More munitions cleanup in Fort Ord National Monument
The U.S. Army is planning a summer cleanup of munitions within Ford Ord National Monument, after an investigation found that the northern portion of the monument still contains munitions and explosives, according to the Army.
The Army, along with the EPA and the California Department of Toxic Substances, recently approved the cleanup plan for some 800 acres of land operated by the Bureau of Land Management.
The BLM area includes 86 miles of trails used for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. There are posted restrictions and visitors are asked to stay on designated trails.
This isn’t the first cleanup at the former Army training facility. Munitions and explosives of concern have already been removed from parts of the National Monument.
According to the Fort Ord Cleanup website, “Types of MEC found at Fort Ord include artillery projectiles, rockets, hand grenades, practice land mines, pyrotechnics, bombs, demolition materials and other items.”
Some roads and trails will temporarily close during the cleanup for public safety, but visitors who stick to designated trails are being reassured they’ll be safe from munitions risk, according to the press release issued by the U.S. Army.
Ford Ord closed in 1994 when a base realignment and closure commission recommended troops be relocated to Fort Lewis, WA.
For more information on the upcoming cleanup:
Community Meeting
May 23, 5:30 p.m.
Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course
1 McClure Way, Seaside
