The U.S. Navy, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), is actively conducting a comprehensive review of ongoing environmental cleanup efforts at two key naval sites in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. The initiative, part of a mandated Five-Year Review, evaluates the effectiveness of remediation actions aimed at ensuring the protection of human health and the environment at Webster Outlying Field and the Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River.
The Five-Year Review process is a critical component of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), required when residual hazardous substances at a site prevent unlimited use and unrestricted exposure. This review ensures that all remedial measures continue to effectively safeguard public health and the surrounding ecosystem.
At Webster Outlying Field, the current review cycle—the site’s first—focuses on assessing a former aerial bombing range identified as Munition Response Site UXO-0001. The Navy plans to present its preliminary findings to MDE by June 2024, with a final report scheduled for public release in September 2024.
Meanwhile, the sixth iteration of the review at NAS Patuxent River has just been completed. This phase examined several Environmental Restoration Sites, including the Fishing Point Landfill, the landfill behind the rifle range, the Bohneyard Site, and areas formerly used for sanitary landfills and pesticide storage. Key findings from this review, which have been vetted by both EPA and MDE, will be accessible to the public in April 2024.
Community engagement is a cornerstone of the review process. Patrick Gordon, NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs Officer, invites local residents with inquiries or concerns about the cleanup activities to reach out via email or visit the administrative records available online. These documents provide comprehensive details about the ongoing environmental efforts and are also accessible at the St. Mary’s County Public Library in Lexington Park during regular business hours.
This proactive approach not only addresses past environmental issues but also ensures the ongoing safety and cleanliness of these critical military installations, reflecting a commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being.
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