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REGISTER for the DOD Public Info and Listening Session here.
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DoD Public Information and Listening Session
November 19, 2024
RAB and Community Members,
DOD announced an upcoming virtual, public information session about the recent policy memorandum, "Prioritization of Department of Defense Cleanup Actions to Implement the Federal Drinking Water Standards for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program,” released on September 3, 2024.
The date for the session is Tuesday, November 19, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
There will be opportunities for community members to listen, provide written questions about the policy in advance, or provide verbal comments during this session. The questions and comments received will be reviewed and considered by DOD. Although DOD will not provide direct responses to input that it receives through this public information and listening session, DOD will carefully consider input as it implements this policy and looks to develop future policies associated with its response to PFAS. The comments and questions received will also help determine if more information may be needed to increase awareness of the policy and will be aggregated and integrated into the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on DOD’s public Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) website. This information and listening session will focus on the September 3, 2024, policy and will not address ongoing site-specific PFAS cleanup investigations or actions.
Registration is requested to attend DOD’s information and listening session on November 19, 2024.
Community members can choose their desired level of participation for the event. The registration form provides options for participants to listen, submit a question, or request an opportunity to provide a public comment verbally at the information session. Should a participant be interested in submitting a question or making a verbal comment at the session, they will be required to register and identify their request on the registration form on or before November 12, 2024. The verbal comment period is scheduled for 45 minutes and each commentor will be limited to 2 minutes. Additional information is provided on the registration form. A link to livestream the session will be offered the day of the event. A recording of the event will be available on the DOD PFAS website Public Outreach page within two weeks of the live event.
Participants can register for the information and listening session here https://dodpfascommunication.events.whova.com/registration/.
If you are having technical difficulties registering, please email DoDECCO@ageiss-inc.com.
Learn more about the goals and efforts of the DOD’s PFAS Task Force at www.defense.gov/PFAS.
Background information: Earlier this year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) establishing Nationwide drinking water standards for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The rule applies to public drinking water systems, which have five years to meet these standards. The issuance of DOD’s memorandum, “Prioritization of Department of Defense Cleanup Actions to Implement the Federal Drinking Water Standards for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program,” describes DOD’s plans to incorporate EPA’s PFAS drinking water levels into DOD’s ongoing PFAS cleanups and prioritize actions to address private drinking water wells with the highest levels of PFAS from DOD activities.
History
Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, served primarily as a combat crew and bomber training base throughout its 70-year history. Since its establishment in 1923, Wurtsmith played an important role in World War II, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War, hosting the 134th Army Air Force Base Fighter Unit and 379th Bombardment Wing respectively.
Wurtsmith was selected for closure under the 1991 Base Realignment and Closure decision and officially closed June 30, 1993. Wurtsmith is one of 40 former installations managed by the Air Force Civil Engineer Center.
Environmental Activities
AFCEC continues to work closely with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to ensure environmental cleanup activities satisfy all regulatory standards while protecting human health and the environment. AFCEC has invested more than $85 million on BRAC cleanup actions at the former installation. The cost to complete cleanup is another $34.3 million.
Property Transfer
AFCEC has transferred 4,354 acres to the Charter Township of Oscoda. Today, the Wurtsmith district is home to more than 40 businesses and government agencies providing over 1,300 jobs for the local economy, including the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority, community center, public library and a community college. Also contributing to the economy is 700 condominiums, townhouses, duplexes and single-family homes converted from former base housing.