Return to Use Initiative
009 Demonstration Projec
Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant:
Karnack, Texas
THE SITE: The Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant (LHAAP)
occupies approximately 8,490 acres of land in Karnack, Texas.
LHAAP was established in 1942 to produce 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene
(TNT) in support of military operations during World War II. After
the war, the facility continued to perform a range of functions that
included loading, assembling, and packing ammunition;
manufacturing solid propellant rocket motors and plastic explosives;
and missile production and destruction. In 1984, the Army
determined that sediments, soils, ground water, and surface water at
various locations on the property were contaminated with metals,
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), perchlorate, TNT, and several
nitroaromatic compounds. EPA added the LHAAP site to the
Superfund National Priorities List in 1990. Remedial actions included
the excavation and treatment of soil and sediment and installation of a
ground water treatment plant. In March 2001, the ground water
treatment plant was upgraded to more aggressively address
perchlorate concentrations that ranged from 1000 to 2000 times the
discharge criteria of 13 micrograms per liter. The ground water
treatment plant continues to operate at the site.
THE OPPORTUNITY: In July 1997, the Army liquidated or
demolished all facilities at LHAAP and discontinued use. LHAAP is
located adjacent to the Caddo Lake State Park and Wildlife
Management Area and contains one of the highest quality old-growth
bottomland hardwood forests in the southeastern United States.
Along the shore of Caddo Lake, the wetlands area is listed as a
Ramsar "Wetland of International Significance" and is one of only 17
such designated sites in the United States. In 1998, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) expressed an interest in receiving a no cost
transfer of the lands to establish the Caddo Lake National Wildlife
Refuge.
THE BARRIER: Before the lands could be officially transferred
from the Department of the Army (DA) to USFWS, the agencies had
to reach an agreement on what the post-transfer responsibilities of
each agency would be. Since most areas of known contamination
Abandoned powerhouse facility on LHAAP
property. (Source: Marshall News Messenger)
Barrier: Long-term remediation goals
could delay land transfer and
establishment of Refuge
Solution: MOA between government
agencies to establish overlay refuge
and land transfer plan
Wetlands in Caddo Lake National Wildlife
Refuge.
Before: Vacant former military
facility in valuable ecosystem
After: Incorporated into 7,000-acre
Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
United States
Environmental Protecti"
Agency
lUDerfund Redevelooment Initiative
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were designated as Superfund sites, the transfer of land could not take place until it was certified as cleaned up
to EPA and USFWS standards. At the time, the agencies knew that cleanup of surface and ground water in
some of these areas could entail long-term remediation, requiring that USFWS negotiate some form of co-
management of the former LHAAP property.
THE SOLUTION: In April 2004, DA and USFWS entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that set
forth the transfer process for LHAAP lands and established the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge as an
overlay refuge. Under the overlay refuge designation, USFWS would manage the refuge and wildlife, while the
DA would retain primary jurisdiction and control of lands until cleanup criteria established by EPA and
USFWS are achieved. As cleanup of portions of the site is completed, DA will transfer the land parcels into the
primary jurisdiction, custody, and control of USFWS. EPA's involvement continues to facilitate site
remediation and establishment of the National Wildlife Refuge.
THE SITE NOW: As of July 2008, approximately 7,000 of the 8,490 LHAAP acres have been transferred to
USFWS jurisdiction as part of the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge. By establishing this refuge, the
agencies will ensure that the migratory and resident waterfowl and neotropical migratory birds associated with
these wetlands are conserved and protected. Studies have listed up to 224 species of birds, 22 species of
amphibians, 46 species of reptiles, 93 species offish, and 500 species of plants in this area. Approximately 20
animal species of concern are found on and in the vicinity of the LHAAP property, including the Louisiana
black bear and the bald eagle, which are federally listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. In
2009, a renewable energy viability study will be carried out on the site to explore the potential of integrating
renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass, into the wildlife refuge. The
study would include: assessing the technical feasibility of renewable energy technologies on the site; a cost
benefit analysis on potential capital investments; determining applicable draft renewable energy designs and
national and state regulations and incentives; and identifying implications for other sites and lessons learned. A
partial opening of Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge to the public is planned for 2010.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Stephen Tzhone, Remedial Project Manager, at (214)
665-8409 or tzhone.stephen@epa.gov; or Casey Luckett Snyder, Region 6 Superfund Redevelopment
Coordinator, at (214) 665-7393 or luckett.casey@epa.gov.
United States
Environmental Protection
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