Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division
Buckley Annex
Location
Buckley Annex is approximately 76 acres in the western portion
of the former Lowry Air Force Base, situated within
the Denver metropolitan area, Denver County, Colorado, and approximately 10
miles west of Buckley Air Force Base.
Background
From 1937 through 1966, the bulk of the Buckley Annex property
was a runway apron used for aircraft parking and maintenance. During
airfield operations, the southern half of the property was undeveloped and
vacant. Other historic uses of the property included equipment storage and
administrative activities.
Between 1968 and 1976, after the airfield operations ceased, the
runway apron was decommissioned and most of the buildings north of the runway
apron demolished. In 1975 and 1976, Building 444 and several smaller
associated buildings (407, 409, 445, 446, and 449) were constructed.
During construction activities, Runway Number 1 was converted into a roadway
(Archer Place), while the main area of the runway apron was converted into an
employee parking lot, access roadway, and landscaped areas. The western
end of the runway apron was converted into tennis and basketball courts.
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) began
operation at Lowry Air Force Base in 1976. When Lowry Air Force Base
closed in 1994, most of the Base was transferred to the Lowry Economic
Development Authority, also know as the Lowry Redevelopment Authority (LRA).
The Buckley Annex parcel remained in Air Force control as the Defense Finance
and Accounting Service facility and assigned to Buckley Air Force Base for
management purposes. Buckley Annex was added to the Base Realignment and
Closure 2005 list as part of a Department of Defense effort to consolidate
Defense Finance and Accounting Service functions around the country, and is
currently in the transition process. The Air Force anticipates closing the
facility in 2011.
Map of Historical Building
Locations
In 2003, following a series of discoveries of previously unknown
contamination on the closed portion of the base, the Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment issued a RCRA Compliance Order for the entire
Lowry Air Force Base property, including the Buckley Annex parcel. This
Order included all historical boundaries of the base and required the Air Force
to complete a thorough RCRA Facility Assessment.
Environmental Concerns
In July 2000, the Air Force conducted a Preliminary Assessment /
Site Investigation (PA / SI) at the Buckley Annex property. The
investigation identified eight areas of potential concern:
-
Building 444
-
Soil contamination at the former Quebec Street Gate
-
Building 446
-
Runway apron and buildings along 1st Avenue
-
Wetlands west of Building 444
-
Former berms
-
Building 404
-
Building 409
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
continues to have concerns with some of these locations. (Final
Environmental Condition of Property Report and
Building 409 Oil / Water Separator)
Building 444
Building 444 was built in 1976 and currently houses the Defense
Finance and Accounting Service and other tenants. The primary
environmental concern at this building is the estimated 10,500 gallons of fuel
oil which leaked from an underground storage tank into soil and groundwater.
The tank, located off the southwestern corner of the building, and three
additional underground storage tanks were removed in March and April 1992.
Approximately 5,400 cubic yards of petroleum contaminated soil were excavated and treated, and
a bioventing system was installed to remediate contaminated soil left in place.
Excavated soil was placed in a land farm located in another part the Lowry Air
Force Base. Subsequently, the soil was remediated and the land farm
closed. Final close out of the underground storage tanks and remediation
of the associated contamination has been completed sufficiently for the use of
the property at the time, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment concurred in an October 3,
2000 letter with the understanding that soil and groundwater contamination
may still be present underneath Building 444 and may need to be addressed when
the building is demolished.
Six active diesel above ground storage tanks (ASTs) are
associated with Building 444. These tanks are used to store fuel for
backup generators within Building 444. One inactive recovered product
(fuel oil) above ground storage tank, used to support cleanup activities during
the removal of underground storage tanks south of Building 444, was cleaned and
scheduled for removal from Buckley Annex.
A total of 82 gallons of free product were collected from the
groundwater using five recovery wells within the zone of contamination.
These wells were taken out of service in April 1994 because no free product had
been observed since the initial months of operation. Monitoring and
semiannual sampling at the site indicate corrective actions are working.
Because Building 444 remains an operating facility, the extent
of hydrocarbon contamination beneath the building was never determined.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is requesting
additional investigations and, if necessary, the cleanup of soil and groundwater
beneath the building prior to the clean transfer of the property for
redevelopment.
Quebec Street Gate
During excavation to install sewer and water lines and to widen
Quebec Street, Lowry Redevelopment Authority uncovered contaminated soil in the
vicinity of the former Quebec Street Gate. Analyses indicated low
concentrations of organics in the range of gasoline and diesel, as well as
volatile organic compounds. Approximately 100 cubic yards of petroleum
contaminated soil were removed and disposed of at a permitted solid waste
disposal facility. After the removal action, the Air Force prepared a No
Further Action Planned document and the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment concurred with the closure recommendation for this site in an
April 20, 2007 letter.
Building 446
Building 446 was built in 1976 as a sewage detention station for
Building 444. At the time, sewage lines in the vicinity of Building 444
were inadequate. Between 1976 and 1993, larger sewage lines were installed
and the detention station was decommissioned. In 1993, the building was
inspected and identified as a potential solid waste management unit because of a
PCB-containing transformer located in the building. The transformer did
not appear to be leaking. By 1994, all PCB-containing transformers had
been removed.
In 1995, Building 446 was converted to a hazardous waste storage
facility. Used oil and mercury-contaminated materials were stored in
55-gallon drums within the facility. Used oil and universal waste continue
to be stored in the building.
Runway Apron and Buildings Along First Avenue
Historically, maintenance activities on the runway apron
included degreasing aircraft engines and parts. Buildings previously
located along 1st Avenue were used for aircraft maintenance, as well.
Reportedly, degreasing solvents were allowed to run directly onto the runway
apron, and historical aerial photographs show what appears to be an elongated
drain on the eastern end of the runway apron. Groundwater samples
collected during the Preliminary Assessment / Site Investigation found several
volatile organic compounds at concentrations near the detection limit.
Several structures along the northern edge of the runway apron
were demolished. Due to numerous historical discoveries of buried
asbestos-containing materials within the boundaries of the former Lowry Air
Force Base, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has
requested a complete investigation to determine whether asbestos-containing
construction debris has been buried onsite.
Wetlands West of Building 444
A storm drainage system developed to drain precipitation from
the area surrounding Building 444 consists of an open channel in the
southwestern corner of the Buckley Annex parcel. The open drainage is now
designated as a wetland and is watered intermittently for aesthetic purposes.
No environmental samples have been collected from this area.
Former Berms
Historical aerial photographs show several berms located where
Building 444 now stands. Base personnel suggested these berms may have
been used to store ordnance. The entire area was extensively disturbed
during construction of Building 444 and no traces of the berms remain. No
environmental samples have been collected from this area.
Building 404
Building 404, formerly known as Building 1704, was used for
maintenance equipment storage and maintenance activities. The building was
transferred as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program and
demolished, and the area remediated.
Building 409
Building 409, formerly known as Building 1709, was used as the
aerospace ground equipment shop and aircraft maintenance area. The
building is currently being used as office space, a maintenance shop, and
storage space. Hazardous materials were stored in the building. Two
oil water separators were located on the northern side of the building and two
above ground storage tanks used for storing magnesium chloride were located on
the western end of the building. Stains on the asphalt of the storage yard
were determined to be the result of hydraulic fluid leaking from heavy
equipment.
The oil water separator at the eastern end of the facility was
removed in April 2004. The oil water separator at the western end of the
facility was believed to have been removed earlier. However, during a
recent site visit, the Air Force discovered this oil water separator remained.
Further work on this oil water separator began in February 2009.
Soil samples collected from beneath the oil water separators in
1999 indicated barium and chromium above laboratory reporting limits. The
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has not concurred with
closure of the oil water separator removal locations, and discussions are
on-going to resolve the issues. On November 27, 2008, the Air Force
submitted a soil and groundwater investigation work plan to investigate any
remaining contamination in the vicinity of the eastern oil water separator.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment approved the work plan
on December 19, 2008, recommending
additional field screening due to the possibility of fuel-related compounds
historically being disposed of in the oil water separators.
Munitions and Explosives of Concern
A small quantity (1,000 rounds) of Class C explosives was stored
in Building 444. Explosives are no longer stored in Building 444. No
improper storage or handling of munitions and explosives of concern has been
identified.
During airfield operations in the 1940's to 1957, the southern
portion of the property was undeveloped and vacant, except for several bermed
areas in the western portion of the property. Based on the shape and
location of these areas in relation to the runway apron, they may have been used
as munitions storage areas. These areas were evaluated during the 2000
Preliminary Assessment / Site Investigation process. Because Building 444
and adjacent landscaped areas now cover the area, no further action was
recommended. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
concurred with these findings in an
April 2, 2001 letter.
Asbestos-containing Material
An asbestos survey of installation facilities conducted in 2004
included Buildings 407, 409, 444, 445, 446, and 449. Facilities 441 and 443
(tennis courts and basketball court) were not surveyed. Results of the
survey confirmed that three buildings (407, 409 and 444) contained
asbestos-containing material. Based on an inspection of the property,
asbestos-containing material in structures on the property is in good condition
and not damaged or deteriorated to the extent that it creates a potential source
of airborne fibers. Asbestos-containing material, such as pipes wrapped
with asbestos insulation, may be found in (or on) utility pipelines located on
the property. Material associated with underground utility pipelines does
not pose a threat to human health or environment as long as it is not disturbed,
or, if it is disturbed, proper care is taken to manage and dispose of it.
Underground utility pipelines in the area have not been inspected.
Because the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
is concerned that buried building debris could be in areas where historical
buildings were demolished, the Department will require environmental oversight
of these areas when redevelopment occurs.
Lead-based Paint
Both exterior and interior paint at current Buckley Annex
facilities are reportedly in good condition. Although seven buildings were
constructed prior to 1978 (407, 409, 441, 443, 444, 445, and 446) the Air Force
has not conducted a lead-based paint survey at Buckley Annex.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
In 1993, a capacitor in a substation immediately south of
Building 444 ruptured, resulting in a spill of approximately three gallons of
PCB fluid. PCB fluid sprayed on the inside of the metal cabinet housing
the capacitor and on the concrete slab supporting the cabinet.
Approximately one to two gallons of PCB fluid flowed from the slab onto the
soil. The damaged capacitor was properly disposed of and the metal
cabinet and concrete slab cleaned. Ten drums of PCB-contaminated soil were
disposed of during cleanup activities. The US EPA and the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment were informed of cleanup activities.
Lowry Air Force Base (including Buckley Annex) removed all polychlorinated
biphenyl (PCB) transformers as of February 1994 and is considered PCB-free.
However, PCBs may still be present in ballast units of older light fixtures.
Water Quality
The City of Denver provides potable water to Buckley Annex.
Based on a review of available records and interviews with installation
personnel, no drinking water quality concerns have been identified at
Buckley Annex.
Depths to groundwater in the area range from approximately
40 feet below ground surface on the eastern side, to 65 feet below ground
surface on the western side of the Buckley Annex property. Groundwater
flow in the area is generally south to north; however, the groundwater flow
direction on the western side is to the north-northeast. Groundwater
impacted by tetrachloroethene (PCE), possibly from an offsite source, is migrating
beneath Buckley Annex, with PCE detected above the maximum contaminant level
in the western portion. The Department will require an
investigation of the dissolved PCE groundwater plume and possible petroleum groundwater contamination beneath
Building 444.
Storm water channels direct storm water runoff to the
Westerly Creek Basin. Storm drains south of Building 444 drain to a
sump beneath Building 445; once the sump reaches capacity, the storm water
is pumped to the wetland at the southwest corner of Buckley Annex.
There are no surface water bodies (e.g., streams or lakes)
on Buckley Annex.
Site Documents
Documents related to activities at Buckley Annex can be found
at:
Air
Force BRAC 2005 Base Realignment and Closure
In addition, documents can be reviewed at:
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division Records Center
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246
303-692-3331 Appointment Required
For Additional Information
U.S. Air Force
Robert Lopez
HQ AFCEE/BC - Project Manager for confirmation sampling and Building 409
oil/water separator removal
210-536-6545
Valerie Stacey
Air Force Reserve Command
478-497-1070
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Lee Pivonka
State Remedial Project Manager
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246-1530
303-692-3453
comments.hmwmd@state.co.us
include "Pivonka" in the subject line
Marilyn Null
State Community Involvement Specialist
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246-1530
303-692-3304
comments.hmwmd@state.co.us
include "Null" in the subject line
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