Small Arms Ranges

The Small Arms Ranges include 40 locations where small arms ammunition has been used since World War II. The ranges have been uses for a variety of small arms training including pistols, rifles, shotguns, sub-machine guns, and machine guns. Potential sources of Small Arms Range contaminants include propellant-related compounds including lead, antimony, nitroglycerine and 2,4-DNT deposited on the ground surface at the firing points, and metals associated with projectiles including lead, copper, tungsten and antimony deposited at the range backstops.

Beginning in 1998, numerous groundwater and soil investigations have been conducted to determine impacts to soil and/or groundwater. Soil samples have been collected and analyzed at 38 of the 40 Small Arms Ranges and a total of 54 groundwater monitoring wells have been installed to evaluate and monitor groundwater beneath the Small Arms Ranges. The results of groundwater monitoring investigations at the Small Arms Ranges indicate the presence of the following Small Arms related metals: lead, tungsten and antimony currently below action levels.

The overall results of groundwater sampling evaluations conducted to date indicate the Small Arms Ranges are not currently a source of groundwater contamination above action levels.

From 2000 to 2004, a large scale soil investigation and sampling program was conducted. Investigation results reveal that some propellant-related compounds are present in surface soils at some ranges. Propellant concentrations are generally low and studies indicate propellants do not leach to groundwater. Metals, such as antimony, copper, lead and tungsten, associated with projectiles were detected in soils and pore water at the target berm areas.

An Investigation Report has been issued for the Small Arms Ranges. Click here to access it.