Return to Use Initiative
2006 Demonstration Project
Beulah Landfill: Pensacola, FL
THE SITE: The 101-acre Beuiah 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 soiid 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.
THE OPPORTUNITY: 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 iow-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.
THE 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.
Barriers:
Overprotective signs and fencing;
uncertainty about whether aero-
modeling 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
Before:
Cleaned up,vacant landfill site
with ongoing ground water moni-
toring
After:
Model airplane flying field, used
daily by aeromodelers
THE SOLUTION: Ultimately, persistence paid off.Oncethe right people
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
¦

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at EPA,FDEP,and Escambia County became aware of the AMA club's interest and determined that aeromodeling
was a suitable use at the site, 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 asToys forTots.The club also visited
neighborhoods nearthe site, distributed brochures,and spoke with residentsto reassure them that modeling
uses 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 below). 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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Bill Denman, Region 4 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator, at
404.562.8939 or denman.bill@epa.gov.

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