Defense Environmental Restoration Program for Formerly Used Defense Sites Military Munitions Response Program Property Number I02PR0068 CULEBRA - Puerto Rico Public Involvement Plan Prepared by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District August 18, 2005 Culebra – Puerto Rico Defense Environmental Restoration Program Contents Abbreviations & Acronyms .............................................................................................................. iii 1.0 Overview ......................................................................................................................... 1-1 2.0 Site Description ............................................................................................................. 2-1 2.1 Location and Physical Description ............................................................................ 2-1 2.2 Culebra and the United States Military ..................................................................... 2-1 2.2.1 Historic Overview ............................................................................................................................ 2-1 2.2.2 Historic Milestones ......................................................................................................................... 2-2 2.2.3 Previous USACE Involvement ........................................................................................................ 2-3 3.0 Community Background ............................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Community Profile ..................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1.1 Important Points of Contact ............................................................................................................ 3-2 3.2 Community Concerns. ............................................................................................... 3-3 3.3 Public Education ....................................................................................................... 3-3 3.4 Key Regulatory Concerns ......................................................................................... 3-5 4.0 Highlights of the Program ............................................................................................ 4-1 5.0 Munitions Response Plan ............................................................................................. 5-1 5.1 Description of Hazards .............................................................................................. 5-1 5.2 Communications Plan ............................................................................................... 5-1 5.3 Points of Contact ....................................................................................................... 5-2 6.0 Techniques and Timing ................................................................................................ 6-1 6.1 Basic Requirements .................................................................................................. 6-1 6.1.1 Information Repositories / Administrative Record and Notification ................................................. 6-1 6.1.2 CERCLA and Proposed Plan Notification, Analysis, and Public Comment Period ......................... 6-1 6.1.3 Public Meetings / Meeting Transcripts ............................................................................................ 6-2 6.1.4 Responsiveness Summary ............................................................................................................. 6-2 6.1.5 Revision of the Public Involvement Plan ........................................................................................ 6-2 6.1.6 Public Briefing ................................................................................................................................. 6-3 6.2 Additional Activities ................................................................................................... 6-3 6.2.1 Information Contact ........................................................................................................................ 6-3 6.2.2 Good Neighbor Program ................................................................................................................ 6-3 6.2.3 Fact Sheets, Technical Summaries, and Posters ........................................................................... 6-4 6.2.4 Media Interaction ............................................................................................................................ 6-4 6.2.5 Informal Group Presentations ......................................................................................................... 6-4 6.2.6 Public Safety Video ........................................................................................................................ 6-5 6.2.7 Communication with Special Interest Groups ................................................................................. 6-5 6.2.8 Restoration Advisory Board ............................................................................................................ 6-6 6.2.9 Web Site ......................................................................................................................................... 6-7 6.2.10 Special Notes ................................................................................................................................. 6-7 6.3 Notification of Field Operations ................................................................................. 6-7 6.4 Other Information ...................................................................................................... 6-8 7.0 References ..................................................................................................................... 7-1 Public Involvement Plan i August 2005 Culebra – Puerto Rico Defense Environmental Restoration Program Tables Table 2-1. Summary of Chronological History ........................................................................................................ 2-2 Table 3-1. Construction of Public Buildings and Facilities During the Last 5 Years, Culebra, PR .......................... 3-2 Figures Figure 2-1. Former Investigations – Culebra Island, Puerto Rico Figure 3-1. Culebra Munitions Response Community Involvement Organization Figure 6-1. Schedule Appendices Appendix A. Contacts and Interested Parties Appendix B. Locations for Information Repository and Public Meeting Appendix C. Information Products Appendix D. Munitions Response Instructions to the Culebra Municipality Appendix E. Public Participation in the Defense Environmental Restoration Program for Formerly Used Defense Sites (EP 1110-3-8) Appendix F. Typical FUDS Web Site Layout Appendix G. US Fish & Wildlife Service MEC Safety Flier Public Involvement Plan i August 2005 Culebra – Puerto Rico Defense Environmental Restoration Program Abbreviations & Acronyms CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act DERP Defense Environmental Restoration Program DNER Department of Natural and Environmental Resources EE/CA Engineering Evaluation / Cost Analysis DoD Department of Defense EOD Explosive Ordnance Disposal EQB Environmental Quality Board FUDS Formerly Used Defense Site MEC Munitions and Explosives of Concern mm millimeter MMR Military Munitions Response NDAI No DoD Action Indicated OOU Ordnance Operable Unit RAB Restoration Advisory Board TPP Technical Planning Process USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service Public Involvement Plan iii August 2005 Culebra – Puerto Rico Defense Environmental Restoration Program 1.0 Overview The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District (henceforth referred to as Jacksonville District) has developed this Public Involvement Plan for the Military Munitions Response (MMR) program for the Municipality of Culebra, Puerto Rico. This Public Involvement Plan: • Documents the public involvement effort for the MMR program at Culebra, Puerto Rico, to ensure a successful program as outlined in Public Participation in the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) for Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) (USACE Engineer Pamphlet 1110-3-8, April 2004) • Outlines site-specific public involvement activities recommended during Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) actions, in accordance with DERP-FUDS • Addresses the efficient and timely sharing of project-related information with the public In 1901, the United States military established an area for use as a firing range and to conduct marine exercises. The military stopped using Culebra for military activities in 1975. Residents are sensitive to environmental and safety issues related to the post-military mission and have expressed concerns regarding the presence of military munitions and explosives of concern (MEC). Culebra has an active business community centered on tourism, fishing, diving, and beach activities. The island economy benefits from a reputation as a safe environment for residents and visitors. The goals of the Public Involvement Plan are as follows: • To ensure that stakeholders understand that personal and property safety are the paramount concern during munitions response operations • To serve the community’s information needs by keeping local residents, officials, and other stakeholders informed