Background on the Off-Base SDZs
Review and update of MCB Camp Lejeune's Military Installation Map (dated 1996) revealed that one current SDZ was depicted as being outside the installation boundary. Specifically, the eastern lateral limit of the SDZ for the G-7 direct fire artillery range (see Table 1) was depicted as being on private property near the southeast boundary of the base. As soon as the issue was identified, the G-7 safety buffer (secondary danger area) was adjusted, so that the entire SDZ now lies within the base boundary.
Historic range maps and documents were reviewed, and it was determined that some other SDZs were also off the installation. SDZs are continuously updated and examined to reflect changes in training requirements. The SDZs in question were off-base only during specific time-frames, dating back to the 1940s when the base was established.
After further review of the historic range delineations, it is believed that only portions of the safety buffer areas were located beyond the boundaries of the base. The boundaries of BT-3/N-1 (see the Chart below) might have been simply an alignment or mapping error and would not reflect actual operations.
However, it is possible that munitions or munitions fragments might have inadvertently landed beyond the boundaries of the base. Although there has been no indication that a safety risk exists, MCB Camp Lejeune is conducting an investigation to ensure the protection of human safety and health and of the environment.
MCB Camp Lejeune personnel re-evaluated all ranges on the base for conflicts with private and State property and are confident that there are no other SDZ's which encroach onto off-base lands.
Off-Base Areas Possibly Affected
The off-base areas that might have been affected include three private properties totaling approximately 301 acres; the southwestern tip of Bear Island (182 acres of Hammocks Beach State Park); State-owned salt marshes that lie between Bear Island and the mainland; State waters used for fishing and recreation, including portions of Bear Creek; and shallow water areas of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
As the map below shows, most of the affected acreage is marsh land.
