Overview

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Environmental Restoration Program

The Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Environmental Restoration Program is an Air Force program that identifies, investigates and remediates past releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants that originated from historical activities and operations.  The goal is to reduce risks to human health and the environment in a cost-effective manner that fosters community support.  The Air Force works closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the New Jersey Department of the Environment, other state and local agencies, and the surrounding community to ensure environmental issues are appropriately addressed.

The Environmental Restoration Program is comprised of the Installation Restoration Program and the Military Munitions Response Program.

The Installation Restoration Program includes sites managed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), which are categorized as either National Priorities List (NPL) or non-NPL sites and petroleum sites, which are managed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) or applicable states laws.

In 1980, Congress enacted CERCLA to respond to environmental conditions that may pose a threat to human health, welfare and the environment.  The Act is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is a key environmental law that establishes a process for evaluating and restoring contaminated sites. 

CERCLA was amended in 1986 by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act.  These two Acts are implemented through the National Contingency Plan, which sets forth the Hazard Ranking System and procedures and standards for responding to releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants.  EPA uses the Hazard Ranking System to determine which sites should be listed on the National Priorities List,   the list that identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites that may need long-term cleanup. 

CERCLA also established a process to be followed in cleaning up sites. 

overview

The Military Munitions Response Program addresses non-operational range lands that are suspected or known to contain unexploded ordnance, discarded military munitions, or munition constituent contamination.   Eligible sites are generally managed in accordance with CERCLA and follow the CERCLA process.

As part of the process, five-year reviews are conducted to ensure remedies continue to be protective of human health and the environment.  EPA has produced a video on five year reviews; click here to view the video.

Community Involvement

A key component of the Air Force's Community Involvement program is the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) which discusses environmental issues at McGuire, Dix and Lakehurst.   Click here to learn more

Restoration Advisory Board Meeting

JBMDL RAB Mtg