Ninigret Park Needs Careful Management To Ensure Public Safety And Environmental Integrity
Understanding Ninigret Park’s Environmental Status
Ninigret Park, located in Charlestown, Rhode Island, is a site of significant environmental interest due to its history as the former Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (CNALF). This designation has led to its inclusion in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) as a Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS). The ongoing remediation efforts are crucial for ensuring the park’s safety and environmental health.
Understanding Ninigret Park’s History
The CNALF operated from the 1940s to the early 1970s, primarily serving as a training ground for Navy pilots and aviation crews. In 1979, approximately 230 acres of this land were transferred to the Town of Charlestown, now known as Ninigret Park. Due to its military past, the site has been under scrutiny for potential environmental contaminants, including chemicals of potential concern (COPCs) and munitions and explosives of concern (MEC). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been actively investigating and addressing these issues under the DERP framework.
The Role of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The Army Corps follows the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) response process, which includes several phases: Preliminary Assessment, Site Investigation, Remedial Investigation, Feasibility Study, Proposed Plan, Record of Decision, and Remedial Action. Currently, the Corps is conducting Remedial Investigations in Ninigret Park to assess the extent of contamination. This involves collecting and analyzing soil, sediment, and groundwater samples from over 100 monitoring wells across the park and adjacent areas.
Implications for the Town of Charlestown
It’s imperative for the Town of Charlestown to coordinate closely with the Army Corps and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) regarding any proposed changes or developments within Ninigret Park. The Army Corps has advised that any soil disturbance or construction should be conducted under their guidance and with proper oversight to prevent exposure to potential contaminants. Failure to adhere to these protocols could result in the town being designated as a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) under CERCLA, thereby assuming liability for investigation and remediation costs.
Recent Developments
In March 2024, the Army Corps presented their ongoing work in Ninigret Park, highlighting the importance of following established procedures for any park modifications. They emphasized that unauthorized changes could disrupt remediation efforts and shift financial and legal responsibilities to the town.
Conclusion
Ninigret Park’s history as a former military site necessitates careful management to ensure public safety and environmental integrity. The Town of Charlestown must collaborate with federal and state agencies, particularly the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and RIDEM, before initiating any changes within the park. This collaboration is essential to maintain ongoing remediation efforts and to prevent the town from incurring significant liabilities.
For more detailed information, residents are encouraged to review the Army Corps’ presentation on contamination and remediation efforts in Ninigret Park.
Sarah Fletcher, the author of this post, is a nationally recognized marketing expert with over 30 years’ experience as a creative director, art director, designer, and photographer. Sarah wants to help ensure that Charlestown’s economy can grow and flourish without destroying the character of one of the most beautiful communities on the East Coast. Sarah is the third generation in her family to be raised in Charlestown. You can learn more about Sarah on her profile page.
November 26, 2024 @ 2:29 pm
Hi John, I don’t know if VHB was aware when they started. Given all the previous work they have done on Park plans, it isn’t unreasonable to ask why they didn’t know. The park has been listed as a FUDS (Formerly Used Defense Site) site since the mid to early eighties. (We are on the Superfund site list, but under the FUDS designation, which falls under the preview of the Army Corps of Engineers, rather than the EPA. At the Master plan meeting at the school I was talking to Carol Charrette from the Army Corps who said they should have been asked to participate in the planning because they can’t comment unless asked. Similar to how Fish and Wildlife works. Seems counter productive to me, but that’s how they roll. I connected her with VHB after the meeting and said they should talk. I don’t know what the outcome of that was. The plan had already been created at that point and I don’t know what information was shared at the start of the project. As to the changes needed to accommodate the Army Corps remediation efforts and limit the liability to the town, that needs to be addressed with the Army Corps. They are really nice and are working through the bureaucratic requirements of the government to address the problem. (They were at my house this morning.) First they need to identify where the contamination is coming from, then they want to understand the impact on the aquifer and hydrology of the water moving through the park. They are only confident that it will take time.
November 26, 2024 @ 9:48 am
Thank-you Sarah and CCA for continually keeping us all informed on these important issues.
2 questions:
a) Was this information given to the consultants that the council hired to develop their “Developmental Plan” for Ninigret Park ?
b) If not then how would it change the proposed plan, including the $39+million proposed cost?