DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PROGRAM FORMERLY USED DEFENSE SITES INVENTORY PROJECT REPORT CONCORD ARMY AlRFIELD CONTRA

COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA PROJECT NO. J09CA078700

Prepared for:

SACRAMENTO DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS 650 Capitol Mall, CESPK-ED-M/ISS Sacramento, California 95814-4794

Prepared by:

THE EARTN TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION 100 West Broadway, Suite 5000 Long Beach, California 90802-4443

August, 1990

SITE SURVEY SUMMARY SHEET FOR DERP-FUDS SITE NO. J09CA078700 CONCORD ARMY AIRFIELD SITE NAME: Currently Buchanan Field, formerly Concord Army Airfield, Concord Airport Project, and Concord Airport Angle Clearance Zone, California. LOCATION: San Francisco Bay area, Contra Costa County, approximately 1.5 miles northwest of the City of Concord and 25 miles northeast of San Francisco, Figure 1. SITE HISTORY: In 1942, 122.128 fee acres, 101.274 easement acres, and 434.815 leased acres (658.217 total acres) were acquired by the War Department. The Army Air Force used the site for a fighter training squadron consisting primarily of Bell Aircobra P-39 fighter aircraft from 1942 to 1945. The site also served as a sub-base for Hamilton Field Air Force Base, California.
Beginning in 1942, the Army began construction of 36 temporary structures on government land and 19 structures on leased land. The structures included a control tower, restaurant, maintenance facilities, training facilities, supply warehouses, barracks, and hangers. The Army constructed two refueling tank sites (at the east and west sides of the airport). The east site contained one 25,000-gallon underground fuel storage tank, pumping station, and fuel line. The west site contained three 25,000-gallon underground fuel storage tanks, pumping station, and three fuel lines. A total of four refueling pits were observed. The site was declared surplus on November 16, 1945. The War Assets Administration assumed accountability of 630.792 acres on November 30, 1946. On October 2, 1947, by Instrument of Transfer, the United States quitclaimed 630.792 acres to Contra Costa County with reservation, restrictions, and recapture rights. The lease on the remaining 27.425 acres was terminated in 1947. The site was then used as a general aviation county airport. The county used the underground fuel storage tanks and fuel pipelines from 1947 to 1958 for general aviation refueling. The county excavated and disposed of four Army-installed 25,000-gallon underground fuel storage tanks and associated fuel lines (except for one 200-foot, 4-inch-diameter fuel line at the east side of the airport) between 1958 and 1959. The steel tanks were sold as scrap metal; soil and groundwater testing for contamination was not performed; and, tank removal records were disposed of a few years later. An onsite waste dump (east side of the airport) was used by the Army and the county from 1942 to 1960. In 1960, the county cleaned up and removed the dump site. Soil and groundwater testing for contamination was not performed. The site is currently being used as a county airport for corporate and private aircraft.

SITE VISIT: A site visit was conducted on July 27, 1990. Mr. Douglas Perreira and Mr. Paul Robinson, Earth Technology, visited the site. They met with the airport manager, Mr. Vance Roskelly, who is familiar with past and present activities at the site. Names of all persons and agencies contacted are in the project file. CATEGORY OF HAZARD: NOFA PROJECT DESCRTPTION: None proposed. AVAILABLE STUDTES AM) REPORTS: None identified. PA POC: Ms. Sharon V, Bruno, CESPK-ED-M-DI, 916155 1-1049

Figure 1 Source: Base maps from U.S.G.S. San Francisco Quad, Santa Rosa Quad, Sacramento Quad, San Jose Quad

Location Map Concord Army Airfield

Site No. J09CA078700

North
1:250,000
w

DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PROGRAM FORMERLY USED DEFENSE SITES FINDINGS AND DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY Concord Army Airfield, California Site No. J09CA078700 FINDINGS OF FACT 1. In 1942, 122.128 fee acres, 101.274 easement acres, and 434.815 leased acres were acquired by the United States for the Concord Army Airfield. The airfield was under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Force and was designated a sub-base for Hamilton Air Force Base, California.
2. From 1942 to 1946, the Concord Army Airfield was used by the Army Air Force as an air training facility for the Bell Aircobra fighter squadron. During DOD ownership of the property, 36 temporary structures were built on government land and 19 structures were built on leased land. The facilities constructed consisted mainly of concrete foundations, wood walls, and tin roofs. The structures were used for training facilities, maintenance facilities, hangers, control tower, restaurant, barracks, and supply warehouses. The Army abandoned the site after 1946. The site was then used for general aviation operations. The site was only under DOD control while owned by DOD. 3. On November 30, 1946, the War Assets Administration assumed accountability of 630.792 acres. On October 2, 1947, by Instrument of Transfer, the United States quitclaimed 630.792 acres to Contra Costa County with reservations, restrictions, and recapture rights. The lease on the remaining 27.425 acres was terminated in 1947. Of the 55 structures built during 1942 to 1946, only 3 remain. Two of the structures are currently occupied by the Civil Air Patrol. The buildings are single story wood and tin construction and are in good condition. One of the structures is currently used by Contra Costa County for pesticide and herbicide storage. The building is single story wood and tin construction and in good condition. The site is currently being used as a County airport serving corporate and private aviation. A U.S. Air jet airliner makes four daily take-off and landings.

DETERMINATION Based on the foregoing findings of fact, the site has been determined to be formerly used by DOD. it is, therefore, eligible for the Defense Environmental Restoration Program formerly used Defense Sites established under 10 USC et seq.

/'A Date

?#

PHOTOGRAPH LOG
SUBJECT: Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) Concord Army Airfield, California

PROJECT NO: J09CA078700

l2!mLkh
1
Site where three Army-installed 25,000-gallon underground fuel storage tanks, pump station, and fuel pipelines were excavated and disposed of by Contra Costa County during 1958-1959. The tanks were used by the county from 1947-1958. this site is located on the west side of the airport. View looking west. Site where one Army-installed 25,000-gallon underground fuel storage tank and pump station (foreground) were excavated and disposed of by Contra Costa County during 1958-1959. The tank was used by the county form 1947-1958. This site is located on the east side of the airport. View looking north. Army-installed 4-inch-diameter fuel pipeline, approximately 200 feet in length, formerly connected to the underground fuel storage tank area noted in photo number 2 and previously used by Contra Costa County from 1947-1958. Narrow metal pipe to the left is used as a marker only. View looking south. Two of three remaining Army-constructed structures built between 1942 and 1945. Buildings are wood framed with tin roofs, in good condition, and are currently used by the Civil Air Patrol. View looking west. One of three remaining Army-constructed structures built between 1942 and 1945. Building has a wood frame and tin roof, concrete foundation, is in good condition, and is currently used by Contra Costa County to store pesticides and herbicides. View looking southwest.

Typical site of former Army-constructed building, torn down by the county, showing remaining concrete foundations. This particular site was the airfield control tower, restaurant, and gift shop. Twelve such sites were observed in the vicinity. View looking northeast.

Current airport facilities include a control tower (left), a U.S.Air passenger terminal (right), hangers, administrative buildings, a fire department, and storage units (not shown in photo). View looking southeast. Current aircraft use at the airport includes corporate, private, and commercial airline service for public and private customers. View looking south.

Photo 1 -

Site where three Army-installed 25,000-gallon underground fuel storage tanks, pump station, and fuel pipelines were . excavated and disposed of by Contra Costa County during 1958-1959. The tanks were used by the county from 1947-1958. This site is located on the west side of the airport. View looking west.

Photo 2

Site where one Arrny-installed 25,000-gallon underground fuel storage tank and pump station (foreground) was excavated and disposal of by Contra Costa County during 1958-1959. The tank was used by the county from 1947-1958. This site is located on the east side of the airport. View looking north.

Photo 3 -

Army-installed 4-inch-diameter fuel pipeline, approximately 200 feet in length, formerly connected to the underground fuel storage tank area noted in photo number 2 and previously used by Contra Costa County from 1947-1958. Narrow metal pipe to the left is used as a marker only. View looking south.

Photo 4 -

Two of three remaining Army-constructed structures built between 1942 and 1945. Buildings are wood framed with tin roofs, in good condition, and are currently used by the Civil Air Patrol. View looking west.

Photo 5

One of three remaining Army-constructed structures built between 1942 and 1945. Building has a wood frame and tin roof, .concrete foundation, is in good condition, and is currently used by Contra Costa County to store pesticides and herbicides. View looking southwest.

Photo 6 -

Typical site of former Armyconstructed building, tom down

by the county, showing remaining concrete foundation. This particular site was the airfield control tower, restaurant, and gift shop. Twelve such sites were observed in the vicinity. View looking northeast.

Photo 7 -

Current airport facilities include a control tower (left), a U.S. Air terminal (right), hangers, administrative buildings, a fire department, and storage units (not shown in photo). View looking southeast.

Photo 8

Current aircraft use at the airport includes corporate, private, and commercial airline services for public and private customers. View looking south.

DEFENSE ENVIRONbfENTAL RESTORATION P O R M RGA F R E L USED DEFENSE SITES OMRY LIST O F ALL D T F R A SITE AA O S i t e Name: CONCORD ARMY AI" S i t e Number: J09CA0787 09/01/93

FFID: CA99799F572800 County: C N R COSTA O TA Latitude:

Geographical F A : SPK O S t a t e : CA Longitude: d

C i t y : CONCORD Zip Code:

sN

sW

Former S e r v i c e : ARMY N L Listed(Y/N/P): N P N L Name: P S i t e Description: S i t e i s l o c a t e d approx 1.5 m i NW of Concord C 25 m i from San F r a n c i s c o . S i t e i s c u r r e n t l y b e i n g used as a county a i r p o r t f o r c o r p o r a t e and p r i v a t e a i r c r a f t . S i t e History: The Army-Air Force used t h e s i t e f o r a f i g h t e r t r a i n i n g squadron from 1942 t o 1945. I t a l s o s e r v e d as a sub-base f o r Hamilton F i e l d A i r Force B a s e , C a l i f o r n i a . S i t e w a s d e c l a r e d e x c e s s on Nov 16 1945. S i t e w a s t h e n used as a g e n e r a l a v i a t i o n county a i r p o r t . Current S i t e N a m e :
BUCHANAN FIELD

EPA Listed(Y/N): N

C u r r e n t Owner(s): C U T O NY C u r r e n t Owner D e s c r i p t i o n : Contra Costa County POCS

Name O f f i c e Symbol Phone Number Date ............................................................................... Assigned

N. STERLING DON JONES TN M1 OY E S R AGS AA NU

PROJ MGR: DISTRICT: DIVISION: HQ : OTHER:

CESPK-ED-EB CESPK-ED-E CESPD-ED-GH CEMP-RF

...............................................................................

(916)557-7227~ (916)557-7431~ (415)705-1468~ (202)504-5223x ( 1 x

01/10/93 01/10/93 01/10/93 01/10/93 01/10/93

Page 1

DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PROGRAM FORMERLY USED DEFENSE SITES LIST OF ALL DATA FOR A SITE Site Name: CONCORD ARMY AF Site Number: J09CA0787 09/01/93

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT (PA) Schedule Start Actual Start

.................................. INPR
.................................................
Schedule Actual Complete Complete

Potential OEW: U

Potential CWM: U

Remarks : FYgO/NOFA NO EVIDENCE OF CONTAM FINDINGS AND DETERMINATIONS

...........................

Were hazards found (Y/N): Y Site Eligible/Ineligible/Categorical Exclusion (E/I/C): E Categorical Exclusion: Ineligible Findings: Ineligible/Categorical Exclusion Remarks:

*Category

Description ...........................................................................

Project *Number

NOFA Y/N

Project Req

Approval OEW Date RAC