Project Overview
The Former Camp Croft is classified as a Defense Environmental Restoration Program/Formerly Used Defense Site (DERP/FUDS). FUDS are properties that were formerly owned by, leased by, possessed by, or otherwise under the operational control of the Secretary of Defense or the military components, predating the Department of Defense (DoD).
The FUDS program was officially established in December 1983, when the FY84 Defense Appropriations Act required that the DoD establish a program to manage environmental cleanup at properties formerly controlled by DoD. In 1985, the Army became the executive agent in charge of executing the FUDS program, with the US Army Corps of Engineers assuming the primary management role.
Over 9,800 potential FUDS projects exist in the United States. These sites were once used for military training exercises, including proving grounds, fire fighting training, bombing and artillery ranges, and for major industrial operations and production facilities. The focus of the Camp Croft project is to minimize the safety hazards from munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) remaining at this FUDS site, resulting from its former use as an Infantry Replacement Training Center (IRTC).
MEC consists of specific categories of military munitions that may pose unique explosives safety risks and means Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), Discarded Military Munitions (DMM), or Munitions Constituents (MC) (e.g., explosives), present in high enough concentrations to pose an explosive hazard (U.S. Army, April, 23 2004).
Managing the FUDS program is a major undertaking, and progress ultimately depends on communication, partnerships, and community involvement. At properties such as Former Camp Croft, site restoration duties are the responsibility of the District Office of the US Army Corps of Engineers. As such, the Charleston District of the US Army Corps of Engineers carries out the initiatives of the DoD environmental restoration program, including responding to the concerns of the community, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.
A summary of MEC activities can be viewed on the Project Timeline.