BERS completed a Military Munitions Response Program remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS) at the former Nellis Small Arms Range defense site (including Burial Areas, Moving Target Area, and Ordnance Jettison Area) on a 2,014-acre munitions response site. Project activities included preparing project plans, performing RI/FS field activities, writing RI/FS reports, and preparing and gaining acceptance of a Proposed Plan and Decision Document. The BERS team conducted a remedial investigation to determine the nature and extent of potential Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC) and Munitions Constituents (MC) to assess the potential risks or hazards to human health and the environment, and to evaluate remedial investigation findings to determine if no further action is needed or remedial action alternatives were necessary.
The BERS team conducted field investigations using light detection and ranging survey (LiDAR) mapping; biological and cultural resource surveys and monitoring; geophysical surveys, MEC field work and MC sampling; and intrusive investigations. In all, BERS completed 90 miles of geophysical surveys resulting in 12,000 anomalies investigated with zero unexploded ordnance. The team identified munitions debris items to include 37mm fragments, 100-pound practice bomb, smoke grenades, heavy case fragments, and jet assisted take-off bottles. All debris was collected and taken to staging area for inspection, certification, and appropriate recycling.
Throughout this project, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) and BERS identified, excavated, transported, and disposed of contaminated soils as the alternative method of choice to ensure protection of human health, welfare, and the environment from actual or threatened releases of hazardous substances.
