9. 1 of 5 FIO-GFI-EastElliotASR_2004-Print File.pdf

Defense Environmental Restoration Program For

Formerly Used Defense Sites Ordnance and Explosives

Chemical Warfare Materials

ARCHIVE SEARCH REPORT

Volume I of II

Camp Elliott San Diego, CA

Property Number – J09CA0067 Project Numbers – 01, 02, 03 & 04

SEPTEMBER 2005

Prepared by US Army Corps of Engineers

ST. LOUIS DISTRICT

FINAL - 30 SEPTEMBER 2004

Project Number – J09CA006703

ARCHIVE SEARCH REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................... ES-1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................... A-1

1.0 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................... 1-1

1.1 AUTHORITY............................................................................................ 1-1

1.2 SUBJECT ................................................................................................ 1-1

1.3 PURPOSE ............................................................................................... 1-1

1.4 SCOPE ................................................................................................. 1-3

2.0 PREVIOUS SITE INVESTIGATIONS ........................................................... 2-1

2.1 CORPS OF ENGINEERS DOCUMENTS ........................................................ 2-1

2.1.1 Inventory Project Reports (INPR)................................................. 2-1

2.1.2 Archive Search Reports (ASR)...................................................... 2-3

2.1.3 Contractor Prepared Documents .................................................. 2-4

2.2 OTHER REPORTS .................................................................................... 2-8

3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION ................................................................................... 3-1

3.1 EXISTING LAND USAGE........................................................................... 3-1

3.1.1 Location..................................................................................... 3-1

3.1.2 Prior Land Use............................................................................ 3-1

3.1.3 Current Land Use and Ownership................................................. 3-1

3.2 CLIMATIC DATA...................................................................................... 3-2

3.3 TOPOGRAPHY......................................................................................... 3-4

3.4 GEOLOGY AND SOILS.............................................................................. 3-4

3.4.1 Geology/Physiography ................................................................ 3-4

3.4.2 Soils .......................................................................................... 3-5

3.5 HYDROLOGY........................................................................................... 3-5

3.5.1 Surface Water ............................................................................ 3-5

3.5.2 Ground Water ............................................................................ 3-6

3.6 NATURAL RESOURCES............................................................................. 3-7

3.7 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES AND DEMOGRAPHICS............... 3-10

3.7.1 Historical and Cultural Resources ............................................... 3-10

3.7.2 Demographics .......................................................................... 3-11

4.0 HISTORICAL SITE SUMMARY.................................................................... 4-1

4.1 CHRONOLOGICAL SITE SUMMARY............................................................ 4-1

4.1.1 Camp Kearny – National Guard Camp (1917-1920)........................ 4-1

4.1.2 Camp Kearny – Naval Auxiliary Air Station (1943-1946) ................. 4-1

4.1.3 Marine Corps Air Depot (1943-1946) ............................................ 4-2

4.1.4 Camp Elliott (1939-1944) ............................................................ 4-2

4.1.5 Post World War II....................................................................... 4-5

4.2 HISTORIC MILITARY MUNITIONS USAGE.................................................. 4-7

4.2.1 Summary of OE Activities ............................................................ 4-7

4.2.2 Summary of CWM Activities....................................................... 4-14

4.2.3 Certificates of Clearance............................................................ 4-16

4.2.4 EOD Incidents .......................................................................... 4-21

4.3 OTHER POTENTIAL AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL INTEREST..................... 4-21

4.4 MAP ANALYSIS ..................................................................................... 4-21

4.4.1 General Area Map Anlaysis ........................................................ 4-21

4.4.2 Site Specific Map and Drawing Analysis ...................................... 4-22

4.5 AERIAL PHOTO INTERPRETATION.......................................................... 4-28

4.5.1 1944 Aerial Imagery ................................................................. 4-29

4.5.2 1953 Aerial Imagery ................................................................. 4-30

4.5.3 2002 Aerial Imagery ................................................................. 4-31

4.6 INTERVIEWS ........................................................................................ 4-32

5.0 SITE ELIGIBILITY ...................................................................................... 5-1

5.1 CONFIRMED FUDS .................................................................................. 5-1

5.2 ADDITIONAL CONFIRMED FUDS ACREAGE................................................ 5-3

5.3 POTENTIAL FUDS ................................................................................... 5-3

6.0 VISUAL SITE INSPECTION ........................................................................ 6-1

6.1 GENERAL PROCEDURES AND SAFETY....................................................... 6-1

6.2 SITE INSPECTION SYNOPSIS ................................................................... 6-1

7.0 SITE OE/CWM TECHNICAL DATA .............................................................. 7-1

7.1 OE ITEMS HISTORICALLY EXISTING ON SITE ........................................... 7-1

7.2 CWM ITEMS HISTORICALLY EXISTING ON SITE........................................ 7-3

8.0 EVALUATION OF ORDNANCE PRESENCE .................................................. 8-1

8.1 GENERAL EVALUATION OF OE AND CWM PRESENCE................................. 8-1

8.1.1 Evaluation of OE Presence........................................................... 8-1

8.1.2 Evaluation of CWM Presence ....................................................... 8-1

8.2 SITE SPECIFIC AREAS ............................................................................. 8-2

8.2.1 Military Munitions Response Areas ............................................... 8-2

8.2.2 Storage Areas and Indoor Ranges................................................ 8-8

APPENDICES

A REFERENCE SOURCES AND RECORDS REVIEWED

B REFERENCES AND ABSTRACTS

C ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS AND BREVITY CODES

D ORDNANCE TECHNICAL DATA SHEETS

E TEXTUAL REFERENCES

F STILL PHOTOGRAPH REFERENCES

G MAPS/DRAWINGS REFERENCES

H INTERVIEWS.....................................................................................NOT USED

I SITE SAFETY AND HEALTH PLAN (SSHP).............................................NOT USED

J SITE INSPECTION REPORT ................................................................NOT USED

K PRESENT SITE PHOTOGRAPHS...........................................................NOT USED

L FINALIZATION DOCUMENTS

M REPORT DISTRIBUTION

REPORT PLATES

1 VICINITY MAP

2 PROPERTY / PROJECT BOUNDAIRES

3 LAND USE AND OWNERSHIP

4 1944 AERIAL PHOTO (TIERRASANTA)

5 1944 AERIAL PHOTO (MISSION TRAILS)

6 1944 AERIAL PHOTO (EAST ELLIOTT)

7 1944 AERIAL PHOTO (AREAS G, H, & D)

8 1953 AERIAL PHOTO

9 MILITARY MUNITIONS RESPONSE AREAS

10 OE CLEARANCE AREAS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Camp Elliott is located in San Diego, CA approximately twelve miles north of San Diego, CA. In May 1917, the U.S. Government leased 8,000 acres for the establishment of Camp Kearny. By July, additional acreage of adjacent land, bringing the total to 12,721 acres, was leased for practice and drill maneuvers. In May 1941, a declaration of taking granted immediate possession of 19,298.25 acres. Additional acquisitions increased the training area to approximately 32,000 acres. Located on what was then known as Camp Holcomb, this land was designated Camp Elliott on 14 June 1940.

Camp Elliott contained three permanent subsidiary camps, four bivouac areas and forty-one combat or firing ranges. In early 1944, the Marines began leaving Camp Elliott for Camp Pendleton. The Marine Base Depot and the tank training area at Jacques Farm remained at Camp Elliott after the Navy officially took command of the camp on 26 June 1944. The Navy used Elliott as a training and distribution center for the remainder of the war. In 1949, Congress appropriated funds to develop MCAS, Miramar as a Master Naval Jet Air Station and the Navy began major construction and rehabilitation of the runways. On 1 April 1952, the site was officially designated Naval Air Station, Miramar. The Army had jurisdiction between 1946 and 1947. The Navy reported approximately 15,000 acres excess to the General Services Administration (GSA) in 1961. The remaining acreage is DoD owned and known as Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Miramar.

This FUDS property is broken down into four project areas: Project 01 – Tierrasanta, Project 02 – Mission Trails, Project 03 – East Elliott, and Project 04 – Areas D, G, and H.

Project areas 01, 02, and 03 are located adjacent to the southern boundary of MCAS Miramar; and Project area 04 is located adjacent to the northern boundary.

Ordnance and explosive (OE) related features by Project Area follows:

Project 01 – Demolition, Camouflage, Moving Vehicle & Tank, Small Arms, Artillery, Howitzer, Moving Target, Mortar, Anti-Aircraft, Towed Target Project 02 – Artillery, Howitzer, Moving Target, Mortar, Anti-Aircraft, Towed Target, Small Arms Project 03 – Artillery, Anti-Tank, Mortar, Towed Target, Tank Project 04 – Bomb Disposal Area, Anti-Aircraft, Tank Course, Anti-Tank, Small Arms

This Archives Search Report (ASR) is for Project No. J09CA006703 – Camp Elliott / East Elliot. The report contains documentation for Project Nos. J09CA006701 - Tierra Santa, J09CA006702 – Mission Trails, J09CA006703 – East Elliot and J09CA006704 – Areas G, H and D.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The following individuals prepared the Archive Search Report or are involved in the process:

US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District Engineering Division - Ordnance and Technical Services Branch (CEMVS-ED-P) 1222 Spruce Street St. Louis, MO 63103-2833

Individual Telephone Number

Position

Michael Dace 314-331-8036 ED-P, Chief of Ordnance and Technical Service Branch

Rochelle Hance 314-331-8784 ED-P, Engineer/ASR Project Manager David Tajkowski 314-331-8841 ED-P, Historian Don Fendler 314-331-8119 ED-P, Civil Engineer Alan Foreman 314-331-8114 ED-S, CADD Specialist Danny McMurphy 314-331-8389 ED-S, Aerial Photogrammetry Teri Allen 314-331-8084 PM-EA, Biologist (Natural Resources) Jessica Bush 314-331-8446 ED-G, Civil Engineer (Geology, Soils and

Groundwater) Lloyd Coakley 314-331-8356 ED-HPW, Civil Engineer (Climate and Hydrology)

Other elements of the US Army Corps of Engineers provided programmatic and review oversight of the report:

US Army Engineering and Support Center Huntsville Center of Expertise and Design Center of Ordnance and Explosives, (CEHNC-ED-SY-O) P. O. Box 1600 Huntsville, AL 35807-4301

Individual Telephone Number Position Brad McCowan 256-895-1174 ASR Project Manager

US Army Corps of Engineers – Los Angeles District

ATTN: CESPL-PM-M

911 Wilshire Blvd; 15023 Los Angeles, CA 90017

Individual Telephone Number Position Ms. Tawny Tran 213-452-3991 DERP FUDS Program Manager Lloyd Godard

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 AUTHORITY

In 1986, Congress established the Defense Environmental Restoration Program at 10 U.S. C. 2701 et.seq. This program directed the Secretary of Defense to "carry out a program of environmental restoration at facilities under the jurisdiction of the secretary."

In March, 1990, the EPA issued a revised National Contingency Plan. Under 40 C.F.R.

300.120, EPA designated DoD to be the removal response authority for incidents involving DoD military weapons and munitions under the jurisdiction, custody and control of DoD.

Since the beginning of this program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been the agency responsible for environmental restoration at Formerly-Used Defense Sites (FUDS). Since 1990, the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, has been the Center of Expertise (CX) and Design Center for Ordnance and Explosives.

1.2 SUBJECT

Camp Elliott, FUDS Property Number J09CA0067, was located approximately twelve miles northeast of downtown San Diego. It was a former United States Marine Corps training facility in the 1940s, used by the United States Navy in the 1950s, and occupied 30,000 to 32,000 acres of large rugged and varied terrain that was ideal for preparing troops for overseas combat training. Approximately 15,000 acres were surplused in the 1960’s and 1970’s while the remaining is DoD owned and known as Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Miramar.

This FUDS property is broken down into four project areas: Project 01 – Tierrasanta, Project 02 – Mission Trails, Project 03 – East Elliott, and Project 04 – Areas D, G, and H.

Project areas 01, 02, and 03 are located adjacent to the southern boundary of MCAS Miramar; and Project area 04 is located adjacent to the northern boundary.

This Archives Search Report (ASR) is for Project No. J09CA006703 – Camp Elliot / East Elliot. The report contains documentation for Project Nos. J09CA006701 - Tierra Santa, J09CA006702 – Mission Trails, J09CA006703 – East Elliot and J09CA006704 – Areas G, H and D.

1.3 PURPOSE

The ASR compiles information obtained through historical research at various archives and records holding facilities. The archives search process is primarily a textual, cartographic and photographic research and analysis effort. It also makes use of site visits and interviews to gather information concerning the site. It does not include sampling or quantitative field assessment techniques to gather data. The search directs efforts towards determining possible use or disposal of OE and Chemical Warfare Material (CWM) on the former military establishment. The research places particular emphasis on establishing the types, quantities and areas of use and disposal. This process obtains information for use in developing recommendations for further action at the former Camp Elliott.

Currently, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety Office defines OE and CWM as (Corps of Engineers Safety Office (CESO), 2000):

Ordnance and Explosives (OE):

Chemical Agent:

Chemical Warfare Material (CWM):

As stated above, CWM items excludes pyrotechnics (incendiaries, flares, signals, simulators, screening/burning smokes) and riot control agents (vomiting, tear), which were developed and managed by the Army’s Chemical Warfare Service (CWS) but are still considered OE. These items historically were material managed by the CWS, along with the chemical agents and weaponized industrial chemicals (e.g. Hydrogen Cyanide AC;

Cyanogen Chloride, CK; Phosgene, CG) that are currently defined as CWM.

1.4 SCOPE

The entire site was considered in assessing the potential for ordnance and explosives.

This report presents the following:

A brief history of Camp Elliott Description and characteristics of the immediate surrounding area A review of related site investigations An aerial photography and map analysis of the site Real estate information, past and present Description of the OE and/or CWM identified with the site

These factors represent the basis for the evaluation of potential OE and CWM contamination and associated risks at Camp Elliott FUDS.

2.0 PREVIOUS SITE INVESTIGATIONS

2.1 CORPS OF ENGINEERS DOCUMENTS

2.1.1 Inventory Project Reports (INPR)

The INPR prepared in 1991, which is listed below for each of the four project areas, states that Camp Elliott consisted of approximately 30,500 acres, which were acquired between 1941 and 1942. The Marine Corps used the land between 1941 and 1944 for a training center. Once the Marines left, the Department of the Navy used the area as a Naval Training and Distribution Center and later as a retraining Command. Uses of the land included tank and small arms training. The Army had jurisdiction between 1946 and 1947. The Navy reported approximately 15,000 acres excess to the General Services Administration (GSA) in 1961. Included in this INPR, Projects No.

J09CA006703 (Project 03 – East Elliott) and No. J09CA006704 (Project 04 – Areas G, H, and D) as a whole were assigned a risk assessment code (RAC) of 1, Imminent Hazard.

The RAC resulted from a Hazard Severity rating of category II (critical) and a Hazard Probability rating of level A (frequent). The Hazard Severity was based on the presence of conventional ordnance including medium/large caliber (20 mm and larger), rockets, explosive guided missiles, and pyrotechnics including military flares. The Hazard Probability rating was based on the contamination being located on the surface or within three feet of the surface and less than 1,250 feet from the nearest building/road.

Further, there are between 101 and 250 buildings, including educational, childcare, residential, hospitals, hotels, commercial, and shopping centers within a two-mile radius. In addition there are no site barriers or security systems and the site conditions are expected to change in the future.

Project 01 – Tierrasanta:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District.

1985 Findings and Determination of Eligibility for DERP-FUDS Project Number

J09CA006701, Tierrasanta (Camp Elliott), San Diego, CA, dated 17 September 1985.

The community of Tierrasanta, which is part of the city of San Diego, CA, was developed on property that was formerly used for Marine Corps Training. Camp Elliot was obtained by the Navy in 1941, was comprised of approximately 32,000 acres, and was used between 1941 and 1954. The INPR states the terrain is heavily contaminated with unexploded ordnance. The property was disposed of between 1960 and 1963. In 1985, the community had grown to about 30,000 people. Attached to the Findings of Fact and Project Summary Sheet are several memorandums and newspaper articles regarding the UXO problem in the community of Tierrasanta.

1991 Defense Environmental Restoration Program, Formerly Used Defense Sites, Inventory Project Report, Tierrasanta (Camp Elliott), San Diego, CA, Project No. J09CA006701, dated 27 August 1991.

The property for the Tierrasanta residential community, consisting of 1,800 acres net, was purchased on 15 October 1968. Much of this community sits on top of land that was used by DoD as tank and artillery ranges. The terrain is heavily contaminated with ordnance; however at the time this INPR was prepared, and ordnance sweep was underway. On 10 December 1983, two youths were killed and three injured when a 37mm High Explosive (HE) projectile exploded.

Project 02 – Mission Trails Regional Park:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District.

1991 Defense Environmental Restoration Program, Formerly Used Defense Sites, Inventory Project Report, Mission Trails Regional Park (Camp Elliott), San Diego, CA, Project No. J09CA006702, dated 27 August 1991.

Mission Trails Regional Park (2100 acres) was conveyed to the City of San Diego by quitclaim deed on 10 January 1964. This deed restricted the use to historic monument/public recreational purposes for 20 years. The following is stated in the Project Summary Sheet, “The terrain is heavily contaminated with ordnance.”

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District.

1989 Defense Environmental Restoration Program, Formerly Used Defense Sites, Inventory Project Report, Mission Trails Regional Park (Camp Elliott), San Diego, CA, Project No. J09CA006702.

A visual site inspection of Project 02 Area, consisting of approximately 2100 acres, was conducted in March 1988. At the time of this INPR, the area was in its original state except for improvements with easements; and the City of San Diego has acquired most of the land and was in the process of acquiring additional acreage. The City plans to make a park and recreation area. The site is easily accessible to joggers, motorcycles, and 4-wheel drive vehicles. A map of the project area identifies an area of “highest contamination”; which was determined following an initial document review and site inspection. A visual surface sweep of Tierrasanta and Mission Trails, which was conducted in October and November 1973, uncovered 93 ordnance related items. The city of San Diego Fire Department records indicate that 8 OE items (7-75mm AP and 1- 105mm HE) were found near Fortuna Mountain in 1984/1985. Included in this document are 27 pages of almost 400 OE-related items (artillery, rockets, fuses, mortars, rifle grenades, grenades) found by the City of San Diego, Engineering and Development Department between January and April 1984 and between July and August 1985. The undated INPR recommends an ordnance removal project.

Project 03 – East Elliott:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District.

1991Defense Environmental Restoration Program, Formerly Used Defense Sites, Inventory Project Report, East Elliott (Camp Elliott), San Diego, CA, Project No. J09CA006703, dated 27 August 1991.

The East Elliot area (approximately 3,200 acres) was reported excess to the General Service Administration by the Navy in 1961 and disposed of by quitclaim deeds to private parties between 1973 and 1974. San Diego County operates a landfill within the East Elliott area. Fortuna Mountain, adjacent to East Elliott’s southeast corner was used as a backstop for weapons ranges used by the U.S. Marine Corp. A Bunker that was located near the top of Fortuna Mountain was removed around mid 1981. This Bunker appeared to have been fired upon. The following was stated in the project summary sheet, “It is likely that stray rounds topped Fortuna Mountain.” In May 1991 two 75 mm HE (high explosive) rounds were removed from the East Elliott area by the San Diego fire department.

Project 04 – Areas G, H, and D:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District.

1991 Defense Environmental Restoration Program, Formerly Used Defense Sites, Inventory Project Report, Areas G, H, and D (Camp Elliott), San Diego, CA, Project No. J09CA006704, dated 27 August 1991.

Areas G (approximately 2,900 acres), H (approximately 400 acres), and D (approximately 1,800 acres) were lands within the former boundaries of Camp Elliott.

Ordnance contamination is unlikely in these areas since this property was not in the line of estimated firing positions and does not include known former impact areas. No strays have been found to date. The following was stated in the project summary sheet, “However, this area still does raise some concern since the Camp was a training center for troops.”

2.1.2 Archive Search Reports (ASR)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District.

1996c “Archives Search Report (Draft - Findings Volume (1996c) and 1996d Conclusion and Recommendations Volume (1996d)), Defense

Environmental Restoration Program, Base Realignment and Closure,” prepared for Naval Air Station, Miramar, San Diego, California, dated May 1996. (On file at USACE, Rock Island District, CEMVR-ED-DO).

Project 03 – East Elliott:

1996a “Archives Search Report (Final - Findings Volume (1996a) and 1996b Conclusions and Recommendations Volume), for Naval Air Station

Miramar, San Diego, California,” prepared for Naval Air Station, Miramar, Staff Civil Engineer Department, San Diego, CA, dated November 1996.

(On File at USACE, Rock Island District, CEMVR-ED-DO).

The above reports were reviewed during the preparation of the ASR and Range Identification and Preliminary Range Assessment for Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar.

Information in these reports not found from original sources was incorporated into the reports prepared for the U.S. Marine Corps.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District 2001a “Archives Search Report (Final (2001a)) and Range Identification and

2001b Preliminary Range Assessment (Final (2001b)), for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California,” prepared for Headquarters, United States Marine Corps, dated December 2001. (On File at USACE, St. Louis District, CEMVS-ED-P).

An ASR and Range Identification and Preliminary Range Assessment for Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar was prepared for the USMC a few years ago. The information in these Marine Corps (MC) reports, which is pertinent to Camp Elliott FUDS, is included in this ASR. Therefore, a summary of the two MC reports is not provided here.

2.1.3 Contractor Prepared Documents

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had additional reports (i.e., EE/CA’s and UXO Removal Reports) prepared by contractor agencies. In addition to those reports highlighted below, many more are located on the Project Information Retrieval System (PIRS) at https://mvrpirs.mvr.usace.army.mil):

Dames and Moore.

1991 “Final EA Ordnance Cleanup, Mission Trails Regional Park,” prepared for

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, dated September 1991.

(Located on the Project Information Retrieval System (PIRS) at https://mvrpirs.mvr.usace.army.mil).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential environmental impacts due to proposed ordnance remedial alternatives in the 2,100-acre Mission Trails project area.

Five remedial alternatives were contemplated, and impacts on eleven issues (i.e., biology, cultural, land use, public safety, etc.) were evaluated. Property owners include the City of San Diego, San Diego State University, and the San Diego Unified School District. Mission Trails Regional Park consists of dirt trails used by hikers, joggers, and mountain bicyclists. Many areas are inaccessible due to the rugged terrain and thick vegetation. The report goes on to state that USACE determined, based on their sampling conducted in 1990, the areas east of Fortuna Mountain do not contain ordnance and are to be excluded from ordnance removal activities. The final boundary of areas to be swept is to be determined during the design of the clearance operations.

DJG, Inc., Williamsburg, VA; Dynamic Systems, Inc., Reston, VA; UXB International, Inc., Fairfax, VA.

1987 Report of Ordnance Contamination, Risk Assessment, and Clearance Alternative Analysis on the Former Camp Elliott, dated September 1987.

(On file at USACE, Rock Island District, CEMVR-ED-DO).

1988 Final Engineering Report and Environmental Impact Statement, submitted to U.S. Army Engineer District, Huntsville, AL, dated April 27, 1988. (On file at USACE, St. Louis District, CEMVS-ED-P).

This feasibility study determined the extent and magnitude of ordnance contamination in the Tierrasanta project area, and determined and evaluated remedial action alternatives to address the UXO and related debris contamination. The project area, which consists of approximately 3,500 acres total, includes 1,897 acres of remaining open space, which was divided into Sub-Areas A through F. Based on analysis of records, previous clearance operations, and a statistical survey of randomly selected sites, the team determined that ordnance contamination ranged from 0.28 to 29.3 items per acre on the surface and 3.0 to 90.7 items per acre sub-surface;

approximately 87% of the ordnance contamination lies within 6 inches of the surface, 94% lies within 12 inches of the surface; and approximately 1% of the ordnance contamination constitutes a potentially explosive hazard. Based on records reviewed for this report, two potential firing positions were located. One in the northwest quadrant of the intersection formed by the second San Diego aqueduct and Murphy Canyon; and one in the vicinity of the proposed Regency Hill (La Mirage) development.

These two firing sites indicate that the principal impact areas were centered north of Tierrasanta Blvd and east of Santo Road. The ordnance survey conducted between 12 November and 12 December 1986 was implemented by UXB International, Inc. A total of 185 surface and subsurface grids were surveyed. Of these grids, 184 were randomly selected and 1 one-acre grid was surveyed within a 5-acre area that had recently burned. A total of 1,343 ordnance-related items were found on the surface; and 521 ordnance-related items were found sub-surface in Sub-Areas A, B, C, E, and F (Sub- Area D was not surveyed). The ordnance-related items found range from assorted small arms up to 105mm projectiles.

Rare, threatened, endangered, and sensitive species and habitats of concern, which are potentially affected by the proposed ordnance removal project are identified in this document.

Environmental Chemical Corporation.

1995a Final Ordnance Report, Tierrasanta, California, dated February 1995. (On file at USACE, St. Louis District, CEMVS-ED-P).

1995b Final Ordnance Report, Tierrasanta, California, Appendix (1) Site Specific Information, dated February 1995. (On file at USACE, St. Louis District, CEMVS-ED-P).

Environmental Chemical Corporation (ECC) performed an ordnance clearance on the Tierrasanta project area between November 1990 and May 1994. During this time, 1,904.24 acres were swept, 171,559.9 pounds of ferrous debris, 28,491.7 pounds of ordnance scrap, 3,991 hazardous small arms, and 1,066 hazardous items larger than small arms were located and removed. Detailed information (grid layout, items found in each grid, grids swept and not swept, etc.) is included in Appendix 1.

Human Factors Applications, Incorporated.

1999 “Draft Removal Report, Volume 1, Ordnance and Explosives (OE) Removal

Action, East Elliott, San Diego, California,” prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, dated March 10, 1999. (Located on the Project Information Retrieval System (PIRS) at https://mvrpirs.mvr.usace.army.mil).

Human Factors Application, Inc. (HFA) was issued a task order by the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville for an Ordnance and Explosives (OE) Removal Action. The Scope of Work (SOW) was to perform surface and subsurface (to a depth of three feet) OE clearance of approximately 70 acres adjacent to the northern boundary of the Little Sycamore Canyon (San Diego County) landfill, a surface clearance of 600 acres of trails and open space in section 4 north of West Hills High School, and provide UXO support during the earth moving operations for the landfill expansion project. The surface clearance included the removal of partially exposed OE items. A total of 48 explosive ordnance items were located and destroyed and 1348.5 pounds of OE scrap was recovered, inspected, and disposed. Based on the results of the removal activities, it was determined that a Certificate of Clearance could be issued for 53.3 acres around the north section of the current landfill and approximately 900 acres of trails and open space. However, areas within the 900 acres containing brush and heavy vegetation were not cleared. HFA recommended additional sub-surface removal activities be conducted in Section 4 based on the amount of OE found in the area, and the amount of subsurface hits encountered.

Montgomery Watson.

1995 “Draft Archives Search Report, Former Camp Elliott (East Elliott), Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA), San Diego, California,” prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville Divison, Huntsville, Alabama, dated January 1995.

Montgomery Watson prepared an ASR as part of the East Elliott EE/CA. East Elliott consists of 3,200 acres, the southeastern most corner of former Camp Elliott, which was quitclaimed between 1973 and 1974. East Elliott is bounded on the north by MCAS, Miramar; on the east by the City of Santee, CA and Sycamore Canyon; on the west by MCAS Miramar, State Highway 52, and Mission Trails Regional Park; and on the south by the City of Santee and unincorporated portions of San Diego County. Access to East Elliott is partially restricted by fencing. Included is a chronological historical summary of Camp Elliott. The Little Sycamore Landfill began operation in East Elliott in 1964. In June 1984, the U.S. Army 70th EOD conducted an ordnance survey of 170 acres in the southeast portion of East Elliott. This survey found moderate to heavy ordnance contamination mostly from high explosive shells on the ridges. Sampling of 11 grids was conducted in April 1994. Four of the eleven grids contained ordnance scrap (loose fragments and one fuze component). Research conducted for this report revealed that not all artillery firing by USMC took place at Camp Elliott; but was also conducted at USMC Camp Dunlap, Niland, CA in 1943. In 1944, the USMC relocated to Camp Pendleton, and Camp Elliott reverted to USN use. Following WWII through 1953, Camp Elliott was used as a USN Training and Redistribution Center where no live-fire weapons training was reportedly conducted. Interviews conducted for this report provided the following information: (1) firing of tank machine guns (coaxial with larger guns) up Sycamore Canyon, (2) tank training was conducted in the creek (San Diego River?)

below Jacques Farm where some live firing of 37mm took place parallel to the creekbed (NE direction?), (3) simulated training exercises with 155mm howitzers in Rattlesnake Gulch, and (4) live-fire artillery exercise with 105mm (into Fortuna Mountain?). Loose fragmentation from 75mm HE and 37mm rounds was found during a site inspection in November 1994. A summary of items found between 1978 and 1994 is included.

1999 “Final Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA), Formerly Used Defense Site, Camp Elliott (East Elliott), San Diego, California,” prepared for U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, AL, dated August 1999. (Located on the Project Information Retrieval System (PIRS) at https://mvrpirs.mvr.usace.army.mil).

The purpose of this report was to characterize the site, assess potential risks, identify removal action alternatives, evaluate these alternatives based on specified criteria, and propose the selected alternative. East Elliott is currently undeveloped except for a 170-acre Class III landfill. There is unrestricted access along the southern boundary of the project area. UXO has been found in several locations in the 1980’s and 1990’s; and EOD teams conducted investigations in 1984 and 1994. OE found during these investigations consisted mainly of 37mm and 75mm HE shell fragments. The 1984 survey found, “moderate to heavy” contamination within the 170-acre survey area.

The 1994 visual and geophysical investigation involved the inspection of 11 grids. The results of this investigation revealed that 4 of the 11 grids, which contained OE, were located in the southeast portion of East Elliott within or near the 1984 survey area.

Loose fragments from 37mm and 75mm HE rounds were found in the area that was surveyed in 1984 and 1994 during site visits in 1994 and 1995. An OE investigation was conducted by CMS Environmental, Inc. (CMS) between September and December 1996. This consisted of surface clearing 89 survey grids, which were later swept using a magnetometer. UXO encountered consisted of 4-75mm HE projectiles. The largest concentration of OE was found in the southeast quadrant. All but one of the 75mm projectiles found were pointing westward, indicating that they were likely fired from the southeast corner of East Elliott. A total of 758 pounds of OE and scrap were removed and disposed of. 27 identifiable OE items, which consisted of various 37mm and 75mm rounds, various fuses, and an M57 WP 81mm Mortar, were encountered. Due to the large concentration of OE in the eastern portion of the site, a Time Critical Removal Action was conducted in this area in late 1998 and early 1999 (see HFA 1999).

U.S. Army Topographic Engineering Center 2004 “Former Camp Elliott, California, Examination of Historical Photography –

Selected Sites, Final Report,” dated May 2004. Prepared for the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville Engineering and Support Center, AL.

Historical aerial photos dated between 1939 and 2002 of the former Camp Elliott were examined. Photos of the project 01 area from the 1940’s revealed several areas of ground scars and vehicle/tank tracks, abandoned ranges or training areas, and trenches. Photos from 1953 reveal ground scars and a berm in the location of the former Convair (test) Range. Photos of the project 03 area from 1953 show a circular shaped pit. Structures, berms, and vehicle/tank tracks are identified on 1944 aerial photos in the southeast corner of project 03 area. Pits, ground scars, and trenches are identified on 1940’s and 1950’s photos of Area D (a portion of project 04). A circular shaped pit is seen on a 1958 photo of Area G (a portion of project 04). Photos dated 1966 of Area G reveal several buildings and possible bunkers.

2.2 OTHER REPORTS

The Navy and Marine Corps prepared additional reports in accordance with the Installation Restoration Program (IRP), DERP and CERCLA. Investigations that the archive search team reviewed while preparing the draft ASR and Range Identification and Preliminary Range Assessment Reports for the USMC in 1998 include the following:

SCS Engineers, Inc.

1984 “Initial Assessment Study of Naval Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California,” prepared for Navy Assessment and Control of Installation Pollutants (NACIP) Department, Port Hueneme, California, dated September 1984. (On file at USACE, St. Louis District, CEMVS-ED-P).

ASLA & Associates, Incorporated.

1985 “Master Plan, Naval Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California,” for

Department of the Navy, Western Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, San Bruno, California, dated 1985. (On file at USACE, Rock Island District, CEMVR-ED-DO).

Gillispie Delorenzo, ASLA & Associates, Incorporated.

1985 “Naval Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California Master Plan,” dated

1985. Prepared for Engineering Services for Master Plan Update and Basic Facility Requirements for Naval Air Station, Miramar, San Diego, CA. (On file at USACE, St. Louis District, CEMVS-ED-P).

Montgomery Watson.

1996a “Environmental Impact Statement, Realignment of NAS, Miramar, Preliminary Final Submittal,” prepared for Department of the Navy, Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases, Western Area, dated January 1996.

(On file at USACE, Rock Island District, CEMVR-ED-DO).

1996b “Environmental Impact Statement, Realignment of NAS, Miramar, Final Submittal,” prepared for Department of the Navy, Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases, Western Area, dated February 1996. (On file at USACE, St. Louis District, CEMVS-ED-P).

Kawasaki, Theilacker, Ueno and Associates (KTU & A).

1997a “MCAS East Miramar Housing, Phase Two: Site Feasibility Report, Family

Housing Site Alternative Study,” prepared for Southwest Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command & COMCABWEST/ MCAS, Miramar BRAC, dated May 1997. (On file at USACE, St. Louis District, CEMVS-ED-P).

1997b “1997 Master Plan, MCAS, Miramar, Existing Conditions Report,” prepared for Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases, Western Area, Southwest Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, dated October 1997. (On file at USACE, St. Louis District, CEMVS-ED-P).

Dames & Moore, Inc.

1997a “45% Submittal, MCAS, Miramar Rifle/Pistol Range Relocation Study,” prepared for Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases, Western Area, dated February 20, 1997. (On file at USACE, St. Louis District, CEMVS-ED-P).

1997b “45% Submittal, Miramar Trap and Skeet Club, Site Relocation Study, Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar,” prepared for Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases, Western Area, dated October 17, 1997. (On file at USACE, St. Louis District, CEMVS-ED-P).

1997c “Preliminary Draft Submittal, Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan for Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar,” prepared for Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases, Western Area, dated November 1997. (On file at USACE, St. Louis District, CEMVS-ED-P).

3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION

3.1 EXISTING LAND USE

3.1.1 LOCATION

Camp Elliott consisted of approximately 32,000 acres in San Diego County, California (CA) (see PLATE NO. 1 – VICINITY MAP and PLATE NO. 2 – PROPERTY / PROJECT BOUNDARIES). The FUDS property, approximately 15,000 acres, lies approximately twelve miles northeast of downtown San Diego, CA.

3.1.2 PRIOR LAND USE

Prior to military control, the land consisted of a small farming community.

During World War I, Camp Kearny, an Army Infantry Training Center, was established on 8,000 acres in this area. In addition, approximately 5,000 acres of land adjacent to Kearny were leased for practice and drill maneuvers.

East Miramar (east of Hwy 163) was acquired in 1941 as a part of the approximately 32,0000-acre Marine Corps training base named Camp Elliott. The Navy used the property after the Marine Corps moved to Camp Pendleton until the 1960s when a portion of this land was disposed of.

3.1.3 CURRENT LAND USE AND OWNERSHIP

The FUDS property is divided into four project areas: Tierrasanta, Mission Trails, East Elliott, and Areas D, G, and H.

Project 01, Tierrasanta, approximately 4,600 acres, has unrestricted public access and no known land use restrictions. The current use of this area consists mainly of single-family residential housing and schools (San Diego Unified School District). Some of the area remains undeveloped and is owned by the City of San Diego.

Project 02, Mission Trails, which is comprised of 2,100 acres and owned by the City of San Diego, is mainly a regional park with a lot of undeveloped open space. Public Access is restricted; meaning that the public does have some access to the area and that access may involve some surface disturbance (i.e., surface recreation). When the property was surplused on 10 January 1964, the quitclaim deed restricted the use of this site to historic monument/public recreational purposes for 20 years.

Located within Project 03 boundaries of East Elliott (approximately 3200 acres) is a Class III landfill in the center, and a small residential area (City of Santee) located in the southeast corner. The remaining area is undeveloped. As of 1999, owners include the Cities of San Diego and Santee, numerous private individuals, several land development firms, two school districts, and a public utility company (Montgomery Watson 1999). There are no known land use restrictions; and public access is unrestricted.

Located within Area D, approximately 1,800 acres, is land used by California Western University and University of California as campuses, and by the Navy for housing.

Private parties own Area G, which consists of approximately 2,900 acres. Area H consists of approximately 400 undeveloped acres owned by the County of San Diego.

There are no known land use restrictions and public access is unrestricted. A few roads traverse these areas.

PLATE 3, titled, “LAND USE AND OWNERSHIP” depicts the Land Usage/Ownership of the FUDS portions of former Camp Elliott, which was gathered from numerous sources (previous studies, 2002 aerial photos, etc.) during the preparation of the ASR.

3.2 CLIMATIC DATA

Information from a weather service station located at Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar California (adjacent to the site) provided the closest climatological data. Data recorded at this office is shown in TABLE 3.2.1.

Camp Elliott is located north of the city of San Diego, in the southwest corner of southern California. The prevailing winds and weather are tempered by the Pacific Ocean, which result in cooler summers and warmer winters in comparison to other places along the same general latitude. Temperatures of freezing or below have rarely occurred at the station since the record began in 1871; but hot weather, 90 degrees or above, is more frequent.

Dry easterly winds sometimes blow in the vicinity for several days at a time, bringing temperatures in the 90s and at times even in the 100s in the eastern sections of the city and outlying suburbs. At the National Weather Service station itself, however, there have been relatively few days on which 100 degrees or higher was reached.

As these hot winds are predominant in the fall, highest temperatures occur in the months of September and October. Records show that over 60 percent of the days with 90 degrees or higher have occurred in these two months. High temperatures are almost invariably accompanied by very low relative humidity, which often drop below 20 percent and occasionally below 10 percent.

A marked feature of the climate is the wide variation in temperature within short distances. In nearby valleys daytimes are much warmer in summer and nights noticeably cooler in winter, and freezing occurs much more frequently than in the city.

Although records show unusually small daily temperature ranges, only about 15 degrees between the highest and lowest readings, a few miles inland these ranges increase to 30 degrees or more.

Strong winds and gales associated with Pacific, or tropical storms, are infrequent due to the latitude. The seasonal rainfall is about 10 inches in the city, but increases with elevation and distance from the coast. In the mountains to the north and east the average is between 20 and 40 inches, depending on slope and elevation. Most of the precipitation falls in winter, except in the mountains where there is an occasional thunderstorm. Eighty-five percent of the rainfall occurs from November through March, but wide variations take place in monthly and seasonal totals. Infrequent measurable amounts of hail occur in San Diego, but snow is practically unknown. In each occurrence of snowfall only a trace was recorded officially, but in some locations amounts up to or slightly exceeding a half-inch fell, and remained on the ground for an hour or more.

Considerable fog occurs along the coast, but the amount decreases with distance inland. A dominant characteristic of spring and summer is the nighttime and early morning cloudiness. Low clouds form regularly and frequently extend inland over the coastal valleys and foothills, but they usually dissipate during the morning and the afternoons are generally clear. The fall and winter months are usually the foggiest.

Thunderstorms are rare, averaging about three a year in the city. Visibilities are good as a rule. The sunshine is plentiful for a marine location, with a marked increase toward the interior (Federal Climate Complex 2000).

Table 3.2.1 - Climatological Data For MCAS Miramar, CA Temperature Precipitation Wind

Month Mean Minimum

(oF)

Mean Maximum

(oF) Mean

(inches)

Mean Speed (knots)

Prevailing Direction

January 48 66 2.3 3 E February 49 67 1.7 3 E March 50 67 2.1 3 E April 53 71 0.9 6 WNW May 56 72 0.3 5 W June 59 76 0.1 6 WNW July 63 80 NIL 5 WNW August 65 82 0.1 5 WNW September 63 81 0.2 6 NW October 57 76 0.4 3 E

Table 3.2.1 - Climatological Data For MCAS Miramar, CA Temperature Precipitation Wind

Month Mean Minimum

(oF)

Mean Maximum

(oF) Mean

(inches)

Mean Speed (knots)

Prevailing Direction

November 51 71 1.2 3 E December 54 87 1.5 3 E Mean 55 73 10.8 4 E

3.3 TOPOGRAPHY

Based on United States Geological Survey (USGS) quadrangles (La Mesa, Poway, San Vicente Reservoir, and El Cajon), the Camp Elliott FUDS property consists mainly of hills and rugged terrain.

3.4 GEOLOGY AND SOILS

3.4.1 GEOLOGY/PHYSIOGRAPHY

The former Camp Elliott site is located in the Peninsular Ranges section of the Lower California physiographic province. This province is characterized by a dissected, westward-sloping, granite upland. The Peninsular Ranges are mostly in Mexico; only the northern end of the ranges reaches into California. The province has distinct northwest grain expressed by its larger mountains, to the east of the site, and its longer valleys.

The province is underlain by large homogenous batholiths. These batholiths are igneous intrusive bodies, which cooled slowly and deeply, allowing the molten material to crystallize into coarse-grained rock. The batholiths are accompanied by many dikes, narrow sheet-like igneous bodies which intruded into cracks in the rock.

Younger rocks found in the province are largely sedimentary, partly marine, and partly terrestrial, and range in age from late Cretaceous to Pleistocene. Marine rocks are exposed mostly in the Santa Ana Mountains, farther to the north of the site (Sharp 1976).

The topography of the site is typical of the Peninsular Ranges. The slopes of the mountain sides are steep to undulating. Elevations range from just over 1000 feet above mean sea level, in the north, to about 500 feet above msl in the southwest.

3.4.2 SOILS

In the simplest terms, the soils of the former Camp Elliott can be generally described as clay/sand with stone and gravel.

The soils formed in old mixed cobbly and gravelly alluvium. In a representative profile the surface layer is yellowish-brown and light-brown, medium acid and strongly acid gravelly silty sandy clay about 15 inches thick. The subsoil is yellowish-red and red, very strongly acid gravelly heavy silty sandy clay. Below this, to a depth of 30 inches, is an iron-silica cemented hardpan, which is not uniform or continuous. In some areas, the soil is cobbly throughout.

There is little or no potential for frost development in the soil at the Camp Elliott site.

3.5 HYDROLOGY

3.5.1 SURFACE WATER

The southern portion of the former Camp Elliott lies approximately twelve miles north of downtown San Diego, CA and the northern portion of the site lies adjacent to the south side of the City of Poway, CA. Several portions of the site are in a hilly area with elevations ranging from around 1,000 feet at the highest points to around 700 feet in the bottom of the numerous canyons that dissect the hills.