FIO - ASR_BMA_1998.pdf

US Army Corps of Engineers® Rock Island District

Defense Environmental Restoration Program for

Formerly Used Defense Sites

Ordnance and Explosives

Archives Search Report

}'or the former

Borrego Maneuver Area

Borrego Springs, California

Project Number J09CA701101

12 March 1998

FINAL

B5EDDL9S

Typewritten Text 200-1e J09CA701101_01.02_0500_a

• DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

ROCK ISLAND DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS

CLOCK TOWER BUILDING - P.O. BOX 2004

ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS 61204-2004

REPLY TO

ATTENTION OF hltp://www.mvr.usace.army.mil

CEMVR-EC-DO 22 July 2009

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

SUBJECT: Finalization ofArchives Search Report (ASR) for Borrego Maneuver Area, Project Number J09CA701101

1. A review ofproject records present at the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers, Rock Island District and Huntsville Center, revealed that the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) package for the subject site contains three (3) separate design review comments submissions from Huntsville Center.

2. The design review comments submissions, dated 23 July 1997, 29 September 1997, and 22 January 1998, contained numerous comments primarily concerning outline format and inconsistencies in area acreages listed. However, the review comments also concurred with the recommendations of the ASR, and the TAG Fact Sheet shows no changes to the ASR recommendations or Risk Assessment (RAC).

3. The 22 January 1998 design review comments indicate the original author of the ASR addressed the design review comments of23 July 1997 and 29 September 1997.

However, the original author is no longer employed at Rock Island District and the responses could not be located. Also, a Rock Island District memo dated 8 June 1998, included in Appendix M of this report, indicates numerous replacement pages were submitted to address the TAG comments. However, copies of these replacement pages could not be located. Replicating the original author's responses to the TAG comments and the replacement ASR pages would require a complete re-write of the body of the ASR without changing the overall recommendations or RAC score, and the electronic version is no longer available to update. Because of this, and in the interest to expedite the finalization of the ASR, the ASR was finalized without addressing all of the design review comments.

Christopher J. Chumey Chief, Ordnance and Explosives Section

Rock Island District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

B5EDDL9S

Highlight

B5EDDL9S

Highlight

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

HUNTSVILLE CENTER, CORPS OF ENGINEERS

P.O. BOX 1600

HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA 35807-4301

REPLY TO

ATTENTION OF,

CEHNC-OE-DC-D (200-1c) 12 March 1998

MEMORANDUM FOR Commander, U.S. Army Engineer District, Rock Island, ATTN: CEMVR-ED-D (Bob Hoffman), P.O. Box 2004, Rock Island, IL 61204-2004

SUBJECT: Results of Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Review of Archives Search Reports (ASR) and Fact Sheets for Defense Environmental Restoration Program-Formerly Used Defense Sites

1. The following ASRs and fact sheets have been finalized:

Project Number: ~:

I04FL089001 Black Creek Bomb Target Range J09CA034801 Dry Canyon Artillery Range K06TX009501 Abilene Army Airfield Bombing and

Gunnery Range

C03MD035501 Fort Howard K06TX006101 Camp Fannin J09CAl13001 Brown Field Bombing Range J09CA017201 Holtville Rocket Target 1R (#94) I04AL004904 rCourtland Army Air Field J09CA701101 Borrego Maneuver Area J09CA701801 Carrizo Impact Area I04FL089201 Bell Target D01MA.045301 Tisbury Great Pond D01MA045001 Great Neck Target Range

2. Recommended strategy for future actions to be taken by the Project Manager is included in the enclosed fact sheets.

Supporting data from TAG decisions is also included with the fact sheets.

3. Fact sheets, supporting data, and corrected pages, ue.;t.I'tR# .grior,revi~ws, are to be distributed with the subject ASRs, and corrected pages submitted to CEHNC.

4. Subject ASRs are considered to be final when the enclosed fact sheets, supporting data, and corrected pages are included as a part of the project package .

• CEHNC-OE-DC-D (200-1c) 12 March 1998 SUBJECT: Results of Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Review of Archives Search Reports (ASR) and Fact Sheets for Defense Environmental Restoration Program-Formerly Used Defense Sites

5. If you have any questions concerning this action, please contact me at 205-895-1797, DSN 760-1797, or facsimile 205-895-1737.

FOR THE DIRECTOR OF ORDNANCE

AND EXPLOSIVES TEAM:

~ ;( 7/1'"-~ 13 Encls DAN~MARDIS

Ar~~~~~ Search Report Manager for Ordnance and Explosives Team e •

DISCLAIMER

The purpose of this archives search report is to present the findings ofresearch undertaken for this specific Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) property. All of the factual information found during the research is included in this "Findings" volume.

Reference may be made in this volume to a separate "Conclusions and Recommendations" volume. In some instances, the Conclusions and Recommendations volume contained recommendations of individuals performing the analysis that may contain inferences or conjecture not supported in subsequent reviews. Because these statements are not always factual in nature, the US Army Corps of Engineers has determined the Conclusions and Recommendations volumes, where they exist, do not necessarily represent the opinion ofthe USACE and are not available for public release.

The Risk Assessment Code (RAC) form that was contained in the Conclusions and Recommendations volume has been inserted in a separate Appendix ofthis finalized report.

•e

DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PROGRAM

for

FORMERLY USED DEFENSE SITES

FINDINGS

ORDNANCE AND EXPLOSIVES

ARCHIVES SEARCH REPORT

for the former

BORREGO MANEUVER AREA

BORREGO SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

PROJECT NUMBER J09CA701101

12 March 1998

Prepared For

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering and Support Center

ATTN: CEHNC-OE

P.O. Box 1600

Huntsville, Alabama 35807-4301

Prepared By

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District

ATTN: CEMVR-EC-DO

P.O. Box 2004

Rock Island, Illinois 61204-2004

And

U.S. Army Defense Ammunition Center

ATTN: SJMAC-ESM

McAlester, Oklahoma 74501-9053

ORDNANCE AND EXPLOSIVE

FOR

BORREGO SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

PROJECT NUMBER J09CA701101

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

as indicated.

Title Orqanization Telephone UXO Safety CEMVR-ED-DO (309) 794-6056 Specialist

Chemical CEMVR-ED-DO (3 09) 794-6011 Engineer

Environmental CEMVR-ED-DO (3 09) 794-6080 Engineer

Q.A. Spec. , SIOAC-ESL (815 ) 273-8789 Ammunition

(QASAS)

District CESPL-PM-M (213 ) 452-3990

POC

Industrial MCXM-PMA (309) 782-0806 Hygienist

Technician CEMVR-ED-DO (309 ) 794-6026

The following persons provided support Function Name On-Site Nick Iaiennaro*

Assessment

Chris Churney

Engineering Robert Hoffman Support

Historical Larry Dauphin Research

Geographic Trudy Knutson District

Industrial Robert Platt Hygiene

CADD Kevin Marker Support

*Team Leader

FINDINGS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Page

1 . INTRODUCTION....•...•...••......•..........•••..•••... 1

a. Subject and Purpose

b. Scope

• 2 . . PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS ••.•••...•••.•...•...•.....••.• 2

a. 1994 Preliminary Assessment

b. Other Investigations

3 . SITE DESCRIPTION•..•..••...•.•...............•...••..• 3

a. Existing Land Usage

b. Climatic Data

c. Topography

d. Geoloqy and Soils

e. Hydrology

f. Natural Resources

g. Historical/Cultural Resources

4. HISTORICAL ORDNANCE PRESENCE.................•.....•.. 8

a. Chronological Site Summary

b. Ordnance Related Records Review

c. Interviews with Site-Related Personnel http:PRESENCE.................�.....� http:DESCRIPTION�..�..��...�.�...............�...�� http:��.���...���.�...�...�.....�� http:INTRODUCTION....�...�...��......�..........���..���

• 5 . SITE ELIGIBILITy 27

a. Confirmed Formerly Used Defense Site

b. Potential Formerly Used Defense Site

6. VISUAL SITE INSPECTION 28

Range/Rocket Experimental Test Area

f. Area E-1: Naval Impact Areas

g. Area E-2: Naval Buffer Zones

7. EVALUATION OF ORDNANCE HAZARDS 34

Range/Rocket Experimental Test Area

d. Area C: Santa Rosa Automatic Weapons Firing Range

• e. Area D: All Other Lands

f. Area E-1: Naval Impact Areas

g. Area E-2: Naval Buffer Zones

8. SITE ORDNANCE TECHNICAL DATA 38

a. End Item Technical Data

b. Chemical Data of Ordnance Fillers

9. OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS 4l

a. Hazardous, Toxic, and Radiological Waste

b. Buildi~g Demolition/Debris Removal

APPENDICES

A. REFERENCE SOURCES

B. REFERENCES/ABSTRACTS

C. GLOSSARY

D. TEXTS/MANUALS

E. REPORTS/STUDIES

F. LETTERS/MEMORANDUMS/MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

G~ REAL ESTATE DOCUMENTS

H. NEWSPAPERS/JOURNALS

I. INTERVIEWS

J. PRESENT SITE PHOTOGRAPHS

K. HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS

L. REFERENCE MAPS/DRAWINGS

M. ARCHIVES SEARCH REPORT CORRESPONDENCE

N. REPORT DISTRIBUTION LIST

TABLES

Page

2-1 DERP-FUDS Preliminary Assessment Projects 2 3-1 Current Land Usage 4 3-2 Natural/Cultural Resources 8 8-1 Ammunition Used and Explosive Filler 39 8-2 Chemical Data of Ordnance Fillers 40

REPORT PLATES

1. Site Map

2. Facility Layout (Circa 1942)

3. Project Areas

4. Ownership Map (1997)

5. Photo Locations and OE Evaluation(1997)

1. INTRODUCTION

a. Subject and Purpose

(1) This report presents the findings of an historical records search and site inspection for ordnance and explosive (OE) presence located at the former Borrego Maneuver Area. See plate 1 for general location map. The investigation was performed under the authority of the Defense Environmental Restoration Program for Formerly Used Defense Sites (DERP FUDS) .

(2) The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the site for potential OE presence, to include conventional ammunition and chemical warfare material (CWM).

This was achieved by a thorough evaluation of historical records, interviews, and an on-site visual inspection.

b. Scope

(1) The investigation focused on approximately 400 square miles (256,000 acres) of land located near Borrego Springs, California. This land was obtained by the Department of the Army from the State of California by use permit around 1942 for use as a maneuver area for the Army Headquarters, Southern California Sector, Western Defense Command. The Borrego Maneuver Area was active from 1942 until 1944, with the primary documented user being the Army Anti-Aircraft Training Center (AARTC) at Camp Callan, California, from 1943 to 1944. The Marine Corps additionally utilized the maneuver area to train student drivers.

The Borrego Maneuver Area was declared excess to the needs of the AARTC in 1944 and was further declared surplus in 1944, at which time the lands were returned to the State of California.

(2) This report presents the site history, site description, real estate ownership information, and confirmed ordnance presence, based on available records, interviews, and the site inspection. It further provides a complete evaluation of all information to assess potential ordnance presence where actual ordnance presence has not been confirmed.

• (3) For the purpose of this report, OE presence consists of live ammunition, live ammunition components, CWM or explosives which have been lost, abandoned, discarded, buried, fired, or thrown from demolition pits or burning pads. These items were either manufactured, purchased, stored, used, and/or disposed of by the War Department/Department of Defense. Such ammunition/components are no longer under accountable record control of any DOD organization or activity.

(4) Expended small arms ammunition (caliber .50 or smaller) does not constitute an OE presence. OE further includes "explosive soil" which refers to any mixture in soil, sands, clays, etc., such that the mixture itself is explosive.

Genera1ly, 10 percent or more by weight of secondary explosives in a soil mixture is considered explosive soil.

2. PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS

a. 1994 Preliminary Assessment

(1) A Preliminary Assessment (PA) of the Borrego

Maneuver area was conducted under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program, Formerly Used Defense Sites (DERP FUDS) by the u.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District (CESPL) on 6 July 1994 (site number J09CA701100). At that time, it was determined that the site was formerly used by the DOD for various military functions. Several OE projects, with a broad scope of OE delivery and usage, were classified in the Borrego Springs project, some lying within or near the Borrego Maneuver area, with the Borrego Maneuver Area being one of the areas identified and the subject of this report (see document E-1) .

(2) The signed FDE concluded that the Borrego Maneuver Area site consisted of approximately 400 square miles (256,000 acres), was used from 1942 to 1944, and was eligible for restoration under the purview of DERP FUDS (see table 2-1 and document E-1) .

Project Number

J09CA701.101

J09CA701102

J09CA701104

Note: Site numbers

TABLE 2-1

DERP-FUDS PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT PROJECT

DERP Present Category Phase Comments Location OE SI Ordnance " Borrego Maneuver Area

Explosives (see plates 1 & 2)

OE SI Ordnance & Camp Ensign Explosives

OE 8I Ordnance & Borrego Hotel (Target and

Explosives Emergency Landing Field, J09CA701103 and J09CA70110S were omitted from assignment.

Project Number

J09CA701106

• TABLE 2-1 (continued)

DERP-FUDS PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT PROJECT

DERP Present Category Phase Comments Location OE SI Ordnance &: Benson Dry Lake

Explosives

HTRW -- None Recommended

BD/DR -- None Recommended

b. Other Investigations

To the knowledge of the team, no other investigations pertinent to this site have been conducted or are being conducted at this time.

3. SITE DESCRIPTION

a. Existing Land Usage

(1) The former Borrego Maneuver Area is located in the vicinity of Borrego Springs, California. Total site acreage consisted of 400 square miles of a combination of barren desert, mountains, and badlands bearing negligible amounts of arid climate vegetation species, which was acquired by use permit from the State of California for use as a force-on-force maneuver area (see documents F-1 and G-1) .

(2) Today, former project lands are owned predominately by the State of California for use as a State Park, with numerous additional parcels under state, federal and private ownership.

(3) Table 3-1 on the next page lists the current listed owners, acreages and OE areas that are appropriate to this project site.

FORMER

AREA USAGE

A-l Mechanized Artillery

Range Impact Area

A-2 Mechanized Artillery Range Buffer Zone

B Borrego Mountain Auto Weapons Firing Range/ Rocket Experimental Test Area

C Santa Rosa Mountain Auto Weapons Firing Range

D All Other Lands

E-1 Naval Impact Areas

E-2 Naval Buffer Zones

TABLE 3-1

CURRENT LAND USAGE

Department

California Parks ~tate Park Department

California Parks State Park Department

California Parks State Park Department

Multiple Owners State Park/ Various

California Parks State Park Department

California Parks State Park Department

TOTAL FOE ACRES:

SIZE

ACRES

2,085.00

COMMENTS

See plates 3 & 4

23,852.00 See plates 3 &. 4

4,450.00 See plates 3 &. 4

5,985.00 See plates 3 &. 4

206,731.00 See plates 3 &. 4

3,112.00 See plates 3 &. 4

9,785.00

256,000.00

See plates 3 &. 4

b. Climatic Data

(1) The former Borrego Maneuver Area is a parcel of desert' land located in the eastern portion of San Diego County and the western portion of Imperial County. The project area is characterized by hot summers and mild winters. The average annual temperature is 72.6 degrees Fahrenheit (F). In the summer months (June through August), the daily average is 88.93 degrees F. The maximum high temperature recorded for the region is 120 degrees F. In the winter months (December through February), the average is 57.3 degrees F, with temperatures rarely falling below freezing.

(2) The average yearly rainfall is 6.83 inches, and occurs primarily during two seasons: winter, when Pacific frontal storms drop some moisture, and summer, when thunderstorms develop out of moist air corning north from the Gulf of California.

Winter rains are usually gentle. Summer storms can be locally heavy and cause damaging flash floods. Occasionally, a tropical Pacific cyclone, known in Mexico as a chubasco, will strike the area and dump large amounts of rain in a short period of time.

On the average, summer rains attributable to tropical Pacific storms reach Southern California once every two years.

(3) Westerly winds prevail in the project region except during the summer (June through August), when easterly winds equal or surpass the westerlies. Average wind speeds are light (2-4 meters/second) most of the year. During the spring, however, average wind speeds increase to a moderate 4-6 meters/second (see references B-6 and B-7) .

c. Topography

(1) The former Borrego Maneuver Area is located predominately in the Borrego Valley with elevations ranging from 262 feet below sea level to 6,560 feet above sea level.

(2) The site is situated predominately on a fairly level, broad, and arid plain between Borrego Mountain and the Santa Rosa Mountains, with sections of both mountainous areas a portion of project lands. The vegetation of the area is sparse, with an array of a several arid climate plant species present (see reference B-5 and Plate 1) .

d. Geology and Soils

(1) The Anza-Borrego Desert, in which the project area lies, is part of the Colorado Desert Biogeographical Province of southeast California. The Colorado Desert is a northern extension of the Sonora Desert of Arizona and northwestern Mexico.

(2) The Geology of the Anza-Borrego is diverse, displaying sandstone and silt creations of ancient lakes in much of the area, with flat valleys, jagged mountains, and narrow canyons also predominant features, the result of millions of years of faulting, water scouring, and erosion.

(3) The Anza-Borrego Desert, in the vicinity of project lands, is bisected by two large fault zones, the San Jacinto and the Elsinore. The San Jacinto runs from the Hemet area through the Borrego Valley, sending branches to the Salton Trough. The Elsinore zone runs from the Temecula south along County Road S-2.

(4) The largest earthquake to hit Anza-Borrego in historic times occurred on the Coyote Creek Fault, a branch of the San Jacinto, on 9 April 1968. It measured 6.4 on the Richter Scale with an epicenter near the Borrego Mountain. Damage to structures in Borrego Springs and Ocotillo Wells were minor.

(5) The predominant soil types of the project are identified as follows (see reference B-5) :

(a) Rositas-Carrizo association: Somewhat excessively drained loamy coarse sands to very gravely sands on alluvium fans; 0-9 percent slopes.

(b) Mecca-Indio association: Well drained sandy loams and silt loams on alluvial fans, subject to occasional flooding and deposition; 0 to 5 percent slopes.

(c) Crouch association, rocky: Well drained course sandy loams over weathered grandiorite; 9 to 75 percent slopes.

(d) Tollhouse-LaPosta-Rock land association, eroded: Excessively drained and somewhat excessively drained coarse sandy loams and loamy coarse sands over granitic rock, and areas of rock land; 9 to 65 percent slopes.

(e) Sheephead association, rocky: Well drained cobbly fine sandy loams over fractured mica schist; 9 to 65 percent slopes.

(f) Mottsville-Bull Trail association:

Excessively drained to well drained loamy coarse sands and sandy loams on alluvial fans and in basins; 2 to 15 percent slopes.

(g) Mottsville-Calpine association: Excessively drained to well drained loamy coarse sands and coarse sandy loams on alluvial fans; 2 to 15 percent slopes.

(h) Rough broken land-Terrace escarpments-Sloping gullied land association: Steep and very steep dissected land, escarpments, and gullied land.

(i) Badland association: Dominantly barren eroded shales.

(j) Rock land association: Dominantly exposed bedrock and very large boulders.

e.. Hydrology

(1) The Borrego Maneuver Area falls within the Borrego Valley Ground Water Basin which is an alluvium-filled valley underlain by crystalline bedrock.

(2) The valley fill is classified into three categories:

upper, middle and lower acquifers. The upper acquifer ranges in thickness from 0 to 1000 feet, the middle acquifer from 0 to 700 feet, and the lower acquifer from 0 to 1,800 feet.

(3) Ground water levels vary considerably in the valley, ranging between about 18 feet and 305 feet from ground surface, depending upon elevation.

(4) The only surface body of water constantly present on project land is the Coyote Canyon stream (see reference B-8) .

f. Natural Resources

(1) The subject site is in the general area of various state and federal endangered, threatened, and candidate species.

Those species listed in Table 3-2 are known or believed to inhabit the site.

(2) For additional species in San Diego County that are considered Federal and State Candidate Category 1 and 2, interested parties should review document B-3. A species update should be acquired from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Natural Heritage Division, and the Anza-Borrego State Park prior to remediation (see documents B-6, E-7, and Appendix A) .

g. Historical/Cultural Resources

Mr. Fred Jee of the Anza Borrego State Park has stated that numerous historical and archaeological/palaentological sites are located in or near project lands. These are in the form of village sites, tool construction sites, and sleeping circles (to name a few). In the event of remediation on the site, it is recommended that the California State Park Service be contacted for a current evaluation of site conditions and remediation guidelines. The phone number for this organization is (619) 767 5311 (see document 1-6).

Resource Classification Wildlife

Historical

Archeological

TABLE 3-2

NATURAL/CULTURAL RESOURCES

Type Least Bills Vireo

Comment Endangered (Fed & State)

Unarmored Threespine Endangered (Fed & State) Stickleback

Mohave Tui Chub Endangered (Federal)

Peninsular Bighorn Proposed Endangered (Fed) Threatened (State)

Flat-Tailed Horned Proposed Threatened (Fed) Lizard

Barefoot Banded Gecko Threatened (State)

Numerous On/Near

Numerous On/Near

4 . HISTORICAL ORDNANCE PRESENCE

• a. Chronological Site Summary

(1) Site Acquisition

(a) On 20 March 1942, Major General Wilson, the Army Commander of the Southern California Sector of the Western Defense Command, informed his command in Training Circular #23 that maneuver and firing rights had been secured in an area of the Borrego Desert covering 400 square miles (256,000 acres).

Maneuver area acreage had been procured through use permit with the State of California with the maneuver area being known as the Borrego Maneuver Area (see documents F-1 and G-1) .

(b) Maneuver area site boundaries were said to extend eastward to Highway 99 (now Highway 86), northward to the RiversIde County line, westward to a north-south line extending through the Borrego Post Office, and southward to Highway 78.

Excluded from military usage on the agreement document for site utilization were Indian lands in Township 9 south, Range 9 east, a Naval landing field (Benson's Dry Lake) north of Ocotillo, and an area adjacent to the western boundary on which houses, fences, and other improvements had been erected. Additionally, two other Navy procured parcels, not excluded by maneuver area documents, existed within maneuver area boundaries (see documents F-l and

G-1) .

4It

(2) Facility Construction and Use

(a) After the acceptance of Borrego Maneuver Area lands, the only Army related improvement known to be performed on the property was the oiling (black-topping) of Yaqui Pass road (see documents E-4, H-l and H-2) .

(b) Naval improvements included the development of target. areas and related structures prior to the acquisition of and within the confines of the maneuver area. The Naval areas were known as Clarks Dry Lake and the Borrego (Military) Wash and contained bombing, strafing and rocket targets and rake stations.

These areas, although falling within the confines of the Borrego Maneuver Area, have been identified and are being investigated as separate FUDS sites, currently in the FA phase of investigation (see documents E-4, F-7, and L-1) .

(c) Army related activity within the Borrego Maneuver Area consisted of the following:

(1) In September 1943, the Camp Callan Anti Aircraft Replacement Training Center of San Diego, California, secured the Borrego Maneuver Area for field training purposes.

Anti-Aircraft Artillery firing was also conducted at this maneuver area, in addition to such firing as was conducted at the post reservation firing point in San Diego (see document E-2) .

(2) When new AA replacement units at Camp Callan completed a basic training of 8 to 15 weeks duration, they were sent to the Borrego desert for a final two weeks of training in "dry run" and "live fire" training (see documents £-2, £-4, E-5, F-2, F-3, F-4, 1-3, 1-5, 1-6, I-la, 1-11, 1-14, 1-15, 1-17, 1-18, 1-20, and I-21)

(a) In dry run training, the crew repeatedly set up a gun emplacement, tore it down, and moved to a new location (usually at night), where they would quickly and correctly conceal and protect it and make it once again combat ready. Batteries of large caliber guns also practiced training the gun on high flying aircraft detected by the aural locators which were aided at night by the searchlight crews. Batteries of small-caliber weapons also made dry runs by training their guns against low flying targets.

(b) "Live fire" antiaircraft firing ranges in the valley were said to have been north of Clark's Dry Lake and at the Borrego Mountain. Some of the Camp Callan training batteries made their dry runs in the Borrego Valley, then completed their field exercises by live firing at Camp Haan.

Other training Batteries did both the dry runs and live firing in the valley. Although guns of up to 155mm were possibly transported to the property, only the smaller caliber weapons (.30 caliber to 90mm) fired live ammunition. Guns for larger ammunition were fired at Camp Haan. Historical and interview evidence displays that small bore weapons fire (presumably .30 and .50 Caliber) was directed at trailer launched OQ2-A pilotless target planes (drones) which were launched and controlled in a east to west direction at the north face of the Borrego Mountains and the south face of the Santa Rosa Mountains (the latter being an area in the vicinity of the Navy Clark's Dry Lake Landing Field/Target). Additional small caliber AAA firing was said to have occurred at high altitude aircraft towed targets (socks) at the same locations. Historical, interview, and physical evidence uncovered suggests that Army AAA firing of 40mm ammunition occurred in the Borrego Maneuver Area with fire directed at the Navy Target area in the Borrego (Military) Wash.

90mm fire may have also occurred in this area. The suspected firing point is believed to be an area of desert east of the former Camp Ensign and north of Borrego Mountain.

(c) Firing activities were coordinated through the Joint Operations Center in San Diego to allow optimum/joint use of Army/Navy target areas by the requesting services and to preclude accidents occurring due to unknown airspace/land training usage.

(3) Bivouac areas used by Camp Callan Units included the Ensign Ranch and desert areas eastward (see documents E-4, H-l, H-2, I-IS and I-21) .

(4) Additional military related maneuver activity which occurred in the former Borrego Maneuver Area is evidenced by a State Archaeologists discovery of observation posts at various locations, military artifacts and ration debris found nearby. Remnants of a floating dock were also discovered in the Borrego Wash, possibly the remnants of engineer activity.

In addition, a local resident discovered that an abandoned family homestead near the Borrego Sink had been occupied by military troops (believed to have been a force-on-force exercise in the spring of 1942). The evidence remaining were vehicle and large weapon sized pits, piles of food tins, a sprung door on the dwelling, a destroyed fence, and a rifle hanging on a tree. This may have actually been related to Camp Callan activity which actually began in September 1943 (see documents E-3, E-4, and plate 2).

(d) Marine related activity within the Borrego Maneuver Area consisted of the following (see documents E-4, F-7, H-l, and H-2) :

(1) The Marines established a Camp at the Ensign Ranch in Borrego Springs where trainees from San Diego billeted, known as Camp Ensign .

(2) Groups of Marine trainees rotated through the camp for periods of about a week during which they gained proficiency in driving military trucks at night. Although their practice course is not known, it is believed that they used the few gravel roads near the ranch and drove freely across the surrounding desert.

(3) A 1941 document describes the proposed use of Borrego Area Naval Ranges by Marine Antiaircraft Artillery Units. However, this use cannot be sUbstantiated.

(e) Navy related activity within the Borrego Maneuver Area consisted of the following (see documents E-4, F-8, photos J-5 through J-18, and plates 2, 3, and 5) :

(1) Replacement pilot and crew training in bombing, gunnery, and rocketry at the Naval Clark's Dry Lake and the Borrego (Military) Wash target area's. Personnel scoring and observation of ordnance related missions are evident by the presence of rake stations. Occasional maintenance and improvement of these emergency landing/target areas is also suspected.

(2) Navy pilots provided air monitoring support during the Army AA firing at pilotless target planes/drones. The pilot was responsible for chasing and shooting down any errant drone which escaped from its ground controller.

(f) Military related civilian activity included the following (see documents D-2, E-4, photo J-l, and plates 2,3, and

5) :

(1) Rocket scientists from the California Institute of Technology (CALTECH), with help from training units from Camp Callan, tested experimental target rockets in an area north of Borrego Mountain. The testing was an experiment in the radio detection of hits on target rockets.

(2) The tests were conducted along the north face of Borrego Mountain. A .30 caliber machine gun emplacement with crew was positioned about 2 miles from the experimental rocket launch site, the CALTECH group was located about mid range, and the launch crew was positioned at the face of the mountain. Communications were established between the elements.

(3) The gun crew would be alerted of rocket loading. Upon ignition of the rockets the gun crew would be advised to "fire at will", the rockets would then be fired east to west along the north face of Borrego Mountain, CALTECH tracked the trajectory of the rockets with theodolite and electronically recorded hits. When the rocket landed the fins were recovered and the hits were compared with the electronic record. The rocket bodies were then left in place. 3.25 Inch Target Rockets were found by the inspection team in an area north of the north face of Borrego mountain, with the forward (nose) sections facing in a westerly direction.

(3) Site Inactivation and Disposal

(a) On 29 May 1944, the Commanding General, Camp Callan, California, reported the Borrego Maneuver Area as excess to the needs of that command (see document F-S).

(b) On 13 July 1944, the Commanding General, Headquarters, Army ground Forces declared the Borrego Maneuver Area as surplus to the requirements of the Army Ground Forces (see document F-S).

(c) On 26 August 1944 the Commanding Officer, Headquarters, Camp Callan, based on a 24 August 1944 request for confirmation by the Corps of Engineers, San Diego Field Office, confirmed the following to be correct (see document F-S) :

(1) That the Borrego Maneuver Area has been vacated and will not be used again.

(2) That all installations including warning signs have been removed from the property.

(3) That the entire area has been policed;

and, to the best of their knowledge and belief, there exists no hazards such as unexploded shells or ammunition of any kind placed upon or left upon the premises by their command.

(d) Also on 26 August 1944 the Commanding Officer, Headquarters, Camp Callan, notified the Corps of Engineers, San Diego Field Office, that considerable Naval target practice on Borrego Maneuver Area lands has occurred since Army termination of activities, and the Navy should be further contacted prior to property release (see document F-S).

(e) On 22 September 1944, the War Department, Office of Pacific Division Engineer, requested information regarding Naval usage and contamination of Borrego Maneuver Area lands from the Commandant, 11th Naval District. Naval response to this request on 22 September and 7 October 1944 stated that target areas utilized/contaminated by the Navy within the Borrego Maneuver Area lands are owned or under the jurisdiction of the Navy (Clarkls Dry Lake and Borrego Wash) and will continue to be used by the Navy Department. Also stipulated was the fact that the subject Army maneuver area was not required for Naval use (see document F-S).

(f) Although a permit termination document could not be found releasing the Borrego Maneuver Area back to the State of California, it is believed to have occurred following Naval response to the Division Engineer on 7 October 1944 (see document F-S).

(4) Post Range Disposal Activity and Use

The former Borrego Maneuver Area lands have consistently, since site closure, been under state, federal, and private ownership, with the predominant portion utilized by the State of California as state park land. Usage is expected to remain consistent in the future.

b. Ordnance Related Records Review

(1) Research efforts for the former Borrego Maneuver Area began with a thorough review of all reports, historical documents and reference materials gathered during the archives search. During this review, an effort was made to focus on areas of confirmed and/or potential OE presence.

(2) Several documents were found pertaining to the usage of the Borrego Maneuver Area. The following documents verify its establishment and operation:

(a) A training circular from the Headquarters Commander of the Southern California Sector of the Western Defense Command, dated 20 March 1942, announces the acquisition of a 400 square mile desert training area in San Diego and Imperial Counties. This area was acquired for maneuvering and firing and was titled the Borrego Maneuver Area (see document F-1) .

(b) A Land Use Permit, dated 10 March 1942, between the War Department and the State of California, gave the United States, its troops, and their animals, vehicles and equipment, the right at any and all times during the state of emergency of that period, to enter, maneuver upon, pass over, fire, and bivouac or camp upon a series of land parcels which describes the former Borrego Maneuver Area lands (see document G-1) .

(c) An Army Ground Forces Historical Study of the Antiaircraft Command and Center, 1946, established that a maneuver area for Camp Callan was established in the Borrego Desert in September 1943. AAA firing was said to have been conducted at this maneuver area, in addition to such firing as was conducted at the post reservation firing point in San Diego (see document E-2).

(d) A memorandum (with enclosures), initiated by the Commander of Camp Callan, dated 10 July through 7 October 1944, gives notification of the termination of use of the Borrego Maneuver Area by the Antiaircraft Replacement Training Center (AARTC). Additionally specified in the enclosures to this document are the following (see documents F-5) :

(1) That the Borrego Maneuver Area has been vacated and abandoned and will not be used again by the AARTC.

(2) That all installations, including warning signs, have been removed from the property.

(3) That the entire area has been policed and that no hazards exist attributed to the usage of ordnance by the

AARTC.

(4) That considerable target practice by the Navy occurred on Navy procured and controlled lands within the confines of the Borrego Maneuver Area. In addition, the Navy had no need for lands within the Borrego Maneuver Area, other than those procured for Navy use.

(5) That the Borrego Maneuver Area is declared "Excess" and "Surplus" to the requirements of the Army Ground Forces.

(e) A historical study of recent military operations in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (1941 to 1959), dated 31 October 1991, states the following (see document E-4) :

(1) The Army acquired 400 square miles of the Anza Borrego State Park, an area about equal to the old Borrego State Park, for use as a maneuver area. The region, called the Borrego Maneuver Area, although having roads built and extensive logistical preparations made for it, was probably never used for its intended force-on-force exercises.

(2) Portions of the Borrego Maneuver Area were used extensively by antiaircraft gunnery units from Camp Callan at Torrey Pines. Following basic weapons training by antiaircraft soldiers, they were required to perform two weeks of field training prior to being assigned to a battery preparing for overseas combat duty. This training occasionally occurred in the Borrego Maneuver Area due to saturation of other training areas.

(3) Some of the training batteries from Camp Callan made dry-runs in the Borrego Maneuver Area, then completed their field exercises with live firing at the Camp Haan target ranges in the Mojave Desert. Dry-run training consisted of the repeated set up and tear down of gun emplacements, usually at night, with adequate cover and concealment the primary objective during setup. During dry-run training batteries of large-caliber guns practiced training the gun on high-flying aircraft detected by aural locators and aided at night by searchlight crews.

Batteries of small-caliber weapons also made dry runs by training their guns on low flying aircraft.

(4) Other training batteries from Camp Callan performed both dry-run and live fire training in the Borrego Valley. Live fire ranges were north of Clark's Dry Lake, at Borrego Mountain, and possibly in the Navy owned (but jointly used) Borrego (Military) Wash target area. Known targets included high altitude airplane-towed sock targets and unmanned OQ-2A radio-controlled target planes (drones). The AA target in the Military Wash target area is believed to have been a towed or self-propelled target on an extensive track. Drone firing occurred east to west along the face of the Santa Rosa or Borrego Mountains. The drones were kept sufficiently below the top of the mountains to ensure that the trainees, who were firing into the mountains, would not shoot over them.

(5) Rocket scientists from the California Institute of Technology (CALTECH), with help from a AAA training battalion and drone launching crew from Camp Callan, tested experimental target rockets in an area north of Borrego Mountain.

The testing was an experiment in the radio detection of hits on specially developed 3.25" target rockets, utilizing a .30 caliber machine gun emplacement with crew which was positioned about 2 miles from the experimental rocket launch site. Upon ignition of the rockets the gun crew would be advised to "fire at will", the rockets would then be fired east to west along the north face of Borrego Mountain with CALTECH tracking the trajectory of the rockets with theodolite and electronically recording hits. When the rocket landed the fins were recovered and the hits were compared with the electronic record. The inert rocket bodies were then left in place.

(f) Several State Park Service Archeological Site Survey Records, 1986 through 1988, describe the remains of World War II era observation posts, a floating dock, and target/target related features within the former Borrego Maneuver Area. The target features are located at former Navy Target areas located within the maneuver area, Clarks Dry Lake and Borrego Wash (see document E-3) .

(g) Newspaper articles, citing Borrego activities of World War II, dated 28 August 1971 and 23 November 1989, stated the following (see documents H-1 and H-2) :

(1) That after Pearl Harbor, Borrego came alive with Army and Marine units.

(2) The Ensign Ranch was designated a Marine outpost to train San Diego Marine Corps recruits slated for the duty in Northern Africa (the Ensign Ranch bordered the Borrego maneuver Area on the west). The Marines learned to drive under desert conditions at night time without lights (black-out

IS

conditions). The driver trainees came to the valley in groups of

100. Every Thursday, the drivers would be given a night-driving test. If they passed, they could return to San Diego and civilization.

(3) Army tank destroyer units rolled into the valley, presumably from New Mexico. The purpose of their visit was not mentioned and is not otherwise historically documented.

(4) Two Camp Callan antiaircraft units additionally trained in the desert each week, followed by clean up squads upon their departure. One article also mentioned a searchlight crew presence and their activities at Camp Ensign.

(5) That P-38 planes were roaring and diving overhead on desert practice missions.

(6) That military service influence expedited the completion of Yaqui Pass road.

(7) That military personnel took over an unoccupied family (Laag) homestead in the Borrego Maneuver Area near the Borrego Sink. Evidence of military occupation was discovered by the family after military departure.

(8) That the Military (Borrego) Wash area, located within the Borrego Maneuver Area, contains shell clips, projec~iles, the remains of two old bunkers, and a (supposed) railway like target system containing ammo crate or ration box debris.

(3) Several documents were discovered which verifies or suggests an ordnance or explosives (DE) usage/presence on the former Borrego Maneuver Area:

(a) An Explosive Ordnance Disposal Explosive Incident Report, dated 11 March 1994, reports the discovery and destruction of a 40mm MKl high explosive incendiary projectile with tracer at the Palo Verde Wash of the Anza Borrego State Park. The park point of contact listed on the report, Ranger J.

Meier, further described the location to be at the intersection of Palo Verde Wash and Short Wash (see documents D-1, D-5, E-5, 1-11, and plate 5).

(b) An Army Ground Forces Historical Study of the Antiaircraft Command and Center, 1946, stated the following (see document E-2):

(1) That AAA firing was conducted in the Borrego Maneuver Area, in addition to such firing as was conduc'ted at the Camp Callan post reservation firing point in San Diego .

(2) For carrying out the secondary mission of antiaircraft artillery, anti-mechanized artillery, the 90mm AA Gun, 40mm, and other automatic weapons of the AAA are capable of firing upon ground as well as air targets. To accomplish this mission/training, anti-mechanized ranges were built and utilized in all of the AAA training centers. At certain specified installations, targets mounted on power operated or winch drawn cars on a defilated track were utilized for this purpose. At other specified installations, targets built on sleds and towed by distant vehicles were used. Although not mentioned as one of the target locations in the historical document, a 1 mile long wooden track matching this description was found in the Naval Military Wash target area by the inspection team .

(3) That special training aids and devices were used for the training AAA troops. The OQ type target plane, said to have been utilized in the Borrego Maneuver Area by other source documents, was used as a target for automatic weapons fire (.30 and .50 caliber, and the 40mm automatic carriage which was standardized after termination of operations in Borrego) service practice. This was a small motor-operated plane which is put in flight by a catapult and controlled by radio from the ground.

(d) A historical study of recent military operations in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (1941 to 1959), dated 31 October 1991, stated the following (see document E-4) :

(1) That only lighter Army antiaircraft weapons from Camp Callan (.30-caliber to 40mm) fired live ammunition in the valley during live fire training. Guns for larger ammunition (above 40mm) fired only at Camp Haan. 40mm fire is said to have occurred only at Borrego Mountain.

(2) That CALTECH conducted experiments at the north face of the Borrego Mountain utilizing 3.25" target practi~e rockets fired upon by Camp Callan .30 caliber machine guns. These target rockets consist of a motor, motor extension, nose, and three plywood fins. The only energetic materials contained within these rockets are rocket motor propellant (solvent-extruded double base powder), an electrical squib to ignite the propellant, and a pyrotechnic flare (some models) .

The maximum speed of these rockets is 425 miles per hour with a maximum range of 5000 feet.

(5) A few documents were located which suggested or confirmed a Navy or Marine target presence (with associated OE usage) within the boundaries of, but not associated with, the Borrego Maneuver Area:

(a) A San Diego Naval Air Station memorandum specifying Navy operating areas in the Borrego and Imperial valleys, dated 13 March 1941, show two Naval areas to be present and operational within the Borrego Maneuver Area site boundary, before the establishment of the Borrego Maneuver Area. These sites were the Clarks Dry lake, leased by the Navy and containing an airfield and horizontal bombing target, and the Borrego Wash, leased by the Navy and containing a horizontal bombing target only (see document F-6)

(b) An 11 th Naval District memorandum endorsement concerning Navy operating areas in the Borrego and Imperial valleys, dated 28 March 1941, recommends the acquisition of the Areas .in the Borrego and Imperial valleys for use as an antiaircraft and artillery range for Marine Corps Combat firing (see document F-7) .

(c) An 11 th Naval District circular letter concerning bombing targets in the Southern California Sector of the Western Sea Frontier, dated 24 August 1944, displays a target to exist at the Borrego Wash and Clarks Dry Lake sites. The Borrego Wash target consisted of concentric circles with an adjacent airplane silhouette and was designated for high altitude and dive bombing with "practice bombs and strafe". The Clarks Dry Lake target consisted of concentric circles with a simulated submarine and was designated for high altitude and dive bombing with "practice bombs and strafe" (see document F-8) .

(d) A historical study of recent military operations in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (1941 to 1959), dated 31 October 1991, describes the establishment, activity, and remaining features of two Naval target areas (Clarks Dry Lake and Military Wash) located within, but not directly associated with, the former (Army) Borrego Maneuver Area (see document E-4).

(6) A couple of documents were located which suggest a joint Army/Navy ordnance usage on the Borrego Wash Naval Target Area:

(a) An 11 th Naval District Joint Operations Center memorandum of the Western Defense Command-Western Sea Frontier, dated 1 September 1943, discusses the policy for joint use and control of Army/Navy land and sea training areas of the Army Southern California Sector, Western Defense Command, and the Navy Southern Sector, Western Sea Frontier (see document F-2) .

(b) A Naval Air Control Center, Southern Sector, Western Sea Frontier memorandum and chart, dated 21 November 1943, discusses and provides an overlay grid for joint use coordination of sea and air training areas within the Southern Sector, Western Sea Frontier, with the Borrego Maneuver Area displayed to be a part of the "LL" section of training airspace (see document F-3) .

(c) A Naval Air Control Center, Southern Sector, Western Sea Frontier memorandum, dated 3 June 1944, cites an installation, within the Borrego Area, which was defined as a danger area on 11 October 43 to be used by the AARTC, Camp Callan. This area was to be used for the firing of AA weapons, subject to Navy Jurisdiction over the areas and coordination through the Joint Operations Center, San Diego. This area is believed to be the Naval Borrego Wash target area located within the Borrego Maneuver Area (see document F-4).

c. Interviews with Site Related Personnel

(1) Several persons were interviewed that were able to provide general OE related information of the Borrego Maneuver Area site.

(2) SGT Grayson has been a member of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Arson/Explosives Unit for 20 years, and is the chairman of all Military/Civilian Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) activity in the County. His organization is presumably notified of all ordnance/explosive incidents which occur/arise in San Diego County. His organization also supported Imperial County until three years ago. SGT Grayson is aware of ordnance activity in the Anza Borrego State Park (a portion of which the former Army Borrego Maneuver Area and a couple of other Navy targets were located, predominately on or originating from the Carrizo Impact area, and in the Chocolate Mountains (see document 1-1).

(3) SFC Rodriguez, SSG Thompson, SSG Wilson, and SPC Knowles are all members of the 70th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) stationed at the Naval Sub Base in San Diego, California. They surveyed/reviewed all OE related incident reports, journals, and activity report files of their organization (dating from 1992 to present) to determine if an OE related incident response occurred to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park area of San Diego County, specifically the former Borrego Maneuver Area, which is in their area of operations. Two incident (11 March 1994 and 29 December 1996) responses occurred which were within the former Borrego Maneuver Area boundary. One incident occurred in the Palo Verde Wash Area of the Desert State Park. The incident item discovered/destroyed was a 40MM MK1 WWII high explosive projectile. The second incident occurred in the Borrego (Military) Wash area. Incident items discovered and destroyed were two 5" high explosive rockets.