EPA Superfund site
ATLANTIC FLEET WEAPONS TRAINING AREA
Human exposure is NOT currently under control
Data limitations: Proximity to a Superfund site boundary does not mean your property is contaminated. EPA site boundaries show the area designated for cleanup, not the full extent of contamination. Groundwater plumes can extend beyond site boundaries. This tool shows publicly available EPA federal data. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by EPA, and is not a substitute for a professional environmental assessment.
About this site's exposure pathways
As of May 2026, the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Area–Vieques Superfund site is considered “Current Human Exposure Not Under Control” (HENC). People who enter certain range areas on land or nearshore waters are known or reasonably anticipated to be exposed to munitions and explosives of concern (MEC), including unexploded ordnance (UXO), which pose an acute explosion and shrapnel hazard. The site includes upland soils, beaches, wetlands, nearshore and offshore marine sediments, and surface water where historical United States Department of War (DoW) training activities occurred. Hazardous substances associated with past activities are being evaluated and may include metals (e.g., mercury, lead, copper), explosives and energetic compounds (e.g., TNT, perchlorate), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), solvents, pesticides, and per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Currently, the planned activities to address this pathway include:
- Continuing time‑critical removal actions for surface (and where feasible, subsurface) MEC in priority range areas in eastern Vieques, with clearance and construction support consistent with explosive safety standards.
- Coordinating munitions removal with additional Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) work to define the nature and extent of chemical contamination; developing and implementing the PFAS RI work plan to investigate potential source areas.
- Advancing remedial decisions and construction across multiple areas; to date, 16 Records of Decision (RODs) have been issued and remedies implemented for eight upland areas.
- Maintaining and expanding institutional and engineering controls, including access restrictions, shoreline and on‑water safety zones, and safety/security/public health signage; continuing public education and outreach on munitions safety.
How you can reduce risk:
- Obey closure areas, range boundaries, and all posted signs on land and water; stay on authorized roads, beaches, and trails only.
- Do not touch, move, or collect any suspected munitions or metal debris. Follow the 3Rs of explosives safety: Recognize — Retreat — Report.
- Heed Coast Guard and local notices to mariners and community advisories. Report suspected items to local authorities.
EPA currently anticipates that human exposure will be under control by September 2042 because munitions response actions will reach land‑use‑appropriate clearance objectives across priority areas, remedial actions selected under site RODs will be constructed, institutional controls will be fully implemented and effective, and confirmation monitoring and explosive safety clearance documentation will demonstrate that exposure risks are controlled, as reflected in the Superfund Enterprise Management System (SEMS).
EPA ensures community participation throughout the remedial process by participating in routine quarterly Restoration Advisory Board meetings with residents and stakeholders, issuing public notices, and updating fact sheets. For assistance, contact the Community Involvement Coordinator Maria Elena Garcia via the site webpage or at (787) 977-5814 or [email protected].