Federal Facilities/Base Closure in Arkansas
There are 2 federal facilities/base closures in Arkansas. To learn more about each location, click on the headings below:
Former Eaker Air Force Base Location on Arkansas Map
Eaker Air Force Base is located approximately 3 miles northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas, on Interstate 55 between St Louis and Memphis. Eaker AFB was selected for closure under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round of 1991. The base closed in December 1992 and has re-opened as a general aviation/commercial airport and industrial park known as the Arkansas Aeroplex.
Background
Constructed on former agricultural land, Eaker AFB was activated as an Army Airfield in 1942. After WWII the airfield was deactivated and transferred to the City of Blytheville. In 1955, the land was reactivated as Blytheville Air Force Base (AFB) and renamed Eaker AFB in 1988.
Site Status
Following base closure, the site underwent successive stages of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action program to address impacts to environmental media that occurred during base operations. To date, 3 Solid Waste Management Units and 1 Area of Concern are still undergoing successful corrective actions for groundwater contamination. All other SWMUs and AOCs have been closed in accordance with federal and state regulations.
All 3,401 acres of BRAC property has been transferred. The former base is currently used by a variety of businesses, federal agencies, several non-profit organizations, and by the community. Now called the Arkansas Aeroplex, it is a multi-modal transportation facility that includes the Arkansas International Airport. The Arkansas Aeroplex has utilized many of the former base structures and facilities, including the runway. The military still makes use of the Arkansas International Airport in flight training maneuvers, and as a landing site to pick up and drop off local National Guard Troops.
EPA Contact
Gregory Lyssy
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1201 Elm Street
Dallas, Texas 75270
State Contact
Dianna Kilburn
Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality
Hazardous Waste Division
Phone: (501) 682-0844
E-Mail Address: Kilburn@adeq.state.ar.us
BRAC contact
Denise Miller
Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC/CIBC)
BRAC Program Management Division
Phone:(210)-482-0153
E-Mail Address: Denise.Miller.11@us.af.mil
Fort Chaffee location on Arkansas Map
Fort Chaffee is a 71,273-acre Army training reservation located east of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Fort Chaffee was selected for closure under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round of 1995. Past operations of environmental significance included equipment maintenance, disposal of municipal type waste, incineration of municipal type waste, usage of lead-based paint, detonation and deactivation of munitions, large and small arms training facilities and storage of munitions. Under the BRAC cleanup process, 49 contaminated sites were addressed. Five FOSTs (Findings of Suitability to Transfer) were completed for the transfer of 7,192 acres to the public. A Ready-for-Reuse (RfR) certificate was issued in February 2004. All BRAC property has been transferred.
EPA Contact
Gregory Lyssy
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1201 Elm Street
Dallas , Texas 75270
State Contact
Dianna Kilburn
Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality
Hazardous Waste Division
5301Northshore Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72118-5317
Phone: (501) 682-0844
FAX (501) 682-0565
E-Mail Address: Kilburn@adeq.state.ar.us
Facility Contact
James Foster
BRAC Program Management Division
Phone: 703-545-2541
E-Mail Address: James.C.Foster10.civ@army.mil