RETURN TO USE INITIATIVE
2006 Demonstration Project
BEULAH LANDFILL:
Pensacola, Florida
THE SITE: The 101-acre Beulah Landfill was a
waste disposal site from 1966 until 1984. Solid wastes,
domestic septage, and wastewater treatment sludges
were disposed of in a former sand borrow pit on the
southern portion of the site; the northern portion of the
site received only solid wastes. The State of Florida
ordered a halt to operations at the waste pits in 1984.
The site was listed on the National Priorities List
(NPL) in 1990 and EPA issued a Record of Decision
in 1993. The selected remedy included implementing
institutional controls to limit future development at
the site, taking steps to prevent trespassers from
accessing the site, and completing a landfill closure
according to Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (FDEP) standards (these included capping
the landfill area). Aside from implementing these
institutional controls and monitoring the ground water,
no further action was deemed necessary to ensure the
protection of human health and the environment. The
site was deleted from the NPL in 1998. Ground water
monitoring continues on the site.
HE OPPOR UN Although cleanup of the
property finished in 1993, the site remained vacant
and unutilized. A local Academy of Model Aeronautics
(AMA) representative tried to contact EPA and FDEP
on several occasions to inquire about using the site
for aeromodeling, but he found it difficult to establish
appropriate connections. Meanwhile, Escambia County
(the site's owner) was working to develop low-impact
reuse strategies that would not threaten the long-term
integrity of the landfill cover, particularly on the southern
half, where an engineered landfill cap is present. The
County's objectives were based on its desire to improve
open-space recreational opportunities for its citizens;
in doing so, they could also make use of property that
was otherwise unavailable.
PICTURED: The Northern part of the Beulah Landfill is now
known as Fritz Field, (source: EPA)
BARRIERS:
Overprotective signs and fencing; uncertainty about whether
aeromodeling was an appropriate site use.
SOLUTION:
Gate key given to authorized site users; active dialogue among
EPA, state agency, county officials, and local aeromodeling club.
's4C0LA.
PICTURED: Sign announcing the Fritz Fieid in Pensacola
Florida, (source: EPA)
BEFORE:
Cleaned up, vacant landfill site with ongoing ground water
monitoring.
AFTER:
Model airplane flying field, used daily by aeromodelers.
II | jkj^ United States
Environmental Protection
L_| § It Agency
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
Updated: August 2010 1

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HE BARRIER: Despite the documented protectiveness of the remedy, signs on the site's perimeter
fence warned trespassers not to enter the site or disturb the soil. Such signs gave the impression that
accessing or using the site was dangerous. Communication barriers also existed among FDEP, EPA,
AMA, and Escambia County. AMA was at first unable to identify the appropriate party to contact about
using the site. EPA, FDEP, and Escambia County had never considered an aeromodeling use for the site
but were willing to look into the feasibility of the proposal.
HE SOLU ION: Ultimately, persistence paid off. Once the right people at EPA, FDEP, and Escambia
County became aware of the AMA club's interest and determined that aeromodeling was a suitable use,
the AMA club began to move forward with site planning. AMA members had established a good reputation
in the community by conducting model airplane flying lessons for middle school students, high school
students, Boy Scouts, and organizations such as Toys for Tots. The club also visited neighborhoods near
the site, distributed brochures, and spoke with residents to reassure them that aeromodeling would not
cause noise pollution or other disturbances. The stakeholders formed a solid partnership and reached a
consensus on the implementation of AMA's proposal for aeromodeling reuse.
THE SITE NOW: The northern part of the Beulah Landfill, now known as Fritz Field, is a successful
model airplane park that has received high praise from local news media. Warning signs on the site
fence were removed, but the fence remains in place to keep out trespassers. The AMA club has a key to
the gated entrance; the sign on the gate reads, "Park is AVAILABLE when gates are OPEN." Any money
generated from the use of the site cannot be used for individual profit, but rather must be invested in site
improvements and maintenance. AMA members have devoted time, energy, and money to improvements
and maintenance on the site to make it more compatible with modeling use, including laying down sod,
mowing the grass, installing trash cans, and installing fencing at the parking lot. Escambia County
also funded a runway for plane take-off and landing (pictured above). Local astronomers have recently
expressed interest in establishing an observatory at the site and an on-site drainage pond may soon be
used to operate model boats. The park is currently open seven days a week, from 7:30 A.M. until dusk.
PICTURED: The runway for plane take-off and landing at Fritz Field,
(source: EPA)
FOR MORE INFORMA ION, PLEASE CONTACT: Bill Denman, Region 4 Superfund
Redevelopment Coordinator, at (404) 562-8939 or denman.bill@epa.gov.
pp|j| United States
Environmental Protection	Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
1—J jr % Agency
kAgency
Updated: August 2010 2

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