fieldwork which included looking for buried munitions and collecting soil and water samples, is complete. No munitions were found anywhere within the former Orlando Range and Chemical Yard.
The areas that were investigated are where munitions and munitions debris were found previously. These areas are near the intersections of State Highways 408 and 551 and South Goldenrod Road and Curry Ford Road. The streets include Alvina Way, Barksdale Drive, Budapest Way, Colton Drive, Eaker Drive, Garwood Drive, Leighton Way, Hershey Way, Karden Way, Lakner Way, Moderna Way, Pender Way, Stockholm Way and Tripoli Way. (Please see the map on the next page.)
We are drafting the reports that will present the results of the fieldwork and recommendations for the future. Once the reports are finished, we will send letters to all those who own property within the boundaries of the site letting them know the results of the investigation. We will also draft a Proposed Plan which presents the alternatives for addressing the recommendations presented in the report. The alternatives could range from nothing further is necessary, to education to let the public know
FORMERLY USED DEFENSE SITES | Orlando Range and Chemical Yard
Documents are available at theOrlando Public Library Southeast Branch5575 Semoran Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32822
Telephone: 407.835.7323
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville DistrictToll-Free 866.279.4880
FOR MORE INFORMATION
SAFETY FIRST: Remember the 3RsBecause of how the military used the site, there could potentially be buried munitions. These could be dangerous and may not be easily recognizable. Never touch, move or disturb something you think may be a munition. Remember the 3Rs.
Recognize - The item you found could be dangerous.
RetReat - Do not touch it in any way, and leave the area.
RepoRt - Call 911 immediately.
how the property was used to removal action, if necessary. We will hold a public meeting to present the Proposed Plan, and the community will have 30 days to comment on the Proposed Plan. We anticipate the public meeting will be held in early 2013.
