EPA Superfund Site

ATLANTIC FLEET WEAPONS TRAINING AREA

PR | EPA ID PRN000204694

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of January 2025, the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Area - Vieques Superfund Site is considered "Human exposure not under control" due to extensive amounts of unexploded ordnance. The site includes certain areas of the island of Vieques and nearby waters that have become contaminated by munitions and explosives of concern, primarily by United States Department of Defense (DoD) activities. From the 1940s until 2003, the US Navy administered lands on both the western and eastern ends of Vieques Island. The lands were used for military training and operations (ship-to-shore gun fire, air-to-ground bombing by naval aircraft, Marine amphibious landing, or combinations), and to store munitions for Atlantic Fleet training. Extensive amounts of unexploded ordnance and remnants of exploded ordnance have been identified in the range areas of Vieques, and in the surrounding waters. The Navy is currently conducting removal of surface munitions and explosives of concern in the impact area in east Vieques. These actions need to be coordinated with additional remedial investigation work to evaluate the nature and extent of contamination. Currently, hazardous substances that may be present at the site have not been fully characterized, but may include mercury, lead, copper, magnesium, lithium, perchlorate, TNT, depleted uranium, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), solvents, and pesticides. As areas being addressed under the time critical removal action are completed, the Navy has initiated remedial investigation(s)/feasibility studies (RI/FSs) to define the nature and extent of the contamination. To date, seven records of decision (RODs) have been approved and the remedies implemented for five upland areas. In addition, a site investigation for potential per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination has been completed and the Navy is developing a remedial investigation workplan to investigate potential source areas.

EPA currently anticipates that human exposure will be under control by September 2032, once all the Remedial Actions are completed.

EPA ensures community participation throughout the remedial process by participating in routine quarterly Restoration Advisory Board meetings with residents and affected stakeholders, issuing public notices and updating fact sheets. A site profile has been established on the EPA website to keep the community informed of recent progress at the site. Additionally, an EPA Community Involvement Coordinator is assigned to the site and can address specific community concerns as they arise.