U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Date of this Version
12-5-2005
Citation
EPA ID# NE2213820234. EPA Region 7. 6 miles west of Grand Island. Hall County
Abstract
The 19-square mile Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant is a former U.S. Army Armament, Munitions, and Chemical Command facility. On standby status since 1973, the operation leases land for agriculture, grazing, and wildlife management activities. The plant was built in 1942 to produce munitions and provide support functions during World War II. It has been in and out of production over the years. The plant consists of five main components: five major production areas where munitions were loaded, assembled, and packed; a fertilizer manufacturer; two major storage facilities; a sanitary landfill; and a burning ground where materials contaminated with explosives were ignited. When the plant was active, staff disposed of wastewater contaminated with explosives into 56 earthen surface impoundments, which were located near the five production areas. Dried solids from the bottom of the pits periodically were scraped and ignited at the burning ground. Releases from the surface impoundments have contaminated approximately 500 private wells. Activities at the site currently are limited to maintenance and leasing operations. The Omaha District Corps of Engineers is in the process of selling the property. Polluted groundwater has migrated off the site and has been detected as far as 7 miles beyond the plant's border. The area affected by groundwater contamination is mostly suburban, and residents now rely on public water supply for drinking water. Approximately 3,000 people live within 1 mile, and 27,000 live within 3 miles of the site. Groundwater also is used for farmland irrigation and for watering livestock.
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Comments
Used by permission.