Army Corps To Assess Interest In Restoration Advisory Board For Ninigret Park and Ninigret NWR

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is actively investigating the former Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (CNALF) under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program as a Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS). CNALF is currently Ninigret Park and Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge in Charlestown.

See our post from March 2024 for background on the Army Corps’ work at Ninigret Park at https://charlestowncitizens.org/2024/03/04/army-corps-presentation-on-contamination-and-remediation-of-ninigret-park/

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is assessing community interest in forming a restoration advisory board (RAB) for Ninigret Park and Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.

The RAB provides a collaborative forum for the community, government agencies, tribes, and property owners to discuss and identify the most efficient and productive means to restore the environment.

A RAB is one of many methods USACE may use to facilitate public participation. Regardless of whether a RAB is formed, USACE will continue to involve the community in accordance with FUDS regulations.

A RAB should be established when the following requirements are satisfied:

  • There is sufficient and sustained community interest in a FUDS property, and
  • One of the following:
    1. At least 50 citizens petition the installation for the creation of a RAB;
    2. Federal, state, tribal, or local government representatives request the formation of a RAB; or
    3. USACE determines the need for a RAB based on community responses to a solicitation for input, correspondence, media coverage, and other relevant information that show that there is sufficient and sustained community interest in the establishment and operation of a RAB.

From the 1940s to the early 1970s, the Department of Defense used the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (CNALF) for training Navy pilots and aviation crews.

The property is comprised of 631 acres that was transferred in 1982. A portion of the property was transferred to the Town of Charlestown for recreational use as Ninigret Park. The remaining portion was transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be managed as the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge.

USACE is performing a Remedial Investigation in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act to understand the nature and extent of chemicals of potential concern and munitions and explosives of concern relating to former Department of Defense operations.

The USACE – New England District welcomes public feedback regarding community interest in establishing a RAB for CNALF.

If you want to be part of the RAB or have any comments or questions you should submit them within 30 days of 6/7/2024 as follows:

Within 60 days of June 7, USACE will make a determination on whether a RAB will be formed. Individuals who express interest will be notified via email or U.S. mail of USACE’s determination.

You can learn more about the New England District of the US Army Corps of Engineers at their website https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/