WWI Chemical Weapons Cleanup Completed at 4825 Glenbrook Rd

After decades of efforts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE] said Tuesday that cleanup at the site in Northwest D.C. along Glenbrook Road, where World War I chemical weapons were tested and disposed of, is complete ... The project in the Spring Valley neighborhood at 4825 Glenbrook Road NW — part of a larger area known as the American University Experiment Station, and once called the “mother of all toxic dumps” — started in 1993, when a contractor unearthed buried military ordnance on nearby 52nd Court NW.  

 

Digging and research indicated the likely presence of mustard gas and lewisite — an arsenic-containing blister agent.  The property was tested between 2007 and 2010, and the decision was made in 2012 to remove the house at the site.  Starting in 2013, USACE began excavating under the house’s foundation.  The work was done under a huge high-tech enclosure, which prevented chemicals from escaping into the neighborhood.  Over the years, there had been some setbacks.  In 2017, seven workers were sickened and temporarily hospitalized during the cleanup.

Will Vitka & Neal Augenstein

WTOP News

November 25, 2021 

4825 Glenbrook Road was demolished in 2012 (pg. 31)

"During the war, there was no military research more urgent or secret than what took place in this corner of the District,” USACE Col. Estee Pinchasin said.  About 1,500 chemists, scientists and soldiers worked at what was known as the American University Experiment Station to research chemical warfare in 1917 and 1918.  When the war, ended many of those weapons and chemicals were buried in what is now one of the most expensive neighborhoods in D.C. ... The biggest deposit was at 4825 Glenbrook Road.  “The team discovered seven different chemical agents, six other chemicals that had unique military applications,” Pinchasin said.  “And Glenbrook Road was the only site in the United States where weaponized arsine was encountered in 75 mm projectiles.” 

The entire site covers more than 600 acres of Spring Valley.  “This one quarter acre property had the most significant contamination and the largest burial pits we discovered in Spring Valley,” said Brenda Barber, who has overseen the Glenbrook Road site for USACE for nine years.  The home that once stood there was taken down.  Beneath it they found more than 2,000 pounds of laboratory debris, 53 glass containers still filled with chemical agents, 7,500 tons of contaminated soil and more than 550 munitions ... USACE expects the remaining work in the area to take about two to three more years.  The remediation project has cost about $300 [$338] million so far [pg. 10].   

Mark Segraves   

NBC-4

November 23, 2021

Cleanup cost over $338 million since 1993 (pg. 10)

Army Will Chase AUES Debris into Hill Alongside PSB Next Year

The findings of the test pit and rotosonic investigations indicate that additional excavation is warranted to remove the AUES debris that was encountered in soil west, north, and east of the Public Safety Building footprint.  The goal of the PSB slope investigation was to determine the extent of continuous AUES debris extending from the PSB excavation sidewalls.  An area of continuous AUES debris was indicated to the west (approximately 12 feet from the former PSB foundation), to the east (approximately 16 feet from the former PSB foundation), and to the north (approximately 15 feet from the former PSB foundation).  This area also corresponds to soil benches 4 and 5, where AUES debris was encountered during the excavation in 2019 ... [The proposed soil and AUES debris excavation area] would involve the excavation and removal of an estimated in-place volume of 720 cubic yards of soil and AUES debris ... Prior to excavating a specific area, a UXO Tech III will sweep the planned excavation area with a magnetometer ... Any identified MEC items or intact AUES items will be handled in accordance with the Low Probability Contingency Plan [pg. 15].
Weston Solutions, Inc.
PSB Slope Investigation Report
June 23, 2021 (pgs. 10 & 11)

Debris found in soil west, north & east of footprint (pg.19)

USACE sent out a "Request of Proposal" dated July 21 2021 to complete excavation of AUES debris east, north and west of the former PSB foundation.  Proposal was submitted on 8 September 2021.  The proposed soil to be excavated is presented in the [slide below]; the area is based on the test pit and Rotosonic soil borings completed at the PSB site in April 2021.  To safely conduct the soil slope excavation north of the former PSB foundation, a soil retaining wall is recommended ... The planned upslope excavation at RS-04 would be conducted using a slide rail shoring system.

 PSB slope proposed excavation extent (pg. 22)

Based on the investigation results, USACE determined the scope of work to excavate the extent of AUES debris identified.  Once funding has been obtained and the work awarded, additional plans will be required before re-starting the soil remediation work.  This will entail a delay of many months before the work is awarded and the required planning documents are prepared and approved.  Slope Soil Removal not expected to begin until winter/spring 2022.
Spring Valley RAB
PowerPoint Presentation
November 9, 2021 (pgs. 21 & 23)

Info Sought from Park Service on Spring Valley Dumping in 90's

At Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton's March 25 virtual Town Hall meeting with the National Park Service, officials from your agency were asked about the Fort Circle/Fort Totten pedestrian trail, which has been closed since last summer after heavy rains exposed a World War I-era 75mm artillery shell.  In the response (pgs. 4 - 5) we finally received from your agency on July 9, NPS stated that during trail construction "a specialized contractor will test the soil for any evidence of unexploded ordnance."  I'm writing to you (hopefully) following that investigation to ascertain the precise extent of the testing and to ensure that all soil contaminated with munition debris and laboratory waste will be recovered from this heavily used Park Service land ... Consider this letter to be my formal request for any and all results, reports or other documentation produced by the National Park Service and/or its contractors regarding that investigation.  I want to know what type and how much soil contamination was discovered, whether any munitions debris or laboratory waste was found and, most importantly, the precise extent of the area that was examined ... 

Closed Ft.Totten footpath in March & August

There can be no doubt that the shell discovered at Ft. Totten in July 2020 came from the Glenbrook Road munitions burial pit in Spring Valley, Washington, DC.  The most recent explanation for how this transfer happened was documented on page 13 of the March 10, 2020, RAB meeting minutes by Dan Noble: "It is known that the [munitions] debris [from Glenbrook Road] was sent to the Ft. Totten area when the nearby Ft. Totten metro station was being built [in the 1990s].  Soil was needed at the new metro station to level out an equipment yard for the metro contractor.  Some soil was sent to that area and the contractor began to spread the contaminated soil out.”  After speaking to an official from your agency who was present at Ft. Totten at the time of the dumping, Dr. Albright said that the NPS confirmed the contaminated soil was ultimately moved elsewhere ...

FOIA request for NPS records & data

At the March 9, 2021, RAB meeting I asked [program director Dan] Noble (pg. 13) whether he thought the tons of contaminated soil that were moved from Spring Valley could have been “contained in the one-quarter acre where the foot trail is [now located]?”  If the NPS “only surveys the foot trail,” I suggested, "they’re going to miss [contaminated] soil to the east and west.”  Instead of responding to my understandable concern, the FUDS program director deferred to your agency ... As more than one RAB member opined at our July meeting, whether or not the Army Corps cleanup team considers this issue to be within the official scope of their responsibilities, environmental justice concerns are appropriately raised when one of the wealthier residential areas in our nation’s capital secretly dumps its toxic waste in a working class neighborhood east of Rock Creek Park.

Allen Hengst
FOIA Letter to NPS
September 13, 2021

Despite Unrecovered Munitions, RAB Contemplates Dissolution

PSB cleanup will extend into 2022 (pg. 14)

Most of the Spring Valley remedial actions are wrapping up [and] the project teams know what is required to complete the projects ... At the PSB [Public Safety Building] there is still a significant final remedial action effort to excavate into the hillside to remove as much of the debris as possible.  The PSB project may take more time to complete.  At the last RAB [Restoration Advisory Board] meeting, the RAB began to discuss the idea of how the RAB may wish to close out their work on the site.  The RAB may choose to create a document of some kind or simply conduct a final meeting.  If there is a desire to write a final report from the RAB, USACE can assist with drafting the documents.  If the RAB would like to draft documents but keep the effort authorship by the RAB, USACE will understand.  This will be the RAB’s decision on what to do at the end.
Spring Valley RAB
Meeting Minutes
May 11, 2020 (pg. 11)

Allen Hengst: When will NPS restart work on the path through Fort Totten to the metro. I understand that work stopped when a World War I ordnance was found, and the soil had to be tested for contaminants.

National Park Service: The NPS anticipates construction of the Fort Circle/Fort Totten Pedestrian Trail, located between Gallatin Street NE and Galloway Street NE, will resume this summer.  Soil testing indicates the trail area is safe for people and animals.  For the safety of the public, the area will continue to be closed off through the completion of the construction project.  To further ensure safety, a specialized contractor will test the soil for any evidence of unexploded ordnance during construction activities.
Q & A
Norton-NPS Town Hall
March 25, 2021 (pgs. 4 - 5)

WWI shell closed trail between Galloway & Gallatin streets

Project manager Dan Noble explained that he believes Sgt. Maurer’s pit was within the footprint of the former house at 4825 Glenbrook Road, and the builder excavated into Sgt. Maurer’s pit.  The remaining contamination at the front of the former house represents debris that was pulled forward, moved out of the way, and left behind ... It is known that the debris was sent to the Ft. Totten area when the nearby Ft. Totten metro station was being built.  Soil was needed at the new metro station to level out an equipment yard for the metro contractor.  Some soil was sent to that area and the contractor began to spread the contaminated soil out.  The area is Park Service land, lent to the Metro Authority for the construction project.  The Park Service employee overseeing the land ordered that the contaminated soil be taken away.  Eventually, the contaminated soil was taken away and the final destination of the soil is unknown.
Spring Valley RAB
Meeting Minutes
March 10, 2020 (pg. 13 - 14)

AUES Debris Under Hill Next to PSB Won't Be Removed until 2022

USACE Baltimore provided a brief update on the former Public Safety Building (PSB) ... A "contract modification" is in process to award the investigation work for the American University Experiment Station (AUES) debris observed extending into the northern hillside ... [Project manager] Dan Noble explained that there is a restoration agreement between AU and USACE, but the agreement focused on the footprint of the former PSB, since it was believed that the debris was confined to the footprint boundary ... Now that the same type of debris is observed extending into the hillside, the first step is to determine how far the debris extends. There is a concern that if the debris extends too far into the hillside, excavations to remove the debris would come too close to a major utility corridor ... Additionally, current erosion controls would need to be beefed up to prevent the hillside from collapsing.

Spring Valley 

RAB  Meeting Minutes

January 12, 2021 (pgs. 4 - 5)

 

 

Rig collecting soil cores for AUES screening (pg. 27)

[USACE] conducted Rotosonic drilling and test pit investigation[s] to determine extent of AUES debris north, east and west of the PSB foundation slab.  Completed seven test pit excavations and soil screening east, west and northeast of the former PSB foundation.  Completed six angled Rotosonic borings north of the former PSB foundation and 4-inch diameter soil core screening for AUES debris ... Once funding has been obtained and the work awarded, additional plans will be required before re-starting the soil remediation work.  This will entail a demobilization and delay of many months before the work is awarded and the required planning documents are prepared and approved.  Slope soil removal not expected to begin until late 2021.  
Spring Valley FUDS

Partnering Meeting

April 28, 2021 (pgs. 22 & 33)

Construction of Rotosonic drilling pad (pg. 27)

In preparation for the investigation of debris going into the northern hillside, a drilling pad and access ramp was constructed at the top of the slope of the PSB excavation area.  The pad will stage the drill to be used for soil coring activities as a part of the investigation ... Additional boring work is expected to be conducted in the spring/summer time frame.  Once the additional investigation is complete, the team will have a better understanding of how much debris extends into hillside beyond the PSB footprint.
Spring Valley RAB
Meeting Minutes
March 9, 2021 (pgs. 11 - 12)

 

Proposed & completed angled drill borings (pg. 26)

USACE awarded Rotosonic drilling and test pit investigation "Scope of Work" on 3 February 2021 to determine the extent of AUES debris north, east & west of the PSB foundation slab.  Completed seven test pit excavations and soil screening east, west and northeast of the former PSB foundation ... [Will] conduct Rotosonic drilling of six angled boreholes, collect continuous 4-inch diameter soil cores and evaluate soil cores for AUES debris layers.  [Will] prepare a PSB Slope Investigation report ... Based on the investigation results USACE will determine the scope of work to excavate the extent of AUES debris identified ... Additional plans will be required before re-starting the soil remediation work – this will most likely entail a demobilization and delay of several months. 
Spring Valley FUDS
Partnering Meeting
February 19, 2021 (pgs. 35, 40 & 42)

Rain Exposes AUES-Type Munition, Closing Part of National Park

Allen Hengst: On July 25th it was reported in an UXO newsletter that a 75 mm “World War I-era” artillery shell was exposed by heavy rains at Fort Totten Park [in northeast Washington, DC].  Can someone on the Spring Valley FUDS team please ascertain whether that recovered shell originated at [American University Experiment Station] AUES?

 

WWI shell closed trail between Galloway & Gallatin streets

Dan Noble [project manager] explained that USACE was recently in communication with the National Park Service on that issue.  NPS is preparing to survey the area for any additional munitions.  USACE is serving as a technical consultant for NPS on the project.  NPS has hired a contractor and may have begun survey activities this week.  The project plan is to complete the survey before allowing all of  Ft. Totten Park to re-open.  The survey will include an investigation for additional munitions and sampling the soil for contamination ... USACE inspected and obtained x-rays of the shell.  The shell was found to be a 75mm with a hex plug.  This type of munition was often found in Spring Valley ... 

 

Hengst: If it turns out to be a Spring Valley AUES munition, that is outside the Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) boundary, will you be responsible for the clean-up and cost?

 

Noble explained that, at this time, NPS is taking the lead on the project and is responsible for the cost.  Ft. Totten is also a separate FUDS site, so if a larger problem at the site is detected, USACE and NPS will be in communication to determine the lead on the work, how that work should proceed, and the responsibility for the cost.  So, the answer is, "perhaps."  

Spring Valley RAB

Meeting Minutes
January 12, 2021 (pg. 7)

 

 UXOInfo.com news report from last July

D. Noble explained that he believes Sgt. Maurer’s pit was within the footprint of the former house at 4825 Glenbrook Road, and the builder excavated into Sgt. Maurer’s pit.  The remaining contamination at the front of the former house represents debris that was pulled forward, moved out of the way, and left behind.  Noble believes that the debris was not found where the soldiers buried the debris in Sgt. Maurer’s pit, but where the builder left the debris in the front yard in the early 1990s ... Noble explained that USACE Baltimore is not investigating the final location of the removed debris from the 1990s.  Both USACE Baltimore and DOEE [previously] investigated ... 

 

It is known that the debris was sent to the Ft. Totten area when the nearby Ft. Totten metro station was being built.  Soil was needed at the new metro station to level out an equipment yard for the metro contractor.  Some soil was sent to that area and the contractor began to spread the contaminated soil out.  The area is Park Service land, lent to the Metro Authority for the construction project.  The Park Service employee overseeing the land ordered that the contaminated soil be taken away.  Eventually, the contaminated soil was taken away and the final destination of the soil is unknown.

Spring Valley RAB

Meeting Minutes

March 10, 2020 (pg. 13 - 14)

 

Fort Totten foot trail closed by NPS