U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir Seeks Interest in Forming a Restoration Advisory Board (RAB)
The Department of Defense (DoD) recognizing the importance of stakeholder participation in the decision-making process for environmental restoration programs, and in accordance with 10 USC 2705 and DoD/Army policy, is inviting community involvement with a Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir. The mission of the restoration program at Fort Belvoir is to ensure the sustainment of military operations while mitigating or eliminating threats to installation personnel, general public health, and the environment. The RAB will further inform the planned and focused cleanup of Fort Belvoir parcels that have been associated with past military activity.
A RAB is a committed volunteer stakeholder group that regularly meets to discuss environmental restoration activities at specific DoD-owned properties at Fort Belvoir. The DoD as represented by the U.S. Army Environmental Command (USAEC), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the Fort Belvoir Directorate of Public Works (DPW), in coordination with state and federal regulators, oversees and manages the restoration process at Fort Belvoir. Participation in a RAB involves a time commitment from volunteers but provides a valuable platform for individuals interested in the Fort Belvoir cleanup efforts to exchange information with state regulators, Army management, installation personnel, and other community members. Additional information regarding the RAB process, membership, and responsibilities can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/fedfac/restoration-advisory-board-rab-implementation-guidelines#recruiting and https://aec.army.mil/index.php?cID=326.
The environmental restoration efforts at Fort Belvoir incorporate a range of activities including investigation and remediation of former military munitions sites; monitoring and management of landfills and former military training areas; polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), chlorinated solvents, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances, and petroleum releases to the environment; and assessments for human health and ecological risks. Fort Belvoir is currently evaluating community interest to support the establishment of a RAB for the installation.
Community members interested in volunteering and serving on a Fort Belvoir RAB are asked to call the Compliance Branch Chief, Environmental Division, Directorate of Public Works at: 703-806-0020 or send an email to: usarmy.belvoir.id-sustainment.mbx.dpw-environmental@army.mil before July 21, 2024.