The mission of the Installation Restoration Section is to assess and remediate contaminated sites aboard Camp Lejeune that resulted from past disposal practices, and spills and leaks of hazardous materials and waste. Over the years, the contaminants have spread in the soils and groundwater beneath the base and if left in place can provide a risk to human health and the environment. There are three remedial action programs currently active. They include the Installation Restoration (IR) Program for the cleanup of sites identified prior to 1986; The Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) Program which deals with sites identified after 1986 or where a continued operation has released contamination into the environment, and the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program that deals with the identification and removal of petroleum contamination resulting from the operation of USTs.

The Department of the Navy's IR Program was initiated in 1986 following the enactment of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) legislation. The IR Program which was implemented to follow the requirements of SARA which replaced the NACIP. Camp Lejuene was placed on the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) National Priorities List (NPL) on October 4, 1989. Following that listing, a Federal Facilities Agreement (FFA) between the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV; the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources; and the Department of the Navy was signed in February 1991. The FFA was prepared to fulfill the following objectives:

• To ensure that potential environmental impacts associated with past and present activities at MCBCL are thoroughly investigated and appropriate CERCLA response activities are developed and implemented as necessary to protect public health, welfare, and the environment.

• To establish a procedural framework and a schedule for developing, implementing, and monitoring appropriate response actions at MCBCL in accordance with CERCLA, The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Control Contingency Plan (NCP), and relevant USEPA remediation policy.

• To encourage public participation, facilitate cooperation, and exchange of information among parties associated with the investigation and remediation process.

Environmental Management Division

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Installations & Environment Department

Last Updated:  March 11, 2004