Remediation of Army ammunition plant entering final stages; public invited to comment

A portion of the former sulfuric acid concentrator structure located at the Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant facility has underwent decontamination to make it suitable for industrial development in the future. The VAAP property has not been used to manufacture TNT in over 30 years.
A portion of the former sulfuric acid concentrator structure located at the Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant facility has underwent decontamination to make it suitable for industrial development in the future. The VAAP property has not been used to manufacture TNT in over 30 years.

If you go

› What: Public meeting on modifications to the Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant remediation plan› When: Today from 6-8 p.m.› Where: Holiday Inn Suites, 434 Chestnut St.› Research: A copy of the proposed modifications and supporting documents is accessible on the third floor of the Chattanooga Public Library at 1001 Broad St.› Public comment: Public comments on the proposed modifications must be received by July 24. They can be sent to Roger Donovan of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation via email at Roger.Donovan@tn.gov.

The U.S. Army is entering the final stages of its cleanup at the former Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant site, and the public is invited to weigh in on proposed modifications to the remediation plan.

Of 37 solid waste management units and areas of concern identified at the site, 21 have been determined to require no further action, according to a fact sheet prefacing the proposed changes to the remediation plan.

The 16 others require land-use controls. Four also require long-term monitoring, three require institutional controls and two require monitored natural attention.

A public meeting about the modifications is set for today at 6 p.m. in the downtown Holiday Inn Suites on Chestnut Street.

Now home to Volkswagen's manufacturing plant and Enterprise South Nature Park, the former ammunition plant was a government-owned facility used for production and storage of TNT during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Ammonium nitrate, fertilizer and related products also were produced commercially on the site from 1962 to 1986. TNT production ceased in 1977, and in 1998 the plant was declared excess government property.

The proposed modifications recommend long-term groundwater monitoring at the site, off-site groundwater controls and on-site deed restrictions for groundwater.

"Surface water monitoring will verify that migration of hazardous contaminants in groundwater has not impacted the water quality of Chickamauga Lake to the north or streams to the south" of the plant, the fact sheet states.

The public comment period ends July 24, when a final decision on the modifications will be made. Notice will be given those who submitted comments.

Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.

Upcoming Events