EPA finalizes cleanup plans for portions of Joint Base Cape Cod
BOSTON, MASS. (Sept. 4, 2025) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) with concurrence from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) have finalized cleanup plans in two Records of Decision (RODs) for the Old Grenade Courts Munitions Response Area and the Old K Range Munitions Response Area of Joint Base Cape Cod.
The cleanup plans in the RODs are based on remedial investigations and feasibility studies conducted by AFCEC as well as input from the MassDEP and community stakeholders. The response actions in the RODs are necessary to protect individuals from the potential munitions and explosives of concern (MECs) that may still exist at the Old Grenade Courts and the Old K Range.
Cleanup plans for both locations include the following components:
- Updated land use controls (LUCs).
- Development and posting of public education materials detailing the appropriate response action if potential munitions items are discovered on the site.
- Annual MEC sweeps by an unexploded ordinance (UXO) technician.
- Installation of warning signs.
- Five-year Reviews.
- Notifications of LUCs and Five-Year Reviews to the appropriate real estate office.
The cleanup plan for the Old K Range Munitions Response Area includes the following additional components:
- Bi-annual mowing (summer and fall) of the grassy portion of the site by a UXO technician.
- Annual inspections of signs and installation perimeter fencing (near Old K Range) and necessary replacement of signage.
- Installation of monitoring wells and groundwater sampling for munitions constituents. Monitoring will be completed annually for the first three years with the frequency reassessed after the third event.
- Monitor advance tenant notifications of upcoming work and DigSafe® permit requests and provide UXO construction support (as necessary).
Background
Otis Air National Guard Base/Camp Edwards (commonly known as Joint Base Cape Cod) was listed as a Superfund Site in 1989. Numerous investigations and cleanup have occurred. Several groundwater pump and treat remedies have been operating for over 20 years and cleaning-up contaminated plumes with a total flow rate of over six million gallons per day. In 2007, a Partial Deletion was completed which removed 61 sites.
Old Grenade Courts and Old K Range sites are both considered non-operational and were used for training from the1940s through the 1950s.The Old Grenade Courts site is approximately 50 acres and was used for training in the handling and throwing of practice and live grenades. The Old K Range site is approximately 145 acres and was used for moving target rifle range and a rocket range for 2.36sinch (in.) rockets and 3.5-in. rockets. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains an array of nine antennas which are spread within the Old K Range boundaries.
Both sites were investigated in similar approaches involving geophysical surveying for MEC, soil and groundwater sampling for explosives, and, when identified and determined to be safe to move, removal of munitions or munitions-related debris. More detailed information on the investigations can be found in the remedial investigation report for each site.
More information:
Copies of the Records of Decision and other background information about Superfund activities at Joint Base Cape Cod can be found at www.epa.gov/superfund/otis in Site Document & Data Section/Decision Documents.