Air Force remains focused on environmental cleanup of the former George AFB

  • Published
  • By Linda Geissinger
  • Air Force Real Property Agency Public Affairs
VICTORVILLE, Calif. --  On Nov. 14, Air Force representatives will update the local community about the continuing environmental cleanup actions and property transfer status of the former George Air Force Base. 

Approximately 79% of the former base has been transferred to the local community. All property available for redevelopment is under the control of the Victorville Economic Development Agency through a previous agreement enabling them to bring jobs and businesses onto the leased space. Once environmental issues are addressed, property is transferred by deed. Most recently, the Air Force transferred 730 acres of land, facilities and the golf course to the City of Victorville for commercial, industrial and recreational use.

At the upcoming meeting, in addition to the Air Force environmental update, Dick Cole, Director of Foreign Trade Zone 243 at the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA), will discuss redevelopment activities at the former base. More than 100 companies are located at SCLA which employ more than 2,000 people.

Redevelopment underway includes an agreement between the city of Victorville and BNSF Railway Co. for a major intermodal logistics facility on the east side of SCLA. The first phase of this 3,500-acre rail complex is under construction with a completion date of late 2008. The airport has two intercontinental runways and can serve all types of aircraft. Stirling, the Master Developer, is constructing two new multi-purpose facilities totaling 225,000 sq. feet to be completed in 1st quarter 2008. The airport includes a 24/7 control tower and U.S. Customs and Border Protection office.

"The successful redevelopment of George is a positive indicator of continued economic growth for San Bernardino County and the cities of Adelanto, Victorville, Hesperia and the Town of Apple Valley," said Don Gronstal, an environmental manager at the Air Force Real Property Agency (AFRPA).  "The Air Force remains committed to cleaning up the land and getting it into the hands of the local community,"

BACKGROUND

The former George AFB was targeted for closure under the first round of the Base Realignment and Closure Act. After the base closed in 1992, AFRPA stepped in to complete environmental cleanup and transfer the property. Since closure, AFRPA has worked closely with regulatory agencies and the local community to ensure protection of public health and the environment throughout the property transfer process.

The Air Force began environmental cleanup at George in 1981. Since then, the Air Force, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board have signed two environmental cleanup Records of Decision (RODs). These agreements address landfills and groundwater sites and describe selected cleanup remedies. All cleanup decisions are protective of human health and the environment. Two more Records of Decision will be signed within the next two years, selecting cleanup remedies for solvent sources in soil sites, and eight areas of concern including skeet ranges and an indoor firing range. These remaining issues will be discussed at the annual meeting.

UPCOMING MEETING

The Air Force and SCLA will update the community on current environmental work and redevelopment at the former George Air Force Base Annual Environmental Update meeting on Nov. 14, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at the Comfort Suites located at 12281 Mariposa Rd., Victorville, CA 92395.