Document gDVGL9xYrJzQbMQMmJ6kBwJ4e

of Public Health and Environment USArmy Corps of Engineers FACT SFfFFT I -L vjl 1J--/J--/ 1 Titan I Missile Silos in Colorado Summer 2003 BACKGROUND The Titan I was one of the United States' first strategic, intercontinental ballistic missiles. The 98-foot-long, two-staged missile was fueled by kerosene and liquid oxygen, and was designed to carry nuclear warheads. Developed in the late 1950's, the first Titan I missiles became operational in April of 1962. During the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962, the Titans were readied for launch as a deterrent in the crisis. The Titan I's had a short operational life and were phased out by 1965. Each individual Titan I missile complex contained three underground launch silos, that each housed one Titan I missile. Launch silos are 160-feet deep and 40-feet in diameter. Other underground structures include a powerhouse, control center, radio antennas and a myriad of tunnels. Complexes covered between 30 to 60 acres. Titan I missile elevated for launch 1-B Former Lowry Bombing and Gunnery Range Complex 2-B Six former Titan 1 Missile Complexes located east of Denver, CD. TITANS IN COLORADO There are six former Titan I missile complexes in Colorado. Four are located on the Former Lowry Bombing and Gunnery Range east of Aurora; one is located north of Deer Trail and one south of Elizabeth (see map). Although the former Lowry Air Force Base provided command and support facilities to the Titans, the missile complexes themselves were not located on the former Air Force base. The complexes were decommissioned and the missiles removed in 1965. Public and private owners later acquired the complexes. REGULATORY SETTING The titan sites are being investigated for the Department of Defense (DOD) by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District. Five of the titan sites fall under the DOD's Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) program and one site (Complex 2A) is under the DOD's Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program. Both programs follow the federal "Superfund" (or CERCLA) process, although the sites are not on the Superfund National Priorities List. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides regulatory oversight of the FUDS and BRAC programs in Colorado, with assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 and local governments. ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS Environmental investigations have focused on past Department of Defense practices at the missile complexes, and include sampling and analysis of soil, ground water, domestic well water and water in the silos. Soil contamination from petroleum chemicals and from polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are associated with electrical equipment, has been found at some sites. Ground water contamination from cleaning solvents, such as perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), has been found at some sites. These contaminants are found when shallow, localized pockets of ground water surround a complex. Water from domestic wells near some of the sites has been tested. No measurable contamination above drinking standards has been found. Some ground water and silo water samples have elevated levels of metals such as zinc and cadmium. This may be related to water corrosion of metal structures in the complexes. Titan I missile complex IS RADIATION A CONCERN? While the Titan I missiles were armed with plutonium-based nuclear warheads, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has no evidence of radioactive contamination at the sites. Warhead maintenance occurred at the warhead-manufacturing facilities, and not at the silos themselves. Investigations at the four sites on the Former Lowry Bombing and Gunnery Range have found naturally occurring radiation such as uranium, radium and potassium, which are related to the geologic formations at the missile sites. However, no man-made radiation, such as plutonium and americium, has been found. ARE THERE ANY HEALTH CONCERNS FOR PEOPLE LIVING CLOSE TO A TITAN SITE? While localized areas of contamination, above state and federal standards, have been found at some of the complexes, they do not pose a health risk to nearby residents and workers. Since the complexes are closed, there is no means for exposure. The sites are private property and pose significant trip and fall hazards. They should not be entered. The US Army currently owns the BRAC site and an environmental investigation is in progress. FUTURE ACTIONS AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT As investigations are completed at each site, a clean-up plan will be prepared and be available for public review and comment. The Restoration Advisory Board for the Former Lowry Bombing and Gunnery Range, a community advisory group, advises the Army Corps of Engineers and regulatory agencies about the four Titan sites located on the former bombing range. Their meetings are open to the public. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT: Derek Boer, Public Information Specialist Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Tel. (303) 692-3329 Printed on Recycled Paper