MADISON, Wis. –
The Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing hosted an open house at Madison College’s Truax Campus Jan. 11 to address the current status of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances originating on and around Truax Field.
Representatives from the National Guard Bureau, Dane County Regional Airport, and environmental engineering firm EA Engineering, Science and Technology, Inc. were also in attendance to provide updates and answer audience questions.
NGB Environmental Restoration Program Manager Bill Myer began the event with an overview of the Relative Risk Site Evaluation, an Air Force requirement used to sequence potentially contaminated installations to begin the remedial investigation process.
A series of factors evaluated at all Air Force installations result in a RRSE. Based on the level of contamination, migration pathways and potential receptors, Truax field has been determined to be of high relative risk.
According to Myer, Truax Field is one of 75 National Guard sites undergoing the Environmental Protection Agency’s Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act process for PFAS contaminants, and is one of the first to procure a remedial investigation contract.
In addition to the federal response, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Daniel Statz, 115th Mission Support Group deputy commander, relayed the significance of local efforts to achieve a whole of government approach to the problem, lauding the wing’s relationship with federal, state and local partners.
DCRA Director Kimberly Jones reinforced the importance of the airports partnership with the 115th Fighter Wing in prioritizing PFAS mitigation.
“It’s really a great situation that we have here that we’re able to partner to move these things forward faster than either of us could on our own.” Jones said.
The open house will be followed by a 30 day comment period during which community members are encouraged to submit comments related to the RRSE which can be viewed by clicking here. Submissions can be emailed directly to Myer through Feb. 14 at william.myer.2@us.af.mil.
“Those that have been involved with the CERCLA process know that the remedial investigation is a very significant step to get to, to address any possible impacts,” Statz said. “We’re grateful to be at that step, and to be moving forward locally to address the concerns, and address the situation.”
To view a complete video of the Jan. 11 open house, and a detailed timeline of PFAS remediation efforts at Truax Field, visit the Wisconsin National Guard PFOS/PFOA information page at https://ng.wi.gov/pfas. Click here to view the slide presentation and poster boards from the event.